J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 2

"J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 2" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a collection of supernatural stories written during the mid-19th century, primarily in the Victorian era. This volume includes "An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House" and "Ultor De Lacy: A Legend of Cappercullen." The anthology explores themes of haunting and the unexplained, delving into eerie atmospheres and spectral manifestations that captivate the reader's imagination. In "An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House," an unnamed narrator recounts the unsettling experiences of a family who moves into a seemingly modern house on the sea-coast, only to encounter strange apparitions and phenomena that challenge their understanding of reality. The tale unfolds with a series of ghostly encounters, including a tall, ghostly figure perceived by the narrator's wife, sightings by their staff, and even distressing sounds during the night. The narrative builds a sense of dread and curiosity, culminating in a treasure found in the garden that hints at a dark history tied to the location. Meanwhile, "Ultor De Lacy" tells the story of a young Irish nobleman entangled in political strife, leading him and his daughters to face supernatural occurrences linked to their family's tragic past. Together, these stories capture the essence of ghostly hauntings woven into the fabric of the characters' lives, showcasing Le Fanu's talent for blending horror with deep emotional and historical undercurrents. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer of Gothic tales, mystery novels, and horror fiction. He was a leading ghost story writer of his time, 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 the locked-room mystery Uncle Silas, the vampire novella Carmilla, and the historical novel The House by the Churchyard.