The Gothic Tales of Sheridan Le Fanu
Sheridan Le Fanu was lauded by contemporaries such as M. R. James for his innovations in the ghost story and mystery genres, and his mastery of conjuring atmosphere and driving stories to thrilling narrative crescendos. And yet, aside from some regularly anthologized short stories and novellas, much of the writer’s fiction remains unknown despite its quality. Aiming to firmly position Sheridan Le Fanu alongside other canonical horror writers published by the British Library, this anthology focuses on some of his lesser-known stories, exploring eight thoroughly Gothic tales of murderous families, dark castles, and ghosts whose business with the living remains unfinished.
Sheridan Le Fanu
Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu (1814–1873) was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the premier ghost story writer of the nineteenth century and had a seminal influence on the development of this genre in the Victorian era.
British Library Hardback Classics: Gilded Nightmares
Discover Gilded Nightmares, a hardback collection devoted to gothic and unsettling fiction. These British Library editions explore dark imagination and eerie storytelling through striking design. Created for readers who enjoy classic tales with a darker edge.
British Library Hardback Classics: Gilded Nightmares consists of 18 total books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

