First published 2015
Leslie Klinger presents supernatural stories from writers who shaped the terror genre before and after Edgar Allan Poe. The collection includes work by authors largely forgotten for their contributions to horror fiction, including Bram Stoker, better known for Dracula than his short stories. Klinger, a recognized expert on Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, expanded his research into the broader world of nineteenth century supernatural literature. He selected these tales for their lasting impact on the genre. The anthology features stories by Ambrose Bierce, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Theodor Gautier, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Arthur Conan Doyle, Lafcadio Hearn, and M. R. James, among others. Each story includes biographical information about its author and notes explaining period references. Klinger demonstrates that Poe neither invented terror fiction nor worked in isolation, but participated in a rich tradition of writers exploring supernatural themes.
Genres: short-stories, literary-fiction, horror, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, thought-provoking
Tropes: anthology, historical-fiction
Setting: Louisiana, L'Abri
Period: 19th century, Antebellum era
336 pages · Hardcover · Pegasus Crime