The Horla, or Modern Ghosts by Guy de Maupassant
A young man living in the countryside becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid after experiencing a series of strange occurrences that he attributes to a supernatural presence known as the Horla. As his mental state deteriorates, he begins to question his own sanity and the nature of reality. The story explores themes of loneliness, madness, and the blurring of lines between the rational and the irrational.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural · 11,738 words
First lines
_May 8._ What a beautiful day! I have spent all the morning lying in the grass in front of my house, under the enormous plantain tree which covers it, and shades and shelters the whole of it. I like this part of the country and I am fond of living here because I am attached to it by deep roots, profound and delicate roots which attach a man to the soil on which his ancestors were born and died, which attach him to what people think and what they eat, to the usages as well as to the food, local expressions, the peculiar language of the peasants, to the smell of the soil, of the villages and of the atmosphere itself.
What this Textopian page supports
The Horla, or Modern Ghosts is listed on Textopian as a novel by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural, Science Fiction, Gothic
- Length: 11,738 words
- Structure: 1 section, 166 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Horla, or Modern Ghosts by Guy de Maupassant
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Similar titles
- The Horla by Guy De Maupassant
- The Trip Of Le Horla by Guy De Maupassant
- The Thing On The Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Music Of Erich Zann by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Horla by Guy De Maupassant
- The Other Lodgers by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Horror — The narrative centers on an unseen entity tormenting the protagonist, creating a pervasive sense of dread and fear.
- Psychological Thriller — The story delves into the protagonist's mental state, exploring themes of madness and paranoia.
- Supernatural — The presence of an invisible being with mysterious powers introduces elements beyond the natural world.
- Science Fiction — The exploration of unknown entities and their potential impact on humanity suggests speculative scientific themes.
Tags
Psychological Horror · French Literature · Short Story Collection · Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Fiction · Paranormal Activity · Mental Illness · Isolation · Despair · Existential Crisis · Uncanny · Unreliable Narrator