TALES FROM A FAR RIDING.
London: John Murray, 1902. Octavo, pp. [1-8] [1-2] 3-312, title page printed in red and black, original decorated maroon cloth, front panel stamped in beige, spine panel stamped in gold, fore and bottom edges untrimmed. First edition. The author's second book. "Five stories set in Yorkshire, told in Onions' grim and gritty regionalistic manner, sprinkled with dialectical speech. The longest -- a novella really -- is 'Gambier,' about a new doctor who goes to a remote valley town and butts heads with a fanatical priest (Gambier) who directly or indirectly sacrifices the lives of his parishioners in the belief that he is saving their souls. The religious faith of the people, on the other hand, is built directly on top of age-old traditions of superstition and magic, and they sometimes pressure Gambier into performing a Black Mass in the old deserted abbey (Wastley Hall) to ensure some desired goal. The conflict between the two men eventually leads to a pitched battle in town, and to the performance of such a Black Mass -- interrupted violently by the doctor. The level of fantasy here is what one might call meta-supernatural, as its efficacy is not directly and unambiguously endorsed by the author, but the evocation of uncanny atmosphere is masterly and will appeal to those who have relished the more overtly supernatural fiction of Onions." - Robert Eldridge. Paste downs and end papers age darkened, inked name to half title page, foxing to page edges and text, rear hinge cracked, corner tips bruised and soft, darkening to spine, a very good copy. (28934). Item #28934
Price: $250.00