Visible and Invisible

Name: Visible and Invisible
Price: 62.90 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9783368903336

✍️ E F Benson

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$62.90

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

E. F. Benson’s second collection features haunting spectres in unique supernatural roles.

Bill Kerwin notes that Benson was haunted by large, cheerful, middle-aged female spectres. These figures drive the plot in stories like The Outcast and Inscrutable Decrees. Mrs. Amworth stands out as a conventional yet terrifying vampire tale. Negotium Perambulans introduces divine vengeance through a giant slug. Roderick's Story offers a benign haunting perspective. The collection blends emotional sadism with supernatural horror. It challenges standard ghost story tropes by focusing on specific, vividly drawn female entities. Readers interested in psychological depth will find value in these distinct narratives.

Key Themes

spectres divine vengeance benign haunting

Literary Context

Published by Outlook Verlag in 2023, this edition reissues Benson’s second ghost story collection. The work reflects late nineteenth-century gothic traditions and early twentieth-century supernatural fiction styles.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier

🦇

Vampires

🏛 Outlook Verlag 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9783368903336

📝 Description: Visible and Invisible

E. F. Benson presents his second collection of ghost stories in Visible and Invisible. This volume focuses on specific spectres characterized as large, attractive, cheerful, outgoing, middle-aged women. The narrative structure relies on distinct tales to explore these entities across different supernatural frameworks. Readers encounter a reincarnation of Judas in The Outcast, an emotional sadist and murderer by omission in Inscrutable Decrees, and a terrifying vampire in Mrs. Amworth. Benson also includes Negotium Perambulans, which features a giant slug acting as an instrument of divine vengeance, alongside Roderick's Story, a rare account of a benign haunting that offers a shiver and a sense of a world beyond. This collection suits readers interested in late Victorian and early twentieth-century gothic fiction. It appeals to those who appreciate psychological horror and unconventional monster archetypes over traditional jump scares. The book may not satisfy audiences seeking modern fast-paced thrillers or historical non-fiction. Benson’s work draws on established supernatural traditions while subverting typical ghost story expectations through its unique characterizations. The inclusion of Mrs. Amworth provides one of the best supernatural tales ever written, according to Bill Kerwin. The organization allows for varied tonal shifts between malevolent spirits and divine retribution. Readers looking for a cohesive novel will find this a disjointed but compelling anthology of short fiction.

💎 Our verdict on Visible and Invisible

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

E.F. Benson’s Visible and Invisible stands as a compelling exploration of the ghost story genre, challenging standard tropes through its focus on specific, vividly drawn female spectres. The collection excels in blending emotional sadism with supernatural horror, offering narratives that range from terrifying vampire tales to benign haunting perspectives. It is best suited for readers who appreciate psychological depth and unconventional monster archetypes over traditional shock tactics. While it may not satisfy those seeking historical non-fiction or modern thrillers, it offers a rich experience for fans of gothic fiction. The inclusion of diverse supernatural frameworks ensures varied tonal shifts, making it a valuable addition for those interested in the evolution of horror literature during this pivotal period.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in psychological depth and unconventional monster archetypes will find significant value in this collection. It appeals to those who appreciate late Victorian and early twentieth-century gothic fiction over modern fast-paced thrillers. The volume offers a distinct experience by focusing on specific, vividly drawn female entities and divine vengeance rather than standard jump scares. Fans of cosmic and psychological horror will enjoy the emotional sadism and supernatural roles explored here. It is particularly suitable for those who want to explore how established traditions can be twisted through unique narrative structures and tonal shifts between malevolent spirits and benign hauntings.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

E.F. Benson’s Visible and Invisible stands as a compelling exploration of the ghost story genre, challenging standard tropes through its focus on specific, vividly drawn female spectres. The collection excels in blending emotional sadism with supernatural horror, offering narratives that range from terrifying vampire tales to benign haunting perspectives. It is best suited for readers who appreciate psychological depth and unconventional monster archetypes over traditional shock tactics. While it may not satisfy those seeking historical non-fiction or modern thrillers, it offers a rich experience for fans of gothic fiction. The inclusion of diverse supernatural frameworks ensures varied tonal shifts, making it a valuable addition for those interested in the evolution of horror literature during this pivotal period.