The Eye and the Finger

The Eye and the Finger is Donald Wandrei's debut collection of short stories published by Arkham House in 1944. The collection features stories that span fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres, previously published in prominent magazines like Weird Tales and Astounding Stories. The book is notable for its extreme rarity, with only 1,617 copies printed and selling out by 1946. The dust jacket features artwork by Howard Wandrei, the author's brother, and the stories were personally selected by Donald Wandrei as his finest work at that time. While never reprinted in its original form, the stories live on through Fedogan & Bremer's omnibus collections Don't Dream and Colossus. These compilations preserve Wandrei's work, separating his fantasy/horror stories from his science fiction pieces. The collection represents early weird fiction's evolution in American literature, combining cosmic horror elements with science fiction concepts. The stories explore themes of psychological terror and mankind's place in an indifferent universe.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this 1944 horror collection. Most discuss Wandrei's writing within the context of Weird Tales magazine and his connection to H.P. Lovecraft. Readers praised: - The surreal, dreamlike quality of the stories - Creative cosmic horror elements - The title story "The Eye and the Finger" - Imaginative descriptions Readers disliked: - Uneven quality between stories - Dated writing style - Some excessive purple prose - Stories that build up but end abruptly Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (14 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (2 ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted "interesting ideas but the execution sometimes falls flat." Another called it "a mixed bag of cosmic horror and supernatural tales." The book remains out of print and reader reviews are scarce, with most appearing in vintage science fiction fanzines and horror fiction forums.

The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson A tale of cosmic horror follows a recluse who discovers his isolated house exists at an intersection between dimensions.

The Night Land by William Hope Hodgson In a far-future dying earth, humans survive in a pyramid fortress while battling entities from outside known reality.

The Three Imposters by Arthur Machen Connected stories reveal a secret society's pursuit of a mysterious artifact through Victorian London's occult underworld.

The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers A series of interconnected tales centers on a forbidden play that drives readers to madness.

The White People and Other Weird Stories by Arthur Machen A collection combines folk horror with cosmic dread through tales of ancient beings and forbidden knowledge.

🔮 Wandrei co-founded Arkham House Publishers with August Derleth specifically to preserve H.P. Lovecraft's work after his death. 📚 The book's original 1944 printing was limited to only 1,617 copies, making it one of the rarer Arkham House publications. ✍️ Before his fiction career, Donald Wandrei won a contest in the St. Paul Pioneer Press with a sonnet at age 16, launching his literary journey. 🎨 The cover artist, Howard Wandrei, was not only Donald's brother but also a respected artist who contributed to numerous pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. 🌟 Several stories from this collection, including "The Eye and the Finger" and "The Tree-Men of M'Bwa," were first published in Weird Tales magazine alongside works by Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft.