John Gordon (author)
Encyclopedia
John Gordon is an English writer of adolescent supernatural fiction
. He is the author of fifteen fantasy novels (including The Giant Under The Snow
), four short story collections, over fifty short stories and a teenage memoir.
Most of John Gordon's novels are in the supernatural fantasy and horror genres and feature teenagers in the central roles. The adventures are often set in The Fens
, an environment John found mysterious and inspirational in his own adolescence, and contain elements of East Anglian folklore (such as the doom dog - Black Shuck
). His work has been compared to that of the acclaimed ghost novelist M.R. James. Indeed The House on the Brink (1970) is regarded by admirers as one of the greatest novels in the Jamesian Tradition.
His short stories have appeared in more than 50 anthologies and other publications and he is included in The Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English. His work has been translated into many languages, including Japanese, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Czech, Spanish, Polish and Lithuanian.
, Tyne and Wear
), he moved to the Fens (Wisbech
, Cambridgeshire
) with his family at the age of twelve, where he attended Wisbech Grammar School
. The contrast of its flat, rural landscape had a profound effect on the young Geordie and inspired him to write many of his most popular stories (including: The House On The Brink, Ride The Wind and Fen Runners).
He served in the Royal Navy
during the Second World War (on minesweepers
and destroyers) and afterwards worked as a journalist in the West Country and East Anglia. It was during his time working on The Eastern Evening News
in Norwich
that he wrote his first novel, The Giant Under The Snow
.
Although Norwich and its cathedral
may have been the inspiration for parts of this book, it was the Fens of John's youth that set the backdrop for most of his stories. As a reporter in Wisbech
he cycled many miles covering events in the Fens, especially in the village of Upwell
where his future wife Sylvia lived. Inspired by the landscape John has said: "I've often thought that the flat fenland is like an open book and it has always filled my mind with stories."
Many of his books feature Wisbech locations: Peckover House, Wisbech Museum, Wisbech Castle
grounds, High Street, Market Place and pubs, The Crescent and the Park. Other locations in the Fens
include Pingle Bridge in Upwell
and the Fen rivers (particularly the River Nene
).
He continues to live and write in Norwich today, assisted by his wife Sylvia, who has been instrumental in the editing and collation of his work over the years. They have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Supernatural fiction
Supernatural fiction is a literary genre exploiting or requiring as plot devices or themes some contradictions of the commonplace natural world and materialist assumptions about it....
. He is the author of fifteen fantasy novels (including The Giant Under The Snow
The Giant Under The Snow
The Giant Under The Snow is a children's fantasy adventure novel by John Gordon. First published in 1968 the story tells the tale of three school friends who discover an ancient treasure and become embroiled in the final act of an epic battle of good against evil...
), four short story collections, over fifty short stories and a teenage memoir.
Most of John Gordon's novels are in the supernatural fantasy and horror genres and feature teenagers in the central roles. The adventures are often set in The Fens
The Fens
The Fens, also known as the , are a naturally marshy region in eastern England. Most of the fens were drained several centuries ago, resulting in a flat, damp, low-lying agricultural region....
, an environment John found mysterious and inspirational in his own adolescence, and contain elements of East Anglian folklore (such as the doom dog - Black Shuck
Black Shuck
Black Shuck, Old Shuck, Old Shock or simply Shuck is the name given to a ghostly black dog which is said to roam the coastline and countryside of East Anglia...
). His work has been compared to that of the acclaimed ghost novelist M.R. James. Indeed The House on the Brink (1970) is regarded by admirers as one of the greatest novels in the Jamesian Tradition.
His short stories have appeared in more than 50 anthologies and other publications and he is included in The Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English. His work has been translated into many languages, including Japanese, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Czech, Spanish, Polish and Lithuanian.
Life
Born in the industrial North-East (JarrowJarrow
Jarrow is a town in Tyne and Wear, England, located on the River Tyne, with a population of 27,526. From the middle of the 19th century until 1935, Jarrow was a centre for shipbuilding, and was the starting point of the Jarrow March against unemployment in 1936.-Foundation:The Angles re-occupied...
, Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972...
), he moved to the Fens (Wisbech
Wisbech
Wisbech is a market town, inland port and civil parish with a population of 20,200 in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. The tidal River Nene runs through the centre of the town and is spanned by two bridges...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
) with his family at the age of twelve, where he attended Wisbech Grammar School
Wisbech Grammar School
Wisbech Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire for students ages 11 to 18. Founded by the Wisbech Guild of the Holy Trinity in 1379, it is one of the oldest schools in the country. The present headmaster is N.J.G. Hammond, a member of the Headmasters' and...
. The contrast of its flat, rural landscape had a profound effect on the young Geordie and inspired him to write many of his most popular stories (including: The House On The Brink, Ride The Wind and Fen Runners).
He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the Second World War (on minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
and destroyers) and afterwards worked as a journalist in the West Country and East Anglia. It was during his time working on The Eastern Evening News
Norwich Evening News
The Norwich Evening News is a daily local newspaper published in Norwich, Norfolk, England. It covers the city and the surrounding suburbs, and is published by Archant. It is the best-selling newspaper in Norwich. As of 28 February 2011 this paper will be out for 6 am, as the stories are written...
in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
that he wrote his first novel, The Giant Under The Snow
The Giant Under The Snow
The Giant Under The Snow is a children's fantasy adventure novel by John Gordon. First published in 1968 the story tells the tale of three school friends who discover an ancient treasure and become embroiled in the final act of an epic battle of good against evil...
.
Although Norwich and its cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral is a cathedral located in Norwich, Norfolk, dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Formerly a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the English Reformation....
may have been the inspiration for parts of this book, it was the Fens of John's youth that set the backdrop for most of his stories. As a reporter in Wisbech
Wisbech
Wisbech is a market town, inland port and civil parish with a population of 20,200 in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. The tidal River Nene runs through the centre of the town and is spanned by two bridges...
he cycled many miles covering events in the Fens, especially in the village of Upwell
Upwell
Upwell is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 2,456 in 1,033 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk...
where his future wife Sylvia lived. Inspired by the landscape John has said: "I've often thought that the flat fenland is like an open book and it has always filled my mind with stories."
Many of his books feature Wisbech locations: Peckover House, Wisbech Museum, Wisbech Castle
Wisbech Castle
Wisbech castle was a motte-and-bailey castle built to fortify Wisbech, in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, England by William I in 1072. The Norman castle, reputedly was destroyed during a devastating flood of 1236, the original design and layout is still unknown.In the 15th century repairs were...
grounds, High Street, Market Place and pubs, The Crescent and the Park. Other locations in the Fens
The Fens
The Fens, also known as the , are a naturally marshy region in eastern England. Most of the fens were drained several centuries ago, resulting in a flat, damp, low-lying agricultural region....
include Pingle Bridge in Upwell
Upwell
Upwell is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 2,456 in 1,033 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk...
and the Fen rivers (particularly the River Nene
River Nene
The River Nene is a river in the east of England that rises from three sources in the county of Northamptonshire. The tidal river forms the border between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk for about . It is the tenth longest river in the United Kingdom, and is navigable for from Northampton to The...
).
He continues to live and write in Norwich today, assisted by his wife Sylvia, who has been instrumental in the editing and collation of his work over the years. They have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Novels
- The Giant Under The SnowThe Giant Under The SnowThe Giant Under The Snow is a children's fantasy adventure novel by John Gordon. First published in 1968 the story tells the tale of three school friends who discover an ancient treasure and become embroiled in the final act of an epic battle of good against evil...
(1968) - The House on the Brink (1970)
- The Ghost on the Hill (1976)
- The Waterfall Box (1978)
- The Edge of the World (1983)
- The Quelling Eye (1986)
- The Grasshopper (1987)
- Ride the Wind (1989)
- Secret Corridor (1990)
- Blood Brothers (1991)
- Gilray's Ghost (1995)
- The Flesh Eater (1998)
- The Midwinter Watch (1998) - The Guardian Children's Book of the Week
- Skinners (1999)
- The Ghosts of Blacklode (2002)
- Fen Runners (2009)
Collections
- The Spitfire Grave: And Other Stories (1979)
- Catch Your Death: And Other Ghost Stories (1984)
- The Burning Baby and Other Ghosts (1992)
- Left in the Dark: The Supernatural Tales of John Gordon (2006)
Anthologies (selected)
- The Walker Book of Ghost Stories (1990)
- Best New Horror 4 (1993)
- The Young Oxford Book of Ghost Stories (1994)
- The Puffin Book of Horror Stories (1994)
- Dancing with the Dark (1997)
- The Mammoth Book of Dracula: Vampire Tales for the New Millennium (1997)
Further reading
John Gordon, Word Hunter - an interview by Chris Stephenson (Carousel No.33, June 2006)External links
- A bibliography of John Gordon's books at Fantastic Fiction
- John Gordon at Amazon
- A review of Fen Runners at The Bookbag
- A review of Left in the Dark at infinity plus