Albert Kinross (1870–1929)

The Fearsome Island is an obscure fantasy work by an obscure English author, Albert Kinross (1870-1929), published in 1896 when he was about 25 years old, his second published work. It probably would remain unknown today except it was recently brought to light by LibriVox narrator Ruth Golding, who is always enjoyable to listen to. The book is novella length and frames itself as a true story about a shipwrecked mariner from the 16th century who discovers an island inhabited by fantastical things. There are overtones of Robinson Crusoe, The Odyssey, Arabian Nights - but really it felt closer to a Dungeons & Dragons adventure from the fertile mind of a teenager with traps, treasure, monsters, etc.. standard genre fantasy escapism. There's really not much to say other than it's imaginative for what it is. I did some deep searching of databases and was unable to find any professional reviews or commentary, then or now. I can only recommend to read the classics it derives from, but if you want obscure late 19th century genre fantasy that is still readable, this will give you a taste beyond Bram Stoker or Jules Verne.… (meer)