Friday, September 20, 2013

The Wendigo - Algernon Blackwood

I needed a break from some of the novels I've been reading so I decided to read a short story. I've had Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories by Algernon Blackwood for a while now but haven't had time to read any of it yet. The edition I have was printed by Penguin Classics and is edited, introduced, and notated by S.T. Joshi.
Looking through the table of contents, I decided to read The Wendigo which was first published in 1910. Although I had heard great things about Blackwood's writing, I really had no clue just how good it was.
Blackwood, from what I understand, was a huge influence on H.P. Lovecraft. On the back of the book is the following quote:

"Of the quality of Mr. Blackwood's genius there can be no dispute; for no one has ever approached the skill, seriousness, and minute fidelity with which he records the overtones of strangeness in ordinary things and experiences."
- H.P. Lovecraft

 The Wendigo is essentially a story about five men who go camping in the remote Canadian wilderness. Two of the men are a doctor and his nephew, a theology student. There is also a guide and another man that is sort of a guide to the guide (this was weird for me to think about at first but just go with it). The fifth person is a Native American (or Indian as he is called in the story) named Punk whose job is basically to tend the camp and cook the food for everyone.
I don't want to give away much of the story but I will tell you that this was one of the most chilling stories I have ever read...EVER. Blackwood's writing is even better than Lovecraft's at setting mood (in my opinion). If you immerse yourself completely into this story, taking in every word and imagining the setting, the sounds, the feelings, you will actually feel fear.
I have a feeling that camping out in the woods will be a bit harder than it used to be for me now...