Mr. George, and Other Odd Persons

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written, evocative and engaging.
Review: August Derleth was a ponderous talent. In a 1948 edition of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, the editors noted that Derleth generated over 1 million words a year! That, in addition to overseeing Arkham House, editing numerous anthologies, generating a column for a local newspaper, and acting as a one-man advocate for his beloved Wisconsin.

These 17 evocative and well-written short stories were incredibly written in one month's time to, as Derleth says, "swell the log of (the pulp magazine) Weird Tales". The title story -- "Mr. George" -- is alone worth the price of the book. If you've ever been bullied, you'll empathize with Priscilla, the tiny protagonist in the title story, and her mysterious imaginary friend. When greedy relatives plot to do the tyke in to capitalize on her inheritance, this "imaginary" friend comes to her side.

Derleth has a marvelous way of telling a story whether a science fiction venture, a mystery, or a spine tingler (as are the stories in this title). If you can find a copy of this book get it!

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written, evocative and engaging.
Review: August Derleth was a ponderous talent. In a 1948 edition of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, the editors noted that Derleth generated over 1 million words a year! That, in addition to overseeing Arkham House, editing numerous anthologies, generating a column for a local newspaper, and acting as a one-man advocate for his beloved Wisconsin.

These 17 evocative and well-written short stories were incredibly written in one month's time to, as Derleth says, "swell the log of (the pulp magazine) Weird Tales". The title story -- "Mr. George" -- is alone worth the price of the book. If you've ever been bullied, you'll empathize with Priscilla, the tiny protagonist in the title story, and her mysterious imaginary friend. When greedy relatives plot to do the tyke in to capitalize on her inheritance, this "imaginary" friend comes to her side.

Derleth has a marvelous way of telling a story whether a science fiction venture, a mystery, or a spine tingler (as are the stories in this title). If you can find a copy of this book get it!