The Coming of Abel Behenna
The Coming of Abel Behenna is a novella by Bram Stoker that tells the story of a young man named Abel Behenna who returns to his hometown after serving in the military. Upon his return, strange and supernatural events begin to occur, leading the townspeople to believe that Behenna has brought some kind of curse or evil spirit with him. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Behenna is not responsible for these events, but rather he is a victim of circumstances beyond his control. The novella explores themes of guilt, innocence, and the supernatural, and it is considered one of Stoker's lesser-known works.
By Bram Stoker · First published 1911 · Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller · 8,629 words
First lines
The little Cornish port of Pencastle was bright in the early April, when the sun had seemingly come to stay after a long and bitter winter. Boldly and blackly the rock stood out against a background of shaded blue, where the sky fading into mist met the far horizon. The sea was of true Cornish hue-sapphire, save where it became deep emerald green in the fathomless depths under the cliffs, where the seal caves opened their grim jaws. On the slopes the grass was parched and brown. The spikes of furze bushes were ashy grey, but the golden yellow of their flowers streamed along the hillside, dipping out in lines as the rock cropped up, and lessening into patches and dots till finally it died away all together where the sea winds swept round the jutting cliffs and cut short the vegetation as though with an ever-working aerial shears. The whole hillside, with its body of brown and flashes of yellow, was just like a colossal yellow-hammer.
What this Textopian page supports
The Coming of Abel Behenna is listed on Textopian as a short story by Bram Stoker, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Bram Stoker
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, Mystery
- Length: 8,629 words
- Structure: 1 section, 106 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Coming of Abel Behenna by Bram Stoker
- 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 Coming of Abel Behenna?
- How does this short story by Bram Stoker fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Lucifer Of The Torch by Ambrose Bierce
- A Desert Episode by Algernon Blackwood
- Secret Worship by Algernon Blackwood
- John Silence Physician Extraordinary by Algernon Blackwood
- Mr Sheets by Ambrose Bierce
- A Voluptuary by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — The book is written by Bram Stoker, a renowned writer in the horror genre, and it exhibits his characteristic themes of fear, suspense and the supernatural.
- Supernatural — The story includes supernatural elements including a curse and prophetic dreams.
- Thriller — The book's plot contains an element of suspense and tension, characteristic of the thriller genre.
- Mystery — There are several moments in the book where unexplained events take place thereby providing an air of mystery.
Tags
gothic fiction · horror · supernatural · vampire · monster · haunting · mystery · thriller · suspense · darkness · evil · malevolence