The Horror-Horn by E.F. Benson
The Horror-Horn by E.F. Benson is a short story about a man who inherits an antique horn that has the power to summon ghosts and spirits from beyond the grave. The protagonist, Mr. Denton, discovers this when he plays the horn in his home one night and witnesses a series of terrifying apparitions. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the horn is not just a curiosity but a dangerous weapon that can unleash forces beyond human comprehension. The Horror-Horn is a classic example of Gothic horror, with its haunted house setting and supernatural elements.
By E.F. Benson · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure · 6,040 words
First lines
For the past ten days Alhubel had basked in the radiant midwinter weather proper to its eminence of over 6,000 feet. From rising to setting the sun (so surprising to those who have hitherto associated it with a pale, tepid plate indistinctly shining through the murky air of England) had blazed its way across the sparkling blue, and every night the serene and windless frost had made the stars sparkle like illuminated diamond dust. Sufficient snow had fallen before Christmas to content the skiers, and the big rink, sprinkled every evening, had given the skaters each morning a fresh surface on which to perform their slippery antics. Bridge and dancing served to while away the greater part of the night, and to me, now for the first time tasting the joys of a winter in the Engadine, it seemed that a new heaven and a new earth had been lighted, warmed, and refrigerated for the special benefit of those who like myself had been wise enough to save up their days of holiday for the winter.
What this Textopian page supports
The Horror-Horn is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.F. Benson, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: E.F. Benson
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Adventure, Short Story
- Length: 6,040 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Horror-Horn by E.F. Benson
- 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 Horror-Horn?
- How does this short story by E.F. Benson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- In The Dark by E. F. Benson
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- Wolverden Tower by Grant Allen
- Where Terror Lurked by Perley Poore Sheehan
- Come Into My Parlor by Charles E. Fritch
Genres
- Horror — The book is referred to as a 'horror' in the title, and its plot involves supernatural elements and aims to elicit fear and suspense, which are typical characteristics of the horror genre.
- Fantasy — The book contains elements of the fantastic, with supernatural entities and occurrences integral to the plot, which are common features in the fantasy genre.
- Adventure — The book follows the protagonist in their encounters with supernatural threats and their attempts to overcome these challenges, which mirrors the action and exploration found in adventure genres.
- Short Story — The book is written as a short story, which is a genre defined by its length and concise narrative.
Tags
horror · mystery · supernatural · gothic · suspense · psychological · thriller · dark · atmospheric · paranormal · tension · fear