The British author and editor Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch has compiled a collection of short stories titled "Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories." The book has a variety of tones and styles of stories, from romantic and historical to enigmatic and spooky. Rich vocabulary and vivid descriptions combined with author’s storytelling style make for an evocative and nostalgic read. "Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts," the title story, is a prime example of the author's skill at fusing the uncanny and mysterious with historical details. All in all, the book demonstrates Quiller-Couch's versatility as a writer by providing readers with a wide range of stories that encapsulate several genres and historical periods. Every story in the book offers a different window into the author's skill as a storyteller and his capacity to create captivating, unforgettable narratives.
Renowned British writer, critic, and scholar Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch (1863–1944), also popularly known as “Q” has gained lot of popularity during his literary career. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and Newton Abbot Proprietary College after being born in Cornwall, England. At the University of Cambridge, Quiller-Couch was a professor of English literature whose eloquent instruction and perceptive literary analysis had a lasting impression. He was a prolific writer who published volumes on literary criticism, such as "Studies in Literature" and "On the Art of Writing," in addition to contributing to literary periodicals. Quiller-Couch was a well-known editor who oversaw publications like the Oxford Book of English Verse and the Oxford Book of Ballads, which were essential in maintaining and spreading the popularity of traditional ballads and poetry. In addition to editing, he published short tales and novels under the pen name "Q." "Dead Man's Rock" and "The Mayor of Troy" are two notable pieces. He was regarded as a respected figure in both scholarly and popular literary circles because of his enormous impact on literature and education in the late 19th and early 20th century.
