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Green Tea and Other Weird Stories
'Well, a corpse is a natural thing; but this was the dreadfullest sight I ever sid...'
Sheridan Le Fanu is one of the indispensable figures in the history of Gothic and horror fiction-the most important such writer in English, certainly, between Poe and M. R. James. While a number of his sensation and mystery novels were popular with mid-Victorian readers, it was in shorter forms that he truly excelled, and most showed himself an innovator in the field of uncanny fiction. Tales such as 'Carmilla' and 'Green Tea' prompted M. R. James to remark, 'he succeeds in inspiring a
mysterious terror better than any other writer'.
This landmark critical edition includes the original versions of all five stories later collected in the superb In a Glass Darkly, along with seven equally chilling tales spanning the length of Le Fanu's career, from 'Schalken the Painter', a pioneering story of the walking dead, to 'Laura Silver Bell', a haunting exploration of the dark side of fairy lore.
Aaron Worth's introduction discusses the paranoid, claustrophobic world of Le Fanu's fiction as a counterpoint-one in its own way equally modern-to the cosmic horror tale as practiced by such writers as H. P. Lovecraft.
Stories
- Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter
- The Watcher
- An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street
- Borrhomeo the Astrologer
- Wicked Captain Walshawe of Wauling
- Green Tea
- Madam Crowl's Ghost
- The Haunted Baronet
- The Haunted House in Westminster
- The Room in the Dragon Volant
- Carmilla
- Laura Silver Bell
Sheridan Le Fanu is one of the indispensable figures in the history of Gothic and horror fiction-the most important such writer in English, certainly, between Poe and M. R. James. While a number of his sensation and mystery novels were popular with mid-Victorian readers, it was in shorter forms that he truly excelled, and most showed himself an innovator in the field of uncanny fiction. Tales such as 'Carmilla' and 'Green Tea' prompted M. R. James to remark, 'he succeeds in inspiring a
mysterious terror better than any other writer'.
This landmark critical edition includes the original versions of all five stories later collected in the superb In a Glass Darkly, along with seven equally chilling tales spanning the length of Le Fanu's career, from 'Schalken the Painter', a pioneering story of the walking dead, to 'Laura Silver Bell', a haunting exploration of the dark side of fairy lore.
Aaron Worth's introduction discusses the paranoid, claustrophobic world of Le Fanu's fiction as a counterpoint-one in its own way equally modern-to the cosmic horror tale as practiced by such writers as H. P. Lovecraft.
Stories
- Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter
- The Watcher
- An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street
- Borrhomeo the Astrologer
- Wicked Captain Walshawe of Wauling
- Green Tea
- Madam Crowl's Ghost
- The Haunted Baronet
- The Haunted House in Westminster
- The Room in the Dragon Volant
- Carmilla
- Laura Silver Bell
498 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1872
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215 people want to read
About the author
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
1,364 books1,380 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 22, 2022
Here is an obvious connexion between the material and the invisible; the healthy tone of the system, and its unimpaired energy, may, for aught we can tell, guard us against influences which would otherwise render life itself terrific.
Published 150 years ago at the time of this review, J. Sheridan Le Fanu's seminal Gothic horror collection In a Glass Darkly would go on to inspire authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram Stoker, and H.P. Lovecraft; it remains influential and relevant to modern authors and readers alike. This collection, published by Oxford University Press, could be thought of as In a Glass Darkly On Steroids; all five stories from IaGD are represented (two as the original version of the stories rather than the later revised version) and there are several additional stories presented as well, with copious notes and an enlightening Introduction (as usual for OUP) that make this collection the superior survey of Le Fanu's short works.
1. Stories from In a Glass Darkly:
- Green Tea - 4/5
- The Room in the Dragon Volant - 4/5
- Carmilla - 4/5
2. Slightly different versions of stories from In a Glass Darkly:
- The Watcher - 3/5 (an earlier version of "The Familiar" - the notes make clear what changes were made for the IaGD version)
- The Haunted House in Westminster - 4/5 (the original version of "Mr. Justice Harbottle" - very few changes beyond the title were made and these are enumerated further in the Notes; a prologue was added for IaGD and this also is included in the Notes)
3. Stories NOT included in In a Glass Darkly:
- Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter - 4/5
- An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street - 4/5
- Borrhomeo the Astrologer - 4/5
- Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling - 3/5
- Madam Crowl's Ghost - 4/5
- The Haunted Baronet - 4/5
- Laura Silver Bell -4/5
What a fool I was! and yet, in the sight of angels, are we any wiser as we grow older? It seems to me, only, that our illusions change as we go on; but, still, we are madmen all the same.
Published 150 years ago at the time of this review, J. Sheridan Le Fanu's seminal Gothic horror collection In a Glass Darkly would go on to inspire authors such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram Stoker, and H.P. Lovecraft; it remains influential and relevant to modern authors and readers alike. This collection, published by Oxford University Press, could be thought of as In a Glass Darkly On Steroids; all five stories from IaGD are represented (two as the original version of the stories rather than the later revised version) and there are several additional stories presented as well, with copious notes and an enlightening Introduction (as usual for OUP) that make this collection the superior survey of Le Fanu's short works.
1. Stories from In a Glass Darkly:
- Green Tea - 4/5
- The Room in the Dragon Volant - 4/5
- Carmilla - 4/5
2. Slightly different versions of stories from In a Glass Darkly:
- The Watcher - 3/5 (an earlier version of "The Familiar" - the notes make clear what changes were made for the IaGD version)
- The Haunted House in Westminster - 4/5 (the original version of "Mr. Justice Harbottle" - very few changes beyond the title were made and these are enumerated further in the Notes; a prologue was added for IaGD and this also is included in the Notes)
3. Stories NOT included in In a Glass Darkly:
- Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter - 4/5
- An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street - 4/5
- Borrhomeo the Astrologer - 4/5
- Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling - 3/5
- Madam Crowl's Ghost - 4/5
- The Haunted Baronet - 4/5
- Laura Silver Bell -4/5
What a fool I was! and yet, in the sight of angels, are we any wiser as we grow older? It seems to me, only, that our illusions change as we go on; but, still, we are madmen all the same.
March 1, 2021
Read after dark… 5 stars
In terms of horror writing, it could be said that Sheridan Le Fanu needs no introduction, but in fact the introduction in this new Oxford World’s Classics collection of his work adds a lot of interesting insight into his life and work. Aaron Worth, Associate Professor of Rhetoric at Boston University, discusses whether Le Fanu was really the originator of weird fiction, as a term as well as a sub-genre, as is sometimes claimed. This, of course, depends very much on how the term ‘weird fiction’ is defined, and Worth shows how it has changed over time, from something implying “a coherent, ordered cosmic system” to its currently popular meaning of “cosmic meaningless”. He also discusses the influence on Le Fanu’s work of his position as an Anglo-Irish Protestant of Huguenot descent living as part of a ruling class over a largely Catholic country.
Personally I think of Le Fanu as Gothic rather than weird, but all these definitions are a bit vague round the edges and tend to meld into one another. However he is classified, there’s no doubt he wrote some great stories and influenced many of the writers who came after him. This collection contains twelve stories, three of them novella length, and an exceptionally fine bunch they are, including some of his best known such as Green Tea, Schalken the Painter and my own favourite vampire story, the wonderful Carmilla. Individually I gave six of them the full five stars, and the other six got either four or four and a half, so this ranks as one of the most highly rated horror collections I’ve reviewed. In most cases where more than one version of the story exists, Worth has gone back to the original and that seemed to me to work very well – there were a few of the stories I’d read before that I enjoyed more here, either because later changes had been stripped out or because the excellent notes provided extra information that enhanced my reading. I’ve said it before, but this is another example of how a well curated collection can become greater than the sum of its parts.
When so many of the stories are good, it’s hard to pick just a few to highlight, but these are ones I particularly enjoyed:
Borrhomeo the Astrologer – Set in Milan in 1630, a plague year. Borrhomeo is an alchemist, seeking the elixir of life and the potion that will turn lead into gold. The devil, disguised as a young man, turns up and tempts him by giving him enough of the elixir to allow him to live for a thousand years. But in return he must go out and spread the pestilence to all the churches and holy houses in the city. The moral of the story is – never trust the devil offering gifts! Borrhomeo’s fate may be well deserved but I’m not sure what the Court of Human Rights would have to say about it… 😱
Green Tea – The story of a clergyman who, through drinking too much green tea, begins to hallucinate – or is it real? - a monkey that goes everywhere with him. This is bad enough, but when the monkey begins to speak, cursing foully and blasphemously, the clergyman finds he can no longer pray. He contacts Dr Hesselius, a specialist in such matters of the mind, but will Hesselius be able to find a cure for his problem before it’s too late? There’s lots in this about Swedenborg – a Swedish theologian and philosopher whose rather strange ideas, Worth tells us, Le Fanu used more than once as an influence for his stories.
The Haunted House in Westminster – This story is probably better known as Mr Justice Harbottle from Le Fanu’s In a Glass Darkly collection, but here Worth has given us the original, and for me it works better in this format. The corrupt and cruel hanging judge deliberately hangs a man whose wife he has taken to be his housekeeper – a euphemism for mistress, of course. But the judge then receives a letter warning him he will be tried for this crime in a “Court of Appeals”. This is no ordinary part of the justice system though – one night the judge falls asleep and finds himself in a very strange and frightening court, waiting for judgement to be handed down...
Carmilla – not the first vampire story, but one of the best and certainly one of the most influential on the vampire genre. This is novella length, which allows room for character development, but keeps it tighter and more focused than a full length novel would be (looking at you, Dracula!). When a young girl falls ill close to Laura’s isolated Gothic Austrian home, Laura’s father takes her in. Laura feels immediately drawn to her, having dreamt about her in childhood. But Carmilla has a secret… and sharp teeth! Full of mild lesbian eroticism and a wonderful mix of the Gothic and folklore traditions, this has some great horror imagery, such as the coffin half-filled with blood in which the vampire sleeps. Much better than Dracula’s dirt!
Wonderful stuff! Enough horror to satisfy those who like to shiver, but also great writing and lots to analyse for those who prefer to dig a little deeper, guided by an expert. Highly recommended!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Oxford World’s Classics.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
In terms of horror writing, it could be said that Sheridan Le Fanu needs no introduction, but in fact the introduction in this new Oxford World’s Classics collection of his work adds a lot of interesting insight into his life and work. Aaron Worth, Associate Professor of Rhetoric at Boston University, discusses whether Le Fanu was really the originator of weird fiction, as a term as well as a sub-genre, as is sometimes claimed. This, of course, depends very much on how the term ‘weird fiction’ is defined, and Worth shows how it has changed over time, from something implying “a coherent, ordered cosmic system” to its currently popular meaning of “cosmic meaningless”. He also discusses the influence on Le Fanu’s work of his position as an Anglo-Irish Protestant of Huguenot descent living as part of a ruling class over a largely Catholic country.
Personally I think of Le Fanu as Gothic rather than weird, but all these definitions are a bit vague round the edges and tend to meld into one another. However he is classified, there’s no doubt he wrote some great stories and influenced many of the writers who came after him. This collection contains twelve stories, three of them novella length, and an exceptionally fine bunch they are, including some of his best known such as Green Tea, Schalken the Painter and my own favourite vampire story, the wonderful Carmilla. Individually I gave six of them the full five stars, and the other six got either four or four and a half, so this ranks as one of the most highly rated horror collections I’ve reviewed. In most cases where more than one version of the story exists, Worth has gone back to the original and that seemed to me to work very well – there were a few of the stories I’d read before that I enjoyed more here, either because later changes had been stripped out or because the excellent notes provided extra information that enhanced my reading. I’ve said it before, but this is another example of how a well curated collection can become greater than the sum of its parts.
When so many of the stories are good, it’s hard to pick just a few to highlight, but these are ones I particularly enjoyed:
Borrhomeo the Astrologer – Set in Milan in 1630, a plague year. Borrhomeo is an alchemist, seeking the elixir of life and the potion that will turn lead into gold. The devil, disguised as a young man, turns up and tempts him by giving him enough of the elixir to allow him to live for a thousand years. But in return he must go out and spread the pestilence to all the churches and holy houses in the city. The moral of the story is – never trust the devil offering gifts! Borrhomeo’s fate may be well deserved but I’m not sure what the Court of Human Rights would have to say about it… 😱
Green Tea – The story of a clergyman who, through drinking too much green tea, begins to hallucinate – or is it real? - a monkey that goes everywhere with him. This is bad enough, but when the monkey begins to speak, cursing foully and blasphemously, the clergyman finds he can no longer pray. He contacts Dr Hesselius, a specialist in such matters of the mind, but will Hesselius be able to find a cure for his problem before it’s too late? There’s lots in this about Swedenborg – a Swedish theologian and philosopher whose rather strange ideas, Worth tells us, Le Fanu used more than once as an influence for his stories.
The Haunted House in Westminster – This story is probably better known as Mr Justice Harbottle from Le Fanu’s In a Glass Darkly collection, but here Worth has given us the original, and for me it works better in this format. The corrupt and cruel hanging judge deliberately hangs a man whose wife he has taken to be his housekeeper – a euphemism for mistress, of course. But the judge then receives a letter warning him he will be tried for this crime in a “Court of Appeals”. This is no ordinary part of the justice system though – one night the judge falls asleep and finds himself in a very strange and frightening court, waiting for judgement to be handed down...
Carmilla – not the first vampire story, but one of the best and certainly one of the most influential on the vampire genre. This is novella length, which allows room for character development, but keeps it tighter and more focused than a full length novel would be (looking at you, Dracula!). When a young girl falls ill close to Laura’s isolated Gothic Austrian home, Laura’s father takes her in. Laura feels immediately drawn to her, having dreamt about her in childhood. But Carmilla has a secret… and sharp teeth! Full of mild lesbian eroticism and a wonderful mix of the Gothic and folklore traditions, this has some great horror imagery, such as the coffin half-filled with blood in which the vampire sleeps. Much better than Dracula’s dirt!
Wonderful stuff! Enough horror to satisfy those who like to shiver, but also great writing and lots to analyse for those who prefer to dig a little deeper, guided by an expert. Highly recommended!
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Oxford World’s Classics.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
December 3, 2025
Synapses are spoiler-free.
This collection contains two novellas, several longer than average short stories and a few average length short stories. For the most part count on taking a few hours to days to read them. It's a grand selection of his tales. It's not a collection of his best work but a couple of his best stories are here. Arguably the best. "Carmilla" and a great favourit of mine "The Haunted House of Westminster" aka "Mr Justice Harbottle". This is a good selection of his longer works with a few short ones thrown in for palette cleansers. If you want to try some weird long short stories and novellas of the classic "Weird" variety these are perfect. The whole book as a collection warrants a 4 from me. (4/5)
1. Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter (1839) - A mysterious stranger comes in the shadows of night and performs rituals to prove he is beyond wealthy enough to marry an artist's daughter. Incredibly creepy. I have a feeling I've read this before. It's perfect horror by the author. I'm just not into the painting/artist theme. (4/5)
2. The Watcher (1847) - This is a long short story or a short novella. A Captain receives an anonymous letter stating he'll catch his death on the street he just came home on. Signed The Watcher.He had heard mysterious footsteps coming home that night. Next night he certainly hears the steps behind him and they scare him and he gets another more threatening letter. This was a good well-structured supernatural plot.The supernatural element was a bit corny for modern-day audiences to actually feel scared but thinking back to a contemporary reader they would have most likely felt quite spooked by the atmosphere of the supernatural element. Decent story (3/5)
3. An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street (1853) - Two students take lodgings in the house mentioned in the title and right away they start to have night visitations in their rooms but don't tell each other. One does believe in the supernatural but is always chided by the other who does not so both are in a situation where it is best to not to tell the other. One quickly decides to go visit his father and the other is left to deal with it on his own. A well done piece. Sheridan can always be counted on for good plotting and writing. The story is interesting. We go in blind and get info on the House as we go along with the most at the end. (4/5)
4. Borrhomeo the Astrologer (1862) - I was initially reluctant to engage with this story, as I typically do not enjoy Victorian tales centered on astrology; however, this narrative focused on alchemy, which I found appealing. One night, Borrhomeo is visited by a man who possesses the secrets to eternal youth and the transmutation of lead into gold, ultimately to his own detriment. This suspenseful tale conveys a cautionary message about the dangers of greed. (4/5)
5. Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling (1864) - A roguish scamp weds a plain heiress to secure her wealth. He skillfully squanders the fortune, retaining only what he requires, ultimately passing away as a corpulent old man. When the new owner spends a night in the residence, he experiences disturbing nightmares. An excellent tale that explores themes of avarice and the supernatural. (4/5)
6. Green Tea (1869) - This work enjoys a popularity and scholarly attention comparable to that of "Carmilla," which initially heightened my enthusiasm; nevertheless, I found it somewhat underwhelming. Derived from the case records of a renowned physicia¹1n, Dr. Hesselius, the narrative recounts the ordeal of a man pursued by a spectral monkey that exerts a compulsive influence over his actions—though hpe has, to date, resisted its control. The rationale behind this phenomenon appears somewhat absurd when viewed through a contemporary, 21st-century lens. Moreover, the depiction of the monkey carries a certain comedic quality, likely stemming from anxieties elicited by Darwin’s then-recent evolutionary theories. Consequently, the tale struggles to command the gravity it seemingly aspires to, and there were moments when it verged on outright tedium. My apologies, Sheridan. (2/5)
7. Madam Crowl's Ghost (1870) - A 13-year-old girl lands a night maid position working for a very elderly, wealthy woman, thanks to her aunt who secured the job for her. The woman is suffering from dementia, and the staff keep a close watch on her. There’s an air of mystery unfolding, which the girl quietly investigates. The story is engaging but somewhat predictable, with the journey to uncovering the truth proving more captivating than the actual revelation. The dialogue is rendered in dialect, requiring frequent reference to the notes at the back for clarity. Nonetheless, it’s a decent read. (3/5)
8. The Haunted Baronet (1870) - The novella opens with Sir Bale Mardykes' return to his ancestral estate, stirring excitement and curiosity among the locals. However, they quickly realize he is a brooding, irritable, and withdrawn figure. He is a man few are eager to befriend. Despite this, he forms a handful of connections and inadvertently attracts a curse. The narrative is captivating, woven with multiple intriguing plotlines, although some remain unresolved. Its eerie atmosphere and uncanny elements make for a hauntingly unique tale. (4/5)
9. The Haunted House of Westminster (aka. Mr Justice Harbottle) (1872) - Judge Harbottle stands out as the harshest judge imaginable: stern, sarcastic, and downright formidable. This story unfolds the eerie experiences of someone familiar with the metaphysical occurrences marking the final months of his life. It’s a captivating tale where supernatural elements seamlessly intertwine with real-life events, though not in real time. I absolutely adored it. It’s my favorite story in the collection so far, even surpassing "Carmilla." The narrative follows a chronological path until the dramatic reveals at the end. Harbottle is the only deeply developed character, commanding the spotlight with his intense and imposing presence. The rest remain peripheral, with only minimal details provided. Despite being fully thirty pages long with small print, I barely moved from my spot for hours. Truly brilliant. (5/5)
10. A young businessman heads to Paris, where he stumbles upon an opportunity to assist a Count and his young Countess out of a tricky predicament. Along the way, he finds himself falling for her. In the city of lights, he stays vigilant, searching for them, or rather, for her, and by a stroke of luck, their paths cross again. Together, they plunge into thrilling midnight escapades filled with romance and daring exploits that soon spiral into deadly danger. I absolutely adored this! Nighttime adventures are a favorite of mine, and this story kept me guessing every step of the way. I even caught on just before a clever hint of foreshadowing, which made me feel pretty savvy, and I thoroughly enjoyed the villainous twists at the end. (5/5)
11. Carmilla (1872) - A carriage has an accident right in front of the narrator's castle, and a young, beautiful girl is taken into the house. Her mother asks to leave her there while she goes speedily on important business. The girl is mysterious, sleeping all day, being especially loving and turning the narrator into trances, but her health is ailing, everything is all dramatic, spooky Gothic. I loved it, perfect Victorian Gothic horror all the thrills and chills. However, I don't get how everybody says this is a romance. Our narrator doesn't return the feelings; she has to be put in a trance to comply, and she has feelings of repulsion while fighting the trance. Carmilla is evil, not romantic, in my point of view. For one of our first vampire stories, some of the rules have been set here. She can't be up in the sunlight and the killing method of a stake through the heart and decapitating is put forward. Finally, the ending does not let us rest easy. (5/5)
12. Laura Silver Bell (1872) - The local midwife, rumored to be a witch, meets a tall, scruffy man dressed in black on the moors. He claims to be a lord and confesses his love for a local girl. He instructs her to be prepared that evening, but she refuses and quickly departs. This encounter introduces us to the tale of Laura Silver Bell, a hapless young girl. While the story isn’t without merit, it’s hardly a satisfying conclusion. Personally, I believe the settings of this tale and the previous novella would have worked better if they had been reversed. (3/5)
This collection contains two novellas, several longer than average short stories and a few average length short stories. For the most part count on taking a few hours to days to read them. It's a grand selection of his tales. It's not a collection of his best work but a couple of his best stories are here. Arguably the best. "Carmilla" and a great favourit of mine "The Haunted House of Westminster" aka "Mr Justice Harbottle". This is a good selection of his longer works with a few short ones thrown in for palette cleansers. If you want to try some weird long short stories and novellas of the classic "Weird" variety these are perfect. The whole book as a collection warrants a 4 from me. (4/5)
1. Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter (1839) - A mysterious stranger comes in the shadows of night and performs rituals to prove he is beyond wealthy enough to marry an artist's daughter. Incredibly creepy. I have a feeling I've read this before. It's perfect horror by the author. I'm just not into the painting/artist theme. (4/5)
2. The Watcher (1847) - This is a long short story or a short novella. A Captain receives an anonymous letter stating he'll catch his death on the street he just came home on. Signed The Watcher.He had heard mysterious footsteps coming home that night. Next night he certainly hears the steps behind him and they scare him and he gets another more threatening letter. This was a good well-structured supernatural plot.The supernatural element was a bit corny for modern-day audiences to actually feel scared but thinking back to a contemporary reader they would have most likely felt quite spooked by the atmosphere of the supernatural element. Decent story (3/5)
3. An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street (1853) - Two students take lodgings in the house mentioned in the title and right away they start to have night visitations in their rooms but don't tell each other. One does believe in the supernatural but is always chided by the other who does not so both are in a situation where it is best to not to tell the other. One quickly decides to go visit his father and the other is left to deal with it on his own. A well done piece. Sheridan can always be counted on for good plotting and writing. The story is interesting. We go in blind and get info on the House as we go along with the most at the end. (4/5)
4. Borrhomeo the Astrologer (1862) - I was initially reluctant to engage with this story, as I typically do not enjoy Victorian tales centered on astrology; however, this narrative focused on alchemy, which I found appealing. One night, Borrhomeo is visited by a man who possesses the secrets to eternal youth and the transmutation of lead into gold, ultimately to his own detriment. This suspenseful tale conveys a cautionary message about the dangers of greed. (4/5)
5. Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling (1864) - A roguish scamp weds a plain heiress to secure her wealth. He skillfully squanders the fortune, retaining only what he requires, ultimately passing away as a corpulent old man. When the new owner spends a night in the residence, he experiences disturbing nightmares. An excellent tale that explores themes of avarice and the supernatural. (4/5)
6. Green Tea (1869) - This work enjoys a popularity and scholarly attention comparable to that of "Carmilla," which initially heightened my enthusiasm; nevertheless, I found it somewhat underwhelming. Derived from the case records of a renowned physicia¹1n, Dr. Hesselius, the narrative recounts the ordeal of a man pursued by a spectral monkey that exerts a compulsive influence over his actions—though hpe has, to date, resisted its control. The rationale behind this phenomenon appears somewhat absurd when viewed through a contemporary, 21st-century lens. Moreover, the depiction of the monkey carries a certain comedic quality, likely stemming from anxieties elicited by Darwin’s then-recent evolutionary theories. Consequently, the tale struggles to command the gravity it seemingly aspires to, and there were moments when it verged on outright tedium. My apologies, Sheridan. (2/5)
7. Madam Crowl's Ghost (1870) - A 13-year-old girl lands a night maid position working for a very elderly, wealthy woman, thanks to her aunt who secured the job for her. The woman is suffering from dementia, and the staff keep a close watch on her. There’s an air of mystery unfolding, which the girl quietly investigates. The story is engaging but somewhat predictable, with the journey to uncovering the truth proving more captivating than the actual revelation. The dialogue is rendered in dialect, requiring frequent reference to the notes at the back for clarity. Nonetheless, it’s a decent read. (3/5)
8. The Haunted Baronet (1870) - The novella opens with Sir Bale Mardykes' return to his ancestral estate, stirring excitement and curiosity among the locals. However, they quickly realize he is a brooding, irritable, and withdrawn figure. He is a man few are eager to befriend. Despite this, he forms a handful of connections and inadvertently attracts a curse. The narrative is captivating, woven with multiple intriguing plotlines, although some remain unresolved. Its eerie atmosphere and uncanny elements make for a hauntingly unique tale. (4/5)
9. The Haunted House of Westminster (aka. Mr Justice Harbottle) (1872) - Judge Harbottle stands out as the harshest judge imaginable: stern, sarcastic, and downright formidable. This story unfolds the eerie experiences of someone familiar with the metaphysical occurrences marking the final months of his life. It’s a captivating tale where supernatural elements seamlessly intertwine with real-life events, though not in real time. I absolutely adored it. It’s my favorite story in the collection so far, even surpassing "Carmilla." The narrative follows a chronological path until the dramatic reveals at the end. Harbottle is the only deeply developed character, commanding the spotlight with his intense and imposing presence. The rest remain peripheral, with only minimal details provided. Despite being fully thirty pages long with small print, I barely moved from my spot for hours. Truly brilliant. (5/5)
10. A young businessman heads to Paris, where he stumbles upon an opportunity to assist a Count and his young Countess out of a tricky predicament. Along the way, he finds himself falling for her. In the city of lights, he stays vigilant, searching for them, or rather, for her, and by a stroke of luck, their paths cross again. Together, they plunge into thrilling midnight escapades filled with romance and daring exploits that soon spiral into deadly danger. I absolutely adored this! Nighttime adventures are a favorite of mine, and this story kept me guessing every step of the way. I even caught on just before a clever hint of foreshadowing, which made me feel pretty savvy, and I thoroughly enjoyed the villainous twists at the end. (5/5)
11. Carmilla (1872) - A carriage has an accident right in front of the narrator's castle, and a young, beautiful girl is taken into the house. Her mother asks to leave her there while she goes speedily on important business. The girl is mysterious, sleeping all day, being especially loving and turning the narrator into trances, but her health is ailing, everything is all dramatic, spooky Gothic. I loved it, perfect Victorian Gothic horror all the thrills and chills. However, I don't get how everybody says this is a romance. Our narrator doesn't return the feelings; she has to be put in a trance to comply, and she has feelings of repulsion while fighting the trance. Carmilla is evil, not romantic, in my point of view. For one of our first vampire stories, some of the rules have been set here. She can't be up in the sunlight and the killing method of a stake through the heart and decapitating is put forward. Finally, the ending does not let us rest easy. (5/5)
12. Laura Silver Bell (1872) - The local midwife, rumored to be a witch, meets a tall, scruffy man dressed in black on the moors. He claims to be a lord and confesses his love for a local girl. He instructs her to be prepared that evening, but she refuses and quickly departs. This encounter introduces us to the tale of Laura Silver Bell, a hapless young girl. While the story isn’t without merit, it’s hardly a satisfying conclusion. Personally, I believe the settings of this tale and the previous novella would have worked better if they had been reversed. (3/5)
August 14, 2025
When thinking about the roots of Horror Fiction, one of the names that repeatedly comes up is Joseph Sheridan (J. S.) Le Fanu.
An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street is a haunted house horror of the first order, although it is representative of its time (its trappings identify it as a Gothic story).
”There was the stony face, with its infernal lineaments of malignity and despair, gloating on me.”
The Haunted Baronet is Gothic 101: it features dark family secrets, murder, ghosts, familiars, revenge, high drama and romance.
The creepy little monkey of Green Tea gives a whole new meaning to the concept of having a “monkey on your back”
Borrhomeo the Astrologer is grim as heck, Edgar Allan Poe style.
And then there is Carmilla. Unnerving, risque, and the precursor to Dracula.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea. So I'll stop now, and just recommend the hell out of this.
The only negative thing I can say about this collection is that it doesn't contain Ultor De Lacy. Fortunately, I read this in conjunction with Madam Crowl's Ghost and Other Stories.
”I wish you a very good night…
and pleasant dreams.”
An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street is a haunted house horror of the first order, although it is representative of its time (its trappings identify it as a Gothic story).
”There was the stony face, with its infernal lineaments of malignity and despair, gloating on me.”
The Haunted Baronet is Gothic 101: it features dark family secrets, murder, ghosts, familiars, revenge, high drama and romance.
The creepy little monkey of Green Tea gives a whole new meaning to the concept of having a “monkey on your back”
Borrhomeo the Astrologer is grim as heck, Edgar Allan Poe style.
And then there is Carmilla. Unnerving, risque, and the precursor to Dracula.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea. So I'll stop now, and just recommend the hell out of this.
The only negative thing I can say about this collection is that it doesn't contain Ultor De Lacy. Fortunately, I read this in conjunction with Madam Crowl's Ghost and Other Stories.
”I wish you a very good night…
and pleasant dreams.”
June 28, 2021
Green Tea and Other Weird Stories is an excellent collection of the finer tales of J. Sheridan Le Fanu. This Oxford World's Classics edition has an inciteful introduction to Le Fanu and his work by Aaron Worth. The bountiful notes are elucidating, informative and to the point, unlike some other annotated volumes of Le Fanu I've been reading lately (e.g., M. Grant Kellermeyer's Carmilla, Green Tea and Other Horrors, The Best Ghost Stories and Weird Fiction of J. Sheridan Le Fanu). I would have liked a larger collection beyond the dozen tales included but I'm sure there were restraints placed on the editor. Still, Green Tea and Other Weird Stories is a representative offering, and if one plans to read only one Le Fanu volume this is much better than most.
November 13, 2023
Overall excellent collection of Gothic/horror/ghost stories. This was my first time reading Le Fanu and I was impressed by how creepy some of his stories were, even 150 years later. “Carmilla” was, of course, a standout, but so were many of his other works I had no prior knowledge of. One I found particularly good at building tension with an eerie sense of unease was “The Haunted Baronet.” I also found “The Watcher” and “An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street” to be an effective mixture of man-made and supernatural horrors. “The Room in the Dragon Volant” had elements of Hitchcock in post-Napoleonic France. I definitely plan to read more of Le Fanu’s works in the future.
November 12, 2022
Well-edited, with an outstanding introduction and detailed end-notes, this is an ideal introduction to Le Fanny’s short fiction and includes much of his best work. My only quibble is the inclusion of every tale from “In a Glass Darkly,” already available in another Oxford edition: leaving out “Dragon Volant,” most certainly not a “weird tale,” would have allowed Worth to include half a dozen other tales otherwise hard to find in print.
July 28, 2021
Really enjoyable collection of Le Fanu stories. I particularly loved the longer ones, "The Haunted Baronet," "Room in the Dragon Volant," and of course, "Carmilla". I appreciated the thoroughness of the notes in this edition but some of them seemed unnecessary. There were also a few spoilers in the notes, which as a new reader I always dislike.
Read
February 13, 2023I only read up to 5 of the short stories but I will return
December 6, 2025
Dottor Jekyll e mr Hyde se Hyde fosse una scimmia.
September 19, 2021
1. "Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter": 3 - I read this in Jones' Horror Stories: Classic Tales from Hoffmann to Hodgson anthology. I'm not 100% sure what happened lol, but it was the good, ambiguous weird.
2. "The Watcher": 1.5 - It started out okay, then got a little interesting and then became very slow.
3. "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street": 3 - Classic haunted house story. I enjoyed the writing style, and it definitely had creep factor.
4. "Borrhomeo the Astrologer": 3 - An alchemist makes a deal with a mysterious man to learn how to make the elixir of life, but there's a catch - doing so is actually making a deal with Satan. When Borrhomeo is caught for crimes he committed, only at the very end does he realize he made a deal to live for 1,000 years and can still use all his senses, is still alive, when he is hanged, buried, and later impaled. Don't make deals with the devil, kids.
5. "Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling": 3 - 'Potato' being used as an insult/signifier of being ugly is ooollllld. Who knew? Another story about an abusive, asshole husband. Quite the theme of the century. Jeez. This was fine. Typical ghost/haunted house story. The last three chapters were the most interesting.
6. "Green Tea": *Have high hopes* 4.5 - Well I did not expect this to be about a demonic, talking, stalking, monkey who "'is always urging me to crimes, to injure others, or myself.'" Wild. An interesting look at addiction/effects of substances with the green tea, and mental illness in terms of how psychosis (hallucinations in particular) can take a toll on a person and can cause depression and lead to suicide.
7. "Madam Crowl's Ghost": 1 - So boring. DNF. Could not be bothered to read the last four pages.
8. "The Haunted Baronet": 2 - Some parts were interesting (Feltram sitting up and laughing right after he was declared dead, his creepiness in general), but overall, this was very slow. I skimmed most of the end; the story meandered.
9. "The Haunted House in Westminster": 1/no rating - DNF. Gave up really early on. Details were repeated from previous stories, which was annoying. I tried to find a plot summary online but couldn't. Might return to one day, just not interested.
10. "The Room in the Dragon Volant": *Have high hopes* 1/no rating - DNF. Hopes have been disappointed. Again, might return to this one day. It just didn't grab my attention.
11. "Carmilla": *Have high hopes* 5 - Yay, it lived up to the hype! Very interesting take on vampire lore. I enjoyed this way more than "Dracula" (which took inspiration from this. Odd that Stoker was able to make it boring...). The homoerotic tones were interesting to read about in a story from the 1870s. Lots to explore in this, and it had creep factor.
12. "Laura Silver Bell": 3.5 - Dark fairy lore AND witches AND Scotland??!
***2.6 overall***. Most of the stories were duds/meh, but there were some gems in this collection.
2. "The Watcher": 1.5 - It started out okay, then got a little interesting and then became very slow.
3. "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Aungier-Street": 3 - Classic haunted house story. I enjoyed the writing style, and it definitely had creep factor.
4. "Borrhomeo the Astrologer": 3 - An alchemist makes a deal with a mysterious man to learn how to make the elixir of life, but there's a catch - doing so is actually making a deal with Satan. When Borrhomeo is caught for crimes he committed, only at the very end does he realize he made a deal to live for 1,000 years and can still use all his senses, is still alive, when he is hanged, buried, and later impaled. Don't make deals with the devil, kids.
5. "Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling": 3 - 'Potato' being used as an insult/signifier of being ugly is ooollllld. Who knew? Another story about an abusive, asshole husband. Quite the theme of the century. Jeez. This was fine. Typical ghost/haunted house story. The last three chapters were the most interesting.
6. "Green Tea": *Have high hopes* 4.5 - Well I did not expect this to be about a demonic, talking, stalking, monkey who "'is always urging me to crimes, to injure others, or myself.'" Wild. An interesting look at addiction/effects of substances with the green tea, and mental illness in terms of how psychosis (hallucinations in particular) can take a toll on a person and can cause depression and lead to suicide.
7. "Madam Crowl's Ghost": 1 - So boring. DNF. Could not be bothered to read the last four pages.
8. "The Haunted Baronet": 2 - Some parts were interesting (Feltram sitting up and laughing right after he was declared dead, his creepiness in general), but overall, this was very slow. I skimmed most of the end; the story meandered.
9. "The Haunted House in Westminster": 1/no rating - DNF. Gave up really early on. Details were repeated from previous stories, which was annoying. I tried to find a plot summary online but couldn't. Might return to one day, just not interested.
10. "The Room in the Dragon Volant": *Have high hopes* 1/no rating - DNF. Hopes have been disappointed. Again, might return to this one day. It just didn't grab my attention.
11. "Carmilla": *Have high hopes* 5 - Yay, it lived up to the hype! Very interesting take on vampire lore. I enjoyed this way more than "Dracula" (which took inspiration from this. Odd that Stoker was able to make it boring...). The homoerotic tones were interesting to read about in a story from the 1870s. Lots to explore in this, and it had creep factor.
12. "Laura Silver Bell": 3.5 - Dark fairy lore AND witches AND Scotland??!
***2.6 overall***. Most of the stories were duds/meh, but there were some gems in this collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2020
Le Fanu is, in my opinion, the best of all writers of classic ghost stories. While he seems to live in the shadow of M.R. James in this respect, I've always found him to be the more interesting writer. His stories are creepier and more varied than those of James, and he is also the better prose stylist. He is also very interesting in the context of Victorian literature, since his obsessions with metaphysics and the occult were not generally shared by his contemporaries, which makes his work seem ahead of its time (or at least outside of it). Furthermore, in stories like "Green Tea," and especially in the novella "The Haunted Baronet," he breaks from the typical boundaries of ghost stories to explore weird and ambiguous ideas.
I was thrilled to see a critical edition of his work, as I had read his stories in the two Dover volumes which collect his major works in that medium, but had several unanswered questions. "Madam Crowl's Ghost," for example, which I think could be used as the template of a great ghost story, makes heavy use of dialect, and there were several phrases I simply never understood until having this edition with extensive footnotes.
Something else that this edition does well is that it includes the original versions of all five stories that would later make up the collection "In a Glass Darkly." The significance of this is that the versions found in "In a Glass Darkly" are told from the perspective of a Doctor Hesselius, whose dense metaphysical ramblings hinder the otherwise great tales.
I was also excited to see a story I was previously unaware of, "Borrhomeo the Astrologer."
Story for story, I still think Dover's "Best Ghost Stories of J.S. Le Fanu" is the single most consistent volume of Le Fanu's work, but the story selection here is still strong. While I probably would have included "Ultor de Lacy" and "Sir Dominick's Bargain," the only omission I was truly surprised by is "Squire Toby's Will," which is one of my three favorite Le Fanu stories. I also prefer the alternate version of "Schalken the Painter," possibly my favorite Le Fanu story, which is collected in the Dover volume.
I was thrilled to see a critical edition of his work, as I had read his stories in the two Dover volumes which collect his major works in that medium, but had several unanswered questions. "Madam Crowl's Ghost," for example, which I think could be used as the template of a great ghost story, makes heavy use of dialect, and there were several phrases I simply never understood until having this edition with extensive footnotes.
Something else that this edition does well is that it includes the original versions of all five stories that would later make up the collection "In a Glass Darkly." The significance of this is that the versions found in "In a Glass Darkly" are told from the perspective of a Doctor Hesselius, whose dense metaphysical ramblings hinder the otherwise great tales.
I was also excited to see a story I was previously unaware of, "Borrhomeo the Astrologer."
Story for story, I still think Dover's "Best Ghost Stories of J.S. Le Fanu" is the single most consistent volume of Le Fanu's work, but the story selection here is still strong. While I probably would have included "Ultor de Lacy" and "Sir Dominick's Bargain," the only omission I was truly surprised by is "Squire Toby's Will," which is one of my three favorite Le Fanu stories. I also prefer the alternate version of "Schalken the Painter," possibly my favorite Le Fanu story, which is collected in the Dover volume.
December 30, 2023
***Update*** I finished 2023 by reading the rest of the short stories in this collection but still haven’t read the novellas ‘The Haunted Baronet’ and ‘The Room in the Dragon Volant.’ If in my first pass through the collection (see below) I read mostly creature tales, in my second pass through the collection, I read mostly ghost stories. And, damn, Le Fanu writes excellent ghost stories. "Madame Crowl's Ghost," "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in an Old House in Angier Street," and "The Haunted House in Westminster" (alternatively titled "Justice Harbottle”) are all incredibly effective and creepy ghost stories. It’s clear how MR James was inspired by these. But James had a mantra that ghost stories should induce “pleasant terror” and Le Fanu had no such restrictions. I prefer these no-restriction ghost stories.
I love monster stories and I was reading Le Fanu's Uncle Silas for a reading group. So it just made sense to pick up this collection of his short stories and read the ones I was interested in. That's what I did, and I read about half of the stories in this collection. I loved most of what I read. I found Green Tea and Shalken the Painter to be great, deftly crafted monster stories. I loved the setup and first half of Carmilla, the vampire story that (in part) inspired Dracula (the second half and payoff were just okay). And I loved the mounting paranoia that built to a morbid conclusion throughout The Watcher. Regarding this Oxford edition of "Green Tea and Other Weird Stories," the cover is creepily gorgeous. One of my favorites. But the introduction and footnotes by editor Aaron Worth are terrible. The introduction is unfocused and packed with unnecessary, tangential, distracting information. The latter is true of the footnotes as well.
I love monster stories and I was reading Le Fanu's Uncle Silas for a reading group. So it just made sense to pick up this collection of his short stories and read the ones I was interested in. That's what I did, and I read about half of the stories in this collection. I loved most of what I read. I found Green Tea and Shalken the Painter to be great, deftly crafted monster stories. I loved the setup and first half of Carmilla, the vampire story that (in part) inspired Dracula (the second half and payoff were just okay). And I loved the mounting paranoia that built to a morbid conclusion throughout The Watcher. Regarding this Oxford edition of "Green Tea and Other Weird Stories," the cover is creepily gorgeous. One of my favorites. But the introduction and footnotes by editor Aaron Worth are terrible. The introduction is unfocused and packed with unnecessary, tangential, distracting information. The latter is true of the footnotes as well.
October 12, 2022
The grandfather of the fiction that I love and when I reflect on stories from this collection I remain convinced that he did it best.
Want to read
October 23, 2025Read so far:
The Ghost and the Bonesetter --3
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh
The Drunkard's Dream
A Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter--3
A Chapter in the History of a Tyrone Family
The Mysterious Lodger
Spalatro: From the Notes of Fra Giacomo
Ghost Stories of Chapelizod
An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street--2
Ultor de Lacy
An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House
Ghost Stories of the Tiled House
Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling
Squire Toby's Will
Madam Crowl's Ghost--3
The Haunted Baronet
The Vision of Tom Chuff
Stories of Lough Guir
The White Cat of Drumgunniol
The Child that Went with the Fairies
Laura Silver Bell
Sir Dominick's Bargain
Dickon the Devil--2
Green Tea--1
The Familiar
*Mr Justice Harbottle
The Room in the Dragon Volant
*Carmilla
***
Borrhomeo the Astrologer
The Murdered Cousin
The Narrative of the Ghost of a Hand
Passage in the Secret History of an Irish Countess
The Sexton's Adventure
The Spectre Lover
The Watcher
The Ghost and the Bonesetter --3
The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh
The Drunkard's Dream
A Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter--3
A Chapter in the History of a Tyrone Family
The Mysterious Lodger
Spalatro: From the Notes of Fra Giacomo
Ghost Stories of Chapelizod
An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street--2
Ultor de Lacy
An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House
Ghost Stories of the Tiled House
Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling
Squire Toby's Will
Madam Crowl's Ghost--3
The Haunted Baronet
The Vision of Tom Chuff
Stories of Lough Guir
The White Cat of Drumgunniol
The Child that Went with the Fairies
Laura Silver Bell
Sir Dominick's Bargain
Dickon the Devil--2
Green Tea--1
The Familiar
*Mr Justice Harbottle
The Room in the Dragon Volant
*Carmilla
***
Borrhomeo the Astrologer
The Murdered Cousin
The Narrative of the Ghost of a Hand
Passage in the Secret History of an Irish Countess
The Sexton's Adventure
The Spectre Lover
The Watcher
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