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Middle Unearthed: The Best Fantasy Short Stories 1800-1849
Before there were lovable green ogres called Shrek and kid wizards named Harry Potter, there were the 10 best fantasy short stories published in English during the first half of the nineteenth century. These excellent stories have been uncovered by Andrew Barger, awarding winning editor of 6a66le: The Best Horror Short Stories 1800-1849 and BlooDeath: The Best Vampire Short Stories 1800-1849.
In old magazines and forgotten journals, Andrew read well over 100 fantasy short stories and settled on the very best for this fantasy anthology. He provides a list, at the back of the collection, of the stories considered along with the author and year of publication. Andrew further includes background introductions to each story and author photos, where available. But his treatment of some of the earliest stories in the genre gets even better with annotations of the stories, which allow readers to peek behind the stories.
Middle Unearthed, an Introduction — Andrew Barger
1836 “The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton” — Charles Dickens
1839 “The Kelpie Rock” — Joseph Holt Ingraham
1831 “Transformation” — Mary Shelley
1819 “Rip Van Winkle” — Washington Irving
1824 “Lilian of the Vale” — George Darley
1835 “The Doom of Soulis” — John MacKay Wilson
1827 “The Dwarf Nose” — Wilhelm Hauff
1829 “Seddik Ben Saad the Magician” — D.C.
1845 “The Witch Caprusche” — Elizabeth F. Ellet
1837 “The Pale Lady” — George Soane
Fantasy Short Stories Considered
Take a wondrous journey into the early unknown and read the 10 best fantasy stories from 1800-1849 today.
In old magazines and forgotten journals, Andrew read well over 100 fantasy short stories and settled on the very best for this fantasy anthology. He provides a list, at the back of the collection, of the stories considered along with the author and year of publication. Andrew further includes background introductions to each story and author photos, where available. But his treatment of some of the earliest stories in the genre gets even better with annotations of the stories, which allow readers to peek behind the stories.
Middle Unearthed, an Introduction — Andrew Barger
1836 “The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton” — Charles Dickens
1839 “The Kelpie Rock” — Joseph Holt Ingraham
1831 “Transformation” — Mary Shelley
1819 “Rip Van Winkle” — Washington Irving
1824 “Lilian of the Vale” — George Darley
1835 “The Doom of Soulis” — John MacKay Wilson
1827 “The Dwarf Nose” — Wilhelm Hauff
1829 “Seddik Ben Saad the Magician” — D.C.
1845 “The Witch Caprusche” — Elizabeth F. Ellet
1837 “The Pale Lady” — George Soane
Fantasy Short Stories Considered
Take a wondrous journey into the early unknown and read the 10 best fantasy stories from 1800-1849 today.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2015
1422 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
12.9k books31.5k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2020
Listened to "The Witch Caprusche" by Elizabeth F. Ellet on Classic Tales Podcast episode #663 012420
October 21, 2017
What I adored about this book is the same thing I despised! My Left Brain says: The most wondrous storytelling alongside detailed comments on history, concepts, and whatnot. As a literature admirer I was awed! So much was provided in this one book! My Right Brain says: Why is ONLY half the book the stories themselves?!? As a reader of fairy tales, I advise one to flip straight to each story as they are the WHOLE reason one would want to read this book! Whole Brain agrees: An entire selection of nothing but wonders! Lastly, my late Mother's voice reminds me to say: My special thanks to editor ANDREW BARGER for this awesome GOODREADS giveaway prize.
January 18, 2023
A great collection of short Fantasy stories edited by A. Barger. My favorites; The Story of the Goblins that stole a Sexton, The Dwarf Nose, and Transformation.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews