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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Epsode 16: Carmilla by J Sheridan Le Fanu (Part 3)
Episode 15: Carmilla by J S Le Fanu (Part 2)
Episode 14: Carmilla by J S Sheridan Le Fanu (Part One)
Episode 13 (unlucky for some): The Tower by Marghatina Laski
Episode 12: The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe
Episode 11: The Monkey's Paw by W W Jacobs
Episode 10: The October Game by Ray Bradbury
Episode 8: The Phantom Coach by Amelia Edwards
Episode 9: The Moonlit Road by Ambrose Bierce
Episode 7: Man Sized in Marble by Edith Nesbit
Episode 6: The Open Door by Charlotte Riddell
Episode 5: August Heat by W F Harvey
Episode 4: Bewitched by Edith Wharton
Episode 3: Whistle and I'll Come to You by M R James
Episode 2: The Room in The Tower by E F Benson
Episode 1: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Classic Ghost Stories Podcast Trailer
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