The Other Passenger (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: John Keir Cross
- First Published: 1944
- Type of Work: Stories
- Type of Plot: Fantasy—inner space
- Time of Work: The contemporary period
- Setting: Various locations in England and Scotland
- Genres: Short fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: Twentieth century, Obsession, England or English people, Pianos or pianists, Scotland or Scottish people, Dopplegangers
- Locales: England, Scotland
The Plot
Subtitled Eighteen Strange Stories, this collection of contes cruels contains idiosyncratic character studies that blend elements of the fantastic with occasional humor and diabolical whimsy. The central theme connecting most of the tales is fully fleshed out in the title story. The narrator is a classical pianist whose career has run aground. Alone, with his mind failing, he spends his last days haunted by memories of a wretched and abused childhood in Scotland. He is disturbed to learn that a mysterious “Other”—a presence that resembles him and...
[The entire page is 866 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
