The Reveillon by Hilaire Belloc
This work is a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of one's actions. The narrative revolves around a group of characters who gather for a festive meal, known as the Reveillon, where they engage in conversations that reveal their true selves and the underlying tensions within their relationships.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Supernatural, Psychological Fiction, Horror · 1,702 words
First lines
There was in the regiment with which I served a man called Frocot, famous with his comrades because he had seen The Dead, for this experience, though common among the Scotch, is rare among the French, a sister nation. This man Frocot could neither write nor read, and was also the strongest man I ever knew. He was quite short and exceedingly broad, and he could break a penny with his hands, but this gift of strength, though young men value it so much, was thought little of compared with his perception of unseen things, for though the men, who were peasants, professed to laugh at it, and him, in their hearts they profoundly believed. It had been made clear to us that he could see and hear The Dead one night in January during a snowstorm, when he came in and woke me in barrack-room because he had heard the Loose Spur. Our spurs were not buckled on like the officers'; they were fixed into the heel of the boot, and if a nail loosened upon either side the spur dragged with an unmistakable noise. There was a sergeant who (for some reason) had one so loosened on the last night he had ever gone the rounds before his death, for in the morning as he came off guard he killed himself, and the story went about among the drivers that sometimes on stable guard in the thick of the night, when you watched all alone by the lantern (with your three comrades asleep in the straw of an empty stall), your blood would stop and your skin tauten at the sound of a loose spur dragging on the far side of the stable, in the dark.
What this Textopian page supports
The Reveillon is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Supernatural, Psychological Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 1,702 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Reveillon by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Reveillon?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Supernatural first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Princess Aline by Richard Harding Davis
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- Gabrielle De Bergerac by Henry James
- In The Express by Ludovic Halevy
Genres
- Supernatural — The narrative centers around the protagonist's ability to perceive the dead and supernatural occurrences, which is a key element of the plot.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the protagonist's mental state, exploring themes of fear, despair, and the impact of supernatural experiences on his psyche.
- Horror — The atmosphere is filled with dread and terror, particularly through the protagonist's encounters with the supernatural and the eerie setting.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic depth, including existential and spiritual reflections, align with the characteristics of literary fiction.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Satire · Social Commentary · French Culture · 19th Century Setting · Upper Class Life · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Morality · Ethics · Philosophy