Victorian Tales of the Weird: A curated anthology of Victorian and Edwardian weird tales, supernatural horrors and uncanny fiction

by Nick Rennison

From a dancing automaton running amok at a ball, to a prehistoric beast lurking in the depths of a Yorkshire cave, this anthology explores the nature of the 'old weird', and unordinary stories which go outside the boundaries of everyday life.

The anthology includes not only stories by well-known writers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jerome K. Jerome, but also by long-forgotten authors such as D. F. Hannigan and Reginald Bacchus. Focusing on the idea and history of what can be classified as 'old weird', compared to the 'new weird', Rennison applies experience and knowledge of Victorian literary history to bring these supernatural tales to the surface.

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

About the author

Nick Rennison is a writer, editor and bookseller. His books include Sherlock Holmes: An Unauthorised Biography, Robin Hood: Myth, History, Culture, The Bloomsbury Good Reading Guide and 100 Must-Read Historical Novels. He is a regular reviewer of historical fiction for both The Sunday Times and BBC History Magazine.

Reviews

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Rennison’s Victorian Tales of the Weird is a richly atmospheric anthology that delves into the unsettling corners of 19th-century fiction, showcasing the eerie, uncanny, and bizarre through a carefully curated selection of short stories. From malevolent automata to ancient horrors lurking in the British countryside, this collection resurrects the “old weird” — stories that straddle the line between gothic horror, science fiction, and the inexplicable.

What makes this anthology stand out is not only its thematic cohesion, but also its historical framing. Rennison introduces the reader to the concept of the “old weird” — tales written long before the term “weird fiction” was coined, yet still imbued with the disquieting sense of the unnatural that defines the genre. This focus sets the book apart from modern weird fiction anthologies, which often lean into cosmic horror or surrealism. Here, the weird is grounded in Victorian anxieties: industrialization, scientific progress, and the boundaries of the known world.

Familiar names like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jerome K. Jerome bring a sense of literary credibility, but it is the inclusion of lesser-known voices such as D. F. Hannigan and Reginald Bacchus that makes this volume a real treasure. Rennison’s eye for obscure yet compelling tales breathes new life into stories that might otherwise have been lost to time.

The anthology is more than just a collection of strange tales — it’s also a thoughtful exploration of how the weird evolved in Victorian literature. Rennison’s expertise in the period enriches the reading experience, offering historical context that deepens the reader’s appreciation for each tale.

Whether you are a longtime fan of supernatural fiction or a newcomer curious about the roots of the genre, Victorian Tales of the Weird offers an eerie, elegant journey through the strange shadows of Victorian storytelling. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of weird fiction, and a reminder that the uncanny has always had a place in the literary imagination.

[KeenReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories and as usual, I liked some better than others. I'd only come across one before (Man-sized in Marble) but luckily I like that so I was quite happy to re-read it. It was particularly interesting to read the science fiction-based stories written when, in my opinion, science fiction really began to take off.

[Robert Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any anthology some stories are far better than others, although the selection is of a high quality. From familiar thrills by Conan Doyle and Nesbitt to more obscure oddities featuring defrosted prehistoric lizards; a demonic dream of a poisonous green phial; and a tree that sucks men dry - oh yes - this is a heady, enjoyable concoction.

[coveting.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a dancing automaton running amok at a ball, to a prehistoric beast lurking in the depths of a cave, this anthology explores the nature of the old weird and unordinary stories which go outside the boundaries of the known world.

Rennison applies experience and knowledge of victorian literary history to bring these supernatural tales to the surface that straddle the line between gothic horror, science fiction and the unexplainable.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝐍𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧