Walpole’s Fantastic Tales, Volume I: The Fallen

Welcome to a little soiree that’s long overdue: a celebration of the life and work of Hugh Walpole. Immensely popular in the first half of the twentieth century, Hugh Walpole was a prolific bestselling author who was equally adept at historical fiction, thrillers, the supernatural and macabre, and children’s literature. A protege of Henry James and appreciated by Joseph Conrad, Virginia Wolf, T. S. Eliot and John Buchan-to name a few, Walpole was a natural storyteller who inspired many young writers of the day. Volume I of WALPOLE’S FANTASTIC TALES contains three novels that share similar themes and settings: the British school experience (bullying), psychological suspense, the wild Cornish coastline, murder and the macabre. Walpole’s character development, dialogue and description of the natural setting are so spot-on and engaging that the reader feels physically joined to the narrative. Volume I contains a trio of novels: THE KILLER AND THE SLAIN-a novel of possession and betrayal; MR. PERRIN AND MR. TRAILL-a biting story of school rivalry that leads to murderous intensions; and, finally, THE PRELUDE TO ADVENTURE, a psychological masterpiece about philosophy, God and the consequences of murder. Although he is virtually unknown to general reading public today, once read, Walpole is sure to become a favorite author to anyone who encounters his work. He is a lost treasure. Multiple Volumes of WALPOLE’S FANTASTIC TALES will follow, but Volume I has plenty to satisfy the curious for the time being. Introduction by Jonathan Eeds.