Fantasy | Lecturia

Émile Zola: Simplice

“Simplice” is a fantastic tale by Émile Zola, first published in 1864 in the collection Contes à Ninon. It tells the story of a naïve and misunderstood prince, son of a brutal king and a vain queen. From a young age, he shows a nature different from those around him: compassionate in war and indifferent to the excesses of the court. His kindness, mistaken for foolishness by those who surround him, distances him from royal expectations and leads him toward nature and its creatures, a refuge where his sensitivity can unfold without fear or reproach.

J. G. Ballard: The Lost Leonardo

“The Lost Leonardo” is a suspense and intrigue story by J. G. Ballard, first published in 1964 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Leonardo da Vinci’s priceless painting The Crucifixion mysteriously vanishes from the Louvre, shocking both the art world and the general public. The director of the prestigious Northeby auction house travels to Paris to join Georg de Stael in investigating the unusual theft. Together, they plunge into a labyrinth of clues and enigmas that defy logic and test their knowledge of art and history. As they uncover strange connections between masterpieces and ancient mysteries, they realize that this case is far more complex than it first appeared.

H. P. Lovecraft: The Festival

“The Festival” is a haunting tale by H.P. Lovecraft, published in January 1925 in Weird Tales magazine. On Christmas Eve, a man travels to the ancient coastal town of Kingsport to take part in an enigmatic winter solstice ritual. His purpose is to connect with the arcane roots of his lineage, which trace back to times predating the colonization of America. Immersed in an oppressive atmosphere of mystery, the protagonist finds himself in a transformed Kingsport, where the shadows of the past come alive and family secrets intertwine with ancient horrors.

Samanta Schweblin: Preserves

“Preserves” is a short story by Samanta Schweblin, published in 2008 in the anthology La furia de las pestes. The story follows a young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy that disrupts her plans, her routine, her relationship, and the family’s sense of calm. As her body changes, she experiences growing anxiety, insomnia, and a feeling of losing control. Together with her partner, they explore various alternatives: obstetricians, healers, a midwife, and a shaman. Eventually, they meet Dr. Weisman, whose proposal seems to offer a definitive solution to their problems.

Robert E. Howard: The Tower of the Elephant

“The Tower of the Elephant” is a sword and sorcery story written by Robert E. Howard, published in 1933 in the magazine Weird Tales. This story is one of the first adventures of the iconic character Conan the Barbarian, a Cimmerian warrior who faces the dangers of a world filled with dark magic, monstrous creatures, and forgotten gods. In this story, Conan ventures into the mystical Tower of the Elephant in search of a fabulous treasure, facing deadly challenges and discovering cosmic secrets that will test his strength and cunning. It is a masterpiece of the genre, notable for its intense atmosphere and plot full of action and mystery.

H. G. Wells: The Country of the Blind

“The Country of the Blind” is a short story by H. G. Wells, published in April 1904 in The Strand Magazine. It tells the story of a mountain guide who, during an expedition in the Andes, suffers an accident that leads him to a remote valley, isolated from the outside world. There, he discovers a population that has lived for centuries without the sense of sight and has developed its life, customs, and beliefs without any reference to the visible world. Convinced that his ability to see will give him an advantage, he tries to impose himself as a leader, unaware that he will face challenges for which he may not be prepared.