Children's Anthology

[leelo]

Hello there! I'm really hoping that somebody here can help me remember the title of a book I borrowed from my local library (in the UK) back when I was ten or so. It would have been the mid-eighties, although the book in question could have easily been from the 60s or 70s.

Through lots of googling vaguely remembered snatches of story-lines, I can confirm that the following two stories were definitely part of the collection:

It - Theodore Sturgeon
The Quest For Blank Claveringi - Patricia Highsmith

Having already had a look through the forums here, I've found a book called 'Creepy Creatures' that contains these two stories, but I'm sure this wasn't the book I read.

The only other bit of story I remember is one about (I think) a man who has shut himself away in a log cabin(?), and there is a constant banging at the door, which turns out to be (again, I think) the ghost of his dead friend who has turned up to collect a debt.

I also remember the book itself was hard-cover, mostly red with black writing.

Sorry if this is all a bit vague, but I'd be very appreciative for any ideas any of you might have.

Leelo

[jkdunham]

Does Weirdies, Weirdies, Weirdies ring any bells?

Weirdies, Weirdies, Weirdies: A Horrifying Concatenation of the Super-Sur-Real or Almost or Not-Quite Real, to give it its full title, was an anthology edited by Helen Hoke - several editions published in the 70s, at least one of which was a red hardback.

Contained both "It" and "The Quest For Blank Claveringi", alongside stuff by C.S. Lewis, John Wyndham, Conan Doyle ("The Brown Hand"), & a few Lovecraft offerings (mostly poems). F. Marion Crawford's "The Upper Berth" and Fitz-James O'Brien's "What Was It?" were also included. With Illustrations (by Charles Keeping).

Seems to have been a staple in the children's section of many a library at one time.

[leelo]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply!

"The Upper Berth" definitely rings a bell, plus I forgot about the illustrations!

Found a copy online for £4, so will order today and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again!