Editions

American Ghosts & Old World Wonders

American Ghosts & Old World Wonders

Shortly before her death Angela Carter was preparing this volume of short stories, one which does full justice to the glory of her imagination and the range of her talent. It is divided into distinct parts. The first comprises a group of stories inspired by America: Lizzie Borden visits a circus; a John Ford Western is spiced with the story of 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE' and there is a wonderful Gothic extravaganza set in Hollywood. The second section - OLD WORLD WONDERS - draws on fairy tales (Cinderella), on the story of Mary Magdalene, on the folklore of pantomime, on ALICE IN WONDERLAND, an on medieval legend. These stories represent Angela Carter at her most acrobatic and dazzling: erudite, witty, sexy and enthralling. A book to delight her many, many fans.

Reviews

  • Her sportive side is well represented... Carter loved those pantomime transformations she saw as capsizing fixed identity and hidebound morality. It seems apt that these stories, just as they join continents, should mingle styles and genres with promiscuous abandon.

    Observer

  • Hybrids of tale and critical essay, a reminder that Carter was also one of the finest discursive essayists.

    Scotsman

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About the Author

Angela Carter

Angela Carter was born in 1940. She lived in Japan, the United States and Australia. Her first novel, Shadow Dance, was published in 1965. Her next book, The Magic Toyshop, won the John Llewllyn Rhys Prize and the next, Several Perceptions, the Somerset Maugham Award. She died in February 1992.

Angela Carter

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