Subject
Paranormal fiction, English Books
Best books
Algernon Blackwood
John Silence, Physician Extraordinary
"John Silence, Physician Extraordinary" by Algernon Blackwood is a collection of supernatural tales written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around Dr. John Silence, a unique physician who specializes in psychical afflictions and offers his unconventional healing methods to those suffering from mysterious emotional states. His cases often involve elements of the occult, exploring the deeper realms of the human psyche and the supernatural. The opening portion introduces Dr. Silence as he engages in a conversation with a Swedish lady, Mrs. Sivendson, regarding a case that intrigues him—a young author named Felix Pender, who has suddenly lost his sense of humor and is plagued by an inexplicable terror. The doctor learns about Pender's haunting experiences, which began after an experiment with a drug that has connected him with dark, psychical forces. This leads Silence to the conclusion that he must investigate this curious affliction further, setting the stage for a deeper exploration into psychical invasions and the potential dangers that lurk beyond the veil of ordinary perception.
Algernon Blackwood
The Wolves of God, and Other Fey Stories
"The Wolves of God, and Other Fey Stories" by Algernon Blackwood and Wilfred Wilson is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The stories explore themes of nature, folklore, and the supernatural, often weaving elements of horror and mysticism into their narratives. The opening story, "The Wolves of God," centers on Jim Peace, a man returning to his homeland in the Orkneys after spending thirty years in the Canadian wilderness, where he confronts both fond memories and deep anxieties. At the start of the tale, Jim arrives at the familiar yet haunting landscape of Sanday, filled with conflicting emotions as he reconnects with his brother Tom. Their reunion stirs complexities underlying Jim's silence and unease, hinting at a deeper terror that haunts him from his time in the wild. Throughout their drive home to the old farm, an impending sense of dread builds, especially highlighted by Jim's reaction to natural sounds he encounters, such as the barking of a dog, which stirs memories of the “Wolves of God.” As the story progresses, Jim's fear escalates, culminating in a haunting revelation about the terrifying sacrifice he made in the wilderness, suggesting themes of existential horror and the lasting effects of isolation.
Algernon Blackwood
Day and Night Stories
"Day and Night Stories" by Algernon Blackwood is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book explores the complexities of human emotions and relationships, often delving into themes of love, memory, and the supernatural. Each story is set against a backdrop that reflects both the beauty and the mystery of life, drawing readers into a world where the everyday intersects with the extraordinary. The opening of the first story, "The Tryst," introduces a man who is returning to a familiar place after fifteen years away, filled with anticipation and nostalgia for a past love. As he makes his way back to the garden gate where he once promised to meet her, he wrestles with his emotions and memories of their youthful romance. This initial chapter sets the stage for a poignant exploration of longing and the passage of time, as the protagonist reflects on both the changes in himself and the love he so fiercely holds onto, only to face an unexpected and chilling revelation at the end of his journey.
Algernon Blackwood
Three John Silence Stories
"Three John Silence Stories" by Algernon Blackwood is a collection of supernatural fiction written in the early 20th century. This volume features the eccentric Dr. John Silence, a psychic doctor with an extraordinary understanding of the human spirit and its afflictions. The stories delve into the realms of the unknown and the occurrences of psychical invasions, exploring how Dr. Silence employs his unique talents to help those afflicted by unexplainable phenomena. The opening of "A Psychical Invasion," the first story in the collection, introduces Dr. John Silence as he converses with a Swedish lady named Mrs. Sivendson, who seeks his assistance with a peculiar case involving a humorist, Felix Pender. Pender, once a talented writer of comedies, has suddenly lost his gift for humor and is plagued by an overwhelming sense of fear that he cannot articulate. As Mrs. Sivendson recounts Pender's strange experiences, Silence learns that the author believes a malevolent presence is haunting him, stifling his creativity and replacing his joy with dread. Intrigued, Dr. Silence prepares to meet Pender and investigate the source of this psychological turmoil, setting the stage for a remarkable exploration of psychic disturbances and the unseen forces at play in our lives.
G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
Bones and I : $b or, the skeleton at home
"Bones and I: or, The Skeleton at Home" by G. J. Whyte-Melville is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in London, where the protagonist shares his solitary life with a skeleton named "Bones," who serves as both a companion and a sounding board for the narrator’s reflections on life, society, and existence. The narrative combines elements of humor, philosophy, and social commentary through the lens of this peculiar relationship. The opening of the novel introduces the narrator's lonely life in a secluded part of London, where he has brought home the skeleton to alleviate his isolation. He describes his surroundings and his thoughts on solitude, human nature, and the concept of "waste" in life. The presence of Bones prompts philosophical discussions that delve into existential themes, inviting readers to ponder the value of life, relationships, and the inevitability of suffering. The characters, particularly the introspective narrator and his articulate skeleton, engage in lively dialogues that set the stage for an exploration of deeper societal issues, making the opening both engaging and thought-provoking.
Richard Marsh
The goddess: a demon
"The Goddess: A Demon" by Richard Marsh is a novel published in 1900. After a night of cards, John Ferguson dreams of his friend Edwin Lawrence's brutal murder—only to wake and find a blood-soaked, beautiful woman climbing through his window. When Lawrence is discovered savagely killed, Ferguson becomes entangled in a dangerous investigation involving the mysterious amnesiac woman, supernatural forces, and dark secrets. As suspects multiply and threats close in, Ferguson must uncover the truth behind a murder that defies rational explanation.
Algernon Blackwood
Three More John Silence Stories
"Three More John Silence Stories" by Algernon Blackwood is a collection of supernatural tales written during the early 20th century. The narratives focus on the character John Silence, a physician with a deep understanding of the occult and metaphysical realms, as he tackles cases filled with supernatural mysteries and psychological intrigue. These stories explore themes of spirituality, foreboding events, and the intersection between the human mind and darker forces, which promise to engage readers interested in psychological horror and the paranormal. The opening portion of "Secret Worship," the first case in the collection, introduces Harris, a silk merchant who takes an unexpected trip to revisit his old school in South Germany. As he journeys through the mountains, he reflects on his past experiences in a strict religious school, which evokes old memories and emotions, both nostalgic and unsettling. Upon arriving at the inn, he meets a Catholic priest who hints at a sinister past connected to the school. This initial setup hints at underlying tensions between faith and something darker, as the priest’s demeanor suggests that the former school is not what it seems. Harris’s recollection of his boyhood, alongside the ominous suggestion from the priest, sets the stage for escalating supernatural occurrences, leaving readers with a sense of foreboding about the mysteries that lie ahead.
Murray Gilchrist
The stone dragon and other tragic romances
"The stone dragon and other tragic romances" by Murray Gilchrist is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. It gathers lush, gothic-tinged tales of passionate love curdling into jealousy, fate, and death, often set amid moors, manor houses, and haunted memories. The opening pieces center on doomed lovers—most immediately Ralph Eyre and his cousins Rachel and Mary Verelst—where beauty, obsession, and fatal choices collide. The opening of this collection first follows The Stone Dragon: Ralph disobeys his domineering great-aunt’s marriage scheme, but years later returns to Furnivaux Castle bound by her will to choose between cousins Rachel, dazzling and volatile, and Mary, gentle and shy. He vows himself to Mary; Rachel’s jealousy erupts, she strikes at him with a knife, and Mary saves him by taking the blow. On their stark, quiet wedding day, Rachel returns only to be found dead beside the garden’s stone dragon. The next tale, The Manuscript of Francis Shackerley, recounts a childhood glimpse of Lady Millicent, married off as a child, then a later, intense affair cut short when her alchemist husband discovers them during a storm and coldly bleeds her to death, leaving the narrator spiritually crushed and silent until years later. In Midsummer Madness, Rupert Drassington exults in his ethereal bride Phyllida; they marry in a roofless chapel, but she immediately falls into a trance of denial, hinting at a binding past vow and casting fresh dread over their union.
Mrs. Molesworth
Uncanny Tales
"Uncanny Tales" by Mrs. Molesworth is a collection of ghost stories written in the late 19th century. The narratives within this anthology explore eerie and supernatural themes, with an emphasis on the strange occurrences surrounding a family who temporarily resides in a supposedly haunted house, Finster St. Mabyn. The main characters include the curious Leila, her delicate younger brother Dormer, and their family members, as they navigate the chilling experiences that unfold around them. The opening of the book introduces readers to Finster St. Mabyn, a captivating and ancient seaside house that becomes the temporary residence for Leila's family. Initially unaware of its haunted reputation, they are drawn by its charm and the allure of sea air for recovery from illness. As they settle in, unsettling experiences begin to emerge, particularly for young Dormer, who senses eerie coldness and glimpses strange shadows that evoke a supernatural presence. This captivating premise sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the family's growing awareness of the mysterious and unsettling forces at play in their new home, hinting at the unfolding ghostly dramas that will challenge their perceptions of reality.
Recently surfaced classics