Dig me no Grave by Robert E. Howard

Name: Dig me no Grave
Author: Robert E. Howard

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a character who is drawn into a chilling tale of death and dark magic. The story begins with the sudden death of John Grimlan, a reclusive and sinister figure known for his occult practices. His friend, John Conrad, visits the protagonist, Kirowan, to share the news and express his unease about Grimlan's death, which was marked by extreme fear and agony. Grimlan had a reputation for dabbling in dark arts, and his final moments were filled with desperate pleas to not be left alone. Conrad reveals that Grimlan had given him a sealed envelope years prior, containing instructions to be followed after his death. The instructions are bizarre and foreboding, involving a ritual to be performed with Grimlan's corpse. The two men, driven by a mix of curiosity and dread, decide to carry out Grimlan's last wishes, despite the ominous atmosphere surrounding the old man's house. As they arrive at Grimlan's home, they are struck by its oppressive presence. Inside, they find the body laid out on a table, surrounded by seven black candles. The atmosphere is thick with an unsettling energy, and they are soon joined by an enigmatic oriental figure who seems to have arrived with knowledge of the ritual. This stranger takes charge, guiding them through the process as Conrad reads from the ancient texts contained in the envelope. The incantation reveals a pact Grimlan made long ago, promising his soul to a dark entity in exchange for knowledge and power. As the ritual progresses, the candles flicker and extinguish one by one, heightening the tension and horror. The atmosphere becomes increasingly charged with supernatural dread, culminating in a climactic moment when the last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. In the ensuing chaos, the body of Grimlan disappears, and the house is engulfed in flames. The two men flee, realizing that Grimlan's pact with the dark forces has been fulfilled, and they have unwittingly participated in a horrific ritual. The story concludes with a sense of dread and the implication that Grimlan's soul has been claimed by the very darkness he sought to control, leaving the protagonists to grapple with the consequences of their actions and the malevolent forces they have awakened.

By Robert E. Howard · First published 1937 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Occult Fiction · 5,992 words

First lines

_A shuddery tale of dark horror and evil things, and the uncanny funeral rites over the corpse of old John Grimlan._

The thunder of my old-fashioned door-knocker, reverberating eerily through the house, roused me from a restless and nightmare-haunted sleep. I looked out the window. In the last light of the sinking moon, the white face of my friend John Conrad looked up at me.

What this Textopian page supports

Dig me no Grave is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert E. Howard, dated 1937 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Robert E. Howard
Date: 1937 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Occult Fiction, Dark Fantasy, Mystery
Length: 5,992 words
Structure: 1 section, 106 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Horror — The story is centered around themes of death, the supernatural, and the psychological terror associated with dark magic and evil forces.
Gothic Fiction — The setting features a dark, eerie house and elements of the macabre, typical of Gothic literature.
Occult Fiction — The narrative delves into occult practices, black magic, and the exploration of forbidden knowledge.
Dark Fantasy — The story incorporates fantastical elements intertwined with horror, particularly through the presence of supernatural beings and dark rituals.