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First, The Egg
Unknown Binding
About the author
Henry Farrell
46 books30 followersHenry Farrell was an American novelist and screenwriter, best known as the author of the renowned gothic horror story What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was made into a 1962 film starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
Farrell was born Charles Farrell Myers in California, and grew up in Chowchilla, California. Under the name Charles F. Myers, he wrote the "Toffee" short stories in SF magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. Later taking the pseudonym Henry Farrell, his first novel was The Hostage, published in 1959. He would publish five novels between 1959 - 1967.
He also wrote numerous teleplays for television movies and series such as Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Farrell passed away in his home in Pacific Palisades, California at age 85. According to his obituary, he completed another novel, titled A Piece of Clarisse, shortly before his death. There is currently no word on publication.
Farrell was born Charles Farrell Myers in California, and grew up in Chowchilla, California. Under the name Charles F. Myers, he wrote the "Toffee" short stories in SF magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. Later taking the pseudonym Henry Farrell, his first novel was The Hostage, published in 1959. He would publish five novels between 1959 - 1967.
He also wrote numerous teleplays for television movies and series such as Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Farrell passed away in his home in Pacific Palisades, California at age 85. According to his obituary, he completed another novel, titled A Piece of Clarisse, shortly before his death. There is currently no word on publication.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 17, 2026
Enjoyable story.
February 16, 2026
First, The Egg is very different from Farrell's best known work; Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? This story is darkly funny and in a vein that would be as suitable for children as it is for adults.
When Orvil Sleeper is almost buried alive in an Avalanche in the North Pole, he manages to dig both himself out and a large egg.
A production company buys the rights to his story, wanting to make a film of it, but as is often the case with adaptations, so much is changed for the film, that Orvil no longer recognises it as an event that actually happened to him.
Things become increasingly fantastical for the despondent Orvil, but no one will believe him.
I really enjoyed the writing of this story, it was absurd, but the author knew it was and didn't try to pretend otherwise. It's quite a humourous little tale, but not all that memorable in comparison to Farrell's better known work.
When Orvil Sleeper is almost buried alive in an Avalanche in the North Pole, he manages to dig both himself out and a large egg.
A production company buys the rights to his story, wanting to make a film of it, but as is often the case with adaptations, so much is changed for the film, that Orvil no longer recognises it as an event that actually happened to him.
Things become increasingly fantastical for the despondent Orvil, but no one will believe him.
I really enjoyed the writing of this story, it was absurd, but the author knew it was and didn't try to pretend otherwise. It's quite a humourous little tale, but not all that memorable in comparison to Farrell's better known work.
April 25, 2020
A simple short story, included in the 2013 edition of "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", but never before in print.
Like most of Farrell's work, the story revolves around movie-making, and all the unbelievable crazy wackiness in that industry. This story, however, also incorporates a fantastical element.
2.5 stars.
Like most of Farrell's work, the story revolves around movie-making, and all the unbelievable crazy wackiness in that industry. This story, however, also incorporates a fantastical element.
2.5 stars.
June 7, 2018
Well this was a little bit o’ whimsy! Kind of like a Stephen King/Franz Kafka mashup. I’m glad I stumbled across it!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews