The Horla by Guy de Maupassant
A young man returns to his rural home after a long absence and begins to experience strange occurrences that suggest the presence of an unseen entity, known as The Horla. As the events escalate, the protagonist's perception of reality becomes increasingly distorted, leading him to question his own sanity.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Horror, Psychological Fiction, Supernatural · 11,688 words
What this Textopian page supports
The Horla 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 Fiction, Supernatural, Science Fiction, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 11,688 words
- Structure: 1 section, 193 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Horla by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Horla?
- How does this novel by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Horla Or Modern Ghosts by Guy De Maupassant
- The Other Lodgers by Ambrose Bierce
- The Ways Of Ghosts by Ambrose Bierce
- The Thing In The Hall by E. F. Benson
- A Creature Of Habit by Ambrose Bierce
- In A Glass Darkly by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Genres
- Horror — The narrative centers on the protagonist's growing fear and paranoia about an invisible entity, creating a sense of dread and terror.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves deeply into the protagonist's mental state, exploring themes of madness, obsession, and the reliability of perception.
- Supernatural — The presence of an unseen, possibly otherworldly being that influences the protagonist's life adds a supernatural element to the story.
- Science Fiction — The narrative speculates on the existence of invisible beings and their potential impact on humanity, touching on themes of evolution and the unknown.
Tags
Psychological Horror · Supernatural Fiction · Short Story Collection · French Literature · 19th Century Literature · Gothic Fiction · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Mystery and Suspense · Paranoid Narratives · Unreliable Narrators · Mind Games