Robert Aickman - sylwetka autora

One of the most distinguished creators in the realm of English horror fiction, Robert Aickman, is acclaimed more for the quality of his work than for widespread commercial success. Despite this, he was neither niche nor forgotten. In 1975, he received the prestigious World Fantasy Award for his short story "Pages from a Young Girl’s Journal," followed by the British Fantasy Award in 1981 for "The Stains." His narratives have been transformed into radio plays, such as "Ringing the Changes" which debuted on Halloween night, October 31, 1980, and television productions, including "Ringing the Changes" for BBC, the six-part "Night Voices" for HTV West, and "The Swords," directed by Tony Scott in 1997, who is well-known for directing "Top Gun."

Aickman's influence reaches into the wider literary world, with celebrated authors like Neil Gaiman expressing admiration. Gaiman, in "Independent," noted how Aickman’s works profoundly influenced him, acknowledging their uniqueness. Aickman described his stories as "strange tales," while Western literary critics often categorize them as "supernatural fiction," both terms aptly reflecting the essence of his creations.

Beyond his writing, Aickman was a respected nature conservationist and educated as an architect. He had a scholarly interest in supernatural phenomena and occultism, serving as a member of the Society for Psychical Research.