From a dancing automaton running amok at a ball, to a prehistoric beast lurking in the depths of a cave, this anthology explores the nature of the old weird and unordinary stories which go outside the boundaries of the known world.

Rennison applies experience and knowledge of victorian literary history to bring these supernatural tales to the surface that straddle the line between gothic horror, science fiction and the unexplainable.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 | 𝐍𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧

Nick Rennison’s Victorian Tales of the Weird is a richly atmospheric anthology that delves into the unsettling corners of 19th-century fiction, showcasing the eerie, uncanny, and bizarre through a carefully curated selection of short stories. From malevolent automata to ancient horrors lurking in the British countryside, this collection resurrects the “old weird” — stories that straddle the line between gothic horror, science fiction, and the inexplicable.

What makes this anthology stand out is not only its thematic cohesion, but also its historical framing. Rennison introduces the reader to the concept of the “old weird” — tales written long before the term “weird fiction” was coined, yet still imbued with the disquieting sense of the unnatural that defines the genre. This focus sets the book apart from modern weird fiction anthologies, which often lean into cosmic horror or surrealism. Here, the weird is grounded in Victorian anxieties: industrialization, scientific progress, and the boundaries of the known world.

Familiar names like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jerome K. Jerome bring a sense of literary credibility, but it is the inclusion of lesser-known voices such as D. F. Hannigan and Reginald Bacchus that makes this volume a real treasure. Rennison’s eye for obscure yet compelling tales breathes new life into stories that might otherwise have been lost to time.

The anthology is more than just a collection of strange tales — it’s also a thoughtful exploration of how the weird evolved in Victorian literature. Rennison’s expertise in the period enriches the reading experience, offering historical context that deepens the reader’s appreciation for each tale.

Whether you are a longtime fan of supernatural fiction or a newcomer curious about the roots of the genre, Victorian Tales of the Weird offers an eerie, elegant journey through the strange shadows of Victorian storytelling. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of weird fiction, and a reminder that the uncanny has always had a place in the literary imagination.

Liked it . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Wonderful tales of the weird / gothic from long ago. This collection of tales is delightful, some I had heard of and some I had read before but the bulk of them refreshingly new. These sort of tales always remind me of the great black and white B movies of the 1940's and 50's in a great way. Wonderfully old fashioned ,the good old days, but still very entertaining today.