{"product_id":"ancient-sorceries-deluxe-edition-the-most-eerie-and-unnerving-tales-from-one-of-the-greatest-proponents-of-supernatural-fiction-9781782278511","title":"Ancient Sorceries, Deluxe Edition: The Most Eerie and Unnerving Tales from One of the Greatest Proponents of Supernatural Fiction","description":"\u003cb\u003eA beautifully produced new edition of Blackwood's weirdest supernatural stories, including \"The Willows,\" highlighted by H.P. Lovecraft as \"the single finest weird tale in literature\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLauded as one of our greatest storytellers, and inspiring generations of writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Tolkien to Stephen King, Algernon Blackwood left a legacy as one of Britain's greatest conjurors of weird and supernatural stories. Blackwood's inimitable style puts readers right in the middle of the story, with visceral and nature-inspired fear that lies just beyond the real, often in the form of a nameless dread. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This beautifully produced edition, with a stunning cover and thoughtful design and layout to ensure the most enjoyable reading experience, features four of his most unnervingly curious tales: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAncient Sorceries\u003c\/b\u003e--\u003ci\u003ea traveller stops in a remote French hill town and soon finds himself unable to leave; there is something strangely feline about the inhabitants, he notices, and they all seem to be watching him very closely...\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Listener\u003c\/b\u003e--\u003ci\u003ea lodging house guest feels himself observed by a malevolent presence. Soon it transpires his room's previous occupant is watching him from beyond the grave, and is envious of the very flesh on his bones.\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Sea Fit\u003c\/b\u003e--\u003ci\u003ean old retired ship's captain's ravings build to a terrifying climax, as he offers himself up as a sacrifice to the cruel gods of the sea\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Willows\u003c\/b\u003e--\u003ci\u003etwo friends on a canoeing trip spend a terrifying night on a lonely willow-covered island, haunted by the strange trees and sinister shapes in the water.\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlgernon Blackwood was born in Shooter's Hill, now a suburb of London, in 1869. Raised in a strictly Christian household, Blackwood was interested in other religions from a young age and eventually came to believe in what he called 'animism'--the idea that nature was sentient and embued with spiritual meaning--which greatly influenced his work. In 1880, he travelled to North America where he hunted moose, worked as a reporter, and wrote short stories. Throughout his life he continued to travel widely and write prolifically, producing 14 novels as well as many popular collections of weird and ghostly tales.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Pushkin Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50635377836306,"sku":"9781782278511","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_40a78d3b-aba0-41ad-b833-2666984b802d.jpg?v=1732842033","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/ancient-sorceries-deluxe-edition-the-most-eerie-and-unnerving-tales-from-one-of-the-greatest-proponents-of-supernatural-fiction-9781782278511","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}