The Prayer

by Violet Hunt

In Violet Hunt's 'The Prayer,' the somber tale unfolds through the eyes of a young woman grappling with the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of late Victorian England, Hunt's writing style captivates readers with its intricate prose and lyrical descriptions. The book delves into themes of societal expectations, gender roles, and spiritual enlightenment, making it a poignant reflection of the era's values and beliefs. The Prayer is a prime example of Hunt's ability to intertwine psychological depth with historical detail, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned. Hunt's sophisticated storytelling evokes a sense of melancholy that lingers in the reader's mind, showcasing her mastery of emotional depth and nuanced character development. 'The Prayer' is a must-read for those interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the impact of societal norms on personal identity.

Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Horror, Classics

46 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2022

About the author

Isobel Violet Hunt was a British author and literary hostess. She was an active feminist. She covered several literary forms, including short stories, novels, memoirs, and biographies.

Reviews

[Lucas Tunes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Até agora o melhor conto que li na antologia Vitorianas Macabras. Muito carregado emocionalmente e também o mais maduro. Divido em 4 partes me pareceu um salto na qualidade da escrita, com elipses muito bem colocadas e cada cena mais envolvente que a anterior. É mais uma tragédia do que uma história de terror propriamente dita. Além disso é o primeiro com uma protagonista feminina e isso fez toda a diferença para mim. Eu não estava esperando tantos protagonistas masculinos numa antologia de escritoras mulheres. Espero ver mais protagonistas femininas nos próximos.

[Shuggy L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depicts upper class, married life in the 19th century - London, UK. Describes how Alice and Edward Arne's relationship changes for the worse during an illness. Weirdly, Edward seems to have been brought back from the dead.

Religious themes reflect metaphysical issues that are still around today: "You blurt out your blessed petition to your Deity and the idea that you're irrelevant never enters you head, soft, persistent, High Church thing that you are..."

See for instance: The Extraordinary Life of Samuel Hill (Robert Dugoni) where the mother petitions religious help and says her prayers using rosary beads (novena): "Maybe it's God's will, ... I no longer believed in God's will."

Also see Charlotte Bronte (Gaskell's LCB) speaking from the same religious tradition:

"We saw her taken from life in its prime. But it is God's will, and the place where she is gone is better than that she has left".

Victorian Ghost Stories - Edited by Richard Dalby

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grieving widow prays for her husband to return from death, only, predictably, to regret it. Some nice foreshadowing glimpses of later horror such as the Stephen King classic, ‘Pet Sematary’, and also a couple of fun twists.

[Anne Bollmann (Annelise Lestrange) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite its terrific premise and beginning, the story was a little all over the place regarding its narrative style and the end was too open to scare or surprise.

[Barbi Berenyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the gothic elements, but I think it could have been more elaborated at some parts.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

AKA: The Story of a Ghost