The Strange High House in the Mist
A group of travelers becomes trapped in a mysterious mansion during a thick fog. They soon discover that the house is inhabited by supernatural beings who are hostile towards them. The story explores themes of isolation, madness, and the unknown.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1936 · Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Gothic · 4,110 words
First lines
In the morning mist comes up from the sea by the cliffs beyond Kingsport. White and feathery it comes from the deep to its brothers the clouds, full of dreams of dank pastures and caves of leviathan. And later, in still summer rains on the steep roofs of poets, the clouds scatter bits of those dreams, that men shall not live without rumour of old, strange secrets, and wonders that planets tell planets alone in the night. When tales fly thick in the grottoes of tritons, and conches in seaweed cities blow wild tunes learned from the Elder Ones, then great eager mists flock to heaven laden with lore, and oceanward eyes on the rocks see only a mystic whiteness, as if the cliff's rim were the rim of all earth, and the solemn bells of buoys tolled free in the aether of faery.
What this Textopian page supports
The Strange High House in the Mist is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1936 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.P. Lovecraft
- Date: 1936 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Gothic, Weird Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 4,110 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Strange High House in the Mist by H.P. Lovecraft
- 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 Strange High House in the Mist?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Nameless City by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Descendant by H. P. Lovecraft
- The White Ship by H. P. Lovecraft
- Hypnos by H. P. Lovecraft
- Beyond The Wall Of Sleep by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Dream Quest Of Unknown Kadath by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Horror — The narrative evokes fear and dread through its themes of the unknown and supernatural elements.
- Fantasy — The story incorporates fantastical elements, including ancient beings and mystical experiences.
- Gothic — The setting features an ancient, eerie house and themes of isolation and the sublime.
- Weird Fiction — The plot blends elements of horror and fantasy in a way that defies conventional storytelling.
Tags
Cthulhu Mythos · Fantasy · Horror · Mystery · Supernatural · Atmosphere of Dread · Isolation · Sanity-Blasting Terror · Cosmic Horror · Weird Fiction · Dreamlike Quality · Unreliable Narrator