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Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts   By: (1863-1944)

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Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts by Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch is an exquisite collection of short stories that allows readers to delve into the intriguing and captivating world of the supernatural. Quiller-Couch, known for his impeccable storytelling skills, weaves a web of ethereal tales that both entertain and provoke thought.

The book opens with a powerful introduction that immediately grips the reader's attention. Quiller-Couch's prose is rich, elegant, and possesses a certain old-world charm. Each story is uniquely crafted, offering a diverse range of themes and genres. From haunting ghost stories to fantastical adventures, the author transports us effortlessly into different realms, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

One of the strengths of Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts is Quiller-Couch's ability to create vivid and atmospheric settings. Whether it be an ancient castle in the misty moors, a quaint village hidden in the English countryside, or a shadowy study filled with dusty tomes, the author brings these places to life with his immersive descriptions. His attention to detail is remarkable, making it easy to visualize every scene painted on the page.

The characters in this collection are equally impressive. Quiller-Couch introduces us to a myriad of fascinating, and sometimes eccentric, individuals. Their motivations and emotions are intricately explored, allowing readers to forge a connection with them. Additionally, the author masterfully uses dialogue to add depth and authenticity to the interactions between characters, making their stories feel even more relatable and engaging.

In terms of the actual stories themselves, each one possesses its own unique charm. Quiller-Couch effortlessly blends elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural, resulting in tales that are equal parts chilling and thought-provoking. The pacing is well-balanced in each narrative, ensuring that readers remain captivated from beginning to end.

While Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts predominantly focuses on the supernatural, its underlying themes resonate deeply with the human experience. The stories explore love, loss, regret, and the complexities of human nature. Quiller-Couch skillfully intertwines these themes with the supernatural elements, leaving readers pondering long after they have finished reading.

In conclusion, Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts is an enchanting collection of short stories that showcases Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch's remarkable storytelling prowess. With his beautiful prose, vivid settings, and memorable characters, the author transports readers to a world where ghosts roam freely and old mysteries beckon to be solved. This book is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, and a must-read for fans of the supernatural genre.

First Page:

E text prepared by Lionel G. Sear

OLD FIRES AND PROFITABLE GHOSTS.

A Book of Stories

A. T. QUILLER COUCH.

PREFACE

The stories in this book are of revenants : persons who either in spirit or in body revisit old scenes, return upon old selves or old emotions, or relate a message from a world beyond perception. "Which?" was suggested by a passage in Hawthorne's Note books, where he proposes a story or sketch the scene of which is "to be laid within the light of a street lantern; the time, when the lamp is near going out; and the catastrophe to be simultaneous with the last flickering gleam." "The Lady of the Ship" is very nearly historical. "Prisoners of War" rests on the actual adventures of two St. Ives men, Thomas Williams and John Short, in the years 1804 1814. "Frozen Margit" and "The Seventh Man" have if not their originals at least their suggestions in fact.

One of the tales, "Once Aboard the Lugger," is itself a revenant . After writing it in the form here presented, I took advice and gave it another, under the title of "Ia." Yet some whose opinion I value prefer the original, and to satisfy them (though I think them wrong) it is reprinted; not with intent to pad out the volume. But my readers are too generous to need the assurance.

Q.

CONTENTS

I... Continue reading book >>




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