The Return

This story of `psychic possession', as other reviews state, is the first of its kind that I have encountered; so much so that, several chapters on, I was still half-believing that what the main character, Arthur Lawford, was experiencing was nothing more than a nightmare. But, really, it wasn't. Deeply psychological, this `transformation' that he went through - that of suddenly and mysteriously taking in the face, form, and voice of someone named Sabathier (long-ago dead) - posed upon Lawford the nature of existence that he has had (back when he was still...well...*Lawford*). It was upon seeing the reaction of the people around him that he realized who among his friends were worth trusting. He even began to have doubts as to the faith that his wife holds for him, and ultimately saw the many cracks that were there all along in his marriage. There were also copious moments wherein the story touched on the philosophical, exploring questions on the nature of life, one's purpose for living, the presence of another plane of existence, reincarnation, and the power of evil. Frankly, this is quite a depressing story, with the main character often deliberately derided or abandoned by those whose understanding he was hoping to count on. During those times, he questions his sanity and his very identity - is he still Lawford? Or has *Sabathier* taken over him completely? Is there still a remnant of his old self? There is subtlety in the way the author took the horror factor up a notch in every chapter or new day that Lawford found himself still stuck with Sabathier's face. A face that provokes disquiet within anyone who chances to see it. Here, then, the gothic aspect emerges, as Lawford is forced more and more to stir only in the night when there is less chance of bumping into an old acquaintance. Sounds from the night, whisperings in the dark, and stealthy voices from another part of the house also collude to constantly drive him on the edge of sanity. Though a bit difficult for me to wade through, what with the long dialogues and constant debates on whether he really is possessed or not, there is an unmistakable mastery in the way de la Mare presented a horror story with the evil not even wholly present or even completely explicable. It is more of the unease *within* that gives this story force.

The Dover edition that I read bills this book as being a horror classic. It was first published in 1922. Arthur Lawford is a man in a moment of spiritual crisis (a crisis that he does not even really realize for himself). He accidentally falls asleep in a graveyard on the tomb of Nicholas Sabathier. When he wakes up, he finds that he has taken on Sabathier's face, and what else? I have read that De La Mare (who I only know through some poetry, vaguely) is known for his psychological horror stories. It's an interesting term: "psychological horror". If I understand what it means, then I would have to consider The Return a good illustration of the concept. In a modern horror book, the author would generally feel the need for a mounting body count and a final epic battle with swords between Sabathier and Lawford. You will find no such thing in the De La Mare. The story is less about the story, in that sense. It is more about an exploration of human nature when the unthinkable happens. How does your wife react when you come home with someone else's face? How do you look at your own life after that? What does it reveal about your marriage? How does your community react? What do you do? Actually, the best of modern horror often explores that very same theme. But most horror writers today would have felt as though the story had to be more...well...more horrifying. De La Mare has the strength to just let the thing be (for the most part) and as a result I was really impressed with how frightening and strange just a changed face alone would be. From the excessively normal Arthur at the beginning of the book, De La Mare carves a subject who throws light on a cruel marriage, a tender father, an unclear place in the world. It is not a perfect book, by any means. I am not sure that I will immediately run out and look for another by De La Mare. Aspects of the ending are quite confusing, and not in a good unresolved way. Still, it was really interesting and I would still recommend it-- particularly if you do have a yen for what horror can be as a genre. I would recommend the Dover edition. It is a slim book, and the 193 pages don't warrant the high prices that some of the other publishers are charging by calling it a classic. The introduction by S.T. Joshi is actually just the perfect length, and extremely clear.

I first encountered Walter de la Mare through his story 'Seaton's Aunt' in an anthology. This novel was my next read and it solidified my opinion of de la Mare as a tragically forgotten author of immense ability.Though the blurb about the book sounds like a rather standard 'weird' narative, what stands out most about this novel is how deeply you are plunged into issues of emotion, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. De la Mare's chief concern is the unseen world that is impossible to directly describe in words, and he demands careful reading and attention to every word, but rewards with a deep and grand vision that is rarely even attempted at, nevermind accomplished.Being a fairly inexpensive paperback, and a relatively short novel, it's a great introduction to the world of de la Mare before tackling his short story collections.