"O Ugly Bird!" is perhaps the best of the "Silver John" stories, which have been collected in Who Fears the Devil? -generally perceived as Wellman's best book it was certainly his most influential. He was probably best known for his stories about John the Minstrel or "Silver John," scary and vividly evocative tales set against the background of a ghost-and-demon haunted rural Appalachia that, in Wellman's hands, is as bizarre and beautiful as many another writer's entirely imaginary fantasy world. The late Manly Wade Wellman was one of the finest modern practitioners of the "dark fantasy" or "supernatural horror" tale. places where time seems to have stood still, good folks keep inside of nights, and the witch and the Hoodoo Man still hold sway. . . .
Who Fears the Devil? contains eleven short stories, each preceded by a "sketch" about half a page in length and with no obvious connection to the stories preceding and following it.Although we like to compliment ourselves-rather smugly-on the brightness and rationality of our modern world, the Old Ways still exist, and often a drive of only a few hours from the biggest of cities will take you to isolated little hamlets deep in the mountains and woods. The book is dedicated to Wellman's friend, the North Carolina folkorist and musician Bascom Lamar Lunsford.ĭarrell Schweitzer has described the book as a classic of fantasy literature, stating Who Fears The Devil? "has genuinely enriched the field because of its unique subject matter and Wellman's heartfelt enthusiasm for it". Wellman contributed new short sketches to the collection. They had all previously appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. The collection consists of all of Wellman's Silver John stories that had been published at the time. It was released in 1963 by Arkham House in an edition of 2,058 copies and was Wellman's only book released by Arkham House.
Who Fears the Devil? is a collection of fantasy and horror short stories by American author Manly Wade Wellman.
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