Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House
"AN EPISODE IN A LODGING-HOUSE" is a short story by Algernon Blackwood, first published in 1908. The tale follows a man who checks into a lodging house in the countryside, seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, he soon discovers that the house has a strange and unsettling atmosphere, filled with eerie noises and an overall sense of unease. As the night wears on, the man becomes increasingly disoriented and begins to question his own sanity. Will he be able to uncover the truth behind the lodging house's strange occurrences, or will he become a permanent resident?
By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery · 8,915 words
First lines
"When I was a medical student," began the doctor, half turning towards his circle of listeners in the firelight, "I came across one or two very curious human beings; but there was one fellow I remember particularly, for he caused me the most vivid, and I think the most uncomfortable, emotions I have ever known.
What this Textopian page supports
Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House 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, Supernatural, Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Short Stories
- Length: 8,915 words
- Structure: 1 section, 96 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House 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 Smith: An Episode in a Lodging-House?
- 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
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- Mrs Amworth by E. F. Benson
- In The Dark by E. F. Benson
- A Reaping by E. F. Benson
- Thorley Weir by E. F. Benson
- The Angel Of Pain by E. F. Benson
Genres
- Horror — The book tells the story of a malevolent entity haunting a lodging-house which brings about a sense of fear and dread, standard elements of the horror genre.
- Supernatural — The entity in the dwelling is described as a supernatural being, thus fitting the supernatural genre.
- Mystery — The nature of the entity and its intentions form a significant mystery throughout the narrative.
- Gothic Fiction — Blackwood’s writings often incorporate gothic elements such as dread, darkness, and the unknown. The malevolent entity in the lodging symbolizes dark forces, which is characteristic of gothic fiction.
Tags
lodging-house · episode · mystery · human nature · psychological · character study · urban life · isolation · social dynamics · narrative · suspense · atmospheric