Widdershins by Oliver Onions is a gripping and atmospheric novel that combines elements of horror, mystery, and psychological suspense. The story follows a young man named Stephen who becomes entangled in the haunting legend of a cursed family estate. As he delves deeper into the history of the house, Stephen uncovers dark secrets and malevolent forces that threaten to consume him.

Onions masterfully crafts a sense of foreboding throughout the novel, creating a spine-tingling atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge. His vivid descriptions of the eerie estate and its enigmatic inhabitants make the setting come alive, adding to the overall sense of dread and unease.

The character development in Widdershins is also notably strong, with Stephen's internal struggles and psychological unraveling adding depth to the narrative. The supporting cast of characters, particularly the enigmatic figure of Mary Meredith, further enhance the story with their complex motivations and hidden agendas.

Overall, Widdershins is a haunting and thought-provoking read that will leave readers questioning the nature of reality and the power of the supernatural. Oliver Onions has crafted a truly atmospheric and captivating novel that will linger in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned.

Book Description:
Onions wrote several collections of ghost stories, of which the best known is Widdershins (1911). It includes the novella The Beckoning Fair One, widely regarded as one of the best in the genre of horror fiction, especially psychological horror. On the surface, this is a conventional haunted house story: an unsuccessful writer moves into rooms in an otherwise empty house, in the hope that isolation will help his failing creativity. His sensitivity and imagination are enhanced by his seclusion, but his art, his only friend and his sanity are all destroyed in the process. The story can be read as narrating the gradual possession of the protagonist by a mysterious and possessive feminine spirit, or as a realistic description of a psychotic outbreak culminating in catatonia and murder, told from the sufferer's point of view. The precise description of the slow disintegration of the protagonist's mind is terrifying in either case. Another theme, shared with others of Onions' stories, is a connection between creativity and insanity; in this view, the artist is in danger of withdrawing from the world altogether and losing himself in his creation.