The Centaur and Other Novels by Algernon Blackwood (Halcyon Cl...

THE CENTAUR AND OTHER NOVELS includes eight books by noted English horror and occult writer Algernon Blackwood, including his classic THE CENTAUR, wherein he explores man's empathy with the unknown forces of the universe.• Jimbo• The Human Chord• The Centaur• A Prisoner in Fairyland• The Extra Day• Julius Levallon• The Wave• The Promise of AirAlgernon Blackwood (1869-1951) was an English journalist and writer. During his long life, he worked at times in farming, innkeeping, bartending, teaching violin, and journalism before becoming a writer. He completed fourteen novels, several plays, and dozens of short stories, and was one of the most prolific ghost story writers in the history of that genre.

About the Author

Algernon Blackwood (1869-1951) was born into a well-to-do Kentish family. His parents, converts to a Calvinistic sect, led an austere life, ill-suited to their dreamy and sensitive son. During adolescence, he became fascinated by hypnotism and the supernatural and, on leaving university, studied Hindu philosophy and occultism. Later, he was to draw on these beliefs and experiences in his writing. Sent away to Canada at the age of twenty, his attempts at making a living were wholly unsuccessful and shortly after his return to England, he began to write. The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories, published in 1906, was followed by a series of psychic detective stories, featuring John Silence, ?physician extraordinary’. His reputation as one of the greatest exponents of supernatural fiction began to grow. Chiefly known for his ghost stories, Blackwood wrote in many different forms within the genre. His most personal works, however, are his ?mystical’ novels, for example The Centaur, where he explores man’s empathy with the forces of the universe. Blackwood also wrote children’s fiction. A Prisoner in Fairyland was adapted into the play (later the musical), Starlight Express. Later in life, Blackwood turned to writing radio plays, and in 1947 he began a new career on BBC TV telling ghost stories. He received a knighthood in 1949.

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