Elizabeth Jane Howard, born on March 26, 1923, in London, England, was a distinguished English novelist known for her versatile literary contributions. Howard began her career as an actress and model before venturing into writing in 1947. Throughout her prolific career, she penned 12 novels, with her most acclaimed work being the five-volume family saga, 'The Cazalet Chronicles.' Her narrative prowess was not confined to family sagas, as exemplified by her collaboration with Robert Aickman on the collection 'We Are For The Dark: Six Ghost Stories,' published in 1951. Although she gained widespread recognition for her family sagas, Howard's foray into the supernatural, as evidenced by 'Three Miles Up' and other stories, showcased her ability to masterfully blend genres and explore the complexities of human relationships.
Elizabeth Jane Howard was secretary of the Inland Waterways Association. Ghost stories and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) share a curious connection, intertwining literature and the preservation of Britain's canal
heritage. This connection is particularly evident through notable figures such as Robert Aickman, L. T. C. Rolt, and Elizabeth Jane Howard, each leaving a unique mark on both realms.
Elizabeth Jane Howard's creative collaboration with Robert Aickman resulted in the publication of 'We Are For The Dark,' a collection that marked a significant departure from both authors' conventional works. Released in 1951, the anthology features six ghost stories, three contributed by each author. Notably, the book was published during their romantic relationship.
Robert Aickman describes her as “one of the most brilliant [of women]” and a bit of a looker “so beautiful that continuous problems arose, especially when, at a later date, she joined the Association’s Council. Little in the way of completely normal business was possible or sensible, when she was in the room. … By merely existing, she promoted loves and hates which, through no fault of hers, left some who felt them, fevered and wasted”.
My reading of Three Miles Up is that it is a modern fairy story where Sharon represents one of the fae and leads them into The Perilous Realm. Fairyland is not always a beautiful alluring place, it can be a place of horror and strangeness. We cannot trust the Good People, no matter how fair they seem.
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Episode 56: The Curse of Mathair nan Uisgeachan by Angus Wolfe Murray
Episode 55 Boomerang by Oscar Cook
Episode 54: The Bridal Party by S Mukerji
Episode 53: Little Heart by Georgina Bruce
Episode 52 A Visit by Shirley Jackson
Episode 51 Mr Jones by Edith Wharton
Episode 50 Fullcircle by John Buchan
Episode 49 They by Rudyard Kipling
Episode 48: The Dining Room Ghost by Megan Taylor
Episode 47: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (Part 2)
Episode 46 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (Part 1)
Episode 45 The Men in the Snow by Alex Boast
Episode 44 Bosworth Summit Lock by L T C Rolt
Episode 43: A Strange Goldfield by Guy Boothby
Episode 42: The Ring of Thoth by Arthur Conan Doyle
Episode 41: Mr Arcularis by Conrad Aiken
Episode 40: The Hound by H P Lovecraft
Episode 39: The Taipan by W Somerset Maugham
Episode 38: Between Sunset and Moonrise by R H Malden
Episode 37: A Wicked Voice by Vernon Lee
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