Are there any authors who write like Mervyn Peake

[Antonis]

I'm currently finishing Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy and I've been amazed by the way Peake writes. I think I could read anything by this guy but unfortunately... he didn't have a chance to write more before he died.
So I ask you: Are there authors who write in a way similar to Peake's ?
I'm not talking so much about the setting (Gormenghast), or the mannerpunk-style, or even the dickensian characters, as I'm talking about Peake's specific writing style and techniques. Any recommendations ?

[Ben]

The nearest thing to Mervyn Peake is Mervyn Peake - he didnt just do Gormenghast he also wrote Mr Pye.

The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories is worth checking out for a range of literate writers who write in a range of styles. Some you will find have elements approaching Peake.

Shirley Jackson does not write like Peake but writes in a way that if you like Peake there is enough of a chance you would like her that it is worth checking out.

[Antonis]

Thank you for the quick and concise reply as well as for the recommendations! I've had that collection in my sight for a while, I will hunt it down and get it as soon as I get the chance.
I've never heard of Shirley Jackson before. With a quick search, I've found that she wrote some shorter works, some of which can probably be found online for free. I will try "The Lottery" and see if I like her.
As for Mr Pye... not sure how easy it will be to locate it, but I'll keep my eyes open.

Aaah Peake... imagine if Mervyn Peake wrote modern day fantasy... I miss that prose!

[Brenda]

THE WORM OUROBOUROS, by E.R. Eddison
JONATHAN NORREL & MR. STRANGE by Susannah Clarke

[Ben]

This is the opening paragraph of Shirley Jackson's "Haunting of Hill House". The Lottery is available (i think legally) online for free so is quite a good starting place.

"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone"

I love The Worm Ourobouros.

[Jim]

I'd second The Worm Ourobouros.

[Antonis]

Thanks everybody! I've seen this one at my sister's library. Seeing as all 3 of you agree on that, I will borrow it and read it soon!