What is a ‘classic’ horror story? Today we’ve picked out six tales which are both old-style and yet more intriguing than some of the usual fare, each with its own sense of dread. They’re not especially rare or unknown (except possibly for the Barry Pain story), but each conjures a sense of dread from quite different circumstances.
They might be said to form part of our set of ‘Tales Which Linger’, from which we offered twelve examples last year – and one even makes a repeat appearance. We offer no apologies. Your statutory consumer rights are not affected, but please note that the value of your dread may go up or down. Terms and conditions apply.
As before, the stories are given order of the author’s year of birth, for no particular reason. Also as before, the rating system is badly-thought out, unreliable and of no real value whatsoever. It merely amuses us. This time we’ve offered audio readings for three of the stories, for a change.
1) Oke of Okehurst
Vernon Lee (1856-1935)
A study in psychology and obsession which takes time to build to its dark conclusion. The narrator observes Alice Okehurst and her husband, creations who frustrate and fascinate, as if at any moment there might be relief from the situation, yet a tragic end seems somehow inevitable. Lee delivers a ghost story where the haunted mind proves more terrible than the haunted house.
Dread rating: 6/10
Style rating: 8/10
2) Where Their Fire is Not Quenched
May Sinclair (1863-1946)
The only returnee from one of our previous lists, and a story which is again a study in psychology, yet heavy in dread because of its lack of the usual horrors. The fate of the entangled souls is all the more disquieting because it is possible to relate to it, to recognise the failings of love and relationships which occur within the story. Not some people’s idea of a ‘supernatural’ story’, but highly recommended. The Guardian called Sinclair, whose work is harder to find than it should be “the readable modernist”.
Dread rating: 9/10 (but not the usual kind)
Style rating: 7/10
3) The Undying Thing
Barry Pain (1864-1928)
Old-style, yes, but notable for its allusions rather than its disclosures, with a constant sense of threat. The why and the what of it are never quite certain, an approach which makes the story an improvement on many more clearly defined tales of its kind. The theme is kin to many others – the doomed lineage, the werewolf tale, the monstrous birth, but has its own life, both a classic horror story but, in a sense, more reminiscent of some of Lovecraft’s tales.
Dread rating: 8/10
Style rating: 4/10
Note: If you’re not familiar with Pain, a contemporary of Jerome K Jerome, and his sometimes uneven horror fiction, then you might like to glance at his entry in the always-interesting Skulls in the Stars blog – the undying thing and others
4) The Red Room
H G Wells (1866-1946)
A challenge to the haunted room trope and at the same time a most excellent example of it, with an ending which is far more disturbing than the conventional wrap-up. All the characteristics are there – the old caretakers, the rumours, the candles which will not stay alight, but this is, at heart, another piece of psychology. Some have said that it was written as satire, but the conclusion is no less chilling because of it.
Dread rating: 7/10
Style rating: 7/10
5) The Easter Egg
Saki (1870-1916)
The simplest of episodes, one which shows off Sakis’ sublime ability to portray people and situations in a handful of words. The handling is light and clear, and yet the denouement is dreadful. A small masterwork, whose last paragraph is both elegant and chilling.
Dread rating: 8/10
Style rating: 10/10
6) Genius Loci
Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961)
There are places which have a ‘feel’. The term genius loci can merely mean the general atmosphere of an area, or can be taken to refer to the actual spirit which dominates there, as in some Folk-Horror. It is possible that the entire story is a reflection on morbid mentality, or equally possible that Chapman’s meadow is possessed by a malign presence – it depends on how much you believe of the narrator’s tale and the accuracy of his perceptions.
Dread rating: 8/10
Style rating: 7/10
You can read last year’s eclectic list here – twelve tales which linger – and given the presence of Vernon Lee and May Sinclair above, you might also enjoy author Amanda DeWees’ article for greydogtales from last Autumn –
forever young – women in supernatural fiction
Next time: More modern weird stuff, we expect, or lurchers, or something like that…