This selection brings together the fantastic Gothic stories of Vernon Lee, including the landmark collection Hauntings, first published in 1890, along with six additional tales and the 1880 essay 'Faustus and Helena'.
Vernon Lee Books
Vernon Lee, born Violet Paget, is primarily remembered today for her supernatural fiction and her contributions to aesthetics. An early follower of Walter Pater, she authored numerous volumes of essays on art, music, and travel, alongside poetry, and contributed to influential publications like The Yellow Book. Lee's literary works delve into themes of haunting and possession, earning her praise from contemporaries like Montague Summers as a foremost modern exponent of the supernatural in fiction. She was instrumental in introducing the concept of empathy into English, developing it within her psychological aesthetics as a theory where art is experienced mentally and physically. A strong, though often debated, proponent of the Aesthetic movement, Lee's interpretation uniquely called for social action, setting her apart from her peers.
The Sentimental Traveller: Notes on Places
- 298 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The Collected Supernatural and Weird Fiction of Vernon Lee
Volume 1-Including Five Novelettes and Eight Short Stories of the Strange and Unusual
- 392 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of Violet Paget, was a pioneering figure in supernatural fiction, exploring themes of haunting and possession with a touch of terror. Living primarily in Europe and known for her feminist stance, she formed deep relationships and often dressed as a man. Her notable works, including the collection "Hauntings" and the story "Prince Alberic and the Snake Lady," showcase her unique voice and influence, even earning respect from contemporaries like Montague Summers and Henry James. This comprehensive collection highlights her significant contributions to the genre.
Miss Brown, Volume 1
- 146 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of Violet Paget, is celebrated for her supernatural fiction and aesthetic essays. Influenced by Walter Pater, she produced numerous works on art, music, and travel. Her short stories often delve into themes of haunting and possession, with notable collections like Hauntings (1890). One of her most famous tales, "Prince Alberic and the Snake Lady" (1895), was featured in the infamous The Yellow Book, highlighting her impact on the literary scene of her time.
Miss Brown, Volume 2
- 150 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of Violet Paget, is renowned for her supernatural fiction and aesthetic essays. An early admirer of Walter Pater, she authored numerous essays on art, music, and travel. Her short stories delve into themes of haunting and possession, with notable collections like Hauntings (1890). Her tale "Prince Alberic and the Snake Lady" (1895) gained attention when published in the controversial The Yellow Book, showcasing her unique blend of literary and supernatural elements.
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Violet Paget, known by her pseudonym Vernon Lee, was a prolific Franco-British writer celebrated for her supernatural short stories and insightful essays on travel and place. Her first book, Genius Loci: Notes on Places (1899), showcases her keen observations and reflections on various locations. Over her 50-year career, she authored nearly a book each year, blending fiction and nonfiction to explore the essence of different environments and their influence on human experience.
A Phantom Lover
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
This collection of Vernon Lee's uniquely weird short stories and dark fantasies proves why she was once considered among the best of the genre, and why she deserves to return to those ranks today.
Supernatural Tales: Excursions Into Fantasy
- 220 pages
- 8 hours of reading
This chilling collection weaves together eerie tales that blend the fantastic with decadent themes, rich in satanic imagery and morbid atmospheres. Set against the backdrop of Italian pastoral beauty, the stories explore the unsettling intrusion of the past into the lives of their protagonists. Notable tales include a prince's dangerous love for a reptilian beauty, a deadly wedding plot, and a haunting ghostly voice that corrupts a composer's work. Each narrative captivates with its intricate blend of love, obsession, and the supernatural.
Exploring the intricate relationship between beauty and psychology, this work by Vernon Lee, the pseudonym of Violet Paget, offers a unique blend of philosophy, psychology, and art criticism. It challenges traditional aesthetic theories by examining how emotions, cultural influences, and personal experiences shape our perceptions of beauty. Published in the late nineteenth century, it serves as a pioneering effort to connect aesthetics with psychological insights, making it an essential resource for both scholars and art enthusiasts.
