Moonlight Sonata

by Alexander Woollcott

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

About the author

Alexander Humphreys Woollcott (1887-1943) was an American drama critic and commentator for The New Yorker magazine, a member of the Algonquin Round Table, an occasional actor and playwright, and a prominent radio personality.

Reviews

[Georgia Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror is not my usual comfort food. Yet, the brevity of this short story drew me to it. You know the feeling, it's late, you want something. Not a lot. Just a bite before bed. If that's ever you, Moonlight Sonata may do the trick. It had me licking my lips.

A guest in a house wakes to find he is not alone in his bedroom. Being a doctor, the guest whose experience this is, should be dependable. An old friend tells his story in language that is educated, careful, and guarded should any real names be used. Britain has strict libel laws, he reminds the reader. Thus teased, I read on and . . . .

Perhaps there is something in this genre that I have been missing. Since I put aside Poe's tales as if they were just childish things, I haven't slept so well in ages as I did last night after reading this. Surprising and terrifying. This ultra short piece is a perfect late night snack. In case you can't find a copy of it in print, here it is being read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVkGq...

[Federico DN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't lose your head.

Two long-time friends spend their day in an old decaying manor-house, when during the middle of the night one of them notices a strange shadowy figure in one corner of his room. A dreadful ghostly appearance that seems to be... peacefully sewing?

Meh. Half good, half bad. The beginning was a fantastic chore, I mean was all that subterfuge with the characters re-naming really necessary? The overly descriptive convoluted prose also certainly didn't help. Around the middle it became simpler and more action focused. That part was good, so was the ending. I'm setting on an average 'almost ok'. Can't rec it though.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1931] [3p] [Horror] [1.5] [Not Recommendable]
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???????? 75 Short Masterpieces <--

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No pierdas la cabeza.

Dos viejos amigos pasan el día en una antigua casa-mansión decaída, cuando a mitad de la noche uno de ellos nota una extraña figura sombría en un rincón de su habitación. Una espantosa apariencia fantasmal que parece estar... ¿pacíficamente cosiendo?

Meh. Mitad bueno, mitad malo. El comienzo fue una aburrición fantástica, quiero decir, ¿era realmente necesario todo ese subterfugio con el cambio de nombre de los personajes? La prosa enrevesada, excesivamente descriptiva, ciertamente tampoco ayudó. Hacia la mitad se volvió más simple y centrado en la acción. Esa parte estuvo buena, al igual que el final. Me decido porn un promedio 'casi ok'. Aunque no puedo recomendarlo.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1931] [3p] [Horror] [1.5] [No Recomendable]
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[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story, written in 1931, that tells the tale of a physician visiting a friend's house and his encounter with the insane caretaker of the property.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as part of the Classic Tales of Horror - 500+ Stories. It was very enjoyable 2023

[Forked Radish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now they’ll have to hire another cook! The horror!