Die Besessenen: Seltsame Geschichten

Name: Die Besessenen: Seltsame Geschichten
Price: 35.90 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9783903358126

✍️ Hanns Heinz Ewers

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$35.90

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A restored collection of Hanns Heinz Ewers' early German horror tales.

This volume restores the original order of Hanns Heinz Ewers' second major story collection, published nearly a century ago. It features DIE SPINNE, a foundational work in psychological horror that examines obsession and madness. The text is part of the UNTOTEN KLASSIKER series, specifically Volume 4, and includes scholarly notes to clarify historical references. Ewers wrote these stories before achieving fame with ALRAUNE, making this a crucial look at his earlier style. The collection reflects the German gothic tradition, emphasizing atmospheric dread and supernatural possession. Readers will find a focus on mental deterioration rather than external monsters. The commentary aids in understanding the context of the original 1920s publication. This edition is valuable for scholars and fans of classic European horror who want to read the author's work as it was originally intended.

Key Themes

psychological horror supernatural possession German gothic tradition

Literary Context

Hanns Heinz Ewers wrote these stories before his novel ALRAUNE became a global success. This collection, DIE BESESSENEN, follows DAS GRAUEN and includes the famous tale DIE SPINNE. The text is part of the UNTOTEN KLASSIKER series by Jojo Media Verlag.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Edgar Allan Poe · Robert W. Chambers · Algernon Blackwood

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Jojo Media Verlag 📅 2022 🌐 non-English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9783903358126

📝 Description: Die Besessenen: Seltsame Geschichten

Hanns Heinz Ewers established his reputation with this collection of eerie tales, published before his major success with the novel ALRAUNE. This volume, titled DIE BESESSENEN, follows DAS GRAUEN as his second significant compilation of unsettling stories. The text includes his most famous narrative, DIE SPINNE, which explores psychological horror through its dark themes and is considered a prototype for the genre. This edition presents the stories in their original arrangement for the first time in nearly a century. It appears as Volume 4 in the UNTOTEN KLASSIKER series and includes commentary to guide the reader. The work draws on German gothic traditions, focusing on possession and supernatural dread rather than modern jump scares. The book suits readers interested in early twentieth-century European horror literature and those who appreciate psychological tension over graphic violence. It may not appeal to those seeking contemporary American slasher tropes or fast-paced action. Ewers qualifies as a key figure in the development of the psychological horror short story format. The commentary provides context for the original publication era, helping modern audiences understand the cultural nuances of the time.

💎 Our verdict on Die Besessenen: Seltsame Geschichten

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This collection successfully revives Hanns Heinz Ewers' second major story compilation, presenting his tales in their intended sequence for the first time in nearly a century. As Volume 4 of the UNTOTEN KLASSIKER series, it highlights the author's role as a key figure in psychological horror. The text excels in exploring themes of madness and possession with literary precision, avoiding contemporary reliance on jump scares or fast-paced action. It is best suited for readers who value atmospheric dread and scholarly context. While not for those seeking American slasher tropes, it offers a profound look at mental deterioration and supernatural influence, solidifying its place as a significant contribution to early European horror literature.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and fans of classic European horror will find this volume invaluable for its restoration of the original order, offering a rare glimpse into Hanns Heinz Ewers' earlier style before his fame with ALRAUNE. Readers who appreciate psychological tension over graphic violence will gain insight into mental deterioration and obsession through foundational narratives like DIE SPINNE. The included commentary aids in understanding historical context, making it essential for those seeking to understand the evolution of the genre. It appeals to those interested in early twentieth-century literature and the German gothic tradition, providing a refined experience focused on atmospheric dread rather than modern shock tactics.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This collection successfully revives Hanns Heinz Ewers' second major story compilation, presenting his tales in their intended sequence for the first time in nearly a century. As Volume 4 of the UNTOTEN KLASSIKER series, it highlights the author's role as a key figure in psychological horror. The text excels in exploring themes of madness and possession with literary precision, avoiding contemporary reliance on jump scares or fast-paced action. It is best suited for readers who value atmospheric dread and scholarly context. While not for those seeking American slasher tropes, it offers a profound look at mental deterioration and supernatural influence, solidifying its place as a significant contribution to early European horror literature.