Eltonsbrody

By: Edgar Mittelholzer

Narrated by: David Sweeney-Bear

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

When Woodsley, a young English painter, arrives in Barbados and finds no lodging available, he thinks himself fortunate to be invited to stay at Eltonsbrody, a mansion belonging to the eccentric widow Mrs Scaife. But behind the locked doors of the house’s disused rooms lurk terrible secrets, and soon strange and blood-curdling events begin to unfold. The tension builds towards a shocking and unforgettable conclusion, when the full horror of Eltonsbrody will be revealed.

One of the most prolific and important of 20th-century Caribbean writers, Edgar Mittelholzer (1909-1965) was at his best in Gothic novels like My Bones and My Flute (1955) and Eltonsbrody (1960). This first-ever reissue of Mittelholzer’s weird and chilling tale includes a new introduction by John Thieme.

"One of the modern giants of Caribbean writing." (Caribbean Writers)

"A sanguinary essay in the macabre." (The Crisis)

"An original writer with a great command of language and atmosphere...true imaginative power." (John O’London’s Weekly)

©1960, 2017 Estate of Edgar Mittelholzer (P)2019 Valancourt Books, LLC

What an idiot.

You will never find a more oblivious, and dumb main character (at least in a serious story). For a man who is repeatedly called "inquisitive" and smart, he does miss so many things and so many warning signs. These are not subtle ones either - these are quite blatant and obvious.

An interesting story with some interesting characters, but a bit frustrating with the main character.

Not for me I suppose

It went on for too long. I know it's a little over 5hrs and that might not be long to some so here's why I said it. It started out well, the eerie chill of realising something isn't quite right in the house yet not knowing exactly what. But as the story goes on, as a mystery lover, I could put 2+2 together fairly easily. So as it went on I kept thinking that we can get the full picture now or now or now. It felt repetitive and like a drag. I liked the outlandish nature of the host initially but it got annoying with her unvaried remarks to the guest. It left off on a flat note as well. Can be enjoyed by someone, no doubt, but it was simply not my cup of tea.

Classic Gothic novel

High creep factor, a whole lot of bosom and gore. Reminded me a 1970s Hammer Horror movie.