Marjorie Bowen

This haunting and unsettling tale delves into the life of little Elsie, a neglected and unwanted orphan, who exists beneath the shadow of her perpetual loneliness. Exploring themes of abandonment, neglect, and the resilience of the human spirit, Elsie's Lonely Afternoon is a gothic horror tale laced with black humour. Elsie is a young orphan living in a grand house in Hampstead under the care of her bed bound grandmother. Forbidden to speak to the servants, the little girl is quite alone in life. This volume is part of the Mothers of the Macabre series, celebrating the gothic horror masterpieces of pioneering women writers who played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the genre. First published in 1933, Marjorie Bowen masterfully explores the the stark contrast between a child's innate need for love and care and the harsh reality of her isolated and uncaring environment.

In a vibrant follow-up to his edition of Marjorie Bowen's The Grey Chamber (2021), John C. Tibbetts has assembled a second volume this unjustly forgotten British writer's work. Here we find selections from half-a-dozen of her most vivid and provocative novels, including such vivid historical works as The Viper of Milan (1906) and The Poisoners (1936). Presented in full is The Devil Snar'd (1932), a novel of supernatural horror that, in the words of Virginia Woolf, "comes from the force with which it makes us realize the power that our minds possess for such excursions into the darkness." There follow an expansive series of recollections of Bowen and critical analyses of her work, from such distinguished writers as Graham Greene, Rebecca West, Michael Sadleir (who writes on "Marjorie Bowen's Tales of Terror"), and Jessica Amanda Salmonson. In an appendix to this volume, Tibbetts transcribes the letters between Bowen and the American literary critic Edward Wagenknecht, covering the period 1945-48 and discussing the grim postwar period in England as well as the possibility of Arkham House publishing some of Bowen's work. Tibbetts concludes the volume with an exhaustive bibliography of her work. Along with The Grey Chamber, this volume provides some of the most illuminating documents relating to the life and work of Marjorie Bowen, one of the most distinctive writers of her generation. John C. Tibbetts is a professor at the University of Kansas and the author of The Furies of Marjorie Bowen (2019), the first full-length critical study of her work. He has also written The Gothic Imagination (2011) as well as books on music and film.

George R. Preedy is one of the pen names of Margaret Gabrielle Vere Campbell, the writer best known as Marjorie Bowen. First published in 1932, 'The Devil Snar'd' is an eerie tale of supernatural influence; it was described by the Daily Herald as a 'ghost story fit to stand beside The Turn of the Screw.' Grace Fielding and her husband Philip have taken a house-Medlar's Farm-at a remote spot in Northumberland to get away from London and repair their broken marriage. Philip is in love with Angela Campion, an actress much younger than himself, but Grace will not give her husband a divorce, and Angela will not have him without the prospect of marriage. Philip, a well-known author, intends to use the dark history of Medlar's Farm-a tale of adultery, jealousy and murder-to write his next book, but Grace, already unwell due to the strain caused by her husband's affair, begins to see parallels between her own story and that of the murdered woman, Susanna Vavasour, who she believes is guiding her actions. As Philip works on his manuscript, his behaviour becomes more and more suspicious, and as Grace's mental state deteriorates, a tale of adultery and marital discord soon becomes one of jealousy, obsession and murderous revenge. 'The Devil Snar'd' has not been reissued since its last publication in 1933. This edition includes an introduction by Gina R. Collia: 'The Many Masks of Margaret Campbell'.

The Master of Stair, has been acknowledged as a major work throughout human history, and we have taken precautions to assure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern manner for both present and future generations. This book has been completely retyped, revised, and reformatted. The text is readable and clear because these books are not created from scanned copies.

"The Governor of England" is an ancient historical romance story book written by Marjorie Bowen. It weaves combines romance, intrigue, and political suspense to produce a gripping story. Bowen brilliantly demonstrates the electricity struggles and conflicts of the Elizabethan technology in this narrative, that's specializing in the main character's journey via which he navigates the unsafe seas of court docket politics. The piece explores problems consisting of ambition, dedication, betrayal, and the intricacies of human relationships. Bowen's outstanding determination to detail brings Elizabethan England to existence, correctly depicting the splendor of the royal court, the intrigue of political maneuvering, and the boundaries encountered via those in positions of authority. At its basis, "The Governor of England" is a fascinating historic drama that takes visitors into the tumultuous international of Renaissance England. Bowen introduces readers to a bygone period, where targets and preference war of words in opposition to an environment of wealth and affect. In preferred "The Governor of England" is a riveting examine to be able to appeal to ancient fiction lovers and moreover any person interested in Elizabethan England's superb beyond.

In "Black Magic," Marjorie Bowen weaves a tale steeped in the occult and psychological tension, exploring themes of desire, power, and the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Europe, the narrative unfurls through striking prose that effortlessly blends gothic horror with nuanced character development. Bowen's exploration of sorcery and its ramifications on the human psyche aligns with the period's preoccupation with the macabre, making this work a significant contribution to the genre of supernatural fiction, evocative of contemporaries like M.R. James and Algernon Blackwood. Marjorie Bowen, a prolific writer, thrived in the early 1900s, known for her versatility across genres, including historical fiction and biographies. Her extensive reading in philosophy, history, and the occult undoubtedly shaped her perceptions of the metaphysical, infusing her narratives with rich psychological insight. Bowen's interest in the darker aspects of human nature and society informs "Black Magic," reflecting her own tumultuous times and the cultural fascination with witchcraft and the esoteric. Readers drawn to gothic literature, psychological intrigue, and the exploration of the supernatural will find "Black Magic" a compelling addition to their library. Bowen's masterful storytelling invites contemplation on the frailty of morality and the allure of taboo, making this book not only a thrilling read but also a profound examination of the darker corners of human existence.

The book "" The Governor of England "" has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.

British writer Marjorie Bowen (the pseudonym of Margaret Gabrielle Vere Long, 1885-1952) was a prolific author of short stories, novels, essays, and other works, many of them reflecting her turbulent life as she lived through two world wars and the death of her first-born child and first husband. She retains a stellar reputation as an author of powerful weird stories, including such classics as "The Avenging of Ann Leete" and "The Crown Derby Plate," both included in this volume. But editor John C. Tibbetts, author of a pioneering recent study of Bowen's work, has combed through her entire corpus of fiction to present a wide-ranging selection of stories and essays in this volume. We find less celebrated horror tales such as "The Scoured Silk" and "Florence Flannery"; stories on the changing roles of women in Bowen's era; and even a time-travel narrative involving the composer G. F. Handel. These and other stories make clear why August Derleth long desired to publish a book of her supernatural tales with Arkham House. Among Bowen's essays, Tibbetts has selected those that reflect her interest in the Elizabethan magician John Dee, the artist William Hogarth, and other subjects. Also included is a previously unpublished essay on her own work, "Through the Eyes of an Author." All in all, this volume exhibits Bowen's remarkable breadth and range; but her recurring interest in the weird permeates every one of these pieces. John C. Tibbetts is a professor at the University of Kansas and the author of The Furies of Marjorie Bowen (2019), the first full-length critical study of her work. He has also written The Gothic Imagination (2011) as well as books on music and film.

Kings-at-Arms, a classic since it was first published. Has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.

Marjorie Bowen (1885-1952) was a prolific author of some 150 books and counted Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, and Graham Greene among her many admirers. Her most enduring work is her tales of the ghostly and supernatural, her favorites of which she collected in 1949 under the title The Bishop of Hell and Other Stories.Included in this volume are some of her most famous stories, including 'The Crown Derby Plate', a classic in which a woman gets more than she bargained for when she purchases a set of old plates at an estate sale, 'Kecksies', an unsettling tale in which it is unclear exactly who is dead and who is not, and the title story, 'The Bishop of Hell', which tells of a defrocked clergyman who promises to reveal the secrets of the afterlife from beyond the dead.This collection of twelve stories ranks among the finest volumes of British ghost stories of all time and is presented here with a new introduction by Melanie R. Anderson.

The Viper of Milan, originally published in 1906, was Marjorie Bowen's first novel and a favourite book of the author Graham Greene, who said that it taught him that human nature is "not black and white but black and grey". The novel is set in Lombardy in the middle of the 14th century and follows a battle for power between Gian Galeazzo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, and Mastino della Scala, Duke of Verona. As the story opens, in 1360, Visconti is busy expanding his territories and forging alliances; he has forced della Scala out of Verona and taken his wife, Isotta d'Este of Ferrara, as a hostage. It seems that nobody can stop Visconti in his relentless conquest of northern Italy - nobody apart from della Scala, who vows to regain his lost lands and release Isotta from captivity. Meanwhile, Visconti's sister Valentine has problems of her own: her brother has arranged a marriage for her with the Duke of Orleans, while the man she really loves has been imprisoned in a deserted villa outside the city and is slowly starving to death. Another young lady, Graziosa, who lives with her artist father by the western gate of Milan, is also in love - but is her lover really as he seems?

This William of Orange is a less famous predecessor, distinguished by his sobriquet 'The Silent', oldest brother of five from the House of Nassau, the first generation to defy Spain and the Inquisition. Bowen expertly paints a picture of a Protestant people in revolt against Catholic oppressors - pasquils pasted on church doors, rhetoric players staging satirical theatre in the streets, the Stadtholders resisting the Inquisition and appealing to the regent not to enforce the edicts of the Council of Trent. Phillip holds back the Duke of Alva and his unmatchable army in reserve, until he eventually loses patience and decrees that 'the ancient religion was to be re-established by sword and fire and faggot, by fine, by banishment, by ruin; if need be, by the extermination of a whole people.'

William of Orange became king of England, defeated the French and restored the protestant faith. But as a young man he was both pupil and prisoner of John de Witt, the leader of the Dutch Republic. Although they spent much of their lives as enemies, the two men could never bring themselves to hate each other. Both were proud leaders, but the rise of one would always mean the fall of the other. And unlike de Witt, the prince had the support of the people. William is an enigma. To the French he is a potential ally, a cousin of Louis XIV. To the people he is hope and a chance for change. And for de Witt, William of Orange is the most dangerous man alive. With the people against him, and the French storming the borders, de Witt soon becomes a desperate man. The prince, meanwhile, must make his choice - side with the French, end the war and become a king, or side with the people and continue a desperate war full of nothing but uncertainty... In I Will Maintain, Marjorie Bowen brings the tale of William of Orange to life in a new and exciting way, exposing the infamous rivalry that dominated 17th century England.

England's Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a time of confusion and upheaval in virtually every domain, including religion, politics, and even the social class system. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate Marjorie Bowen's tightly plotted dramatization of the era, which focuses on the period following William and Mary's ascendance to the throne.

Excerpt from Chapter I: "I, too, have been made aware (in what extraordinary fashion, more subtle than words, is scandal communicated ) of various rumours. Remember that I have not seen Rose since I was last in town, six months ago, and then only amid the distractions of a gay season. Laughter passed between us, little else. You will recall the charming laughter of Rose. My prayer is that its gaiety may never be quenched, as-ah -I fear it may be. I must repeat-(here give me credit for a pause of earnest thought)-that I know nothing. "If youth, beauty, race, talents, a fine name, the most winning manners, the sweetest temper, the lightest spirits are to be ruined by the common lures of the world, if ordinary vices are to tarnish a character so bright . . ."