Safe Return Doubtful

First published in 1900

This short novella, I really don’t like the term ‘novelette’, on the surface, is simple account of a workaholic, eminent but reclusive scientist who, despite the wise advice of his solitary friend, Father Murchison, rejects love, only to find himself pursued by a blindly affectionate spectre that invades all aspects of his life.

There’s a slow but necessary build up, as the reader is provided with an insight into the two characters and how their friendship develops.

Learn to give it your love and it may go.

Murchison advises, but Guildea seems unable or unwilling to.

Somehow though Guildea is able to banish the spirit, but it is at a huge cost, as he suffers a heart attack soon after.

He should have lived differently

says the doctor in attendance, while contemplating the shocking expression of terror on his convulsed face.
The rational scientist has fought until the very end, but Hichens leaves us to ponder, against exactly what was he fighting, and why?