🩸 Horror Fiction

The Vengeance of the Oval Portrait

✍️ Gabriel De Lautrec
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$20.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 28-story collection blending horror and dark humor by Gabriel de Lautrec.

This volume contains twenty-eight distinct narratives that operate at the crossroads of multiple genres. De Lautrec utilizes his background as a Humorists' Award winner to infuse traditional horror with elements of fantasy and science fiction. The text reflects his personal habits and artistic influences, particularly the work of Alphonse Allais. The stories are not merely scary but serve as a window into the author's mind. Readers will encounter tales that vary in tone, ranging from the grotesque to the whimsical. The collection does not follow a linear plot but rather offers a series of connected thematic explorations. It is designed for audiences familiar with the works of Poe and Renard.

Key Themes
dark humor Grand Guignol genre mixing
Literary Context

Gabriel de Lautrec lived from 1867 to 1938. He was a French writer who won the 1920 Humorists' Award. His work reflects the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century literary scene, drawing on Poe and Allais while influencing later genre fiction.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Edgar Allan Poe · Maurice Renard · Alphonse Allais · Mark Twain
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Hollywood Comics 📅 2011 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781612270098

📝 Description: The Vengeance of the Oval Portrait

Gabriel de Lautrec presents a collection of twenty-eight stories that blend horror, fantasy, and science fiction. The work draws its title from Edgar Allan Poe, signaling a literary debt to the American master while establishing a unique voice through dark humor and Grand Guignol sensibilities. De Lautrec, a disciple of Alphonse Allais and winner of the 1920 Humorists' Award, channels his troubled personality into these mysterious tales. His regular use of alcohol and hashish informs the singular inspiration behind the narratives, creating a tone that is both thrilling and unsettling. The book suits readers who appreciate genre mixing and the legacy of late nineteenth-century eccentricity. Those seeking straightforward horror without satirical undertones may find the approach too idiosyncratic. Reviewers have noted similarities to Mark Twain, H. G. Wells, and Maurice Renard, highlighting the eclectic nature of the content. The collection stands as a proof of de Lautrec's complex character, hidden behind a smiling mask in public but fully exposed on these pages. It is a volume for those interested in the intersection of literary tradition and personal psychological depth.

💎 Our verdict on The Vengeance of the Oval Portrait

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
De Lautrec delivers a provocative blend of horror, fantasy, and science fiction through twenty-eight distinct narratives. His background in humor allows him to infuse traditional scares with Grand Guignol sensibilities and whimsical grotesquery. The work stands as a testament to his complex character, exposing hidden depths behind a smiling mask. While the eclectic nature might alienate some, it rewards those who enjoy genre mixing and literary playfulness. The text’s connection to Alphonse Allais and Mark Twain highlights its satirical edge. It is an unsettling yet thrilling experience for the discerning reader.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of literary tradition and psychological depth will find this volume compelling. It offers a unique window into the author's mind, blending horror with dark humor and sci-fi elements. Those familiar with Poe or Renard will recognize the stylistic debts while discovering a distinct voice. The book suits those interested in genre mixing and late nineteenth-century eccentricity. However, it may not appeal to readers seeking straightforward horror without satirical undertones. The collection provides connected thematic explorations rather than a linear plot, inviting deep engagement with its idiosyncratic tone.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

De Lautrec delivers a provocative blend of horror, fantasy, and science fiction through twenty-eight distinct narratives. His background in humor allows him to infuse traditional scares with Grand Guignol sensibilities and whimsical grotesquery. The work stands as a testament to his complex character, exposing hidden depths behind a smiling mask. While the eclectic nature might alienate some, it rewards those who enjoy genre mixing and literary playfulness. The text’s connection to Alphonse Allais and Mark Twain highlights its satirical edge. It is an unsettling yet thrilling experience for the discerning reader.

🏛 Books from this publisher Hollywood Comics

Sibilla: Deadly Circles
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nelly Chadour
Sibilla: Deadly Circles
$20.95
81
Read →
The Land of Everlasting Gloom: Napoleon's Vampire Hunters 3
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Frank Schildiner
The Land of Everlasting Gloom: Napoleon's Vampire Hunters 3
$24.95
78
Read →
The Return of Captain Vampire
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Brian Gallagher
The Return of Captain Vampire
$22.95
81
Read →
The Exigent Shadow
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Catulle Mendes
The Exigent Shadow
$22.95
86
Read →
The Spells of Frankenstein
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Frank Schildiner
The Spells of Frankenstein
$23.95
78
Read →
French Tales of Vampires (Volume 3)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Jean-Marc Lofficier
French Tales of Vampires (Volume 3)
$29.95
86
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Danse Macabre
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Paul LaCroix
Danse Macabre
$20.95
86
Read →
The Gates of Hell
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Maurice Level
The Gates of Hell
$20.95
86
Read →
Shadows of the Opera: Retribution in Blood
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Rick Lai
Shadows of the Opera: Retribution in Blood
$22.95
86
Read →
The Vampire Almanac (Volume 1)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jean-Marc Lofficier
The Vampire Almanac (Volume 1)
$22.95
86
Read →
The Exigent Shadow
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Catulle Mendes
The Exigent Shadow
$22.95
86
Read →
Martyrs of Science
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
S Henry Berthoud
Martyrs of Science
$29.95
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist