A Night in the Woods
The story revolves around a mysterious and supernatural event that takes place in the woods of Lorraine on a stormy night. A group of people, including a doctor, a priest, and some villagers, gather at an inn to wait out the bad weather. As they try to distract themselves from the howling wind and the creaking trees, they begin to tell stories and share their own experiences. However, as the night wears on, it becomes clear that something sinister is lurking in the woods, threatening the lives of everyone present.
By Émile Erckmann · First published 1890 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 6,749 words
First lines
My worthy uncle, Bernard Hertzog, the historian and antiquary, surmounted with his grand three-cornered hat and wig, and with a long iron-shod mountain-pole firmly grasped in his hand, was coming down one evening by the Luppersberg, hailing every turn in the landscape with enthusiastic exclamations.
Years had never quenched in him the love of knowledge. At sixty he was still at work upon his _History of Alsacian Antiquities_, and never allowed himself to write a complete account of a ruined and defaced monument, or any relic of former days, until he had examined it a hundred times from every point of view.
What this Textopian page supports
A Night in the Woods is listed on Textopian as a novella by Émile Erckmann, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Émile Erckmann
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 6,749 words
- Structure: 1 section, 122 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Night in the Woods by Émile Erckmann
- 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 A Night in the Woods?
- How does this novella by Émile Erckmann fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is deeply rooted in historical context, exploring themes of antiquity and the past through the character of Bernard Hertzog, who is a historian.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey through the woods, with elements of exploration and the challenges faced by the protagonist.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements, such as the old woman who embodies the spirit of the ruins, adds a fantastical layer to the story.
- Gothic Fiction — The eerie atmosphere, the storm, and the themes of fear and the unknown contribute to a gothic tone.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Horror · Dark Fantasy · Supernatural · Folklore · Mythology · Legends · Creepy · Atmospheric · Isolation