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Doom of the House of Duryea
Arthur Duryea, a young, handsome man, came to meet his father for the first time in twenty years. As he strode into the hotel lobby -- long strides which had the spring of elastic in them -- idle eyes lifted to appraise him, for he was an impressive figure, somehow grim with exaltation.
The desk clerk looked up with his habitual smile of expectation; how-do-you-do-Mr.-so-and-so, and his fingers strayed to the green fountain pen which stood in a holder on the desk. He looked uncertain -- he looked, perhaps, afraid. With good cause.
The desk clerk looked up with his habitual smile of expectation; how-do-you-do-Mr.-so-and-so, and his fingers strayed to the green fountain pen which stood in a holder on the desk. He looked uncertain -- he looked, perhaps, afraid. With good cause.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 14, 2022
Why this truly magnificent story by Earl Peirce from 1936 is not more well known, is incomprehensible. Though it appeared in the pulp magazine, Weird Tales, you can throw your preconceptions — and prejudices — in regard to pulp out the window. This is one of the finest short stories dealing with vampirism you will ever read. Modern day stories on the subject are either geared toward those seeking the bad-boy-vampire-meets-high-school-babe-and-they-fall-in-love, or those who wish to wallow in brutality and bloody gore. This is neither. What it is, is a well written and conceived, and finely crafted pulp tale that feels real, and has an impactful ending you’ll never forget.
Arthur Duryea has not seen his father Henry for twenty years. The reason is his Aunt Cecilia's stories about the night his infant brothers were found in their cribs, drained of blood, and her terrible beliefs and superstitions regarding the cause. But finally she has died, and father and son are reunited. Peirce gives the narrative a swift pulp pace, but makes it atmospheric, and involving. He parses the past out slowly, and we gobble up each morsel as quickly as we can.
A lodge in Maine is meant to be a bonding time between a father and son who have been separated for too many years. But there is a storm, a book in a bag reeking of decay, and suspicion. And then there is a startling, powerful conclusion you won’t soon forget. This is an absolutely terrific story. There is no blood, no gore, and yet it drips with suspense and maybe even a slight chill. An amazing story I only came across because I enjoy pulp. Stories like this are the kind of find that makes all the searching worthwhile.
This is a clean read as per blood and gore, and is in fact elegantly told, but with an earthiness that makes it a great piece of short fiction. While I purchased this for less than a dollar, you don’t have to. I’ve discovered it is available FREE at Gutenberg. I highly recommend it. It will only take you thirty minutes to read, and you’ll never forget it once you do. A terrific bedtime read. Here is the link to download the short story FREE at Gutenberg — http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/searc...
Arthur Duryea has not seen his father Henry for twenty years. The reason is his Aunt Cecilia's stories about the night his infant brothers were found in their cribs, drained of blood, and her terrible beliefs and superstitions regarding the cause. But finally she has died, and father and son are reunited. Peirce gives the narrative a swift pulp pace, but makes it atmospheric, and involving. He parses the past out slowly, and we gobble up each morsel as quickly as we can.
A lodge in Maine is meant to be a bonding time between a father and son who have been separated for too many years. But there is a storm, a book in a bag reeking of decay, and suspicion. And then there is a startling, powerful conclusion you won’t soon forget. This is an absolutely terrific story. There is no blood, no gore, and yet it drips with suspense and maybe even a slight chill. An amazing story I only came across because I enjoy pulp. Stories like this are the kind of find that makes all the searching worthwhile.
This is a clean read as per blood and gore, and is in fact elegantly told, but with an earthiness that makes it a great piece of short fiction. While I purchased this for less than a dollar, you don’t have to. I’ve discovered it is available FREE at Gutenberg. I highly recommend it. It will only take you thirty minutes to read, and you’ll never forget it once you do. A terrific bedtime read. Here is the link to download the short story FREE at Gutenberg — http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/searc...
February 5, 2018
I just love the dread this classic short story conjures! My favorite horror stories are those that have nothing to do with blood and guts (although this one definitely has blood in it!), but instead, rely on language and imagery and pacing to get your hair standing up on the back of your neck. So atmospheric!
Yes, this is a vampire story, but it certainly does not resemble the modern versions that have been so popular. This story gave me information a little at time, drawing me in while, at the same time, making me feel like I didn’t really want to go any farther into this creepy narrative. Of course, the pull was inexorable, all the way to the horrifying, yet somehow poignant, ending!
Yes, this is a vampire story, but it certainly does not resemble the modern versions that have been so popular. This story gave me information a little at time, drawing me in while, at the same time, making me feel like I didn’t really want to go any farther into this creepy narrative. Of course, the pull was inexorable, all the way to the horrifying, yet somehow poignant, ending!
February 21, 2019
Brilliant vampire story with some great twists. Can Arthur survive the curse that lies upon his family? What about his father and their common trip to Maine? Cecilia is dead and Arthur is a grown man. But there are shocking details in the old book Arthur finds in the Gladstone bag of his father. A very atmospheric and creepy story that directly goes into medias res. Here we also have a new aspect in vampirism. Gooseflesh guarantee. Absolutely must read for everyone interested in vampires!
October 19, 2015
Short horror story from Weird Tales Magazine (October 1936). When a son reunites with his father, he finds out about strange murders which have occured in his family line throughout history. Are the rumors true, or just superstition? This one had me guessing until the end. A great read. (Can be found at Project Gutenberg.)
July 1, 2018
A tale of vampirism that is a cut above the average do to its interesting take on it. It treats it as a disgusting and repulsive disease rather than something romantic, beautiful or something to long for. I’ve never seen vampirism depicted in such a harshly ostracized way.
August 25, 2017
I had never heard of this story before it popped up in the Weird Fiction megapack, and my god what a unsuspected treat! A dark and disturbing tale of vampirism as father and son reunite after many years apart. The horrifying rumors about his father and his bloodline can be finally be laid to rest... Or can they?
The atmosphere and mood of this tale was out of this world, dark, disturbing, sinister and treats vampirism as a disease, something hideous and grotesque.
This is truly a hidden gem from the pulp era, I can't believe I haven't heard of this story before. One of the very best vampire tales I have read, I can't recommend this enough!
The atmosphere and mood of this tale was out of this world, dark, disturbing, sinister and treats vampirism as a disease, something hideous and grotesque.
This is truly a hidden gem from the pulp era, I can't believe I haven't heard of this story before. One of the very best vampire tales I have read, I can't recommend this enough!
December 29, 2023
Perhaps some people found it predictable, but I thought this story was eerie with a good twist on an otherwise overdone genre - which made it thoroughly enjoyable. Made me want to read some of Pierce's other works.
March 11, 2022
Easily one of the best old horror stories I’ve read/listened to in ages.
And a much more interesting take on vampires compared to anything I’ve read recently.
And a much more interesting take on vampires compared to anything I’ve read recently.
March 9, 2023
Excellent mid-thirties serial fiction with a fairly unique take on vampirism and father-son relations from pulp rag, Weird Tales.
September 12, 2025
weird horror short story
September 23, 2016
A very interesting short story, with a twist at the end. The 'twist' was quite predictable, nevertheless, the story was enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews