Tag Archives: F. Marion Crawford

F. Marion Crawford and “The Upper Berth”

August 2, today as I’m writing this, is the birthday of F. Marion Crawford (1854-1909).

Crawford wrote a number of stories about the supernatural, but he his brest remembered for two that have become classics, “For the Blood is the Life” and “The Upper Berth”.

Although an American, Crawford lived most of his life in Italy. He began his career as a novelist. Of his novels, the only one I’m aware of that has fantasatic elements is Khalid, which was reprinted in the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series.

I took a look at “For the Blood is the Life” a few years ago. Today, I’ll look at “The Upper Berth”. M. R. James considered it one of the best ghost stories and defnitely Crawford’s best tale. Continue reading →

F. Marion Crawford’s “For the Blood is the Life”

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F. Marion Crawford

Today, August 2, marks the birth of Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909). Although he wrote only a handful of short stories dealing with the supernatural and horror, he is still considered one of the best writers of ghost stories. If he had only written “The Upper Berth”, is place in the literature of the fantastic would be assured. The story was highly regarded by none other than H. P. Lovecraft, M. R. James, and H. Russell Wakefield. Highly regarded.

I’m going to look at one of my personal favorites, “For the Blood is the Life”.

Crawford uses the familiar technique of a tale within a tale. The story opens with an unnamed narrator (presumably Crawford) and an artist friend having dinner and enjoying a smoke on the roof a tower the narrator owns. It’s summer, and they are on the roof to escape the heat.

The artist is looking out over the land, and he sees a mound with what appears to be something on it. When the artist says the mound looks like a grave, the narrator confirms it is. He decides to go down and have a closer look at what’s on it. Continue reading →

This Isn’t Really Turning into a Birthday Site, but…

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F. Marion Crawford

…there was another birthday I wanted to mention. Francis Marion Crawford was born on this August 2, 1854 and died on April 9, 1909.

Crawford wrote in a number of genres, but he’s remembered today for two stories that are considered classics of the macabre.

“The Upper Berth” is a ghost story that can be found in many anthologies, while “For the Blood is the Life” is a vampire tale. Both are worth seeking out. It’s been a number of years since I read them, and a reread of both is overdue. Maybe this evening, after everyone has gone to bed and the lights grow dim…

Crawford only wrote one volume’s worth of weird fiction. The definitive edition is Uncanny Tales, edited by Richard Dalby and published by Tartarus Press.

I’m really not planning on making Adventures Fantastic a birthday tribute site, in spite of the number that have popped up lately. I’ve noticed the birthdays and have dashed the posts out over lunch or when I have a few minutes free. They’ve kept the blog fresh, but I am going to be doing some other posts soon.