The Wave by Algernon Blackwood

Name: The Wave
Author: Algernon Blackwood

The Wave by Algernon Blackwood is a novella that tells the story of a man named Sandy Campbell who becomes obsessed with a wave he witnesses while on vacation in the Pacific Islands. The wave is described as having a life of its own, and Campbell becomes increasingly fixated on it, to the point where it begins to affect his relationships and daily life. As he delves deeper into his fascination with the wave, he starts to question his own sanity and the nature of reality. The story explores themes of obsession, madness, and the power of nature.

By Algernon Blackwood · First published 1908 · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Horror, Mystery · 33 chapters · 164,056 words

First lines

Since childhood days he had been haunted by a Wave.

It appeared with the very dawn of thought, and was his earliest recollection of any vividness. It was also his first experience of nightmare: a wave of an odd, dun colour, almost tawny, that rose behind him, advanced, curled over in the act of toppling, and then stood still. It threatened, but it did not fall. It paused, hovering in a position contrary to nature; it waited.

What this Textopian page supports

The Wave is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
Author: Algernon Blackwood
Date: 1908 CE
Language: English
Genres: Supernatural Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Psychological Fiction
Length: 164,056 words
Structure: 33 chapters, 1,785 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Wave by Algernon Blackwood
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Wave?
How does this novel by Algernon Blackwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Supernatural Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Supernatural Fiction — The plot unfolds as a supernatural tale surrounding various human characters and the specter of a sentient and menacing wave entity.
Horror — The story effectively uses elements of suspense, dread, and terror, common aspects of the horror genre.
Mystery — The book has mystery elements as the characters try to comprehend and cope with the inexplicable events and the unseen wave entity.
Fantasy — The premise lays on the idea of an enigmatic, sentient wave entity, an unreal and fantastical element.