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J. D. Beresford: The Misanthrope

“The Misanthrope” is a short story by the English writer J. D. Beresford, published in 1918 in the book Nineteen Impressions. Intrigued by the stories about a mysterious hermit living on the remote islet of Gulland, a man decides to travel there. Once there, he meets William Copley, who has chosen to live apart from society. Invited to spend the night with him, the visitor gradually becomes Copley’s confidant, who reveals the disturbing condition that afflicts him: a peculiar faculty of perception that has driven him into a profound rejection of humanity.

Roald Dahl: The Sound Machine

“The Sound Machine” is a science fiction short story by Roald Dahl, published on September 17, 1949, in The New Yorker. It tells the story of Klausner, a solitary and obsessive man who builds a device capable of detecting sounds inaudible to the human ear. Convinced that the world is filled with hidden voices, he tests his invention in the garden and makes a disturbing discovery as he observes how the plants react. His fascination turns into mounting unease as he ventures deeper into an invisible sonic realm that could radically transform our understanding of plant sensitivity.

H. G. Wells: The Stolen Body

“The Stolen Body” is a short story by H. G. Wells published in 1898 in The Strand Magazine, combining science fiction with supernatural horror. Mr. Bessel and his colleague Vincey are deeply interested in the study of psychic and spiritual phenomena. Driven by his curiosity, Bessel decides to experiment with astral projection, attempting to separate his mind from his physical body. However, during one of these attempts, something goes wrong and Bessel finds himself outside his body, facing mysterious and puzzling situations as he searches for a way to return to his normal state.

Bram Stoker: The Dualitists, or, the Death Doom of the Double Born

“The Dualitists, or, the Death Doom of the Double Born” is a horror short story laced with dark humor written by Bram Stoker, published in November 1886 in The Theatre Annual for 1887. The story follows Harry and Tommy, two inseparable boys whose pranks grow increasingly macabre, leading them to discover an unsettling fascination with cruelty and destruction. What begins as innocent play gradually transforms into a spiral of boundless violence. Set in an apparently quiet neighborhood, the narrative—rich in suspense and horror—reveals the darkness that can lurk behind childhood innocence.

Charlotte Brontë: Napoleon and the Spectre

“Napoleon and the Spectre” is a Gothic tale by Charlotte Brontë, written in 1833 and published in 1925 in the collection The Twelve Adventurers and Other Stories. Emperor Napoleon is in his bedroom attempting to rest when a series of strange occurrences begin to manifest themselves: creaking sounds, moans, and a shadow that darkens the candles. As he tries to convince himself that everything is merely an illusion, a mysterious voice addresses him and a sinister-looking spectre appears before him, urging him to leave his bed. Driven by an irresistible force, Napoleon follows it into the night of Paris, where a disturbing experience awaits him.

Arthur Conan Doyle: The Leather Funnel

“The Leather Funnel” is a Gothic short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in November 1902 in McClure’s magazine. A man visits his friend Lionel Dacre, a wealthy collector of strange objects and occult books, in Paris. During his stay, an ancient and enigmatic leather funnel arouses the visitor’s curiosity. Dacre, convinced that certain objects retain traces of extreme experiences and can transmit them to sensitive minds, proposes a unique experiment to his guest: to sleep next to the funnel in order to access, through sleep, revelations about his dark past.