A Madman by Maurice Level (1926)
Maurice Level's Madman is a classic horror novel about a madman who terrorizes a small French village. The story begins with the arrival of a mysterious stranger in the small village of La Roque. The stranger, who calls himself the Madman, is a strange and frightening figure who seems to have supernatural powers. He quickly begins to terrorize the villagers, using his powers to cause chaos and destruction. The villagers are terrified of the Madman and desperately try to find a way to stop him. They enlist the help of a local doctor, who discovers that the Madman is actually a former patient of his. The doctor discovers that the Madman is suffering from a mental illness and is unable to control his actions. The villagers eventually come up with a plan to capture the Madman and take him to a mental hospital. However, the Madman escapes and continues to terrorize the village. In the end, the villagers are able to capture the Madman and take him to the hospital, where he is treated for his illness. The novel is a classic horror story that explores the themes of mental illness, fear, and the power of superstition. It is a gripping and suspenseful read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
By Maurice Level · First published 1926 · Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Horror · 837 words
First lines
He was neither wicked nor cruel, but he hungered for the unexpected. The theatre did not interest him, yet he attended often, hoping for the outbreak of a fire. He went to the fair at Neuilly to see if perhaps one of the menagerie animals might go wild and mangle its trainer. Once he even visited the bullring, but its calculated bloodshed was mundane, too controlled. Meaningless suffering revolted him; he craved the thrill of sudden catastrophe.
What this Textopian page supports
A Madman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Maurice Level, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Maurice Level
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Drama
- Length: 837 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Madman by Maurice Level
- 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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Similar titles
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- Berenice by E. Phillips Oppenheim
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- The Terror By Night by E. F. Benson
- The Diary Of Mr Poynter by M. R. James
- A Call To Quit by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Psychological Thriller — The book follows the story of a madman, exploring his psychological state and the events that lead to his madness.
- Mystery — The book follows the protagonist's journey to uncover the truth behind his madness, creating a mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere.
- Horror — The book contains elements of horror, as the protagonist's descent into madness is depicted in a frightening and unsettling manner.
- Drama — The book contains elements of drama, as the protagonist's struggles with his mental illness are explored in a dramatic and emotional way.
Tags
Horror · attention · audience · auditorium · bicycle · blue · box · crowd · cyclist · dangerous · entire · evening