Middle Unearthed

1836 "The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton," by Charles Dickens is thought by many to be a precursor to A Christmas Carol given the subject matter and goblins that a certain grouchy sexton meets on Christmas Eve.

1839 "The Kelpie Rock," by Joseph Holt Ingraham draws on the prior writings of Washington Irving in the Hudson River Valley while giving the world one of the best fantasy stories by an American during this important period in the genre.

1831 "Transformation," by Mary Shelley is the best fantasy short story by the famous author of Frankenstein.

1819 "Rip Van Winkle," by Washington Irving gives a look into the American Revolution by one of America's most famous authors and is also the oldest story in the collection.

1824 "Lilian of the Vale," by George Darley is a haunting fantasy short story that is the cornerstone of all modern fairy stories.

1835 "The Doom of Soulis," by John MacKay Wilson recounts a haunting legend of a wizard that will not soon be forgotten.

1827 "The Dwarf Nose," by Wilhelm Hauff provides one of the best dwarf short stories ever written by one of Germany's most talented authors who died way before his time.

1829 "Seddik Ben Saad the Magician," by D.C. is a mystical story that conjures thoughts of Arabia, astrology, and the black arts.

1845 "The Witch Caprusche," by Elizabeth F. Ellet tells a haunting fantasy story of a witch and the thirst for power that leads to a bitter end.

1837 "The Pale Lady," by George Soane recounts a peculiar visitor who comes to stay at a castle from the mind of one of the most underrated English fantasy authors of the nineteenth century.