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The Parasite and Other Tales of Terror
THE PARASITE AND OTHER TALES OF TERROR by Arthur Conan Doyle (Haunted Library of Horror Classics, Volume #6)
• with introduction to the book by Daniel Stashower
• with biography, reading list, and discussion questions by series editor and author Eric J. Guignard
• with annotations by series editor and author Leslie S. Klinger
Even before he created Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle terrified and delighted readers with tales of mysterious forces that defy rational explanation. These stories capture the unique draw of the uncanny and the curiosity that compels us all to ask, “Could it be true?” Included within are nine spine-tingling tales, such as: mournful cries in an ice-bound sea; a potion that allows the user to commune with ghosts; an Egyptian priest who cannot die; and a mesmerist of unrivaled power. Brace yourself for these and other chilling encounters!
Classic stories of horror and terror include:
• The Parasite
• The Mystery of Sasassa Valley
• J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement
• The Captain of the "Pole-Star"
• The Great Keinplatz Experiment
• The Ring of Thoth
• The Bully of Brocas Court
• Selecting a Ghost
• How it Happened
• with introduction to the book by Daniel Stashower
• with biography, reading list, and discussion questions by series editor and author Eric J. Guignard
• with annotations by series editor and author Leslie S. Klinger
Even before he created Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle terrified and delighted readers with tales of mysterious forces that defy rational explanation. These stories capture the unique draw of the uncanny and the curiosity that compels us all to ask, “Could it be true?” Included within are nine spine-tingling tales, such as: mournful cries in an ice-bound sea; a potion that allows the user to commune with ghosts; an Egyptian priest who cannot die; and a mesmerist of unrivaled power. Brace yourself for these and other chilling encounters!
Classic stories of horror and terror include:
• The Parasite
• The Mystery of Sasassa Valley
• J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement
• The Captain of the "Pole-Star"
• The Great Keinplatz Experiment
• The Ring of Thoth
• The Bully of Brocas Court
• Selecting a Ghost
• How it Happened
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2001
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
12.1k books23k followersA series of stories, including
The Hound of the Baskervilles
(1902), of known British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chiefly features Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective.
Mary Foley, an Irish mother, bore Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, the third of ten siblings, to Charles Altamont Doyle, a talented English illustrator of Irish descent.
Although people now refer to as "Conan Doyle" despite the uncertain origin of this understood compound surname. His baptism record in the registry of cathedral of Saint Mary in Edinburgh gives "Arthur Ignatius Conan" as his Christian name, and simply "Doyle" as his surname. It also names Michael Conan as his godfather.
At the age of nine years in 1868, parents sent Arthur Conan Doyle to Hodder place, the Jesuit preparatory school at Stonyhurst. He then went to Stonyhurst college and left in 1875.
From 1876, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh to 1881. This study required that he provide periodic medical assistance in the towns of Aston (now a district of Birmingham) and Sheffield. Arthur Conan Doyle studied and meanwhile began short. He apparently first published in "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal" before 20 years of age in 1879. Following his graduation, the steamship Mayumba employed him as a doctor during a voyage to the African west coast.
Arthur Conan Doyle completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins Doyle as "Touie." With this first wife, Arthur Conan Doyle fathered two children: Mary Louise Doyle, born 28 January 1889, and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, born 15 November 1892.
Arthur Conan Doyle first met Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fell in 1897. Due to his sense of loyalty, he had maintained a purely platonic relationship with Jean while Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his first wife, lived.
Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his wife, suffered from tuberculosis and died on 4 July 1906. In the following year of 1907, he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
With this second wife, he fathered three children: Denis Percy Stewart Doyle, born on 17 March 1909, Adrian Malcolm Doyle, born on 19 November 1910, and Jean Lena Annette Doyle, born on 21 December 1912.
Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, his son, died on 28 October 1918.
At Undershaw, house, located in Hindhead, south of London, Arthur Conan Doyle lived for a decade; it served from 1924 as a hotel and restaurant for eight decades. It then stood empty while conservationists and fans fight to preserve it.
People found Arthur Conan Doyle, clutching his chest, in the hall of Windlesham, his house in Crowborough, East Sussex. He died of a heart attack. He directed his last words, "You are wonderful," toward his wife. The epitaph on his gravestone in the churchyard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire, reads:
STEEL TRUE
BLADE STRAIGHT
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
KNIGHT
PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN & MAN OF LETTERS
Jean Elizabeth Leckie Doyle, his widow, died in London on 27 June 1940.
Mary Foley, an Irish mother, bore Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, the third of ten siblings, to Charles Altamont Doyle, a talented English illustrator of Irish descent.
Although people now refer to as "Conan Doyle" despite the uncertain origin of this understood compound surname. His baptism record in the registry of cathedral of Saint Mary in Edinburgh gives "Arthur Ignatius Conan" as his Christian name, and simply "Doyle" as his surname. It also names Michael Conan as his godfather.
At the age of nine years in 1868, parents sent Arthur Conan Doyle to Hodder place, the Jesuit preparatory school at Stonyhurst. He then went to Stonyhurst college and left in 1875.
From 1876, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh to 1881. This study required that he provide periodic medical assistance in the towns of Aston (now a district of Birmingham) and Sheffield. Arthur Conan Doyle studied and meanwhile began short. He apparently first published in "Chambers's Edinburgh Journal" before 20 years of age in 1879. Following his graduation, the steamship Mayumba employed him as a doctor during a voyage to the African west coast.
Arthur Conan Doyle completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885. In 1885, he married Louisa Hawkins Doyle as "Touie." With this first wife, Arthur Conan Doyle fathered two children: Mary Louise Doyle, born 28 January 1889, and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, born 15 November 1892.
Arthur Conan Doyle first met Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fell in 1897. Due to his sense of loyalty, he had maintained a purely platonic relationship with Jean while Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his first wife, lived.
Louisa Hawkins Doyle, his wife, suffered from tuberculosis and died on 4 July 1906. In the following year of 1907, he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
With this second wife, he fathered three children: Denis Percy Stewart Doyle, born on 17 March 1909, Adrian Malcolm Doyle, born on 19 November 1910, and Jean Lena Annette Doyle, born on 21 December 1912.
Arthur Alleyne Kingsley Doyle, his son, died on 28 October 1918.
At Undershaw, house, located in Hindhead, south of London, Arthur Conan Doyle lived for a decade; it served from 1924 as a hotel and restaurant for eight decades. It then stood empty while conservationists and fans fight to preserve it.
People found Arthur Conan Doyle, clutching his chest, in the hall of Windlesham, his house in Crowborough, East Sussex. He died of a heart attack. He directed his last words, "You are wonderful," toward his wife. The epitaph on his gravestone in the churchyard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire, reads:
STEEL TRUE
BLADE STRAIGHT
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
KNIGHT
PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN & MAN OF LETTERS
Jean Elizabeth Leckie Doyle, his widow, died in London on 27 June 1940.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 12, 2023
Качествена подборка разкази, болшинството гравитиращи около свръхестественото, от опознаването на което авторът е бил действително изкушен и в живота. Имаше и две-три "по-реалистични" творби ("Пасторален ужас", "Историята с бразилската котка и "Случаят с лейди Санок"), но пък съспенсът в тях също си го биваше. Изобщо, за разлика от други "бащици" на остросюжетните жанрове, отличаващи се с по-муден и тегав стил, сър Артън Конан Дойл е откровен сладкодумник.
Съдържание:
Ужасът от висините
Капитанът на "Полярна звезда"
Ужасът в дупката "Блу Джон"
Кожената фуния
Ивичестият сандък
Историята с кафявата ръка
Пасторален ужас
Джон Барингтън Каулс
Историята с бразилската котка
Сребърната брадвичка
Печелившият изстрел
De Profundus
Случаят с лейди Санок
Игра с огъня
Паразитът
Съдържание:
Ужасът от висините
Капитанът на "Полярна звезда"
Ужасът в дупката "Блу Джон"
Кожената фуния
Ивичестият сандък
Историята с кафявата ръка
Пасторален ужас
Джон Барингтън Каулс
Историята с бразилската котка
Сребърната брадвичка
Печелившият изстрел
De Profundus
Случаят с лейди Санок
Игра с огъня
Паразитът
October 20, 2022
Ma 10/10 prijatelji
July 3, 2021
Very pleased with this series of horror-influenced classics, Horror Writers’ HAUNTED LIBRARY OF HORROR CLASSICS series.
This volume is a collection of short horror tales written by Arthur Conan Doyle! I’d never read any of Doyle’s work before besides SHERLOCK HOLMES, which I’ve been a fan of my whole life.
The volume starts off with an introduction written by notable DOYLE expert, Daniel Stashower.
Then the stories: There are nine in all, and these were all first reads for me. The first story, headlining “THE PARASITE” was the longest, and of least interest about a stalker woman with the power of hypnotism. “J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement” was my favorite, a very gruesome, scary “pseudo-memoir” account! “The Captain of the “Pole-Star”” was very good too, fairies in the Arctic. The Bully of Brocas Court, was a boxing match versus a ghost. Stellar! All the other stories were good too. The book ended with author biography, interesting discussion questions, and a further reading list, all put together by the editors, Eric J. Guignard and Leslie S. Klinger. Definite recommendation!
This volume is a collection of short horror tales written by Arthur Conan Doyle! I’d never read any of Doyle’s work before besides SHERLOCK HOLMES, which I’ve been a fan of my whole life.
The volume starts off with an introduction written by notable DOYLE expert, Daniel Stashower.
Then the stories: There are nine in all, and these were all first reads for me. The first story, headlining “THE PARASITE” was the longest, and of least interest about a stalker woman with the power of hypnotism. “J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement” was my favorite, a very gruesome, scary “pseudo-memoir” account! “The Captain of the “Pole-Star”” was very good too, fairies in the Arctic. The Bully of Brocas Court, was a boxing match versus a ghost. Stellar! All the other stories were good too. The book ended with author biography, interesting discussion questions, and a further reading list, all put together by the editors, Eric J. Guignard and Leslie S. Klinger. Definite recommendation!
July 19, 2021
I’m a diehard fan of Doyle, and think he’s a master author regardless of genre or style he’s on. This book is a release from the series of understanding general horror and influence throughout history, the HAUNTED LIBRARY OF HORROR CLASSICS, and selects ten short horror stories by ACD. Some of the stories I was familiar with, and some were new. “The Ring of Thoth” was excellent and also “J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement” and “The Captain of the Pole-Star” and, well, and all the others!
March 27, 2022
This is the first I’ve read of Arthur Conan Doyle. I was underwhelmed.
Part of the problem is that whilst some of the ideas may have been original at the time of writing, they are now overdone tropes. This is obviously not the author’s fault, however the problem is exacerbated by his generally boring style; it’s not flowery enough for the charm of older classics, and it’s not sharp enough to keep up with more modern writing.
A few times I was surprised at how far from smart the stories were. A prime example was the body-switching Great Keinplatz Experiment, with behaviour and reactions beyond farcical.
That being said, I did particularly like ‘Selecting a Ghost…’, which was amusing, and ‘How it Happened’.
Part of the problem is that whilst some of the ideas may have been original at the time of writing, they are now overdone tropes. This is obviously not the author’s fault, however the problem is exacerbated by his generally boring style; it’s not flowery enough for the charm of older classics, and it’s not sharp enough to keep up with more modern writing.
A few times I was surprised at how far from smart the stories were. A prime example was the body-switching Great Keinplatz Experiment, with behaviour and reactions beyond farcical.
That being said, I did particularly like ‘Selecting a Ghost…’, which was amusing, and ‘How it Happened’.
May 20, 2022
An excellent collection of scary stories! Some of these were genuine spine-tinglers, while others, I was surprised, were actually pretty funny! After having read so many Sherlock Holmes stories, I was genuinely surprised to realize just how good of a non-Sherlock story Conan Doyle can write. He's a very talented writer and this collection clearly shows that.
While all the stories were good in their own way, my favorites were probably "The Great Keinplatz Experiment", "The Bully of Brocas", and "Selecting a Ghost", although each kept me on the edge of my seat. I can see why the author was so mad that everyone only cared about Sherlock Holmes--he's written a lot of other amazing titles, too!
While all the stories were good in their own way, my favorites were probably "The Great Keinplatz Experiment", "The Bully of Brocas", and "Selecting a Ghost", although each kept me on the edge of my seat. I can see why the author was so mad that everyone only cared about Sherlock Holmes--he's written a lot of other amazing titles, too!
April 25, 2023
Yo me aburri un poco jaja peeeero igual fue interesante leer el estilo de terror de Arthur Conan Doyle. Aunque las historias de terror las habría apreciado más siendo más joven. Son buenas "historias de terror" para niños/adolescentes chicos. La mejor de hecho es la del título, Parasite. Esa te deja tenso. Las demás son historias interesantes con finales a veces abiertos o cortados que dejan que intérpretes cosas del final. Me gustó el estilo pero me costó trabajo acabarlo.
October 7, 2022
Издателство „Изток-Запад“ предлагат на читателите сборника „Паразитът. И други призрачни истории“, където са побрани 15 свръхестествени разказа, много от които са публикувани за първи път на български език. Класически призраци, астрални същества, серийни убийци, неописуеми чудовища в небесната шир, демонични хора, паранормални способности, кръвожадни зверове и брутални изобретения – това са малка част от сюжетите на разказите. Някои от тях са свръхестествени, други психологически, а третите просто ужасяващи, но всичките са разказани така, както само един автор от викторианската епоха умее.
Любопитното е, че всички разкази са написани в 1 л. ед. ч., а само в един от тях разказвачът е жена. Дойл доказва, че може да пише прекрасно, влизайки в ролята на човек от нежния пол. Няма как да не кажа и няколко думи за корицата на сборника, защото е просто невероятна и перфектно кореспондира на съдържането. Само с един поглед разбираш, че зад тази прелестна корица се крие нещо страховито, мистериозно, свръхестествено и плашещо. С две ръце препоръчвам „Паразитът“ на любителите на жанра, както и на феновете на Артър Конан Дойл.
Цялото ревю е тук: https://booksguidebg.wordpress.com/20...
Любопитното е, че всички разкази са написани в 1 л. ед. ч., а само в един от тях разказвачът е жена. Дойл доказва, че може да пише прекрасно, влизайки в ролята на човек от нежния пол. Няма как да не кажа и няколко думи за корицата на сборника, защото е просто невероятна и перфектно кореспондира на съдържането. Само с един поглед разбираш, че зад тази прелестна корица се крие нещо страховито, мистериозно, свръхестествено и плашещо. С две ръце препоръчвам „Паразитът“ на любителите на жанра, както и на феновете на Артър Конан Дойл.
Цялото ревю е тук: https://booksguidebg.wordpress.com/20...
January 17, 2023
Always instructive to read great authors from previous centuries, mainly for the contrast in style and reading habits. I'm a huge Conan Doyle fan but had never read anything but Sherlock Holmes stories. So reading his horror stories was interesting to say the least.
First, in this day and age, Doyle's horror seems tame by comparison. Ghosts and mesmerists and an immortal man (by way of a certainn potion) who wants to die so he can be with his mummified wife in heaven aren't exactly as horrific as "Halloween" or "NIghtmare on Elm Street."
The pacing is hit or miss as well. Some stories move along briskly. Others slog through excess descriptions, interesting (but inconsequential) tangents, and sometimes melodramatic interactions between characters.
I'm glad I read this short story collection, but it won't stick with me like Sherlock Holmes has stuck with me for more than 50 years.
First, in this day and age, Doyle's horror seems tame by comparison. Ghosts and mesmerists and an immortal man (by way of a certainn potion) who wants to die so he can be with his mummified wife in heaven aren't exactly as horrific as "Halloween" or "NIghtmare on Elm Street."
The pacing is hit or miss as well. Some stories move along briskly. Others slog through excess descriptions, interesting (but inconsequential) tangents, and sometimes melodramatic interactions between characters.
I'm glad I read this short story collection, but it won't stick with me like Sherlock Holmes has stuck with me for more than 50 years.
April 16, 2023
Setting aside the racism, misogyny, ableism, and antisemitism which was widely accepted at the time these stories were written, I found some stories (“the Parasite” and “the Captain of the Pole-Star” included) to be well-written, engrossing, and entertaining (5 stars). A few others were plodding, predictable, and/or weighed down by extreme racist stereotypes (“J. Habakuk Jephson…”, “Ring of Thoth”, “Bully of Broca’s Court” included), deserving a 1 star rating. Overall, 3 stars.
Also, I give the author credit for creating many of these ideas and story lines, which were novel at the time, although some have since become overused tropes.
Also, I give the author credit for creating many of these ideas and story lines, which were novel at the time, although some have since become overused tropes.
June 14, 2022
I've been reading a lot of Sherlock Holmes recently, so when I found this one whilst shelving at work I decided to pick it up and see if I liked it. Well besties, I did!!! Conan Doyle is a master of suspense and some of the stories in this collection genuinely freaked me out. I also got super into close reading "The Parasite", which has led me down a research/analytical writing hole that I haven't escaped yet. I still have quite a bit of the Holmes canon to finish, but I will definitely be looking for other non-Holmes writings of Conan Doyle's!!!
March 31, 2024
I knew Doyle wrote in many genres, didn't know horror was one of them. Oddly, I thought The Parasite was the weakest among them.
Modern readers should appreciate the history "reading" context of these stories. No TV, no streaming services, no internet, no social networks. You read, you played or listened to music, you talked, all of which comes down to a slower paced story, more internal than external, more philosophical discussion than action.
That noted, a bunch of good, entertaining, readable stories.
Modern readers should appreciate the history "reading" context of these stories. No TV, no streaming services, no internet, no social networks. You read, you played or listened to music, you talked, all of which comes down to a slower paced story, more internal than external, more philosophical discussion than action.
That noted, a bunch of good, entertaining, readable stories.
January 21, 2023
Some of the stories are VERY racist, and “The Parasite” has quite a bit of misogyny and nastiness about disability as well. But there are some fantastic stories, nonetheless, and “Selecting a Ghost” is one of the funniest short stories I’ve read in a long time.
This edition is really great because of the footnotes that add information to the stories, plus an introduction, questions for discussion, and suggestions for further reading.
This edition is really great because of the footnotes that add information to the stories, plus an introduction, questions for discussion, and suggestions for further reading.
January 3, 2022
a lot of interesting concepts but overall not very scary. i especially liked the idea of the souls switching bodies story but again, these weren’t all that scary. but i did enjoy the writing style and ideas presented.
November 3, 2022
Actually loved all the stories in this collection, which is rare!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 5, 2023I'm never going to get to this... I think I actually lost my copy :)
May 10, 2024
A terrific collection of classic horror stories from the creator of Sherlock Holmes. A must-read for those who love Victorian horror tales.
July 20, 2022
A fun collection of short horror stories from the guy who brought us Sherlock Holmes. It's a great selection of dark humor, terror, romance and sadness. Would recommend.
January 1, 2023
Short Story collection
Read: Nov. 2022
Arthur Conan Doyle is known for his real life fascination with mesmerism and what was called "spirituality", but. not of the religious kind.
The first and longest story, "The Parasite" is terrific! Highly recommend to ACD fans.
The other stories were not up to the same standards.
Read: Nov. 2022
Arthur Conan Doyle is known for his real life fascination with mesmerism and what was called "spirituality", but. not of the religious kind.
The first and longest story, "The Parasite" is terrific! Highly recommend to ACD fans.
The other stories were not up to the same standards.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews