The Trip of Le Horla by Guy de Maupassant
A man's life is disrupted by a series of strange and unexplained events involving a mysterious figure known as Le Horla. The story explores themes of identity, reality, and the blurring of lines between dreams and waking life. As the protagonist becomes increasingly entangled with Le Horla, his sense of self begins to unravel, leading to a descent into madness.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1887 · Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Travel · 4,736 words
First lines
On the morning of July 8th I received the following telegram: "Fine day. Always my predictions. Belgian frontier. Baggage and servants left at noon at the social session. Beginning of manoeuvres at three. So I will wait for you at the works from five o'clock on. Jovis."
At five o'clock sharp I entered the gas works of La Villette. It might have been mistaken for the colossal ruins of an old town inhabited by Cyclops. There were immense dark avenues separating heavy gasometers standing one behind another, like monstrous columns, unequally high and, undoubtedly, in the past the supports of some tremendous, some fearful iron edifice.
What this Textopian page supports
The Trip of Le Horla is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Science Fiction, Travel, Drama, Historical
- Length: 4,736 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trip of Le 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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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative centers on a thrilling balloon journey, emphasizing exploration and the excitement of travel.
- Science Fiction — The story involves advanced technology for its time, such as the balloon and its innovations, creating a speculative element.
- Travel — The plot focuses on a journey from Paris to Belgium, highlighting geographical and cultural observations.
- Drama — The interactions and emotions of the characters during the flight add a dramatic layer to the narrative.
Tags
Psychological Horror · Short Story Collection · French Literature · Supernatural Fiction · Existentialism · Philosophical Themes · Mental Illness · Paranoia · Isolation · Loneliness · Despair · Dark Fantasy