The Willows

Set during a canoe expedition on the Danube, two friends encounter an unsettling presence in the natural world. The willows along the river take on a menacing life of their own, evoking a sense of horror and the supernatural. Blackwood's narrative explores themes of existential dread and the unknown, as mysterious beings hint at a greater, unearthly experience that directly engages with the soul. Celebrated by horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, this early modern horror tale is a cornerstone of strange fiction, blending nature's beauty with an ominous atmosphere.