The Travelling Grave and Other Stories (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)

Name: The Travelling Grave and Other Stories (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781943910793

✍️ L P Hartley

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$17.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of twelve supernatural tales by L. P. Hartley featuring traditional ghosts and black humor.

Valancourt Books has reissued this 1948 Arkham House compilation to introduce Hartley's lesser-known horror work to contemporary audiences. The book contains twelve stories that highlight the author's ability to shift between conventional ghostly narratives and satirical horror. John Howard provides a new introduction to frame these tales for modern readers. The selection includes 'Feet Foremost' and 'The Cotillon' alongside the darker comedic pieces 'The Travelling Grave' and 'The Killing Bottle'. This volume serves as a bridge between Hartley's famous Edwardian realism and his capacity for writing unsettling fiction. It appeals to collectors of vintage horror literature and fans of gothic short fiction who value stylistic variety over shock value.

Key Themes

supernatural fiction black humour Edwardian childhood

Literary Context

This collection was originally published by Arkham House in 1948, a period when supernatural fiction maintained a strong literary presence. Valancourt Books reissued it in 2017 as part of their Twenty Century Classics series, preserving Hartley's work for modern readers interested in mid-twentieth century horror literature.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Edith Wharton · Algernon Blackwood

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Valancourt Books 📅 2017 📖 246 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781943910793

📝 Description: The Travelling Grave and Other Stories (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)

L. P. Hartley, widely recognized for his Edwardian novel The Go-Between, demonstrates a different side of his literary range in this collection of supernatural tales. Originally released by Arkham House in 1948 and now available through Valancourt Books as part of their Twenty Century Classics series, the volume brings together twelve stories that showcase his versatility in macabre fiction. The text moves between traditional ghost story structures and darker comedic tones. Readers will encounter the eerie atmosphere of 'Feet Foremost' and 'The Cotillon', which adhere to classic genre conventions. In contrast, 'The Travelling Grave' and 'The Killing Bottle' offer a distinct black humor that defines Hartley's approach to horror. This edition includes a new introduction by John Howard, providing context for these long-out-of-print works. This collection suits readers who appreciate the blend of gothic tradition with subtle wit. It may not appeal to those seeking purely visceral terror or modern psychological horror. The stories rely on established supernatural tropes rather than novelistic experimentation. Hartley's prose remains clear and precise, focusing on the uncanny events that unfold within each narrative.

💎 Our verdict on The Travelling Grave and Other Stories (Valancourt 20th Century Classics)

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Hartley demonstrates remarkable versatility here, moving between eerie atmospheric tales and distinctively dark comedy. Stories like 'Feet Foremost' adhere to classic genre conventions, while pieces such as 'The Travelling Grave' offer a unique black humor that defines his approach to the macabre. The prose remains clear and focused on uncanny events rather than novelistic experimentation. This book suits readers who enjoy subtle wit within gothic frameworks. It may not satisfy those seeking purely visceral terror or modern psychological depth, but it serves as an excellent bridge between traditional ghost stories and satirical horror for fans of vintage literature.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the nuanced blend of gothic tradition with satirical horror will find this collection particularly rewarding. Hartley’s ability to shift seamlessly between conventional ghost stories and darker comedic tones offers a refreshing change from standard fare. Those interested in the lesser-known works of celebrated authors will gain insight into his versatility beyond his famous realist novels. The volume appeals to collectors of vintage horror who value clear, precise prose and established supernatural tropes over modern psychological experimentation or shock value.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Hartley demonstrates remarkable versatility here, moving between eerie atmospheric tales and distinctively dark comedy. Stories like 'Feet Foremost' adhere to classic genre conventions, while pieces such as 'The Travelling Grave' offer a unique black humor that defines his approach to the macabre. The prose remains clear and focused on uncanny events rather than novelistic experimentation. This book suits readers who enjoy subtle wit within gothic frameworks. It may not satisfy those seeking purely visceral terror or modern psychological depth, but it serves as an excellent bridge between traditional ghost stories and satirical horror for fans of vintage literature.