I felt like making a poll about this
Which horror story would you think is the greatest ever written, and why?
I included works by some of my favourite authors, but you can suggest other ones as well.
For me the Recluse of Bayswater, by Arthur Mahen, is a story that although includes some flaws, manages to reach a powerfull climax. It is the story of a young law student who lives a hermit's life, and gets ill. He gets treated with a potion, prescribed by the pharmacist, but due to a tragic mistake it is not the one meant to be produced. The results are catastrophic. Perhaps i was influenced in my decision by the fact that i first discovered it one evening in the university's library, and read it there, while outside the colours were turning to black
My second favourite is the horror at Dunwich, by Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Again it has its flaws, but i remember feeling afraid the first time i read it, and that counts for much in this genre.
My third choice would be the Horla, by Guy De Maupassant. This short story has three different versions, but i prefer the earliest one. It is about a man's descent into madness. I especially like the fact that De Maupassant mentions the weird images that begin to appear in the mirror he is looking at, as a first sign of his state.
I decided to include Kafka's Metamorphosis as well, although it can be read as a complete allegory (but then again everything can, to an extent, be read as an allegory). The author himself had characterised it as scary.
And what about you? Which story of horror do you like the most? Remember to provide a small synopsis if you like and also mention why you are fond of it

I included works by some of my favourite authors, but you can suggest other ones as well.
For me the Recluse of Bayswater, by Arthur Mahen, is a story that although includes some flaws, manages to reach a powerfull climax. It is the story of a young law student who lives a hermit's life, and gets ill. He gets treated with a potion, prescribed by the pharmacist, but due to a tragic mistake it is not the one meant to be produced. The results are catastrophic. Perhaps i was influenced in my decision by the fact that i first discovered it one evening in the university's library, and read it there, while outside the colours were turning to black

My second favourite is the horror at Dunwich, by Howard Phillips Lovecraft. Again it has its flaws, but i remember feeling afraid the first time i read it, and that counts for much in this genre.
My third choice would be the Horla, by Guy De Maupassant. This short story has three different versions, but i prefer the earliest one. It is about a man's descent into madness. I especially like the fact that De Maupassant mentions the weird images that begin to appear in the mirror he is looking at, as a first sign of his state.
I decided to include Kafka's Metamorphosis as well, although it can be read as a complete allegory (but then again everything can, to an extent, be read as an allegory). The author himself had characterised it as scary.
And what about you? Which story of horror do you like the most? Remember to provide a small synopsis if you like and also mention why you are fond of it

