Horror | Lecturia

Algernon Blackwood: The Transfer

In Algernon Blackwood’s 1911 short story, “The Transfer,” the narrative revolves around a governess endowed with exceptional perceptive abilities who serves in the household of a wealthy family. The woman forms a unique bond with Jamie, one of the children in the household, who is particularly distressed by a visit from his father’s older brother. It appears that Jamie is experiencing a sense of apprehension towards his uncle, a sentiment that is not fully comprehended by the other members of the household, with the exception of the governess. She hypothesises that she is aware of the underlying cause of the child’s apprehension and its potential correlation with an isolated section of the garden, where, intriguingly, the flora exhibits a distinct lack of growth.

Algernon Blackwood: The Empty House

“The Empty House” is a haunting short story by Algernon Blackwood, first published in 1906. The tale delves into the terror emanating from a place that appears harmless yet harbors a dark past. Jim Shorthouse accompanies his aunt Julia—an avid enthusiast of the supernatural—on a nocturnal investigation inside a house rumored to be cursed. Though the dwelling itself seems unremarkable, those who enter it are gripped by an inexplicable dread. As the pair ventures deeper into their exploration, the atmosphere grows increasingly oppressive, and the strange phenomena they encounter not only defy their reason but also threaten to shatter their courage.

H. P. Lovecraft: From Beyond

“From Beyond” is a cosmic horror and science fiction short story by H. P. Lovecraft, first published in 1934. It tells the story of Crawford Tillinghast, a scientist obsessed with proving that human perception is limited. After weeks of isolation, he invites a friend to his mansion to show him a machine that, by stimulating the pineal gland, allows one to perceive hidden dimensions. The experiment unveils a terrifying reality inhabited by monstrous entities beyond human understanding, unleashing dreadful consequences for both men and challenging the very limits of sanity and known reality.

Algernon Blackwood: The Doll

‘The Doll,’ a short story by Algernon Blackwood published in 1946, tells the story of Colonel Hymbers Masters, a retired Indian Army officer. One night, a man brings a package to the Colonel’s house with the express instruction that it is to be delivered only to him. Several days later, the Colonel discovers that the package contains a doll and orders it to be destroyed. The cook, however, disregards the instruction and gives it to Monica, the Colonel’s daughter, who immediately takes a liking to the doll and makes it her companion. From that moment on, mysterious events disrupt life at the Masters’ residence.

Bram Stoker: The Judge’s House. Summary and analysis

In “The Judge’s House” by Bram Stoker, Malcolm Malcolmson, a student seeking solitude to study, rents an old, abandoned mansion in a small town, ignoring local warnings about its dark past. The House once belonged to a notorious judge known for his harshness, and strange occurrences soon disturb Malcolmson’s peace, particularly the eerie presence of rats. As Malcolmson delves deeper into his studies, he is haunted by a giant rat with unsettling, human-like eyes that seem linked to the Judge’s malevolent spirit. Despite his rational outlook, Malcolmson is gradually drawn into the House’s sinister history, culminating in a terrifying confrontation with the ghost of the Judge, leading to his tragic demise.

Edgar Allan Poe: William Wilson

William Wilson is a Gothic tale by Edgar Allan Poe, published in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine in October 1839. The story follows a man who adopts the pseudonym’ William Wilson’ to recount his life, marked from a young age by an impulsive character, lewd behavior, and a strong desire to dominate others. During his time at an English school, he faces an unexpected challenge: a classmate with the same name who imitates him and matches him in skills in a disturbing way. As the years pass, the presence of this double becomes a constant and threatening shadow, challenging his will and questioning his identity.