Maurice Level Knihy

Exploring dark themes and human nature, this collection features twenty-six stories that delve into the macabre and the morally ambiguous. Characters grapple with secrets, obsession, and the consequences of their choices, such as a man who thrives on chaos and a blind man who chooses to lose his sight. Each tale reflects the tradition of contes cruels, offering unsettling insights into the darker sides of life and relationships, making it a compelling read for those intrigued by the complexities of the human psyche.

The narrator grapples with intense and conflicting emotions, oscillating between violent desires and profound weariness. Despite not identifying as morally corrupt, they experience overwhelming urges that challenge their self-control. Physical sensations of exhaustion accompany inexplicable fits of rage and sensitivity, suggesting a deep inner turmoil. This struggle with emotional extremes highlights the fragility of the narrator's mental state, revealing a complex interplay between desire, fatigue, and the impact of external stimuli on their psyche.

Characterized by gratuitous acts of brutality and surprise endings, these tales of obsession and violence are the creations of a twentieth-century French writer whose works were staged by the legendary Théâtre du Grand-Guignol of Paris. The precursors of modern thrillers and slasher films, these stories have been specially selected for this edition and introduced by horror specialist S. T. Joshi. Thirty-nine conte cruel ("cruel tales") include "In the Light of the Red Lamp," in which a husband's photographs of his dead wife reveal a deeper tragedy; "Fascination," the tale of a morbid passion that develops when the narrator, determined to stay at home, shoots his mistress for the sake of peace and quiet; and "The Bastard," concerning a father's suspicions about his son's paternity. Other stories include "The Taint," a view of infanticide as mercy-killing; "The Test," in which an accused murderer is forced to reenact his crime; and "A Maniac," recounting a thrill-seeker's ghoulish impulse to witness death-defying stunts gone wrong.

This antiquarian book offers a facsimile reprint of an original work, preserving its historical significance. Readers may encounter imperfections such as marks and notations, reflective of its age. The reprint aims to protect and promote important literary works, making them accessible in high-quality editions that remain faithful to the original text.

As a facsimile reprint of a historical work, this antiquarian book offers a glimpse into the past, preserving its original imperfections like marks and notations. Emphasizing its cultural significance, the reprint aims to protect and promote literature by providing an affordable, high-quality edition that remains true to the original text. This commitment highlights the importance of accessibility to classic works for contemporary readers.

The book is recognized for its cultural significance and is a vital part of the collective knowledge of civilization. It has been faithfully reproduced from the original artifact, preserving its authenticity, including original copyright references and library stamps. These elements highlight its historical importance and the context in which it has been housed in major libraries worldwide.

This book is a high-quality reprint of the original edition of L'épouvante, ensuring that readers experience the text in its authentic form. The unchanged nature of this edition allows for a faithful representation of the original content, making it a valuable addition for collectors and enthusiasts of classic literature.

Bizarre, compelling, terrifying and authentic true crime stories of murder and mayhem. In these pages you will find a stories about love affairs gone deadly,mass murder, a family slaughter, even a story about a killer who impersonated his victim—chilling crimes that could only be perpetrated by the twisted minds and gruesome obsessions of coldblooded killers, the stuff that horror movies and novels are made of, brought to you from the vault of bestselling true crime author and serial killer expert Gary C. King.