Margaret Gabrielle Long
Encyclopedia
Marjorie Bowen (1 November 1885 on Hayling Island
, Hampshire
- 23 December 1952) was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym
. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances
full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films.
Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics. According to Sally Benson
in The New Yorker
(1965) "Mr Shearing is a painstaking researcher, a superb writer, a careful technician, and a master of horror. There is no one else quite like him". Graham Greene
stated in his Paris Review
interview (Autumn 1953), "I chose Marjorie Bowen [as a major influence] because as I have told you, I don't think that the books that one reads as an adult influence one as a writer...But books such as Marjorie Bowen's, read at a young age, do influence one considerably."
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian
named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis
, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
Hayling Island
-Leisure activities:Although largely residential, Hayling is also a holiday, windsurfing and sailing centre, the site where windsurfing was invented....
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
- 23 December 1952) was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances
Gothic fiction
Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled "A Gothic Story"...
full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films.
Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics. According to Sally Benson
Sally Benson
Sally Benson was an American screenwriter, who was also a prolific short story author, best known for her semi-autobiographical stories collected in Junior Miss and Meet Me in St...
in The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
(1965) "Mr Shearing is a painstaking researcher, a superb writer, a careful technician, and a master of horror. There is no one else quite like him". Graham Greene
Graham Greene
Henry Graham Greene, OM, CH was an English author, playwright and literary critic. His works explore the ambivalent moral and political issues of the modern world...
stated in his Paris Review
Paris Review
The Paris Review is a literary quarterly founded in 1953 by Harold L. Humes, Peter Matthiessen and George Plimpton. Plimpton edited the Review from its founding until his death in 2003. In its first five years, The Paris Review published works by Jack Kerouac, Philip Larkin, V. S...
interview (Autumn 1953), "I chose Marjorie Bowen [as a major influence] because as I have told you, I don't think that the books that one reads as an adult influence one as a writer...But books such as Marjorie Bowen's, read at a young age, do influence one considerably."
Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian
Sicilian
Sicily is an autonomous Italian island. The adjectival form Sicilian can also refer to:* Sicilian language* Sicilian Baroque, baroque architecture in 17th & 18th centuries on Sicily...
named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).
Works
- The Viper of Milan (1906)
- The Master of Stair (1907)
- The Glen O'Weeping (1907)
- The Sword Decides (1908)
- A Moment's Madness (1908)
- The Leopard and the Lily (1909)
- Black Magic: a Tale of the Rise and Fall of the Antichrist (1909) - about how a sorceress called Ursula becomes Pope JoanPope JoanPope Joan is a legendary female Pope who, it is purported, reigned for a few years some time in the Middle Ages. The story first appeared in the writings of 13th-century chroniclers, and subsequently spread through Europe...
- I Will Maintain (1910)
- God and the King (1911)
- "Defender of the Faith" (1911)
- God's Playthings (1912)
- The Rake's Progress (1912)
- The Quest of Glory (1912)
- A Knight of Spain (1913)
- The Two Carnations (1913)
- Prince and Heretic (1914)
- Because of These Things (1915)
- Mr Washington (1915)
- Shadows of Yesterday (1916)
- Curious Happenings (1917) - short stories
- Crimes of Old London (1919) - short stories
- The Cheats, A Romantic Fantasy (1920)
- Roccoco (1921)
- The Haunted Vintage (1921)
- Stinging Nettles (1923) - a semi-autobigraphical novel relating to Bowen's doomed marriage to Zefferino
- Seeing Life! (1923)
- Mistress Nell Gwynne (1926) (as Joseph Shearing) - adapted as a film by Herbert WilcoxHerbert WilcoxHerbert Sydney Wilcox was a British film producer and director.-Early life:Wilcox's mother was from County Cork, Ireland, but he was born in Norwood and attended school in Brighton...
- "Five Winds" (1927)
- The Pagoda (1927)
- Dark Ann (1927) - short stories
- Exits and Farewells (1928)
- General Crack (1928) (as George R. Preedy) - adapted as the film General CrackGeneral CrackGeneral Crack is an all-talking historical costume drama film with Technicolor sequences which was produced by Warner Bros. in 1929 and released early in 1930...
(1930), starring John BarrymoreJohn BarrymoreJohn Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III... - The Golden Roof (1928)
- Sheep's Head and Babylon, and Other Stories of Yesterday and Today (1929) - short stories
- The Great Weird Stories (1929) (editor) (as Arthur Neale)
- The Devil's Jig (1930) (as Robert Paye)
- The Rocklitz (UK) aka The Prince's Darling (USA) (1930) (as George Preedy)
- Grace Latouche and the Warringtons (1931) - short stories
- The Shadow on Mockways (1932) - a Grand GuignolGrand GuignolLe Théâtre du Grand-Guignol — known as the Grand Guignol — was a theatre in the Pigalle area of Paris . From its opening in 1897 until its closing in 1962 it specialized in naturalistic horror shows...
melodrama - Forget-me-Not (1932) (as Joseph Shearing)
- The Veil'd Delight (1933)
- Great Tales of Horror (1933) (editor)
- Julia Roseingrave (1933) (as Robert Paye) - a tale of witchcraft
- The Last Bouquet, Some Twilight Tales (1933) - short stories
- Dr Chaos and the Devil Snar'd (1933) (as George R. Preedy)
- The Triumphant Beast (1934)
- The Scandal of Sophie Dawes (1934)- about the low-born courtesan Sophie Dawes, Baronne de FeuchèresSophie Dawes, Baronne de FeuchèresSophie Dawes , Baronne de Feuchères by marriage, was an English "adventuress" best known as a mistress of Louis Henry II, Prince of Condé....
, described by Bowen as a "vulgar wanton", "a young slut" and a "gutter rat" - Moss Rose (1934) (as Joseph Shearing) - adapted as the film Moss RoseMoss Rose (film)Moss Rose is a 1947 period thriller film starring Peggy Cummins and Victor Mature.-Plot:Set in Victorian London the story concerns a music hall chorus girl who blackmails a gentleman after seeing him leave the house where another dancer was found murdered. Instead of accepting money she demands to...
(1947) - More Great Tales of Horror (1935) (editor)
- The Angel of the Assassination (1935) (as Joseph Shearing) - a biography of Charlotte CordayCharlotte CordayMarie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d'Armont , known to history as Charlotte Corday, was a figure of the French Revolution. In 1793, she was executed under the guillotine for the assassination of Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat, who was in part responsible, through his role as a politician and...
- The Poisoners (1936) (as George R. Preedy)
- Trumpets at Rome (1936)
- This Shining Woman (1937)
- Wrestling Jacob. A study of the life of John Wesley and some members of the family. (1937)
- God and the Wedding Dress (1938)
- Orange Blossoms (1938) (as Joseph Shearing) - short stories
- Blanche Fury (1939) (as Joseph Shearing) - adapted as the film Blanche FuryBlanche FuryBlanche Fury is a 1948 drama film starring Valerie Hobson, Stewart Granger and Michael Gough. It was adapted from a novel by Joseph Shearing. In Victorian era England, two schemers will stop at nothing to acquire the Fury estate, even murder.-Plot:...
(1948) - Mr. Tyler's Saints (1939)
- The Circle in the Water (1939)
- The Debate Continues: being the Autobiography of Marjorie Bowen (1939) (as Margaret Campbell)
- Ethics in Modern Art (1939)
- The Crime of Laura Sarelle (1941) (as Joseph Shearing) - according to a review by Will CuppyWill CuppyWilliam Jacob "Will" Cuppy was an American humorist and literary critic, known for his satirical books about nature and historical figures.-Early life:...
"Those who want a good workout of the more perilous emotions will do well to read Mr. Shearing's impressive tale of love, death and doom... Join the Shearing cult and meet one of the most malevolent females in song or story". - The Golden Violet (1941) (as Joseph Shearing)
- The Spectral Bride also known as The Fetch (1942) (as Joseph Shearing)
- Airing in a Closed Carriage (1943) - adapted as the film The Mark of CainThe Mark of CainThe Mark of Cain is a hard rock/alternative metal band from Adelaide, South Australia. Their style has been likened to that of Helmet and Rollins Band, yet this band predates both of those groups and was influenced by the early work of Joy Division and US hardcore...
(1947) - The Abode of Love (1944) (as Joseph Shearing)
- So Evil My Love (1947) (as Joseph Shearing) about the Charles BravoCharles BravoCharles Bravo was a British lawyer who was fatally poisoned with antimony in 1876. The case is still sensational, notorious and unresolved. The case is also known as The Charles Bravo Murder and the Murder at the Priory.It was an unsolved crime committed within an elite Victorian household at The...
murder - adapted as the film So Evil My LoveSo Evil My LoveSo Evil My Love is a 1948 British psychological thriller film, directed by Lewis Allen and starring Ray Milland, Ann Todd and Geraldine Fitzgerald. The film is a period drama set in the Victorian era, and shot in film noir style in the late-1940s sub-genre often referred to as "Gaslight noir"...
(1948) - The Bishop of Hell and Other Stories (1949) - selected short stories from her earlier output
- The Man with the Scales (1954)
- Kecksies and Other Twilight TalesKecksies and Other Twilight TalesKecksies and Other Twilight Tales is a collection of stories by author Marjorie Bowen. It was released in 1976 and was the author's first collection of stories published in the U.S....
(1976) - short stories