The Tradition by Algernon Blackwood
Book The Tradition is a novella written by Algernon Blackwood in 1906. It tells the story of a man named Mr. Jones who inherits a large estate from his recently deceased uncle. However, he soon discovers that the estate comes with a strange and ominous condition - he must spend at least one night in the old family mansion every year, or else the estate will pass to a distant relative. Despite his initial reluctance, Mr. Jones agrees to fulfill the tradition and spends a night in the mansion, only to experience a series of eerie and unsettling events that challenge his perceptions of reality.
By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy · 2,243 words
First lines
The noises outside the little flat at first were very disconcerting after living in the country. They made sleep difficult. At the cottage in Sussex where the family had lived, night brought deep, comfortable silence, unless the wind was high, when the pine trees round the duck-pond made a sound like surf, or if the gale was from the south-west, the orchard roared a bit unpleasantly.
What this Textopian page supports
The Tradition 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, Mystery, Fantasy, Gothic, Adventure
- Length: 2,243 words
- Structure: 1 section, 35 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Tradition by Algernon Blackwood
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Tradition?
- 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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Genres
- Horror — Algernon Blackwood is primarily known for his contributions to the horror genre, and several elements of 'THE TRADITION' align with traditional conventions of horror literature.
- Mystery — The narrative structure and plot development of the 'THE TRADITION' contains various elements of mystery; such as unexplained occurrences and suspenseful build-up.
- Fantasy — The book features elements of the fantastical, with its intersection of the ordinary world with supernatural incidents and beings.
- Gothic — Blackwood's previous works often incorporate gothic elements such as gloomy, decaying settings, supernatural beings, and a sense of dread and terror, which are present in 'THE TRADITION'.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · horror · mystery · thriller · psychological · suspense · fiction · literary fiction · classic · vintage · retro