Horror Aficionados discussion

Anyone know much about this classic horror writer from the 50's/60's?

I've just started reading a collection of his entitled Cold Hand in Mine. It was quite expensive but I've heard some good things about this author so I have high expectations.

I've read his stories in a few anthologies and found him to be a great author :) U hope you like your book!

He only wrote two novels. All others were collections.
But, I've been on the lookout for his second novel, heard/read reviews about it a few years back.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/r...

Robert Aickman is a legend. He wrote my all time favourite supernatural short story Ringing The Changes. I've just spent a long time trying to get a copy that was in a collection but found it in a Mary Danby collection via Amazon. Enjoy. He's a wonderful writer.

Well, I'm enjoying it so far!

he is my favorite horror author, but sadly i don't know much about him.

There is no comparison between Ramsey Campbell and Robert Aickman. Campbell is an amateur in comparison.Just my opinion of course :) Aickman is more psychological and is very much under-rated. I find that you are thinking about his stories long after reading them.

i think they are both masters. but i think they operate in ways that are very different than most horror writers. i prefer aickman by far, but that is due to my own personal taste - i think they are probably equally capable writers. campbell has his pulpier aspects while aickman seems to draw from a more classical style.

Very nicely said Mark - that sums up my thoughts as well - Campbell and Aickman are similar on some fronts (ambiguity, mood, tone) but dissimilar on others. Campbell is pulpier, and interested with capturing the urban experience, whereas Aickman is more classically styled and interested in the resonance of mythic imagery, but they shared similar concerns in some areas.

"resonance of mythic imagery"....an excellent description of aickman's interests!

I have heard Aickman compared to Campbell before, particularly for their heavy use of ambiguity and dream like imagery. I must stay that, after reading the first four stories of "Cold Hand in Mine", and having read Demons by Daylight (by Campbell), Campbell's ambiguity was far more intense, as well as his use of imagery.

I agree that Aickman does seem to be more in the classic tradition and, perhaps because I am reading this author along side, quite reminiscient of Oliver Onions.

Oliver Onions.....wasn't sure if that was an author, or a new side dish! :)

I haven't read much of this author but I have read "The Swords" a couple of times. It was also made into a very good episode of The Hunger.

"The Swords" is one of my favorites!

I loved that episode of Hunger, one of the best

I thought so too. It was the first episode, and the ones after it have been good, but that was the best.

I just received Cold Hand in Mine in the mail. Can't wait to get into it. I've never read Aickman before.

Charles wrote: "I just received Cold Hand in Mine in the mail. Can't wait to get into it. I've never read Aickman before."

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I'm now reading The Wine-Dark Sea. The first story (from which the collection takes it's name) was excellent.

I love Aickman - he's been a big influence on my writing, ever since I discovered him. 'Cold Hand in Mine' and 'The Wine-Dark Sea' are both excellent collections.

To me, he's one of those so-called horror writers whose work is best summed up by the term 'weird fiction'; it's obvious he has other artistic desire other than to (just) make you scared, although he does do unease very well... He's kind of a cross between straight horror and someone like Kafka really.

(p.s. I love Ramsey Campbell too...!)

I'm really enjoying "The Wine Dark-Sea" collection although some stories I definitely prefer to others. "Growing Boys" wasn't really to my taste and "Never Visit Venice" and "The Fetch" certainly aren't amoung Aickman's best but "The Trains", "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen" and "The Inner Room" were first rate.

However, even Aickman's weaker stories are worth reading. I concur wholehartedly with S. T. Joshi when he said: "There are few writers who are as purely pleasurable to read, regardless of their subject matter or the success or failure of their actual work, as Robert Aickman."

nice to see another aickman lover! Wine-Dark Sea is my favorite collection. but they are all good. more than good!

If anyone is interested in discussing his stories in depth, or just his work in general, I have started a new group here Robert Aickman Readers.

I finally read something by this author, a short story "Swords" and was very disappointed. I had enjoyed this story adaptation for the tv show Hunger much more than the actual story. The story to me felt abrupt and unresolved.

So, what's a good collection to start with on Aickman? Cold Hand or Wine Dark Sea?

i'd say Wine-Dark Sea

Bandit wrote: "The story to me felt abrupt and unresolved. "

If you don't like stories that are not neatly resolved, I would stay away from Aickman.

G.R. wrote: "So, what's a good collection to start with on Aickman? Cold Hand or Wine Dark Sea? "

You could quite easily start with either but, for me, "Cold Hand in Mine" just edges it. Overall a better collection in my opinion. Although "Wine Dark Sea" contains the sublime "Into the Wood", possibly his finest story.

Simon, apparently we are going to have to arm-wrestle this one out.