Review: Tales of the Decline by Rhoda Broughton

Review of the book “Sunset Tales” by Rhoda Broughton.

“Tales of the Twilight” is a collection of stories by the British writer Rhoda Broughton, first published in 1899. This work stands out for its ability to portray the late Victorian world and for Broughton’s ability to create horror and mystery stories, that at the same time explore complex human relationships.

Tales of the Twilight, by Rhoda Broughton, is a work that should not go unnoticed by lovers of gothic and supernatural literature. It is an anthology of five stories that immerse us in the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the Victorian era, where the inexplicable and the terrifying mix with the everyday and the sentimental.

Rhoda Broughton was a Welsh writer who published her first works in the 1860s, and who became famous for her sentimental novels with touches of humor and social criticism. However, he also cultivated the genre of short stories, especially those with ghostly themes, which he used to publish in magazines or as Christmas gifts for his friends.

In Tales of the Twilight, we can appreciate Broughton’s mastery of creating disturbing atmospheres, believable characters and surprising plots. Their stories do not seek to provoke fear or horror, but rather amazement and curiosity about the unknown. Its protagonists are usually young, intelligent and sensitive women, who face extraordinary situations that test their sanity and faith.

The stories that make up this anthology are the following:

– The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth: An epistolary story between two friends, in which one of them tells the other about her experience in a house haunted by the spirit of a murdered woman.
– The Man with the Nose: A story about mesmerism and the power of suggestion, in which a young woman is involved in a strange experiment carried out by a mysterious man with a prominent nose.
– Under the cape: A story about a train trip that turns into a nightmare, when a woman is the victim of a robbery and assault by a stranger who hides under a cape.
– Listen! It was a dream: A story about a premonitory dream that anticipates a brutal murder, and that leads the dreamer to try to avoid it at all costs.
– Poor Handsome Bobby: A story about a ghostly visit from beyond, in which a dead young man returns to say goodbye to his beloved.

Tales of the Twilight is a recommended read for fans of the gothic and supernatural genre, who will enjoy Broughton’s elegant and fluid prose, as well as his original and captivating stories. This is a work that rescues from oblivion an author who deserves to be recognized as one of the great masters of the Victorian story.

The collection features a variety of tales, from ghost stories to stories of forbidden love and revenge. One of the most notable stories is “Good Lady Ducayne,” a story about a young nurse who is hired to care for a wealthy and isolated elderly woman. As the story progresses, the nurse begins to realize that something sinister is happening in the house and that her own life may be in danger.

Another memorable story is “The Black Bag Left on a Door-Step,” a story of love and betrayal in which a married woman falls in love with a younger, less well-off man. When her husband discovers her infidelity, she is forced to take extreme measures to protect her secret.

What makes Twilight Tales a standout is Broughton’s ability to create complex, realistic characters who find themselves caught in sinister and dangerous situations. The author uses the setting and detailed description of places to create a sense of danger and mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the end.

Furthermore, Broughton is also noted for her insight in exploring social and political issues of her time, such as the role of women in late Victorian society and the gap between social classes. His stories present a subtle commentary on these themes, making the work relevant and fascinating even to modern readers.

In conclusion, “Tales of the Twilight” is a work of great literary quality and with a great capacity to create horror and mystery stories that at the same time explore the complex human relationships and social and political tensions of the late Victorian era. Rhoda Broughton is a leading writer of Gothic literature and this collection is an excellent example of her narrative talent and her ability to create realistic and intriguing characters.