
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Modern Horror Story Grew And Developed Across The Nineteenth Century, Embracing Categories As Diverse As Ghost Stories, The Supernatural And Psychological Horror, Medical And Scientific Horror, Colonial Horror, And Tales Of The Uncanny And Precognition. This Anthology Brings Together Twenty-nine Of The Greatest Horror Stories Of The Period, From 1816 To 1912, From The British, Irish, American, And European Traditions. It Ranges Widely Across The Sub-genres To Encompass Authors Whose Terror-inducing Powers Remain Unsurpassed. The Book Includes Stories By Some Of The Best Writers Of The Century — Hoffmann, Poe, Balzac, Dickens, Hawthorne, Melville, And Zola — As Well As Established Genre Classics From M. R. James, Arthur Machen, Bram Stoker, Algernon Blackwood, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, And Others. It Includes Rare And Little-known Pieces By Writers Such As William Maginn, Francis Marion Crawford, W. F. Harvey, And William Hope Hodgson, And Shows The Important Role Played By Periodicals In Popularizing The Horror Story. Wherever Possible, Stories Are Reprinted In Their First Published Form, With Background Information About Their Authors And Helpful, Contextualizing Annotation. Darryl Jones's Lively Introduction Discusses Horror's Literary Evolution And Its Articulation Of Cultural Preoccupations And Anxieties. These Are Stories Guaranteed To Freeze The Blood, Revolt The Senses, And Keep You Awake At Night: Prepare To Be Terrified!
This anthology captures the evolution of horror fiction from 1816 to 1912, presenting a collection of narratives that define the genre's foundational anxieties. The stories follow various protagonists encountering supernatural, psychological, and scientific threats that challenge their perception of reality. The narrative frameworks vary from epistolary accounts and first-person confessions to third-person omniscient tales, reflecting the diverse stylistic approaches of the nineteenth-century literary tradition. These characters must navigate environments ranging from colonial outposts to domestic spaces, all while confronting forces that defy logical explanation.
Discussion often centers on the breadth of the selection, which balances well-known classics with obscure, rare pieces. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the editorial annotations in providing necessary historical context for the nineteenth-century prose. Critics note that the collection successfully demonstrates how horror reflected the cultural anxieties of its time, such as scientific advancement and colonial expansion. The pacing varies significantly between stories, offering a mix of slow-burn psychological tension and immediate supernatural events. This anthology is widely regarded as a comprehensive resource for those interested in the historical development of the horror genre.
Page Count:
544
Publication Date:
2014-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191508632
ISBN-13:
9780191508639
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!