The Return

Walter de la Mare’s The Return presents a chilling tale of domestic disruption caused by supernatural forces. Arthur Lawford, an ordinary man, wanders through a local graveyard for his wife Sheila and encounters the grave of Nicholas Sabathier. A sudden shock leaves him unconscious until he wakes in the early morning light. Upon returning home, Arthur discovers that his reflection in the bedroom mirror has changed. The face staring back is that of a dead Frenchman from the eighteenth century. Sheila Lawford also sees this stranger when she looks at her husband. The narrative follows Arthur’s desperate attempts to convince his wife, a vicar, and a doctor that he remains the ordinary man they know. This struggle highlights the tension between identity and possession. De la Mare, known for his Gothic tales, weaves together themes of unrequited love and ghostly intrusion. The story examines how an external spirit can invade a private home, turning familiar spaces into sites of fear. This book suits readers who enjoy classic ghost stories with psychological depth. It appeals to those interested in the tradition of possession narratives where the horror stems from the loss of self rather than gore. Readers seeking fast-paced action or modern supernatural tropes may find the pacing deliberate. The narrative relies on atmosphere and the slow realization of a terrifying transformation. De la Mare’s prose creates a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page.