After Dark

Linked by a narrative framework, this collection features six short stories, with five originally published in Household Words. The overarching tale follows William Kerby, a portrait-painter facing blindness, and his wife Leah, who seeks to preserve their livelihood by documenting his storytelling. Each story is prefaced with a prologue, enhancing the original narratives. This work marks Wilkie Collins' debut in short fiction, showcasing his early storytelling prowess and connection to literary contemporaries like Charles Dickens.