Bowen and Aickman Phenomenon
From the Hyper-Imaginative Literature facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/492148730623399/?ref=share_group_link
Why did not ROBERT AICKMAN write stories about the English canals? Someone suggested that it was his day job, so he wanted to avoid it in his creative work.
If anyone is interested in an Aickmanesque story that features these canals, then they should read ELIZABETH BOWEN’s ‘Human Habitation’.
And I have found that many of Bowen’s stories are in significant synergy with Aickman’s. Incredibly so! I am convinced the influence, if any, was mutual, although by dint of age he was probably first influenced by her work, not vice versa. Another strong influence on him, to my mind, was Thomas Mann.
The recent R.B. Russell Biography of Aickman briefly makes it clear that Aickman and Bowen met in person at least once.
A list of Bowen’s most Aickmanesque stories (and for me most of her stories are Aickmanesque at least to some extent) are Mrs Moysey, Human Habitation, LOVE, The Inherited Clock, Mysterious KÔR, Her Table Spread, Green Holly and, even, perhaps Gone Away! I could extend that list almost indefinitely.
My reviews of Aickman: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/robert-aickman/
My reviews of Bowen: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/31260-2/
