Book Review: The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions

Paul Oleron is 15 chapters through his latest and probably most important book, the one that will make a name for him in the literary world. And by chance, while roaming the streets, trying to procrastinate rather than work on his novel he happens open an old house with a "To Let" sign tacked to the gate. After a few inquiries and a quick viewing of the hosue, he decides that the first floor would be spacious enough for him to work in -- definitely more room than his current cramped quarters. He moves in and settles himself nicely into his new surroundings.

When his journalist friend Elsie Bengough pays him a visit, she tells him right away to leave the house, that something doesn't seem quite right. Paul shrugs it off, even when Elsie scratches her wrist on a nail trying to open a window box -- a nail that Paul swears he removed days ago. As the days and weeks progress, a change takes over Paul, and he learns too late that perhaps Elsie was right about the house.

The Beckoning Fair One is a classic haunted house story, and what I enjoyed most about it was that the haunting was subtle and psychological. No ghostly vapors or doors opening and slamming shut by themselves. For Paul, a steady drip of water turns into and old Welsh tune or of a sudden he realizes that he's no longer alone in a room though no one else is visible. It reminded me quite a bit of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House in that respect, where the haunting is alluded to and hides in a far corner to infect the atmosphere. This is the way to tell a haunted house tale, with subtlety and hints rather than ghosts jumping from every page.

The Beckoning Fair One
by Oliver Onions
Wildside Press
ISBN: 0-8095-0031-0
softcover, 90 pgs.

purchased book (actually received as Xmas gift)

Image from Good Reads.