A very good example is 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' by M. R. James. It involves a strange whistle that summons an otherworldly presence. The story builds a great sense of unease and horror through its descriptions of the desolate coastal setting. Another is 'The Great God Pan' by Arthur Machen. It delves into the idea of the pagan god Pan and the horror that his existence and the knowledge of the 'Great Beyond' can bring, with themes of madness and the unknown.
One well - known British horror short story is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. It tells the tale of a magical monkey's paw that grants wishes but with unforeseen and often terrifying consequences. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, though he was American, his works had a great influence on British horror. It delves into the mind of a madman who is haunted by the sound of a dead man's heart. Also, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a classic. It's about a female vampire, predating Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' and exploring themes of female sexuality and horror in a unique way.
There are many gay British short stories. 'The Tutor' by K.C. Constantine is an interesting one. It shows the relationship between two men in a somewhat complex and nuanced way. Then there is 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' by Jeanette Winterson which, while it's more of a novel, has short - story - like chapters that deal with her experiences as a lesbian growing up in a religious and rather unaccepting environment in Britain.
M. R. James is a very famous author. He wrote many great horror short stories. His works often feature spooky old buildings, strange artifacts, and ghostly apparitions. Sheridan Le Fanu is also well - known for his horror stories, especially 'Carmilla'. Then there's Algernon Blackwood. His stories are known for their exploration of the supernatural and the psychological aspects of horror.
One of the best is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a masterful short story that delves into the mind of a deranged narrator. Another great one is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry which has a beautiful and ironic plot about selfless love. And 'The Monkey's Paw' is also a classic British short story filled with suspense and a touch of the macabre.
Another one could be 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit' which has queer themes. While it's more about a young woman's journey, it also reflects on the broader LGBTQ+ experience in a British religious and social context, and can be related to the overall narrative of different sexual orientations and their stories in Britain.
One notable feature is the diversity of voices. It includes works from various British authors, each with their own unique style and perspective. Another is the range of themes explored, from love and loss to social commentary.
One of the great ones could be 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a classic that builds intense psychological horror as the narrator's guilt over his deed drives him mad. Another might be 'The Monkey's Paw' which shows the terrifying consequences of interfering with fate through a simple yet cursed object. And 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which uses the setting and the protagonist's deteriorating mental state to create a sense of horror.
British horror short stories frequently feature a slow - build of tension. They start with something seemingly ordinary and gradually introduce the horror elements. For instance, in 'The Signal - Man', it begins with a man observing a signal - man at work and then the spooky events unfold bit by bit. They also often draw on British folklore and history. Stories might incorporate elements of Celtic or Anglo - Saxon superstitions. And the language used is often quite descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the horror, such as in M.R. James' stories where the detailed descriptions of the haunted objects enhance the sense of horror.
Some well - known novels could be 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that explores themes of love, marriage, and social class in 19th - century England. Another might be '1984' by George Orwell, which is a dystopian novel that warns about totalitarianism and the loss of individual freedoms.
They often have creepy settings and unexpected twists. The characters might face terrifying situations that keep you on the edge of your seat.
One notable feature is the diversity of voices. It likely includes works from various British writers, each with their own unique style and perspective. This collection can offer a great insight into the different literary trends in modern British short story writing.