Same time, same place

by Mervyn Peake

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

Unknown Binding

About the author

Mervyn Laurence Peake was an English modernist writer, artist, poet and illustrator. He is best known for what are usually referred to as the Gormenghast books, though the Titus books would be more accurate: the three works that exist were the beginning of what Peake conceived as a lengthy cycle, following his protagonist Titus Groan from cradle to grave, but Peake's untimely death prevented completion of the cycle, which is now commonly but erroneously referred to as a trilogy. They are sometimes compared to the work of his older contemporary J.R.R. Tolkien, but his surreal fiction was influenced by his early love for Charles Dickens and Robert Louis Stevenson rather than Tolkien's studies of mythology and philology.

Peake also wrote poetry and literary nonsense in verse form, short stories for adults and children ("Letters from a Lost Uncle"), stage and radio plays, and Mr Pye, a relatively tightly-structured novel in which God implicitly mocks the evangelical pretensions and cosy world-view of the eponymous hero.

Peake first made his reputation as a painter and illustrator during the 1930s and 1940s, when he lived in London, and he was commissioned to produce portraits of well-known people. A collection of these drawings is still in the possession of his family. Although he gained little popular success in his lifetime, his work was highly respected by his peers, and his friends included Dylan Thomas and Graham Greene. His works are now included in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery and the Imperial War Museum.

Reviews

[Hester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it pays to read a story more closely . When I first read this story I thought it was about an innocent young man being tricked into falling for a malign seductress who isn't what she seems . Same old dull trope I thought. But I read it again and it seems to be more about a small minded young man who , already fearful of the big wide world but craving adventure , does fall for someone but is repelled once he sees she has a disability ..In fact he may not see her as a person at all but some supernatural beast .

What I liked is the detail . The man loathes his parents , with whom he lives , especially his mother's worn down heels on her shoes , a sign of slovenliness. He loathes the chocolate carpet , the pink vase. He seeks risk at Piccadilly Circus but ends up going to Lyons Corner House that most conventional of cafes . The difference between what he sees and the demeanor of the people gathered together in the room he doesn't enter .

[Keegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Since then I have never left the house. I know what is best for me.” He just like me fr fr

[Blake Griggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is remarkably like “A Woman Seldom Found” but much richer than a straight line with a crook at the end. Better writing all around.

[Bradley]

Turns out I found something written by Mervyn Peake that isn’t part of the Titus trilogy. Which I still own, still loathe to read. Such leady language. Even Superman can’t see through all dem words.

That’s not this. I found I liked this story more than I’d like to admit. In fact, I ALMOST wish I’d not donated all my Titus books to the library. Almost.

And a personal kick to my ass. xD

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man of 23 wants to break out of his dreary home and his boring parents. When he meets a fascinating woman things seem to change. They even plan to have a quick marriage. Before the ceremony he is repelled by some strange fellows. Who are they? Why is the marriage doomed to fail? Very weird piece of horror with a nasty twist and some uncanny moments. Really recommended!

[Jakub Brudny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Krótkie opowiadanie, które (według krótkiej notki po samym opowiadaniu) nadaje mu odpowiedni kontekst, niedostrzegalny dla osób z XXI wieku. Choć jednak nie, może jest on dostrzegalny, ale ciężko wyłuskać to z samego opowiadania, bo nie żyjemy w realiach lat 50., a osoby niskorosłe nie są już "niczym dziwnym" w świadomości społecznej - może również dzięki temu opowiadaniu?

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no clue why but this story is really good. It’s simple, but it condenses a lot of human feelings and desires to explore the world, be rejected, go home (and eventually, I assume, hate home again and start the process all over), and start again. It’s unsettling but not so much in a horrific sense, more in an emotional one.

[Klowey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, weird, and playful horror.

[Per · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://archive.org/details/Science_F...

[Egghead · Rating 5 out of 5]

adventurous heart
with an unsatisfied mind...
no, rather stay home.