The Victorian Chaise-Longue
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Chaise-Longue (1953) is a novella by the English
novelist Marghanita Laski
. Published in 1953, the book describes the experience of an invalided young woman who wakes up in the body of her alter-ego eighty years previously. Described by Anthony Boucher
as 'relentlessly terrifying', and as 'disturbing and compulsive' by Penelope Lively
, the novella plays on the fear of the unexpected and unknown.
It was republished in 1999 by Persephone Books
praised the story as "a subdued, evenly paced nightmare." Writing in F&SF, Anthony Boucher
described The Victorian Chaise Longue as "an admirably written book, highly skilled in its economic evocation of time, place and character -- and a relentlessly terrifying one." P. Schuyler Miller
placed the "slight but beautifully written" novella on "the borderlands of fantasy and science fiction."
and appeared on the Ronald Reagan
-hosted General Electric Theater
. The second, starring Frances White
, appeared as an episode of Studio 4
in 1962.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
novelist Marghanita Laski
Marghanita Laski
Marghanita Laski was an English journalist, radio panellist and novelist: she also wrote literary biography, plays and short stories.- Personal life :...
. Published in 1953, the book describes the experience of an invalided young woman who wakes up in the body of her alter-ego eighty years previously. Described by Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher was an American science fiction editor and author of mystery novels and short stories. He was particularly influential as an editor. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle...
as 'relentlessly terrifying', and as 'disturbing and compulsive' by Penelope Lively
Penelope Lively
Penelope Lively CBE, FRSL is a prolific, popular and critically acclaimed author of fiction for both children and adults. She has been shortlisted three times for the Booker Prize, winning once for Moon Tiger in 1987.-Personal:...
, the novella plays on the fear of the unexpected and unknown.
It was republished in 1999 by Persephone Books
Persephone Books
Persephone Books is an independent publisher based in Bloomsbury, London. Founded in 1999 by Nicola Beauman, Persephone has a catalogue of 93 "neglected novels, diaries, poetry, short stories, non-fiction, biography and cookery books, mostly by women and mostly dating from the early to...
Reception
New York Times reviewer Kenneth FearingKenneth Fearing
Kenneth Fearing was an American poet, novelist, and founding editor of the Partisan Review. Literary critic Macha Rosenthal called him "the chief poet of the American Depression."-Early life:...
praised the story as "a subdued, evenly paced nightmare." Writing in F&SF, Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher was an American science fiction editor and author of mystery novels and short stories. He was particularly influential as an editor. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle...
described The Victorian Chaise Longue as "an admirably written book, highly skilled in its economic evocation of time, place and character -- and a relentlessly terrifying one." P. Schuyler Miller
P. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...
placed the "slight but beautifully written" novella on "the borderlands of fantasy and science fiction."
Television
Two adaptations of the story were produced for American television. The first, in 1957, starred Joan FontaineJoan Fontaine
Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland , known professionally as Joan Fontaine, is a British American actress. She and her elder sister Olivia de Havilland are two of the last surviving leading ladies from Hollywood of the 1930s....
and appeared on the Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
-hosted General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald W. Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.-Radio:...
. The second, starring Frances White
Frances White
Frances White is a British actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Kate Hamilton in Crossroads and as Miss Flood in the BBC sitcom May to December....
, appeared as an episode of Studio 4
Studio 4
Studio 4 is a Canadian television show broadcasting from Vancouver, British Columbia. It airs in select markets province-wide on Shaw TV.Studio 4 is an hour-long talk show between host Fanny Kiefer and a variety of guests, ranging from the political elite to artists to acclaimed authors and...
in 1962.