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M. P. Shiel
(1865 - 1947)

The Lord of Language

M. P. Shiel wrote twenty-five novels and dozens of short stories, most of them romantic mysteries or fast-paced adventures, several dealing with world conquest. Others are distinctly supernatural or border on science fiction. Most are interspersed with discourses on his philosophy and sociology of the Overman. And most, regardless of genre, were written in Shiel's patented poetic prose.

His early novel The Purple Cloud (1901) is a classic "last man on earth" story and probably his masterpiece. H. G. Wells called it "colossal... [a] brilliant novel." A New York Post review declared the author to be "a genius drunk with the hottest juices of our language."

Shiel's work drew high praise from many notable writers and critics:

E. M. Benson:
"[Shiel's work is] a glorious excursion into the incredible."
E. F. Bleiler:
"His stories are a welter of stylistic sound effects. "
Jules Claretie:
"The Purple Cloud should live as long as the Odyssey."
August Derleth:
"[He was] the Grand Viscount of the Grotesque... [with a] refulgently fanciful imagination and magical command of the English language."
Dashiell Hammett:
"A magician."
L. P. Hartley:
"A master of the written word and a virtuoso of the imagination."
Arthur Machen:
"Here is a wilder wonderland than Poe ever dreamt of... It is Poe, perhaps, but Poe with an unearthly radiance."
Sam Moskowitz:
"[He was] a writer's writer ... His mad literary rhythms, seemingly improvised, like a jazz artist's at a jam session, were a bubbling fountain at which new techniques of phrasing could be drunk."
J. D. Priestley:
"If by genius we mean amazing ideas, flashes of real imagination, wild originality, then we must grant it him."
Ellery Queen:
"One of the authentic old masters."
Edward Shanks:
"One of the most remarkable minds and imaginations of our time... a poet and a prophet..."
Ralph Straus:
"The novels of this brilliantly original writer have a kind of white-hot splendour that rouses all one's admiration... There is not a man living who writes better prose."
Rachel Annand Taylor:
"Macabre as Poe, recondite as Baron Corvo, sophisticated as Baudelaire -- gives you un nouveau frisson in short."
Carl Van Vechten:
"What a man! What an imagination!"
Hugh Walpole:
"A flaming genius! At his best he is not to be touched, because there is no one else like him."
Rebecca West:
"A writer of imperial imagination who combines the scientific qualities of Wells with the mystery of Poe and then goes off on a line of romantic imagination that is all his own... Sensible people ought to have a complete set of Shiel."

A reviewer in the London Times Literary Supplement of March 28, 1929 wrote: "He tossed the world about in his dreams, not with a juggler's detachment, but with a sense now bitter, now exultant of the tragedy and splendor that enwrap the mysterium tremendum of existence."

With such praise, it is incomprehensible that so much of Shiel's work remains out of print. Edward Shanks stated, "Others will come after us who will from time to time demand that his work shall be available for them to read." Since Shiel's death in poverty in 1947, only a handful of aficionados -- among them John D. Squires and the late A. Reynolds Morse -- have fulfilled Shank's prophecy by making serious efforts to revitalize interest in this neglected genius.

In recent years, new interest in Shiel is evidenced by reprints from Tartarus Press, new editions of the irrepressible The Purple Cloud, a Spanish selection of stories, and a forthcoming new selection of Shiel's stories in the Lovecraft Library series from Hippocampus Press.

Harold Billings's long-awaited, book-length treatment of the topic he first broached over two decades ago in "The Shape of Shiel: A Biography of the Early Years, 1865-1895" (published in Diverse Hands, 1983). This is the first book-length biographical study of Shiel and covers his West Indies origins and his literary beginnings in London's Decadent movement. Includes some 20 photos and illustrations including a rare glimpse of Shiel aet 14. Harold's lively and highly readable study draws upon the horde of Shiel materials that he helped amass at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, UT Austin and has incorporated the latest genealogical information available. Limited to 300 copies -- at $29 it is a rare treasure for a paltry sum! More info...

Limited to only 200 copies, this new book commits to print for the first time all of the genealogical essays which the authors have shared with the present website, in a large (8" x 11.5"), easily readable format! In addition are several maps of the Caribbean, foreword by Harold Billings, introduction and two dedicatory verses by Richard Shiell, numerous appendices, and photos. Copies may be ordered directly Richard Shiell in Australia for A$25 each plus postage (about A$10); inquire by email at hairman@mira.net

Contains nine essential stories ("Xélucha", "Tulsah", "The Pale Ape", "Huguenin's Wife", "Many a Tear", "The House of Sounds", "The Spectre-Ship", "The Great King", "The Bride") and the novel The Purple Cloud (1901 text), which are thought to be Lovecraft's favorites. The first new collection of Shiel stories in decades, and a steal at $15.00.
Order from: Hippocampus Press

An occasional newsletter published in England, it is primarily concerned with literary matters but also includes updates on the various claimants to the throne of Redonda. The editors are: Roger Dobson, 182 Barns Road, Oxford OX4 3RG, England and Mark Valentine, 23 Southfield Terrace, Addingham, Ilkey, West Yorkshire LS29 OPA, England.

June 1885
Shiel to his sister, Augusta Horsford
17 August 1901
About Myself: A Letter to Editor of The Candid Friend (includes response to review of Lord of the Sea)
19 December 1910
The Habit of Command: A Letter to the Editor of The Daily Chronicle


24 September 1929
Shiel to Everrett Harre
20 May 1937
H. G. Wells to M. P. Shiel

The letters of M. P. Shiel are Copyright © Javier Marías, Literary Executor for the Estates of M. P. Shiel and John Gawsworth, c/o Mercedes Casanovas, Iradier 24, 08017, Barcelona, Spain.

• W. T. Stead
• Louis Tracy
• John Gawsworth
• Louis Tracy, Gordon Holmes and Robert Fraser: A Chronological Checklist of Periodical and First Book Publications with notes on Confirmed and Suspected Collaborations with M. P. Shiel