Title: In a Glass Darkly
Author: J. Sheridan Le Fanu
First published January 1, 1872
384 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780192839473 (ISBN10: 0192839470)
Rating: 3.84
Overview
J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s In a Glass Darkly is a haunting collection of five stories that will make readers question the existence of the supernatural.
These cases, presented by Dr. Hesselius, a “metaphysical” doctor, explore the thin line between reality and obsession, leaving readers with a sense of doubt and unease. From Green Tea to Carmilla, each story creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
This new annotated edition includes an introduction, notes on the text, and explanatory notes, offering readers a deeper understanding of Le Fanu’s masterful storytelling. NB: The Familiar is a revision of The Watcher; Mr. Justice Harbottle is a revision of An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street.
About the Author
Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, an Irish author, was highly regarded for his Gothic tales and mystery novels during the Victorian era. He is considered the leading writer of ghost stories in the 19th century and played a central role in the development of the genre.
M.R. James, another prominent writer, praised Le Fanu’s ghost stories and ranked him as one of the best. Le Fanu’s literary works such as Uncle Silas, Carmilla, and The House by the Churchyard are among his most well-known pieces.
Editoral Review
In a Glass Darkly by J. Sheridan Le Fanu is a collection of five gothic horror stories that were first published in 1872.
Le Fanu, an Irish writer known for his supernatural and metaphysical themes, is considered one of the pioneers of the horror genre. His stories heavily influenced the works of Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe, among others.
In this book, Le Fanu explores the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of civilized society, probing into the mysteries of the human psyche and the spectral realm. The stories in In a Glass Darkly are narrated by Dr. Martin Hesselius, an occult detective who specializes in investigating paranormal phenomena.
Through his eyes, we glimpse into the lives of the tormented and the damned, the victims and the perpetrators of unspeakable crimes. The book is set in Victorian England, a time of great social and cultural upheaval, where the rapid pace of industrialization and scientific progress collided with the traditional values and superstitions of the past.
The first story, “Green Tea,” tells the chilling tale of a clergyman haunted by a demonic monkey that seems to be the manifestation of his own subconscious. The second story, “The Familiar,” portrays a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a jealous and possessive husband, who is aided by a supernatural familiar.
The third story, “Mr. Justice Harbottle,” features a judge haunted by the ghosts of those he has wronged, who come to exact their revenge. The fourth story, “The Room in the Dragon Volant,” is a suspenseful tale of a young aristocrat caught in a web of intrigue and deception while traveling in France.
The final story, “Carmilla,” is a groundbreaking vampire tale that explores the forbidden love between two women. Le Fanu’s writing is magnificent, his language rich and atmospheric, his imagery vivid and haunting.
He creates a sense of dread and foreboding that permeates the entire book, like a dark cloud hovering over the characters. He masterfully blends psychological suspense with supernatural horror, making the reader question what is real and what is imaginary.
His characters are complex and flawed, their motivations often ambiguous and questionable. The book has several strengths, the foremost being the quality of the writing itself.
The stories are well-crafted and engaging, with a sense of urgency that builds up to a powerful climax. Le Fanu’s attention to detail and his ability to evoke mood and atmosphere are unparalleled.
His exploration of the dark side of human nature, of the transgressive and the forbidden, of the subconscious and the demonic, is both unsettling and thought-provoking. However, the book is not without its flaws.
Some of the stories are weaker than others, with “The Familiar” and “Mr. Justice Harbottle” being the least compelling. The female characters, although complex, are often portrayed as passive and victimized, which may be a reflection of the social norms of the time but can be frustrating for modern readers.
The book also relies heavily on gothic tropes and cliches, which may feel outdated to some. Overall, In a Glass Darkly is a masterpiece of horror literature, a must-read for fans of the genre.
It is a timeless classic that explores universal themes of love, death, and the supernatural in a way that is still relevant today. Its historical and cultural significance cannot be overstated, as it paved the way for many other horror writers to come.
For anyone interested in the darker side of human nature, this book is a must-have. Rating: 4/5 stars.
