What do you think?
Rate this book
Green Tea / Mr. Justice Harbottle
These affections, I had read, are sometimes transitory and sometimes obstinate. I had read of cases in which the appearance, at first harmless, had, step by step, degenerated into something direful and insupportable, and ended by wearing its victim out. Still as I stood there, but for my bestial companion, quite alone, I tried to comfort myself by repeating again and again the assurance, 'the thing is purely disease, a well-known physical affection, as distinctly as small-pox or neuralgia. Doctors are all agreed on that, philosophy demonstrates it. I must not be a fool.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1872
About the author
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
1,268 books1,487 followersJoseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the nineteenth century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era. M.R. James described Le Fanu as "absolutely in the first rank as a writer of ghost stories". Three of his best-known works are Uncle Silas, Carmilla and The House by the Churchyard.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 13, 2025
Le Fanu Double Combo.
A free-domain collection with two long short stories by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the famously renowned author of Carmilla.
Meh. Can't say I'm a fan of this collection, or Le Fanu for that matter. As any classical author, he tends to go tediously over-descriptive sometimes, which severely dampens my enjoyment. His stories are good though, I really appreciate the ideas and can't understate their value. It's just his style man! And my patience.
Still looking forward to reading Carmilla; soon, very soon.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1872] [84p] [Collection] [2.25] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
???????? Carmilla.
★★★☆☆ Schalken the Painter.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea & Mr. Justice Harbottle.
-----------------------------------------------
Doble Combo Le Fanu.
Una colección de dominio libre con dos cuentos largos de J. Sheridan Le Fanu, el famoso autor de Carmilla.
Meh. No puedo decir que sea fan de esta colección, ni de Le Fanu dicho sea de paso. Como cualquier autor clásico, a veces tiende a ser tediosamente demasiado sobredescriptivo, lo cual perjudica severamente mi satisfacción. Aunque sus historias son buenas, realmente aprecio las ideas y no puedo subestimar su valor. ¡Es simplemente su estilo, hombre! Y mi paciencia.
Igual sigo queriendo leer Carmilla; pronto, muy pronto.
★★☆☆☆ Té Verde. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Sr. Justice Harbottle.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1872] [87p] [Colección] [2.25] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
A free-domain collection with two long short stories by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the famously renowned author of Carmilla.
Meh. Can't say I'm a fan of this collection, or Le Fanu for that matter. As any classical author, he tends to go tediously over-descriptive sometimes, which severely dampens my enjoyment. His stories are good though, I really appreciate the ideas and can't understate their value. It's just his style man! And my patience.
Still looking forward to reading Carmilla; soon, very soon.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1872] [84p] [Collection] [2.25] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
???????? Carmilla.
★★★☆☆ Schalken the Painter.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Mr. Justice Harbottle.
★★☆☆☆ Green Tea & Mr. Justice Harbottle.
-----------------------------------------------
Doble Combo Le Fanu.
Una colección de dominio libre con dos cuentos largos de J. Sheridan Le Fanu, el famoso autor de Carmilla.
Meh. No puedo decir que sea fan de esta colección, ni de Le Fanu dicho sea de paso. Como cualquier autor clásico, a veces tiende a ser tediosamente demasiado sobredescriptivo, lo cual perjudica severamente mi satisfacción. Aunque sus historias son buenas, realmente aprecio las ideas y no puedo subestimar su valor. ¡Es simplemente su estilo, hombre! Y mi paciencia.
Igual sigo queriendo leer Carmilla; pronto, muy pronto.
★★☆☆☆ Té Verde. [2.5]
★★☆☆☆ Sr. Justice Harbottle.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1872] [87p] [Colección] [2.25] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
August 2, 2018
These 2 stories are from the posthumous case notes of Occult Detective Dr. Martin Hesselius.
*Green Tea by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Green Tea helps open an English clergyman's "inner eye" and he is then tormented by a small Demonic Black Monkey!
"evil spirits may leave hell to associate with particular humans. but once they realize the human is in the material world they will seek to destroy him."
*Mr. Justice Harbottle by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu
A corrupt hanging judge ends up being tried by a jury of his victims, and is sentenced to die in 1 month. Not sure if it was a dream, the tension grows as the date grows nearer!
"They looked on the prisoner with fierce red eyes, and rested on their hammers for a minute; and said the elder to his companion, "Take out Elijah Harbottle's gyves;" and with a pincers he plucked the end which lay dazzling in the fire from the furnace."
*Green Tea by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Green Tea helps open an English clergyman's "inner eye" and he is then tormented by a small Demonic Black Monkey!
"evil spirits may leave hell to associate with particular humans. but once they realize the human is in the material world they will seek to destroy him."
*Mr. Justice Harbottle by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu
A corrupt hanging judge ends up being tried by a jury of his victims, and is sentenced to die in 1 month. Not sure if it was a dream, the tension grows as the date grows nearer!
"They looked on the prisoner with fierce red eyes, and rested on their hammers for a minute; and said the elder to his companion, "Take out Elijah Harbottle's gyves;" and with a pincers he plucked the end which lay dazzling in the fire from the furnace."
June 14, 2010
Green Tea and Mr. Justice Harbottle are two short stories by 19th Century author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. He was a popular writer of gothic fiction in his time and has provided the foundation for much of today’s horror and mystery genres.
Both stories are based on correspondence between Dr. Martin Hesselius and his friend, Professor Van Loo. The narrator explains that he is in possession of the letters and is using their contents to relay stories of unusual medical interest.
In “Green Tea,” there’s a constant conflict between devout religion and the newly evolving science of medicine. A tale of “goblins and demons,” the reader is never sure if the protagonist’s visions are hallucinations or the result of mental illness or if the story is about a demonic possession. After being harassed by the “monkey demon,” Mr. Jennings can no longer live with the torment so he takes his own life. The narrator blames the potential ill effects of ingesting too much green tea and the impact that can have on the mind.
“Mr. Justice Harbottle” is about ghostly revenge. As a judge, Justice Harbottle has a man executed so that he can take his wife on as his mistress. The judge begins having visions and is sent a summons to appear in an appellate court to be tried for his crimes. During the trial, the man he had executed is present. He is found guilty and sentenced to death with the execution to be carried out on a future date. He awakens and convinces himself that the entire episode was a nightmare. However, on the appointed date of the execution, Justice Harbottle is found hanging in his study. The reader is left to wonder if this was once again suicide brought on by stress or mental illness or if the sentence of the ghostly court had been carried out.
What was most entertaining about these stories is that, while they make mention of ghosts and demons, it’s a human condition that is central to creating the conflict. Like modern horror writers, using the theme of mental illness and one’s inability to control your own actions makes these tales scarier than any “monster” story. While the inclusion of suicide is not particularly shocking to a modern reader, one from the late 1800’s must have found this very disturbing and the stories would have a much more dramatic finale.
Both stories are based on correspondence between Dr. Martin Hesselius and his friend, Professor Van Loo. The narrator explains that he is in possession of the letters and is using their contents to relay stories of unusual medical interest.
In “Green Tea,” there’s a constant conflict between devout religion and the newly evolving science of medicine. A tale of “goblins and demons,” the reader is never sure if the protagonist’s visions are hallucinations or the result of mental illness or if the story is about a demonic possession. After being harassed by the “monkey demon,” Mr. Jennings can no longer live with the torment so he takes his own life. The narrator blames the potential ill effects of ingesting too much green tea and the impact that can have on the mind.
“Mr. Justice Harbottle” is about ghostly revenge. As a judge, Justice Harbottle has a man executed so that he can take his wife on as his mistress. The judge begins having visions and is sent a summons to appear in an appellate court to be tried for his crimes. During the trial, the man he had executed is present. He is found guilty and sentenced to death with the execution to be carried out on a future date. He awakens and convinces himself that the entire episode was a nightmare. However, on the appointed date of the execution, Justice Harbottle is found hanging in his study. The reader is left to wonder if this was once again suicide brought on by stress or mental illness or if the sentence of the ghostly court had been carried out.
What was most entertaining about these stories is that, while they make mention of ghosts and demons, it’s a human condition that is central to creating the conflict. Like modern horror writers, using the theme of mental illness and one’s inability to control your own actions makes these tales scarier than any “monster” story. While the inclusion of suicide is not particularly shocking to a modern reader, one from the late 1800’s must have found this very disturbing and the stories would have a much more dramatic finale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
September 30, 2010I read Green Tea on 9/30/10 for the Classic Horror Lovers Tales to Chill Your Blood short story series. I'll read Mr. Justice Harbottle at a later date.
Here is my review for Green Tea:
Interesting read. I felt bad for Mr. Jennings for what he suffered, and for so long. Being who he was, it seemed even worse for the poor fellow. I don't think it was just a nervous condition. I think it's kind of funny that large amounts of green tea seems to open the poor man's 'third eye.' My sister is an avid green tea drinker. I suppose I ought to warn her. Personally, it's a little too bitter for my tastes, but I digress.
Dr. Hesselius is an interesting protagonist, a doctor who treats the spirit and the body. I hope to read more of his stories.
As far as writing style, I found this a little more easy to read than Carmilla. Mr. Le Fanu writes beautifully, although not simply. That's okay. I kind of like the old-fashioned manner of writing of the prior centuries, and this one wasn't a tad dry like Carmilla was.
Like many classic horror short stories, the conclusion is sort of up to one's interpretation. That works for me. I never liked being spoon-fed ideas in literature.
Although not scary, there are some elements that are a bit eerie. Green Tea was a pretty satisfying story--a nice, quick read.
Here is my review for Green Tea:
Interesting read. I felt bad for Mr. Jennings for what he suffered, and for so long. Being who he was, it seemed even worse for the poor fellow. I don't think it was just a nervous condition. I think it's kind of funny that large amounts of green tea seems to open the poor man's 'third eye.' My sister is an avid green tea drinker. I suppose I ought to warn her. Personally, it's a little too bitter for my tastes, but I digress.
Dr. Hesselius is an interesting protagonist, a doctor who treats the spirit and the body. I hope to read more of his stories.
As far as writing style, I found this a little more easy to read than Carmilla. Mr. Le Fanu writes beautifully, although not simply. That's okay. I kind of like the old-fashioned manner of writing of the prior centuries, and this one wasn't a tad dry like Carmilla was.
Like many classic horror short stories, the conclusion is sort of up to one's interpretation. That works for me. I never liked being spoon-fed ideas in literature.
Although not scary, there are some elements that are a bit eerie. Green Tea was a pretty satisfying story--a nice, quick read.
March 24, 2012
Weird tales from Le Fanu. In the public domain, with a free electronic copy here.
October 22, 2010
Just because I love Le Fanu and must read everything by him. "Mr. Justice Harbottle" is slightly better than "Green Tea".
June 8, 2014
Nothing better than a monkey as an apparition!
October 26, 2014
I found the monkey surprisingly creepy!
November 30, 2018
Two short stories in one book: Each was a fair story that leaves one's imagination running.
July 15, 2020
Kindle edition, released 2016-06-01 in Storytel. 136 pages. Only read Green Tea.
January 22, 2022
Strange entertaining listening 🔰😈
Two will written short stories by Joseph Sheriden Le Fanu of fantasy of is it? I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read or readers of British mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚 or 🎶 listening 🔰 to 👍 books 2021 🏰😮
Two will written short stories by Joseph Sheriden Le Fanu of fantasy of is it? I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read or readers of British mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚 or 🎶 listening 🔰 to 👍 books 2021 🏰😮
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews