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The Outcast: And Other Dark Tales
An anthology of the best stories of E.F. Benson, a beloved though now less well-known ghost story writer. Featuring a mixture of Benson’s classics with rare tales from literary magazines in the Library collection, this title includes a new introduction which sheds light on this fascinating character of an author, himself an ‘Outcast’ from family and society.
The terrifying presence of a restless spirit on the top deck of a London bus; a possession at the bridge table on a cruise up the Nile; a nightmare encounter with druidic sacrifice in the innocuous setting of a terraced back garden...
E.F. Benson’s ‘spook stories’ pushed the boundaries of the ghost story tradition by exploring new, previously ‘out of bounds’ settings – such as public transport and even hauntings by daylight – to frighten his readers from the 1890s to the 1930s.
Benson delighted in twisting every idea and image and experimenting with the unexpected; this new collection of short stories from across his long career in writing draws together the most innovative, satisfyingly dark and still resonant tales to thrill anew, and to give a clear picture of this playful master of the form, to whom many writers of supernatural fiction have been indebted. This edition also features a detailed introduction containing the fascinating story of Benson’s life, and the never before republished story ‘Billy Comes Through’.
The terrifying presence of a restless spirit on the top deck of a London bus; a possession at the bridge table on a cruise up the Nile; a nightmare encounter with druidic sacrifice in the innocuous setting of a terraced back garden...
E.F. Benson’s ‘spook stories’ pushed the boundaries of the ghost story tradition by exploring new, previously ‘out of bounds’ settings – such as public transport and even hauntings by daylight – to frighten his readers from the 1890s to the 1930s.
Benson delighted in twisting every idea and image and experimenting with the unexpected; this new collection of short stories from across his long career in writing draws together the most innovative, satisfyingly dark and still resonant tales to thrill anew, and to give a clear picture of this playful master of the form, to whom many writers of supernatural fiction have been indebted. This edition also features a detailed introduction containing the fascinating story of Benson’s life, and the never before republished story ‘Billy Comes Through’.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2020
24 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
E.F. Benson
1,030 books354 followersEdward Frederic "E. F." Benson was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer.
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
E. F. Benson was the younger brother of A.C. Benson, who wrote the words to "Land of Hope and Glory", Robert Hugh Benson, author of several novels and Roman Catholic apologetic works, and Margaret Benson, an author and amateur Egyptologist.
Benson died during 1940 of throat cancer at the University College Hospital, London. He is buried in the cemetery at Rye, East Sussex.
Last paragraph from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 26, 2021
What a treat!
And yet there was an awful moment at the start when I thought I'd bought a lemon. The stories are in chronological order, and the two earliest efforts are a bit ropy.
However, it became fun and interesting to watch Benson's skill develop and mature as I read through the collection. The last story, "Billy Comes Through", is wonderful: gossamer light, but shadowy and enigmatic at the same time.
It was also fun to see the creator of Queen Lucia peep out slyly from the gloom every once in a while. There are often flashes of satire, especially in the dialogue, and several passages made me laugh out loud. By the time he wrote "Billy Comes Through", Benson had become such a master craftsman that he could seamlessly blend the satirical with the spooky, without losing the force of either.
The editor's introduction is good too.
And yet there was an awful moment at the start when I thought I'd bought a lemon. The stories are in chronological order, and the two earliest efforts are a bit ropy.
However, it became fun and interesting to watch Benson's skill develop and mature as I read through the collection. The last story, "Billy Comes Through", is wonderful: gossamer light, but shadowy and enigmatic at the same time.
It was also fun to see the creator of Queen Lucia peep out slyly from the gloom every once in a while. There are often flashes of satire, especially in the dialogue, and several passages made me laugh out loud. By the time he wrote "Billy Comes Through", Benson had become such a master craftsman that he could seamlessly blend the satirical with the spooky, without losing the force of either.
The editor's introduction is good too.
March 21, 2023
Introduction by Mike Ashley 4⭐
Dummy on a Dahabeah • (variant of Cherry Blossom 1896) 3.5⭐
A Winter Morning • (1893) 3.5⭐
The Thing in the Hall • (1912) 5⭐
The Passenger • (1917) 4.5⭐
The Light in the Garden • (1921) 3.5⭐
The Outcast • (1922) 4.5⭐
The Top Landing • (1922) 3.5⭐
The Face • (1924) 5⭐
The Corner House • (1926) 3.5⭐
By the Sluice • (1927) 4⭐
Pirates • (1928) 5⭐
The Secret Garden • (1940) 3⭐
The Flint Knife • (1929) 5⭐
The Bath-Chair • (1934) 4⭐
The Dance • (1934) 5⭐
Billy Comes Through • (1936) 4⭐
Dummy on a Dahabeah • (variant of Cherry Blossom 1896) 3.5⭐
A Winter Morning • (1893) 3.5⭐
The Thing in the Hall • (1912) 5⭐
The Passenger • (1917) 4.5⭐
The Light in the Garden • (1921) 3.5⭐
The Outcast • (1922) 4.5⭐
The Top Landing • (1922) 3.5⭐
The Face • (1924) 5⭐
The Corner House • (1926) 3.5⭐
By the Sluice • (1927) 4⭐
Pirates • (1928) 5⭐
The Secret Garden • (1940) 3⭐
The Flint Knife • (1929) 5⭐
The Bath-Chair • (1934) 4⭐
The Dance • (1934) 5⭐
Billy Comes Through • (1936) 4⭐
October 4, 2023
I was really excited to see the British Library release an edition of Benson's ghost stories with a pretty new cover! I have a huge soft spot for Benson as a ghost story writer and especially love his stories "Negotium Perambulans," "The Man Who Went Too Far," and "The Room in the Tower" (the latter being one of the few ghost stories from this era that scares me in an actually visceral, goose bumps, looking over my shoulder kinda way). None of these stories are in this collection which is fine as I was excited to read some of Benson's overlooked stories. Many of the stories in the collection ("The Face," "Between the Lights," "The Dance") I'd already read before but many I was unfamiliar with.
Unfortunately, I think Benson might be a writer whose highly-anthologized well-known stories are his best work and who doesn't have a whole lot of hidden gems. Benson is at his best when he explains very little and focuses on atmosphere and actual scares. There are definitely highlights in this collection. "The Face" is a terrifying, near perfect ghost story about a woman haunted by an unfamiliar figure in her dreams. "Between the Lights" is a bizarre and enjoyable folk horror precursor that I absolutely love. I found "The Corner House" to be genuinely freaky and "The Dance" is wonderfully unpleasant. Of the stories that are unfamiliar to me, I really liked the title story about a woman who, though on the surface is perfectly charming and attractive, inspires nothing but disgust and repugnance in those who get to know her. The supernatural conclusion is original, mysterious, and honestly very depressing. I found "Dummy on a Dahabeah" to be very fun and spooky too, despite being predictable and without the well-honed atmosphere of Benson's best. And "The Flint Knife" is just plain awesome, a gory, folk-horror ripper with sacrificial tables hidden in manicured gardens and hordes of ghostly flies ala The Amityville Horror.
That said, there were plenty of duds here and the vast majority of these were stories I hadn't read before. Benson has the annoying quality of many of his contemporary horror writers of trying to over-explain the horror with pseudoscience, which always makes me roll my eyes. Many of these also recycle themes from other stories. "In the Sluice" has a moment that feels like a knockoff of the far superior "The Face." "The Light in the Garden" was a rehash of his story (not featured in this collection) "James Mapp." "The Top Landing," "The Passenger," and "The Thing in the Hall" just felt uncreative, though the writing is never bad. Many stories weren't scary, but Benson wasn't trying to scare us. He has plenty of more humorous ghost stories, as well as ones that are more focused on bittersweet pathos. An example of this is "Pirates" which is a very sweet, pretty story but not scary at all, as well as "Billy Comes Through." "A Winter Morning" is just a mournful mood piece. Why do I care? Well, in the introduction Mike Ashley talks about how these stories complied are the *darkest* in Benson's catalogue. Then why include stories that are meant to hit you in the heartstrings instead of raise goose pimples on the back of your neck? Why not include grisly shockers like "The House with the Brick Kiln" or "The Sanctuary?"
Don't let the critique over the story choice fool you, I am very glad this collection exists and I had a fantastic time reading most of it. Although he can be a bit hot or cold, Benson has a well-earned reputation as a fantastic writer and creator of incredible ghost or horror stories. That said, this book seems to be more for an existing fan rather than somebody trying to get into his work. If you're the latter, I'd recommend tracking down something that has "The Man who Went Too Far" or that gem of a ghost story "The Room in the Tower." I think Benson is a writer whose notable and well-thumbed triumphs are his best and I'm glad the British Library are doing their part to preserve his work in an accessible, well-designed book!
October 2023 Horror Library 2/9
Unfortunately, I think Benson might be a writer whose highly-anthologized well-known stories are his best work and who doesn't have a whole lot of hidden gems. Benson is at his best when he explains very little and focuses on atmosphere and actual scares. There are definitely highlights in this collection. "The Face" is a terrifying, near perfect ghost story about a woman haunted by an unfamiliar figure in her dreams. "Between the Lights" is a bizarre and enjoyable folk horror precursor that I absolutely love. I found "The Corner House" to be genuinely freaky and "The Dance" is wonderfully unpleasant. Of the stories that are unfamiliar to me, I really liked the title story about a woman who, though on the surface is perfectly charming and attractive, inspires nothing but disgust and repugnance in those who get to know her. The supernatural conclusion is original, mysterious, and honestly very depressing. I found "Dummy on a Dahabeah" to be very fun and spooky too, despite being predictable and without the well-honed atmosphere of Benson's best. And "The Flint Knife" is just plain awesome, a gory, folk-horror ripper with sacrificial tables hidden in manicured gardens and hordes of ghostly flies ala The Amityville Horror.
That said, there were plenty of duds here and the vast majority of these were stories I hadn't read before. Benson has the annoying quality of many of his contemporary horror writers of trying to over-explain the horror with pseudoscience, which always makes me roll my eyes. Many of these also recycle themes from other stories. "In the Sluice" has a moment that feels like a knockoff of the far superior "The Face." "The Light in the Garden" was a rehash of his story (not featured in this collection) "James Mapp." "The Top Landing," "The Passenger," and "The Thing in the Hall" just felt uncreative, though the writing is never bad. Many stories weren't scary, but Benson wasn't trying to scare us. He has plenty of more humorous ghost stories, as well as ones that are more focused on bittersweet pathos. An example of this is "Pirates" which is a very sweet, pretty story but not scary at all, as well as "Billy Comes Through." "A Winter Morning" is just a mournful mood piece. Why do I care? Well, in the introduction Mike Ashley talks about how these stories complied are the *darkest* in Benson's catalogue. Then why include stories that are meant to hit you in the heartstrings instead of raise goose pimples on the back of your neck? Why not include grisly shockers like "The House with the Brick Kiln" or "The Sanctuary?"
Don't let the critique over the story choice fool you, I am very glad this collection exists and I had a fantastic time reading most of it. Although he can be a bit hot or cold, Benson has a well-earned reputation as a fantastic writer and creator of incredible ghost or horror stories. That said, this book seems to be more for an existing fan rather than somebody trying to get into his work. If you're the latter, I'd recommend tracking down something that has "The Man who Went Too Far" or that gem of a ghost story "The Room in the Tower." I think Benson is a writer whose notable and well-thumbed triumphs are his best and I'm glad the British Library are doing their part to preserve his work in an accessible, well-designed book!
October 2023 Horror Library 2/9
November 3, 2025
E F Benson is the dude when it comes to spooky and eerie stories!
This collection has a great range of subjects, settings, characters and things that go bump in the night!
Benson has that skill of being able to "set up quickly" whilst sacrificing none of the detail. We get whole worlds and fully formed relationships in the space of a few pages. The level of tension and unease is always spot on; that realisation of uh oh, things are about to get terribly pear shaped!
I loved this collection and give it 5 spookalicious stars.
This collection has a great range of subjects, settings, characters and things that go bump in the night!
Benson has that skill of being able to "set up quickly" whilst sacrificing none of the detail. We get whole worlds and fully formed relationships in the space of a few pages. The level of tension and unease is always spot on; that realisation of uh oh, things are about to get terribly pear shaped!
I loved this collection and give it 5 spookalicious stars.
July 5, 2025
Excellent collection, if not as new or revelatory as Ashley suggests as his Introduction.
April 20, 2024
Enjoyed these! Even in the stories where I could take or leave the plot or the resolution, Benson's writing is solid, especially when it comes to evoking mood. Highlight is definitely The Face for just being really vague and creepy and knowing that it's better not to overexplain everything. Also really enjoyed Benson's account of his experiences of a seemingly paranormal event in The Secret Garden, which he ends saying that his unadorned, unembroidered, and unexplained version would be better than any fictional ghost story he could base off it. What then follows is a fictional ghost story clearly based off of it (The Flint Knife) - love the editorial decision to dunk on your subject like that.
Slightly more perplexed by the editorial decisions in the (most biographical) intro section, where buckets of detail are given on all his ill-fated siblings, but as far as I can tell there's no mention of Benson's possible/probable well documented homosexuality (look it up) which might have, you know, been important to his life and an influence on his work? Also, as has been noted in other reviews, the editor's claim to have gone for the lesser known, grimmer, and darker Benson stories doesn't quite match up with what we're offered: amidst the nasty stuff are quite a lot of stories of a sadder, more melancholy, or even sweet bent (A Winter Morning, Pirates, Billy Comes Through). To be clear, I think the inclusion of these stories is a good thing, while they weren't my favourites I still liked all of them, and they added a nice bit of light and shade to the volume.
Slightly more perplexed by the editorial decisions in the (most biographical) intro section, where buckets of detail are given on all his ill-fated siblings, but as far as I can tell there's no mention of Benson's possible/probable well documented homosexuality (look it up) which might have, you know, been important to his life and an influence on his work? Also, as has been noted in other reviews, the editor's claim to have gone for the lesser known, grimmer, and darker Benson stories doesn't quite match up with what we're offered: amidst the nasty stuff are quite a lot of stories of a sadder, more melancholy, or even sweet bent (A Winter Morning, Pirates, Billy Comes Through). To be clear, I think the inclusion of these stories is a good thing, while they weren't my favourites I still liked all of them, and they added a nice bit of light and shade to the volume.
January 15, 2026
I bought this in Rye, when visiting in December, where E.F. Benson lived and died and wrote some of these stories. The introduction by Mike Ashley was fascinating, but he hyped it up for me by calling these Benson's most dark and horrible stories - and then the collection felt flat. I've found most of the stories quite repetitive and forgettable. Don't get me wrong, there were some very good ones, like 'The Passenger' - the ending was pretty graphic and gruesome! I also liked 'Dummy on a Dahabeah', 'The Top Landing' and 'Billy Comes Through'.
Want to read
September 26, 2023PLACEHOLDER REVIEW
Working my way through the reading for the January 2025 (not a mistype!) January of Public Domain stories for PSEUDOPOD.org podcast and I came upon this Benson story ("The Flint Knife") that was not in my The Collected Ghost Stories of E.F. Benson (so it must have been discovered after the fact), but was able to find a copy, online, of the GHOST STORIES MAGAZINE from 1929 that it was part of.
In "The Flint Knife" by E.F. Benson, two friends talk about whether places absorb the character of the people who live there/actions performed there and the one says they'll be able to do an investigation because he's just found out that his back yard garden is about 10 feet longer than he thought, and a small area at the back was walled away (walls on all sides) by his parents, but he's intending to open it back up, clear out the scrub, and build a private little garden. And in doing just that, they discover an ancient Druidic altar... This is, in many ways, a typical Benson story, and a typical British ghost story. Some artifact from the past is uncovered and malign powers begin to make themselves known abstractedly (through sounds and quick visions and dreams and the like). Still, for being very familiar it's not bad - it clips along, and there's almost something like "Benson tries to write a less formal/stuffy M.R. James story" about it. I liked it.
Working my way through the reading for the January 2025 (not a mistype!) January of Public Domain stories for PSEUDOPOD.org podcast and I came upon this Benson story ("The Flint Knife") that was not in my The Collected Ghost Stories of E.F. Benson (so it must have been discovered after the fact), but was able to find a copy, online, of the GHOST STORIES MAGAZINE from 1929 that it was part of.
In "The Flint Knife" by E.F. Benson, two friends talk about whether places absorb the character of the people who live there/actions performed there and the one says they'll be able to do an investigation because he's just found out that his back yard garden is about 10 feet longer than he thought, and a small area at the back was walled away (walls on all sides) by his parents, but he's intending to open it back up, clear out the scrub, and build a private little garden. And in doing just that, they discover an ancient Druidic altar... This is, in many ways, a typical Benson story, and a typical British ghost story. Some artifact from the past is uncovered and malign powers begin to make themselves known abstractedly (through sounds and quick visions and dreams and the like). Still, for being very familiar it's not bad - it clips along, and there's almost something like "Benson tries to write a less formal/stuffy M.R. James story" about it. I liked it.
May 17, 2021
Good selection of Victorian horror stories. Light reading
June 25, 2022
this might be the best collection in the series that i have read so far. e.f. benson's mastery over the genre is clear; the stories are scary and atmospheric, creative and intriguing.
there were strong themes and motives that ran through the stories; for example, the ghost as an evidence of a murder was one, and so was the malevolent presence that persists after death. it was interesting to see them play out in so many different ways.
my favourite entries were 'a dummy on a dahabeah', 'between the lights', 'the thing in the hall', 'the passenger', 'the light in the garden', 'the outcast', 'the face', 'the corner house' (those being a standout trifecta for me), 'the flint knife'. 'pirates' and 'billy comes through' i enjoyed to a lesser degree but i found something very sweet about them and felt a mention was due.
there were strong themes and motives that ran through the stories; for example, the ghost as an evidence of a murder was one, and so was the malevolent presence that persists after death. it was interesting to see them play out in so many different ways.
my favourite entries were 'a dummy on a dahabeah', 'between the lights', 'the thing in the hall', 'the passenger', 'the light in the garden', 'the outcast', 'the face', 'the corner house' (those being a standout trifecta for me), 'the flint knife'. 'pirates' and 'billy comes through' i enjoyed to a lesser degree but i found something very sweet about them and felt a mention was due.
January 14, 2024
I just love this series and this collection did not disappoint. I'm not familiar with Benson so it introduced me to another gothic writer to feed my ever growing obsession. The first couple of tales are really good but pale in comparison as the stories progress through as Benson developed his skill in building that quiet, dark tension that just drips in emotion. Between The Lights is absolutely superb and the rapid abrupt ending just makes it so much more impactful and The Passenger is just chilling. The Outcast was a fantastic story that torments you with feeling sympathetic towards the focus character but also somehow feeling the same revulsion as those around her without knowing why and The Face just left me lost for words. This volume is just packed with such gems.
February 25, 2019
This was the last story in the pulp magazine, and it was the only one that wasn't that great. It was very short, and not that interesting. It would have been more atmospheric if it wasn't for the golf...
September 13, 2020
A great collection of spooky weird tales by E.F. Benson. Too many standout stories in the collection to pick a favourite. British Library publications are always excellent. 10/10 for this collection.
May 2, 2019
Not very exciting, intriguing or scary.
May 5, 2024
An exemplary collection. If this is what a collection of Benson's rarities is like then I will have to read his main collections
June 14, 2021
Having had the privilege to first become acquainted of the Benson family through A.C. and R. H. Benson's stories, I decided it was high time to read the weird tales from the middle brother, E.F. Benson.
There is no denying that E.F. had a talent and it was used rather well in his many stories and novels upon researching the author before hand. Upon starting the stories contained in this book, I had the chance to see for myself his unique prose and writing style typical of his era; mysterious and a flair for the melodramatic. Keep in mind that the following is my own opinion.
I was somewhat disappointed with the first four tales in the book. While 'Dummy on a Dahabeah' had some promise, the next three didn't impress me. I had some rather Gothic-like expectations when it came to horror stories, it seemed. But then, you are rewarded for your continued reading with some excellent and suspenseful stories. One of my favorites that was an easily memorable (and even sad) read are 'Pirates': a story about a widowed man whose memories of his long deceased family come back to him in full swing.
Upon reaching the end, a previously unearthed story, 'Billy Comes Through' makes its 21st century debut. I couldn't get into this one, like the first four tales. So it was a shame this story didn't captivate me like some of the others did.
But for those stories that I did read and enjoyed, I have come to the conclusion that this collection of stories is worth the price tag and a four-star rating. It is now a part of my library and I am quite happy that it is. I would say that E.F. does a remarkable job as a storyteller and if this is your first time hearing of the talented Benson family, then I suggest starting off with E.F. and his tales as a good and solid introduction.
There is no denying that E.F. had a talent and it was used rather well in his many stories and novels upon researching the author before hand. Upon starting the stories contained in this book, I had the chance to see for myself his unique prose and writing style typical of his era; mysterious and a flair for the melodramatic. Keep in mind that the following is my own opinion.
I was somewhat disappointed with the first four tales in the book. While 'Dummy on a Dahabeah' had some promise, the next three didn't impress me. I had some rather Gothic-like expectations when it came to horror stories, it seemed. But then, you are rewarded for your continued reading with some excellent and suspenseful stories. One of my favorites that was an easily memorable (and even sad) read are 'Pirates': a story about a widowed man whose memories of his long deceased family come back to him in full swing.
Upon reaching the end, a previously unearthed story, 'Billy Comes Through' makes its 21st century debut. I couldn't get into this one, like the first four tales. So it was a shame this story didn't captivate me like some of the others did.
But for those stories that I did read and enjoyed, I have come to the conclusion that this collection of stories is worth the price tag and a four-star rating. It is now a part of my library and I am quite happy that it is. I would say that E.F. does a remarkable job as a storyteller and if this is your first time hearing of the talented Benson family, then I suggest starting off with E.F. and his tales as a good and solid introduction.
October 19, 2021
I picked up The Outcast randomly, after having admired the British Library: Tales of the Weird collection for awhile, but resisting it's call. This one was pretty cheap and I'm always looking to read classic horror writers that I'm unfamilar with, which I seemed to be with Mr. Benson. I didn't recognize any of these stories but the introduction points out that the really popular ones have been omitted, so it's possible I'd read those at some point.
My favorite story was Pirates, a sweet and sentimental take on death and time and the impressions of the past. The title story is also good, about a seemingly ordinary woman with an unavoidable repulsiveness, as was The Corner House, if for nothing else than the description of its unpleasant resident.
It's a pretty solid collection of stories. Laid out in chronological order, there's a definite shift in quality as you move along; halfway through I felt the collection really picked up. If your familiar with early 20th century ghost stories than there's nothing new here. Lots of haunted houses and haunted people. Predictable outcomes overshadowed by well-crafted atmosphere. If you like this sort of thing, its a worthy read.
My favorite story was Pirates, a sweet and sentimental take on death and time and the impressions of the past. The title story is also good, about a seemingly ordinary woman with an unavoidable repulsiveness, as was The Corner House, if for nothing else than the description of its unpleasant resident.
It's a pretty solid collection of stories. Laid out in chronological order, there's a definite shift in quality as you move along; halfway through I felt the collection really picked up. If your familiar with early 20th century ghost stories than there's nothing new here. Lots of haunted houses and haunted people. Predictable outcomes overshadowed by well-crafted atmosphere. If you like this sort of thing, its a worthy read.
June 11, 2022
I bought this based on that beautiful cover art, but it ended up a disappointment. I tried, I gave it a shot, I got up to the halfway point, but I had to DNF it because it was sucking the soul out of me it’s so dull.
I read the reviews and saw a lot of them say how the first few stories are the weakest, that it gets better, but that just wasn’t my experience with this book. I’m used to reading Victorian literature and this was written later than that yet it reads so antiquated that I really struggled to get beyond it. And every single story felt like a Victorian parlor trick, there was no actual suspense to any of them, nor any explanation for what was happening or any emotion from the main characters beyond hysteria. There just wasn’t anything to connect with.
I read up to the story that’s portrayed on the cover art, and that was the point I gave up. As the cover art was what drew me in and even that was a lemon, then I couldn’t see it getting any better from there.
I read the reviews and saw a lot of them say how the first few stories are the weakest, that it gets better, but that just wasn’t my experience with this book. I’m used to reading Victorian literature and this was written later than that yet it reads so antiquated that I really struggled to get beyond it. And every single story felt like a Victorian parlor trick, there was no actual suspense to any of them, nor any explanation for what was happening or any emotion from the main characters beyond hysteria. There just wasn’t anything to connect with.
I read up to the story that’s portrayed on the cover art, and that was the point I gave up. As the cover art was what drew me in and even that was a lemon, then I couldn’t see it getting any better from there.
February 11, 2024
These collected stories of E. F. Benson are simply a joy to read; on a level with those of M. R. James. The tales in this collection include:
Dummy on a Dahabeah
A Winter Morning
Between the Lights
The Thing in the Hall
The Passenger
The Light in the Garden
The Outcast
The Top Landing
The Face
The Corner House
By the Sluice
Pirates
The Secret Garden
The Flint Knife
The Bath-Chair
The Dance
Billy Comes Through
Dummy on a Dahabeah
A Winter Morning
Between the Lights
The Thing in the Hall
The Passenger
The Light in the Garden
The Outcast
The Top Landing
The Face
The Corner House
By the Sluice
Pirates
The Secret Garden
The Flint Knife
The Bath-Chair
The Dance
Billy Comes Through
July 27, 2023
I like early Benson. Late Benson, not so much. The stories became increasingly unsavoury and I had to bump it down to 3 stars. Nonetheless, it's a good collection if you want to avoid his more well-known stories.
September 26, 2024
Turns out the author of the Map and Lucia novels also wrote supernatural horror. Most of the seventeen stories are rather brief sketches. I thought two of the long ones, The Face and Pirates, were the best.
December 23, 2025
This was an interesting collection of stories written E.F. Benson. Some really stood out while others were more understated but although it was a good collection. My favourite was 'The Secret Garden' which was the story that was written based on Benson's own haunting that he experienced.
July 31, 2022
It took me a while to get through this. Some of the stories I found monotonous and 'samey' but others had really cool ideas. Therefore, 2 stars.
October 22, 2022
Victorian Gothic mystery and intrigue. Just short enough to be a quick read and long enough to keep the intrigue and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews