At Sunwich Port
Jan 2020 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
164
Pages
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About this ebook
This is an absolutely delightful book, very funny indeed. (Goodreads) Excerpt: "The ancient port of Sunwich was basking in the sunshine of a July afternoon. A rattle of cranes and winches sounded from the shipping in the harbour, but the town itself was half asleep. Somnolent shopkeepers in dim back parlours coyly veiled their faces in red handkerchiefs from the too ardent flies, while small boys left in charge notice listlessly the slow passing of time as recorded by the church clock It is a fine church, and Sunwich is proud of it. The tall grey tower is a landmark at sea, but from the narrow streets of the little town itself it has a disquieting appearance of rising suddenly above the roofs huddled beneath it for the purpose of displaying a black-faced clock with gilt numerals whose mellow chimes have recorded the passing hours for many generations of Sunwich men Regardless of the heat, which indeed was mild compared with that which raged in his own bosom, Captain Nugent, fresh from the inquiry of the collision of his ship Conqueror with the German barque Hans Muller, strode rapidly up the High Street in the direction of home. An honest seafaring smell, compounded of tar, rope, and fish, known to the educated of Sunwich as ozone, set his thoughts upon the sea. He longed to be aboard ship again, with the Court of Inquiry to form part of his crew. In all his fifty years of life he had never met such a collection of fools. His hard blue eyes blazed as he thought of them, and the mouth hidden by his well-kept beard was set with anger."
About the author
W. W. Jacobs, born William Wymark Jacobs on September 8, 1863, in Wapping, London, is best known for his masterful blend of humor and horror in early 20th-century British literature. Jacobs' upbringing in the bustling docklands of East London deeply influenced his storytelling, imbuing his works with authentic maritime settings and characters that resonated with readers of his time and continue to captivate modern audiences.Jacobs initially worked as a clerk in the civil service, a position he held for over two decades. This experience provided him with a keen eye for the minutiae of everyday life, which he deftly wove into his narratives. His breakthrough came with the publication of "Many Cargoes" in 1896, a collection of short stories that showcased his talent for blending the mundane with the macabre.One of Jacobs' most enduring contributions to literature is the short story "The Monkey's Paw," a chilling tale of unintended consequences that has been adapted countless times across various media. This story alone cemented his reputation as a master of suspense and supernatural fiction, influencing contemporary writers like Stephen King and Neil Gaiman.Despite his success, Jacobs remained a somewhat enigmatic figure, shying away from the literary limelight. He was not known for courting controversy, but his ability to juxtapose humor with horror was revolutionary, challenging the conventions of genre fiction in his era.Jacobs' legacy endures through his unique narrative voice and his ability to evoke both laughter and dread. His works continue to be studied and enjoyed, offering a window into the complexities of human nature and the unforeseen consequences of our desires.
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