Curious, if True / Strange Tales

Name: Curious, if True / Strange Tales
Author: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

By Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

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British Literature Crime, Thrillers & Mystery Short Stories

About This Book

A set of five atmospheric short stories blends domestic realism with gothic and supernatural incidents, often narrated in intimate first-person voices. Each tale places ordinary households, old manors, convents, and frontier communities under the pressure of loss, religious fervor, and rumor, producing hauntings, moral dilemmas, and tragic misunderstandings rather than clear resolutions. Female experience, memory, and social constraint recur as focal points, and many stories leave events ambiguously explained, emphasising psychological consequence and cultural superstition over sensational revelation.

About the Author

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-1865) was a prominent English novelist and short story writer known for her keen social commentary and vivid characterizations. Her works often explore the complexities of Victorian society, particularly the struggles of the working class. Gaskell's notable novels include "Mary Barton," which addresses the plight of the industrial poor, and "North and South," a tale of class conflict set against the backdrop of the industrial revolution. Additionally, her beloved work "Cranford" offers a charming portrayal of life in a small English town. Gaskell's literary contributions have left a lasting impact on English literature, making her a significant figure in the Victorian literary landscape.