The Night Call by Henry Van Dyke
A young man receives a mysterious phone call at midnight from an unknown woman who claims to be his wife, but he has no memory of marrying her. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that she is indeed his wife, and they are on their honeymoon in Europe. The narrative explores themes of identity, marriage, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1903 · Genre: Mystery, Drama, Gothic · 8,911 words
First lines
I
The first caprice of November snow had sketched the world in white for an hour in the morning. After mid-day, the sun came out, the wind turned warm, and the whiteness vanished from the landscape. By evening, the low ridges and the long plain of New Jersey were rich and sad again, in russet and dull crimson and old gold; for the foliage still clung to the oaks and elms and birches, and the dying monarchy of autumn retreated slowly before winter's cold republic.
What this Textopian page supports
The Night Call is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Drama, Gothic, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 8,911 words
- Structure: 1 section, 132 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Night Call by Henry Van Dyke
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Eyes Of The Panther by Ambrose Bierce
- A Cold Greeting by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dark Forest by Hugh Walpole
- A Night In Whitechapel by Guy De Maupassant
- The Terror By Night by E. F. Benson
- The Thing At Nolan by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around an enigmatic night call, a mysterious baron, and a seemingly abandoned house, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue.
- Drama — The story explores deep emotional themes such as longing, identity, and societal acceptance, particularly through the character of Leroy Carmichael.
- Gothic — The setting includes an old, decaying mansion and a sense of the supernatural or uncanny, typical of Gothic literature.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the internal thoughts and emotional struggles of the protagonist, particularly his feelings of isolation and desire for acceptance.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Short Story · American Literature · Classic Fiction · Psychological Thriller · Suspenseful · Gothic · Atmospheric · Isolated Setting · Dark and Moody · Supernatural Elements