The Haunted Woman

Rating:
Summary: Stimulative
Review: David Lynday's "The Haunted Woman" primarily has to do with paganism, mysticism, love, and human frailty. How has this been done? Very simply, a woman and her mother are looking for a new house to live in. They come across a house in the woods. Oddly, the local legend says that the house was built on an elf's hill. Consequently, the third story of the house was taken away by the elves. The builder of the house, his name Ulf I believe, was never seen again. But this was long ago. As it stands now, the house is more like a bungalow. Everything seems to be in order. But every now and then, a person will say, "I saw the missing floor, but when I retraced my steps, it was gone again."

Incidentally, the woman buys the house. She discovers a stairwell that can only belong to the "missing level." As she ascends, her consciousness raises. She becomes more than herself. Of course, there is more to the second floor than that! I will tell no more!! When she returns to the first floor, the stairwell disappears. And she forgets all that has happened.

The story is special and original. It will send chills down your spine, not unlike the Blair Witch Project. I myself was curious as to what would happen. I wanted to know just what was up the stairs. If you want to know what is up the stairs, you will have to read this book. It is one of the most original books I have ever read, along with "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde and "Cosmos" by Witold Gombrowicz.

I found the book intense and suspenseful.

Rating:
Summary: A truly haunting novel
Review: I have always been fascinated by Lindsay's "A Voyage to Arcturus", an incredible, allegory. However, a few years ago, I read his "Devil's Tor", (his final work), and found it ponderous. Not so "The Haunted Woman." It was thoroughly entertaining. This book ranks with some of the best fantasies in mood and mystery. It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a work so much.

Rating:
Summary: The world of Ulf's Tower is a haunting experience!
Review: I have just finished "The Haunted Woman" and "enjoyed" it, if that is the right word, very much! I have also read Sellin's book and Wolfe's book on Lindsay recently. Sellin believed that the musician in THW was Crystalman. I don't agree. The world of the musician, who was probably Ulf in one sense, contrasted our world of convention and superficiality. The world of Ulf's tower was a step closer to Muspel light, to use words from Arcturus. I do not think that Lindsay is trying to say the exact same thing in every book. It would be easy for reviewers to look at each subsequent work through the lens of Arcturus. We have to give lindsay more credit than that. Isbel ends up moving back to what her life was before. She says if Marshall can endure her then she should be able to endure him, Lindsay's view on how most human relationships are, expressed quite succinctly. The world of Ulf's tower in "The Haunted Woman" was mysterious and powefully presented by Lindsay. In part the book is a cry against the phony conventionality and superficial nature of the world man, not Crystalman, has created. The last seventy or so pages I couldn't put the book down. It races to a heart pounding climax. It really makes you wonder about what we call real in our everyday existance with it's TV and malls and a whole host of other artificial barnacles on our short lives. "The Haunted Woman"? Yes Isbel was haunted by her experience and so shall the reader be haunted by this book. I know I shall be!