The Angel of Pain by E.F. Benson

Name: The Angel of Pain
Author: E.F. Benson

The Angel of Pain, a novella by E.F. Benson, explores the themes of suffering, mortality, and the human condition. The story follows a man named Robert, who is visited by an angel of pain that appears to him in his bedroom one night. The angel is described as a tall, dark figure with piercing eyes, and it speaks to Robert in a voice that is both gentle and unnerving. The angel tells Robert that he has been chosen to bear the burden of human suffering, and that he must embrace this role in order to find peace and redemption. Throughout the story, Benson explores the idea that suffering is an inherent part of the human experience, and that it can be both a source of growth and a means of connecting with others. Through Robert's encounter with the angel, Benson raises questions about the nature of existence and the role of the individual in the world. The novella is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, and it challenges readers to consider their own beliefs and values.

By E.F. Benson · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Gothic · 23 chapters · 169,686 words

First lines

The garden lay dozing in the summer sun, a sun, too, that was really hot and luminous, worthy of mid-June, and Philip Home had paid his acknowledgments to its power by twice moving his chair into the shifting shade of the house, which stood with blinds drawn down, as if blinking in the brightness. Somewhere on the lawn below him, but hidden by the flower-beds of the terraced walk, a mowing-machine was making its clicking journeys to and fro, and the sound of it seemed to him to be extraordinarily consonant to the still heat of the afternoon. Entirely in character also with the day was the light hot wind that stirred fitfully among the garden beds as if it had gone to sleep there, and now and then turned over and made the flowers rustle and sigh.

What this Textopian page supports

The Angel of Pain is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.F. Benson, 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: E.F. Benson
Date: 1908 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Gothic, Fiction
Length: 169,686 words
Structure: 23 chapters, 2,672 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Horror — E.F. Benson focuses on elements of supernatural and horror, presenting darker themes and a suspenseful atmosphere that permeates 'The Angel of Pain'.
Supernatural — The book includes elements of the supernatural, including references to angels and other spiritual elements.
Gothic — The story is infused with a sense of dread and unease commonly associated with gothic literature. It also includes elements of the macabre, another staple of the genre.
Fiction — The book is a written, creative narrative structured around an imaginary plot, making it a work of fiction.