All Gothic 1: The Boats of the Glen Garrig & The House on the Borderland

by William Hope Hodgson

Gothic Horror 1 brings together in one volume the first two books of William Hope Hodgson's "Trilogy" which was an important influence on H.P. Lovecraft. Fast-paced adventure combines with the supernatural to create "The Boats of Glen Garrig." Events unfold with a vivid believability that could only come from an author who has had first-hand experience with danger. Hodgson's early career at sea allows him to write with authority and create an atmosphere of such authenticity that when the malignant forces begin to intrude, they are all the more convincing.

"The House on the Borderland" is an ancient and crumbling estate, overrun by wild gardens. There resides a man who has a most unusual story to tell--a story that blends horror, fantasy, and science fiction. As a beautifully written work of pure imagination, Hodgson's work has few equals, and has been compared to the writings of Poe, Machen, and Blackwood. As acclaimed horror writer T. E. D. Klein says, "Never has a book so hauntingly conveyed a sense of terrible loneliness and isolation."

Hodgson's Trilogy concludes in Gothic Horror 2 which features "The Ghost Pirates" and also includes the chilling account of "Carnacki The Ghost Finder."

Enjoy a wild ride into the supernatural!

Genres: Horror

319 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

William Hope Hodgson was an English author. He produced a large body of work, consisting of essays, short fiction, and novels, spanning several overlapping genres including horror, fantastic fiction, and science fiction. Early in his writing career he dedicated effort to poetry, although few of his poems were published during his lifetime. He also attracted some notice as a photographer and achieved some renown as a bodybuilder. Hodgson served with the British Army durng World War One. He died, at age 40, at Ypres, killed by German artillery fire.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boats of the Glen Garrig (4/5)

William Hope Hodgson was an important influence on H.P. Lovecraft. In this novel, the survivors of a disaster at sea experience a number of strange and frightening occurances as they search for land and supplies. This book is exciting and truly creepy, and the creatures manage to remain frightening even after they've been described, which is a significant accomplishment.

The House on the Borderland (3/5)

This is a favorite among fans and is considered a classic in weird horror literature. I enjoyed it, but I don't think it will become a personal favorite. Parts of it are truly frightening, but the tale is so deliberately fragmented that I often found myself frustrated -- all of the disparate elements didn't quite gel for me.

[Bleak Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the odder byways of curious literature. The first tale strikes me as something like a deeply unpleasant Jules Verne tale -- lost seamen never want for clever do-it-yourself technology, lengthily described; but the creatures of the weed-choked seas come from nightmares.

"The House on the Borderland" takes leave of such practical matters altogether, and becomes a visionary fable of darkness and evil and the end of time. It probably shouldn't work, but it does. A little-known classic of Edwardian supernatural fiction.

[Joe Triplett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly adventurous book that kept me on edge and in deep interest from front to back. Both stories were excellent. The House on the Borderland also contained an abstract surrealism which inspires rare imagination. The Boats of Glen Garrig was Pirates of the Caribbean meets Edgar Allen Poe. A most definite good read!