Odd Craft
Jan 2020 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
172
Pages
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About this ebook
This volume also includes "The Money-Box," "The Castaway," "Blundell's Improvement," "Bill's Lapse," "Lawyer Quince," "Breaking a Spell," "Establishing Relations," "The Changing Numbers," "The Persecution of Bob Pretty," "Dixon's Return," "The Third String," "Odd Charges," and "Admiral Peters." Excerpt: "From "A Spirit of Avarice": "Mr. John Blows stood listening to the foreman with an air of lofty disdain. He was a free-born Englishman, and yet he had been summarily paid off at eleven o'clock in the morning and told that his valuable services would no longer be required. More than that, the foreman had passed certain strictures upon his features which, however true they might be, were quite irrelevant to the fact that Mr. Blows had been discovered slumbering in a shed when he should have been laying bricks. "Take your ugly face off these 'ere works," said the foreman; "take it 'ome and bury it in the back-yard. Anybody'll be glad to lend you a spade." Mr. Blows, in a somewhat fluent reply, reflected severely on the foreman's immediate ancestors, and the strange lack of good-feeling and public spirit they had exhibited by allowing him to grow up. "Take it 'ome and bury it," said the foreman again. "Not under any plants you've got a liking for.""
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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