Subject
Curiosities and wonders -- Fiction Books
Best books
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Curious, if True Strange Tales
"Curious, if True" by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is a collection of strange tales written in the mid-19th century. The opening story, "The Old Nurse's Story," introduces readers to Miss Rosamond, an orphan, and her nurse, who recounts the tragic history of Rosamond's family, leading to a haunting narrative set in Furnivall Manor House, steeped in memories of loss and mystery. The beginning of the book presents the old nurse sharing her experiences with Miss Rosamond, beginning from the circumstances of her parents’ death and the promise she made to her mistress on her deathbed. As they move to Furnivall Manor, the nurse describes the eerie atmosphere of the grand, yet dilapidated home, hinting at its dark legacy. Strange occurrences unfold as Miss Rosamond hears the whispers of a ghostly child and eerie organ music that seems to echo through the house, setting the stage for an unfolding tale about family, secrets, and the supernatural.
H. P. (Howard Phillips) Lovecraft
The haunter of the dark
"The Haunter of the Dark" by H. P. Lovecraft is a horror short story written in November 1935 and published in December 1936. When young writer Robert Blake becomes obsessed with an abandoned church in Providence, his investigation uncovers a sinister cult and an ancient artifact with terrifying powers. Inside the church tower, Blake discovers a mysterious stone object that can summon an otherworldly entity—one that can only move in darkness. His curiosity unleashes something that should have remained hidden forever.
James Fenimore Cooper
The Lake Gun
"The Lake Gun" by James Fenimore Cooper is a satirical short story published in 1850. Set on Seneca Lake in Central New York, the story follows a traveler investigating mysterious explosions echoing across the water and a floating tree trunk known as the "Wandering Jew." A college-educated Iroquois shares a legend about See-wise, a demagogue who defied the Great Spirit and suffered eternal punishment. Cooper uses this Native American tale to satirize political demagoguery, warning against leaders who abandon tradition and manipulate their followers for personal gain.
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