THE GHOST IN THE FAR GARDEN and Other Stories

by Seon Manley ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 5, 1977

Eleven stories, set in various locales, with mildly supernatural accents. In the first, written in an offhand manner reminiscent of Joan Aiken, a 19th century uncle and nephew exchange letters and report separate sightings of enigmatic English folk figures. In another, a spooky Caribbean repeatedly confronts a visiting American, speaks ominously, then intervenes unexpectedly. Byron and his excesses appear prominently in the title story; another has Virgil's Sybil invade a secondhand shop, unsuccessfully peddling her ancient books. Others feature conventional devices--a closing diary paragraph tip-off, a timely death--or rather familiar other-worldly representatives. But overall the tension is drummed up rather than developed, and the stories lack the stature of Manley's anthologized choices.

Pub Date: Oct. 5, 1977

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1977

Categories: FICTION