Explore the latest books of this year!
Bookbot

Gerald Kersh

    August 26, 1911 – November 5, 1968

    Gerald Kersh was a British author whose works often reflected the gritty realities of life and the diverse professions he held throughout his career. His novels, such as the breakthrough 'Night and the City' and his masterpiece 'Fowler's End,' are lauded for their potent realism and profound grasp of the human condition. Kersh was renowned not only for his novels but also for an extensive body of short stories and articles, further expanding his unique literary legacy. His writing frequently explores the darker facets of society and human experience with an unmistakable urgency and empathy.

    The Best of Gerald Kersh
    The Angel And The Cuckoo
    The Thousand Deaths of Mr Small
    The Horrible Dummy and Other Stories
    Nightshade and Damnations
    On an Odd Note
    • 2023

      Jugoslawien, 1943. Eine kleine versprengte Partisanentruppe wacher, verzweifelter Männer flieht in den Wald, nachdem sie ein Munitionsdepot der italienischen Besatzer überfallen hat. Ihre Beute: Dynamit und Zünder für den Widerstand. Einer stirbt für den anderen, damit der Rest an einem anderen Tag weiterkämpfen kann. Darunter ist der junge Andrej, dessen Dorf in Slowenien von den Faschisten dem Erdboden gleichgemacht wurde und der hier in ebenfalls versprengten Serben und Kroaten Gleichgesinnte gefunden hat. Doch die rettende Holzbrücke wurde vom Hochwasser fortgerissen und die Verfolger sind nicht mehr weit … Nach dem kurzen, mächtigen Roman über das Massaker von Lidice verneigt sich Kersh nun vor den Menschen des Widerstands, vor aufrechten Menschen, denen ein inneres Licht innewohnt, das in der Dunkelheit sichtbar wird und zur Hoffnung der Menschheit gerät.

      Hirn und zehn Finger
    • 2019

      Nightshade and Damnations

      • 178 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      The book features a collection of eerie tales, each exploring the uncanny and the unknown. An expedition in South America reveals a bone-less race that drains life, while a London man uncovers a monstrous secret linked to Brighton's past. A sea captain discovers tragic remnants of a mysterious creature on a deserted island, and a war correspondent encounters a soldier claiming to be 438 years old. These narratives intertwine horror and intrigue, showcasing the bizarre and the supernatural in unexpected ways.

      Nightshade and Damnations
    • 2016

      Als in der von deutschen Truppen besetzten Tschechei der SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei von Bertsch von einem vorbeifahrenden Motorradfahrer niedergeschossen wird, setzt das Dritte Reich 800.000 Reichsmark Belohnung für Hinweise aus, die zur Ergreifung des Täters führen. Als in der Nähe des kleinen Dorfes Dudicka ein verlassenes Motorrad am Uferrand geborgen wird, entsendet die Gestapo den berüchtigten SS-Offizier Heinz Horner, um eine Untersuchung einzuleiten und die Dorfbewohner Horners Repressalien auszusetzen. Vor historischem Hintergrund schuf der großartige Gerald Kersh 1943 unauslöschliche Bilder vom Hereinbrechen des Schreckens über eine unschuldige Dorfgemeinschaft, die bis heute nichts von ihrer dramatischen Wucht und Sprachkraft verloren haben.

      Die Toten schauen zu
    • 2014

      On an Odd Note

      • 138 pages
      • 5 hours of reading
      4.4(10)Add rating

      Exploring themes of mystery and the supernatural, this collection weaves together chilling tales of murder, discovery, and the macabre. From the enigma of a lady's impossible murder to the unsettling find of a merman off Brighton's coast, each story unveils dark truths. A desperate man's deal with a sinister figure, a ventriloquist's terrifying dummy, and a condemned murderer’s haunting legacy through a child’s perspective further intensify the eerie atmosphere. These narratives promise to captivate readers with their blend of horror and intrigue.

      On an Odd Note
    • 2013

      The Thousand Deaths of Mr Small

      • 416 pages
      • 15 hours of reading

      Charles Small, a successful advertising expert, grapples with deep dissatisfaction in his life. As he reflects on his existence, he confronts the emptiness and stagnation that overshadow his achievements. This introspective journey reveals his struggles with personal fulfillment and the search for meaning beyond professional success, highlighting themes of discontent and the quest for a more vibrant life.

      The Thousand Deaths of Mr Small
    • 2013

      Sergeant Nelson of the Guards

      • 328 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      This collection features two compelling narratives that delve into the lives of characters facing extraordinary circumstances. "They Die With Their Boots Clean" explores themes of sacrifice and honor, while "In The Nine Lives Of Bill Nelson" presents a gripping tale of survival and resilience. Together, these stories offer a rich tapestry of human experience, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of individuals in challenging situations. Readers will find a blend of adventure, emotion, and thought-provoking insights throughout the collection.

      Sergeant Nelson of the Guards
    • 2013

      The Song of the Flea

      • 368 pages
      • 13 hours of reading

      Focusing on the journey of John Pym, the narrative explores the struggles and aspirations of a young man striving to establish himself as a writer. Through his experiences, the story delves into the challenges of creativity, the quest for recognition, and the personal growth that comes from pursuing one's passion amidst adversity.

      The Song of the Flea
    • 2013

      Exploring intriguing mysteries and philosophical questions, the narrative delves into the enigma of the Mona Lisa's smile and the fate of Ambrose Bierce. It also presents the curious case of Simple Simon, who loses something vital yet remains unaware of its absence. These elements invite readers to reflect on deeper themes of perception and loss, weaving together art, literature, and human experience in a thought-provoking manner.

      Men Without Bones and Other Haunting Inhabitants
    • 2013

      The Horrible Dummy and Other Stories

      • 172 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      A collection of humorous and spine-tingling tales, this book features quirky characters and unexpected twists. Each story delves into the absurd and the eerie, showcasing the author's knack for blending comedy with elements of horror. Readers are taken on a wild ride through bizarre situations, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and laughter intertwines with chills. Perfect for those who enjoy a mix of light-hearted fun and thrilling suspense, these stories promise to entertain and surprise.

      The Horrible Dummy and Other Stories
    • 2013

      The Best of Gerald Kersh

      • 354 pages
      • 13 hours of reading
      4.2(23)Add rating

      '[Gerald Kersh] is a story-teller of an almost vanished kind - though the proper description is perhaps a teller of 'rattling good yarns'... He is fascinated by the grotesque and the bizarre, by the misfits of life, the angry, the down-and-outs and the damned. A girl of eight commits a murder. Some circus freaks are shipwrecked on an island. A chess champion walks in his sleep and destroys the games he has so carefully planned...' TLS 'Beneath his talented lightness and fantasy, Gerald Kersh is a serious man... [He] has the ability... to create a world which is not realistic and which is yet entirely credible and convincing on its own fantastic terms.' New York Times 'Mr Kersh tells a story; as such, rather better than anybody else.' Pamela Hansford Johnson, Telegraph

      The Best of Gerald Kersh