Beware the Full Moon - Engish Werewolves in Fact and Fiction (Fantasy and Horror Classics) (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781447406532)

When the moon is round, the boundary between man and beast disappears.

This chilling volume offers a deep look into the primal horror of lycanthropy, examining the phenomenon of the werewolf as it manifests in both the eerie corners of English fiction and the alarming records of historical "fact." It blends sophisticated literary terror with unsettling reports of folklore and dark history.

The collection features four distinct works, each offering a unique perspective on the dreaded transformation:

• Gabriel-Ernest by Saki (H.H. Munro): A classic piece of witty yet wicked Edwardian short fiction. Saki presents a creature of unnatural grace and chilling indifference, subtly suggesting the presence of a were-beast lurking beneath a civilized exterior.

• Hugues, the Wer-Wolf by Sutherland Menzies: A definitive work of 19th-century horror, this narrative offers a detailed and terrifying depiction of a man afflicted by the curse of lycanthropy, exploring the dark medieval roots and psychological torment of the transformation.

• The Terror in the Snow by B. Fletcher Robinson: A gripping tale of suspense and survival against a monstrous, unknown enemy. Robinson (who helped Arthur Conan Doyle conceive The Hound of the Baskervilles) delivers a chilling wilderness encounter that pits human courage against a predatory, shape-shifting evil.

• Reports in the British Isles by Montague Summers: Stepping from fiction into the purported facts of history, the renowned scholar of the occult and witchcraft offers a collection of documented folklore, legends, and historical reports concerning werewolves and lycanthropy in Britain. This section grounds the fantasy in unsettling historical precedent.

This is the perfect read for anyone who has ever suspected that the wilder parts of the world hide an ancient curse.