I sell second-hand books and have often come across old copies of the self-styled Prince of Storytellers' (Edward Phillips Oppenheim October 22, 1866 – February 3, 1946) work and mentally confined them to the literary bin.
There was something though about the jacket illustration and the proud boast that it was the work of the Prince of Storytellers that tempted me to turn away from my arid research. I was quite prepared to read a chapter or two and toss the book to one side. It could then join the pile of hopeless volumes I have that have reached an Amazon sale price of £0.01 and that are then destined for one final attempt at life on eBay before their almost inevitable consignment to the charity shop.
However...I was enchanted by the bravura piece of writing; a reckless, quite mad adventure set in London's East & West Ends and in the most unusual of houses: "When Major Oweston entered the strange and ugly house of Martin Hews, with only ninepence halfpenny and a return third class ticket to London...".
I read it in one go as they say. Then I started out to find more. Pursuing my unvarying policy of seeking for a bargain I soon found that a lot of Oppenheim's works had been made available as e-books. I got rather tired of sitting for long hours at the computer reading them and the laptop proved quite difficult to hold safely while taking a bath and in bed. After a great deal of pecuniary consideration based on the costs of osteopath's services and replacements of sodden laptops I bought a Kindle.
So now I can make my way through the great man's opus. He seems to have fallen out of fashion and it is quite easy to see why. The books are of their time, they are not literary masterpieces. However for those who read for pure pleasure, to be diverted and amused I think they are worth attempting.
As I read my way through the books I will post my comments on this blog, to say a little about each title and to write about the author, his times and other writers of those days. I'll attempt to give each book a rating to help new readers.
If you have read any of Oppenheim's books or wish to discuss them please get in touch and/or add your comments.
