The Empty House
Book The Empty House is a novella written by Algernon Blackwood in 1903. It tells the story of a man named Robert Erskine who inherits an old mansion from his recently deceased uncle. Upon arriving at the mansion, he discovers that it is completely empty and abandoned, with no signs of life anywhere. As he explores the house, he begins to experience strange occurrences and visions, leading him to question his own sanity. The story delves into themes of isolation, loneliness, and the supernatural, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and uncertainty.
By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1909 · Genre: Horror, Ghost Story, Mystery · 8,554 words
First lines
Certain houses, like certain persons, manage somehow to proclaim at once their character for evil. In the case of the latter, no particular feature need betray them; they may boast an open countenance and an ingenuous smile; and yet a little of their company leaves the unalterable conviction that there is something radically amiss with their being: that they are evil. Willy nilly, they seem to communicate an atmosphere of secret and wicked thoughts which makes those in their immediate neighbourhood shrink from them as from a thing diseased.
What this Textopian page supports
The Empty House is listed on Textopian as a novel by Algernon Blackwood, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Algernon Blackwood
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Ghost Story, Mystery, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 8,554 words
- Structure: 1 section, 116 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Empty 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 The Empty House?
- How does this novel by Algernon Blackwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Suspicious Gift by Algernon Blackwood
- A Case Of Eavesdropping by Algernon Blackwood
- By Water by Algernon Blackwood
- The Tryst by Algernon Blackwood
- The Sacrifice by Algernon Blackwood
- With Intent To Steal by Algernon Blackwood
Genres
- Horror — The book tells a chilling encounter with supernatural occurrences in a deserted house, typical of horror narratives.
- Ghost Story — The main premise involves a deserted house that seems to be haunted by ghostly entities.
- Mystery — The novel unfolds the mystery of the deserted house, and the eerie phenomena occurring in it.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of supernatural, horror, suspense and the unsettling atmosphere often associated with gothic fiction are prevalent throughout the novel.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · haunting · mystery · thriller · horror · psychological · suspense · literary fiction · classic · vintage · British literature