Subject
Mesmerism -- Fiction Books
Best books
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Parasite: A Story
"The Parasite: A Story" by Arthur Conan Doyle is a novelette published in 1894. Austin Gilroy, a skeptical young physiologist, encounters Miss Penclosa, a middle-aged woman with psychic powers and a crippled leg. After witnessing her mesmerism abilities, Gilroy allows himself to become the subject of her experiments. But when Miss Penclosa develops feelings for him and he rejects her advances, she begins using her mind control powers for increasingly sinister purposes, leading to a chilling confrontation.
Fergus Hume
The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy
"The Gentleman Who Vanished: A Psychological Phantasy" by Fergus Hume is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book delves into themes of crime, morality, and psychological transformation, exploring the strife of its central character, Adrian Lancaster, who becomes embroiled in a deadly confrontation that leads him to commit murder. As he grapples with the consequences of his actions, his journey of self-discovery unfolds against a backdrop of occult mystery and the quest for redemption. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Adrian Lancaster, who, in a fit of rage during a card game, fatally injures his friend Philip Trevanna. Overwhelmed with guilt and fear of arrest, he escapes into the stormy night of London. Seeking refuge, Adrian stumbles upon the enigmatic Dr. Michael Roversmire, whose knowledge of the occult presents a bizarre opportunity for Adrian: to swap souls and bodies in order to evade justice and find a new life. As the two men’s fates intertwine, tension builds between their identities, love interests, and moral dilemmas in a richly atmospheric setting that promises a blend of psychological depth and suspenseful intrigue.
L. T. Meade
On the Brink of a Chasm: A record of plot and passion
"On the Brink of a Chasm: A Record of Plot and Passion" by L. T. Meade is a novel written in the late 19th century. It delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles of a young woman named Barbara Evershed, who is caught in the tension between familial duty and her own heart's desire. The story unfolds against the backdrop of societal expectations and financial turmoil, centered around Barbara's relationship with her mother and a suitor she does not love. The opening of the novel introduces us to the glamorous yet precarious world of Barbara and her mother, Mrs. Evershed, as they entertain guests in their lavish home despite their financial troubles. Barbara desperately wishes to reject the suitor her mother desires her to marry—Lord Selwyn, a wealthy but undesirable old man—in favor of her true love, Dick Pelham, a struggling barrister. Tension builds as Barbara faces pressure to secure her mother's financial future while navigating her own romantic feelings. As the plot thickens, the arrival of Dr. Luke Tarbot and his obsession with Barbara complicate matters further, setting the stage for conflict and a potential love triangle. This opening lays the groundwork for a gripping tale filled with emotional depth and dramatic twists.
A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
The Watchers: A Novel
"The Watchers: A Novel" by A. E. W. Mason is a historical fiction novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the 18th century, particularly during July 1758, and revolves around a young lad named Dick Parmiter who arrives in London with important news that he wishes to share in private. The characters include Lieutenant Clutterbuck, who appears to be entangled in both drinking merriment and deeper reflections, and Cullen Mayle, whose past misdeeds cast a shadow on the lives of those in the story. At the start of the novel, the atmosphere is lively, with Clutterbuck's apartment depicting a chaotic scene of revelry. As the party unfolds, Dick Parmiter unexpectedly enters to deliver news about the death of Adam Mayle, which is met with cynicism and hostility from the partygoers, especially Clutterbuck. Dick reveals he has come with a purpose, wishing to speak with Clutterbuck alone, reflecting his serious intent amid the frivolity around him. However, the relationships and tensions between the characters, especially surrounding the enigmatic Cullen Mayle, hint at darker undertones that suggest trouble ahead, setting the stage for a complex narrative unraveling as events unfold.
Orestes Augustus Brownson
The spirit-rapper; an autobiography
"The spirit-rapper; an autobiography" by Orestes Augustus Brownson is a fictional autobiography written in the mid-19th century. It examines the rise of mesmerism and modern Spiritualism through the first-person account of a scientifically minded New Yorker who is drawn from curiosity into clairvoyance, spirit-rapping, and table-turning. Alongside ministers, reformers, and social radicals, he probes the claims and perils of these phenomena, weighing science, faith, and moral consequences. The opening of the narrative presents a prefatory statement that the work blends fact with fictional “machinery” to scrutinize spirit-manifestations and their links to reformist enthusiasms. The narrator then recounts his sober scientific education and early scepticism, his introduction to a French mesmerist’s convincing demonstrations, and a circle of interlocutors debating whether the effects arise from imagination, a human “demonic” force, or something darker. As mesmerism spreads, a lighthearted practitioner, Jack Wheatley, kills his fiancée by overusing it and is haunted by her apparition, while the narrator himself develops an intense desire for hidden power. Moving among Philadelphia reformers, he witnesses and conducts experiments that surpass mere suggestion—remote mesmerism, magnetized objects inducing trance, and clairvoyance that exceeds any “rapport.” He learns automatic speech and writing under a foreign will, then shifts to using objects as instruments, producing table movement and coded raps, and is told he can gain greater knowledge only if he purifies his motives—just as the excerpt breaks off.
Joseph Hocking
The Weapons of Mystery
"The Weapons of Mystery" by Joseph Hocking is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Justin Blake, a young author who finds himself drawn into a web of mystery and intrigue after receiving an invitation to spend Christmas at the home of an old friend, Tom Temple. As Blake arrives, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters, including the enigmatic Herod Voltaire and the beautiful Gertrude Forrest, both of whom will play critical roles in his journey. At the start of the novel, Justin is introduced as a bachelor living alone, recently come into a fortune and pursuing a literary career. He receives a letter from Tom Temple inviting him to join the festivities at Temple Hall. After a brief encounter with Gertrude, his fellow traveler on the train, and an unsettling meeting with Miss Staggles, a meddlesome older woman, Justin arrives at Temple Hall, where he is introduced to other guests. Tension mounts as he senses a rivalry with Voltaire, who seems to take an interest in Gertrude. The opening sets the stage for a blend of romance and mystery, hinting at dark themes of obsession, mesmerism, and a struggle for control over both love and free will.
Lettie M. Cummings
Professor Huskins
"Professor Huskins" by Lettie M. Cummings is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the central character, Professor William Huskins, who grapples with complex scientific and emotional challenges, particularly related to his mesmerism experiments and his feelings for Rosalie Earle, a famous singer. The narrative explores various themes, including the quest for truth, the nature of love, and the impact of personal relationships on one’s professional life. At the start of the novel, we find Professor Huskins deeply involved in an experiment using mesmerism to unlock hidden truths from subjects placed in a trance. However, rather than achieving the expected clarity, he encounters unexpected discrepancies among the subjects' answers, leaving him perplexed and questioning the fundamental nature of his work. Meanwhile, the plot hints at a burgeoning drama involving his long-time subject, Merle, who unexpectedly faints during a concert featuring Earle, prompting Huskins to delve into the complexities of their intertwined pasts. As the opening unfolds, it becomes clear that the protagonist's scientific pursuits are plagued by doubts and personal conflicts, setting the stage for significant developments as the story progresses.
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