Fantasy

Edgar Allan Poe: The black cat

Edgar Allan Poe: The black cat

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” is a tale of psychological horror that tells the story of a man who, despite being an animal lover and leading a quiet life, undergoes a drastic change in his behavior due to his growing addiction to alcohol. This change leads him to commit acts of cruelty, particularly against his favorite cat, Pluto. As his character deteriorates, he becomes entangled in disturbing and supernatural events that reflect his internal struggle and progressive loss of humanity. The story, told from the protagonist’s perspective, delves into themes of guilt, madness, and the consequences of acts driven by perversity. With an intensely bleak atmosphere and an increasingly disturbing tone, this tale is an outstanding example of Poe’s ability to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche.

W. W. Jacobs: The Monkey’s Paw

W. W. Jacobs - La pata de mono2

“The Monkey’s Paw,” a short story by W. W. Jacobs, is a classic tale of horror and fantasy. It is notable for its tense atmosphere and reflection on the implications of altering destiny. The story revolves around the White family, who receive a mysterious magic talisman as a gift, with the ability to grant three wishes. Despite their skepticism, they decide to use the amulet, which leads to a series of catastrophic events.

Rudyard Kipling: The Mark of the Beast

Rudyard Kipling - La marca de la bestia

“The Mark of the Beast,” a short story by Rudyard Kipling published in 1890, plunges into the depths of mysticism and cultural tensions in colonial India. The story recounts the experience of Fleete, an Englishman newly arrived in India, who, while under the influence of alcohol during a New Year’s Eve celebration, desecrates a temple of Hanuman, the monkey god. His disrespectful and mocking action towards the sacred provokes supernatural revenge when he is branded on the chest by a mysterious leper known as the Silver Man. As the mark on Fleete’s chest transforms, he changes alarmingly, displaying animalistic behaviors and appetites. His friends are then embroiled in a desperate attempt to understand and remedy his condition, facing the clash between Western rationality and the inexplicable forces of an ancient local faith.

Jorge Luis Borges: The Immortal

Jorge Luis Borges: The Immortal

“The Immortal,” a story by Jorge Luis Borges from the short story collection ‘El Aleph’ (1949), narrates the intense odyssey of a Roman soldier, Marcus Flaminius Rufus, to find a mythical river that grants immortality. In his quest, the protagonist embarks on an expedition full of dangers and extraordinary discoveries, where he will test his courage and fortitude. After a long journey, he arrives at a remote place inhabited by a tribe of troglodytes, where he receives a terrible revelation about the immortals and their river.