Download Now Free Download Here Download Ebook

OQBWY (Read now) Benighted Online [OQBWY.ebook] Benighted Pdf Free J. B. Priestley DOC | *audiobook | ebooks | Download PDF | ePub Download Now Free Download Here Download eBook #703539 in Books 2013-05-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .38 x 5.51l, .47 #File Name: 1939140234164 pages | File size: 49.Mb J. B. Priestley : Benighted before purchasing it in order to gage whether or not it would be worth my time, and all praised Benighted: 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Dark and Stormy BenightedBy Timothy L MayerThe Old Dark House is one novel any horror literature fan should take the time to read. It's not that long and takes place in the course of one evening. Written by J.P. Priestly in 1927, it was published in the United States as The Old Dark House, but originally as Benighted (the title you can find it at through Valancourt Books). It was filmed as The Old Dark House in 1932 and can be purchased on Blu-Ray.Philip Waverton, his wife Margaret and their friend Roger Penderel are traveling across Wales in by car when they are beset by a thunderstorm. As the roads become impassable, their spot a house in the hillside and decide to make for it when a landslide buries the roads . They're greeted at the door by a huge, mute butler, whom we soon learn is named Morgan. Inside the house, which turns out to be a 16th century manor, they are greeted by two of the other inhabitants of it: Horace Femm and his sister Rebecca. They soon learn there is another member of the family, Sir Roderick Femm, who is too ill to leave his room. Later that evening, Sir William Porterhouse and his chorus girlfriend Gladys make an appearance, as they too are seeking shelter from the storm.As the night drags on, strange things begin to happen. Morgan the butler starts drinking in the kitchen and becomes a very mean drunk. Rebecca Femm begins preaching hell-fire and damnation to anyone who bothers to listen, Horace Femm reveals he's wanted by the police and the travelers reveal interesting bits about their own backgrounds. Eventually the power fails and the Old Dark House is lit by candle lights and lamps. Then things become very strange.The book is written in a very continental style. Long expository sentences and observations very typical of literature of this period. But the conversations are riveting in what you learn about the characters. At one point someone suggests they play Truth (as in Truth or Dare). Horace Femm mocking comments "Oh, its' a game now. About time". Sir Porterhouse who makes his stage entrance as a glad-handling money bags soon reveals he's not to the manor born. And Penderel, a veteran, is still suffering from seeing his comrades mowed down in WWI.Here's a good example of how Priestly manages to take a character who might be a boob in any other story and give him depth: `Unless you're very lucky,' he began, `you only make money by wanting to make it, wanting hard all the time, not bothering about a lot of other things. And there's usually got to be something to start you off, to give you the first sharp kick. After you've got really started, brought off a few deals and begun to live in the atmosphere of big money, the game gets hold of you and you don't want any inducement to go on playing--d'you follow me? It's the first push that's so hard, when you're still going round with your cap in your hand. It's my experience there's always something keeps a man going through that, puts an edge on him and starts him cutting, and it may be some quite little thing. A man I knew, a Lancashire man too, was an easy-going youngster, thought more about cricket than his business, until one day, having to see the head of a firm, he was kept waiting two hours, sitting there in the general office with the clerks cocking an eye at him every ten minutes. He's told me this himself. "All right," he said to himself, "I'll show you." He walked out when the two hours were up, and that turned him, gave him an edge. He did show 'em, too. I don't say, of course, that every man who says something like that to himself brings it off, but some do. Well, it was the same with me.'Of course, you can't discuss the book without mentioning the movie version which came out a few years later. An early talkie, it suffers a bit from sound recording and the problems of preservation. It was only through the efforts of filmmaker Curtis Harrington that a decent copy was found. Following the heels of director James Whales' Frankenstein it was the ignored by the public, who didn't seem to understand the mix of horror and comedy. But the movie is an excellent adaptation of the book with whole dialogue being taken from the original source. Although the upbeat "cold light of day" ending is absent in the book, I still highly recommend the film version. I've watched it many times. When I read the book I can't help but hearing Ernest Thesiger's voice every time Horace Femm speaks.I must give a shout-out to Pretty Sinister Books for bringing this brilliant classic to my attention. Also to Valancourt Books who made an electronic version available.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Not too bad Creepy Old House story.By CustomerPicked up the book after seeing James Whale's (who directed "Frankenstein") 1930's movie "The Old Dark House," which I enjoyed. The movie is fairly faithful to the book, but I enjoyed the movie more. The language in the novel is a bit annoying as it is dated to the early 20's. Let's just say, the use of the word "queer" (as in odd, not gay) is overused. Sometimes written several times per page. Also dated is the feeling of frustration and angst over England post WWI. I just couldn't relate to such emotions being an American in today's world. As for the main characters, I never connected with them, but Priestley brought out their personality and inner thoughts well enough. As for the attempts at describing dread and fear? Not Priestley's talent. I never felt the least bit scared.What was enjoyable was the story of the Femm family, the mystery behind them, and of course Morgan (Note: in the movie, he is played by Boris Karloff, who I think should have earned an Oscar for his performance). Unfortunately, all we get of the Femm's and Morgan are rumors of their past exploits and hints of who they are through their odd (notice I didn't say queer) behavior. I'd have loved more detail of how they became so distorted and damaged to the point of insanity. I was certainly more interested in them than the more bland main characters.Overall, it was an enjoyable read and worth the time.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. CreepyBy LINDA LIGHTFOOTI'm so glad that Valancourt Press chose to reissue this book. It had been out of print for many, many years and did not deserve such a fate. A story of stranded travelers forced to seek shelter in an old dark house may be old hat now, but when Priestley did it, it was brand new. And nobody has done it like Priestley since! The book was also made into a movie--a Boris Karloff vehicle--called The Old Dark House, which I also own. The movie is creepy in its own right, but the ending is different. Highly recommend both the book and the movie! But read the book first! 'Priestley is one of the finest and most popular storytellers of the last hundred years.' - Dame Margaret Drabble 'Abundant life flows through J.B. Priestley's books. He was the last of his kind.' - Stan Barstow 'J.B. Priestley is one of our literary icons of the 20th century. And it is time that we all became re-acquainted with his genius.' - Dame Judi Dench Philip and Margaret Waverton and their friend Roger Penderel are driving through the mountains of Wales when a torrential downpour washes away the road and forces them to seek shelter for the night. They take refuge in an ancient, crumbling mansion inhabited by the strange and sinister Femm family and their brutish servant Morgan. Determined to make the best of the circumstances, the benighted travellers drink, talk, and play games to pass the time while the storm rages outside. But as the night progresses and tensions rise, dangerous and unexpected secrets emerge. On the house's top floor are two locked doors; behind one of them lies the mysterious, unseen Sir Roderick Femm, and behind the other lurks an unspeakable terror. Which is more deadly: the apocalyptic storm outside the house or the unknown horrors that await within? And will any of them survive the night? Benighted (1927), a classic 'old dark house' novel of psychological terror, was the second novel by J. B. Priestley (1894-1984), better known for his classics The Good Companions (1929), Angel Pavement (1930) and Bright Day (1946). The basis for James Whale's 1932 film The Old Dark House, Benighted returns to print for the first time in fifty years.

Load more