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- 1. “The Monkey’s Paw” by WW Jacobs (1902)
- 2. “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe (1843)
- 3. “The feather pillow” by Horacio Quiroga (1917)
- 4. «Adela's House» by Mariana Enriquez (2013)
- 5. “The Call” by Fredric Brown (1948)
- 6. “The Wendigo” by Algernon Blackwood (1910)
- 7. “The Shadow over Innsmouth” by HP Lovecraft (1936)
- 8. «The Southern Highway» by Julio Cortázar (1966)
- 9. “The Smile of the Mona Lisa” by Giovanni Papini (1921)
- 10. «Friends» by Silvina Ocampo (1959)
He terror It is a genre that has fascinated readers for centuries. Horror stories immerse us in dark worlds and confront us with our deepest fears, from the supernatural to the psychological.
Some of the best authors of literature have explored this genre, creating horror stories that have endured over the years. The short horror stories They are especially popular because, with just a few words, they manage to generate a feeling of unease that can last for days.
In These days I suggest you be a little scared and explore some of the most iconic and popular horror stories, ideal for those looking for a quick and effective scare. Get ready to spend this Halloween and discover some of the most terrifying scary stories…
Below is a selection of short horror stories which are essential for any lover of the genre. These stories, although brief, stand out for their ability to create strain and suspense, managing to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
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1. "The Monkey's Paw" by WW Jacobs (1902)
This classic of horror literature tells the story of a family that receives a monkey's paw with the ability to grant three wishes. However, each wish has a meaning. terrible cost.
As the story progresses, the tension and horror grow, proving that sometimes, one's worst enemy is one's own desire. A tale that shows how the human longing can lead to consequences devastating.
2. "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe (1843)
One of the most disturbing stories of Edgar Allan Poe, undisputed master of the horror genre. This story tells the story of a man who is consumed by the blame and the craziness after mistreating his cat.
The claustrophobic atmosphere and the mental deterioration of the protagonist are the axis of the plot, while a series of events develop that culminate in a finale spooky.
3. "The feather pillow" by Horacio Quiroga (1917)
A story that mixes the psychological terror with the macabre. The story tells the story of a young couple who, after their marriage, face a series of strange events that lead the wife to a mysterious illness.
As his health deteriorates, the reader is immersed in a climate of distress and mystery, until reaching an outcome that reveals a truth terrifying. Horacio Quiroga, considered the Latin American Poe, manages to create a disturbing atmosphere in just a few pages.
4. «Adela's House» by Mariana Enriquez (2013)
Mariana Enriquez is one of the most prominent contemporary authors in the genre of Argentine terror"Adela's House" is a short story that is part of her collection of short stories The things we lost in the fire.
In this story, a group of young people are drawn to an abandoned house on the outskirts of a town. What begins as a simple curiosity ends up becoming an experience supernatural and heartbreaking. Enriquez uses the social reality from Argentina to build a narrative that combines the everyday with the sinister.
5. “The Call” by Fredric Brown (1948)
This short story is known to be one of the shorter and more effective horror literature. With just a few lines, Brown manages to create a sense of concern that leaves the reader reflecting long after having read it.
The story focuses on a scientist who conducts an experiment with results that defy all logic and lead to a surprising ending.
6. «The Wendigo» by Algernon Blackwood (1910)
This story delves into the North American folklore, presenting the figure of the Wendigo, a legendary creature that inhabits the forests of northern America.
The story follows a group of friends who embark on a hunting expedition in Canada and soon begin to sense the presence of a supernatural being that stalks them. The description of nature, the loneliness and the mystery of the unknown creates an atmosphere of authentic terror that captivates from the beginning.
7. «The Shadow over Innsmouth» by H.P. Lovecraft (1936)
This short story is part of the work of H.P. Lovecraft, one of the great exponents of cosmic horrorThe story revolves around a young man who visits the seaside town of Innsmouth, where he discovers a sinister secret related to its inhabitants and an ancient marine deity.
With its signature detailed style and a consistent feel of oppression, Lovecraft takes us to a world where the a stranger is synonymous with dread.
8. «The Southern Highway» by Julio Cortázar (1966)
Although not a horror story in the classic sense, "The Southern Highway" has a disturbing tone and maddening. The story tells an endless traffic jam in which the characters face an extreme situation of isolation and despair.
Cortázar manages to create an atmosphere of distress and claustrophobia, leading the reader to reflect on the human nature and reactions to the unknown.
9. "The Smile of the Mona Lisa" by Giovanni Papini (1921)
A short story and spooky which poses a seemingly trivial situation that turns into something macabreThe story revolves around a man who notices a disturbing detail in the famous painting of the Mona Lisa and begins to experience a series of events that lead him to the craziness.
It is a story that plays with the obsession and the psychological terror, showing how the human mind can become its worst enemy.
10. «Friends» by Silvina Ocampo (1959)
Silvina Ocampo, one of the most mysterious writers in Argentine literature, offers us in "Los amigos" a short story full of suspenseThe story centers on a group of friends who meet in an old house, but what begins as a normal evening turns into a nightmare when one of them reveals a dark secret.
With his signature style, Ocampo creates a story that leaves the reader with a feeling of uneasiness.
These horror stories are just a sample of what the genre has to offer. Each one, with its own style and approach, manages to immerse us in a world where reality and fantasy They mix together, making the deepest fears come to light. If you are a lover of short horror stories, these readings guarantee you an experience that you will not easily forget. Get ready for a journey through the supernatural and it disturbing!
Guillermo P.
An avid reader and writer of a short essay. Learning everything within my reach every day that passes. A small tile within a large mosaic…