A Case of Eavesdropping
"A Case of Eavesdropping" is a short story by Algernon Blackwood, first published in 1908. The tale follows a man who becomes obsessed with eavesdropping on his neighbors' conversations, leading him down a path of isolation and madness. As he listens in on the private lives of those around him, he begins to question his own sanity and the nature of reality. The story is a classic example of psychological horror, exploring themes of voyeurism, paranoia, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.
By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Ghost Story, Supernatural Fiction · 7,917 words
First lines
Jim Shorthouse was the sort of fellow who always made a mess of things.
Everything with which his hands or mind came into contact issued from such contact in an unqualified and irremediable state of mess. His college days were a mess: he was twice rusticated. His schooldays were a mess: he went to half a dozen, each passing him on to the next with a worse character and in a more developed state of mess. His early boyhood was the sort of mess that copy-books and dictionaries spell with a big
What this Textopian page supports
A Case of Eavesdropping is listed on Textopian as a short story by Algernon Blackwood, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Algernon Blackwood
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Ghost Story, Supernatural Fiction, Psychological Thriller
- Length: 7,917 words
- Structure: 1 section, 115 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Case of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Case of Eavesdropping?
- How does this short story by Algernon Blackwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Secret Worship by Algernon Blackwood
- Three John Silence Stories by Algernon Blackwood
- The Empty House by Algernon Blackwood
- The Tryst by Algernon Blackwood
- The Sacrifice by Algernon Blackwood
- With Intent To Steal by Algernon Blackwood
Genres
- Horror — The 'A Case of Eavesdropping' is written by Algernon Blackwood who is renowned for his horror stories. The plot of the book, involving a man eavesdropping on the strange events in a room adjacent to his, adds an element of the supernatural and suspense that is a characteristic of the horror genre.
- Ghost Story — Ghostly encounters and psychological horror are key elements in 'A Case of Eavesdropping', typical characteristics of a ghost story genre. While not being traditional ghost fiction, the supernatural elements dominantly present in the narration gives it an eerie tone that aligns with this genre.
- Supernatural Fiction — The book falls under the genre of supernatural fiction as it continues to unravel the tension and horror that resides in the supernatural world.
- Psychological Thriller — The psychological aspects are strongly presented through the protagonist's escalating fear produced by the unknown. It focuses mainly on the mental and emotional state of the protagonist in a terrifying situation, which is a typical attribute of the psychological thriller genre.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · mystery · thriller · horror · psychological · suspense · paranormal · fiction · literary fiction · classic · vintage