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Book review, french horror, Gerald Durrell, gothic, horror short story, horror story, scariest book, scariest horror story, scariest story, scary, story review, the entrance
There is a collection of short stories by the author Gerald Durrell, entitled The Picnic and Other Pandemonium. The final tale within this otherwise humorous, even farcical compilation – is a delightfully macabre piece entitled The Entrance.
The Entrance is, quite simply, one of the most unsettling pieces of literature that I have ever read. It was also the first story I read to really scare the pants off me. As such, it will always have a special place in my affection.
The story is framed by the author’s account of how he came to be in possession of the manuscript. In fact, everything about the presentation of this story leads the reader to question whether in truth it is merely a piece of fiction.
Durrell has maximised this tale’s potential for creating fear. It is in stark contrast to the light, humorous stories which precede it and this serves to shock and unsettle the reader. This story, framed with a ‘real world’ introduction and closing passage, is further made to feel real by its inclusion amidst stories which are accounts of true events.
What is more unsettling for a reader of horror, than the possibility that the story they are reading may be true? We are wrong footed and uncertain of the tale’s veracity and Durrell continues to build the tension through his introduction – darkly hinting at the horror’s to come.
The story is definitely original, though it has enough of the classic haunted house tale to ensure that its reinvention of the cliché serves to further unsettles the reader. One framing element contains another and as the author of the manuscript recounts his tale – we know his fate is inevitable and inescapable.
I don’t want to give the plot of this story away – because I really want you (yes *you*) to read this. And it would be a travesty to spoil it for you. In the vaguest of terms this is the story of a man, isolated in a gothic chateau and the mysterious horrors he encounters within the house. This is not a traditional ghost story. It hints at the existence of other worlds, and the barrier between us is brittle and fragile. Gerald Durrell takes us through a glass darkly and he does not compromise on his ending. The oppressive sense of tension and unease that pervades this story is impressive. There is something that really gets under your skin, something genuinely nasty and malevolent in this tale.
I first read this story when I was very young and on two subsequent re-reads I must confess that each time it scares me less. But I notice something new on each occasion, and measure my progress as a ghost story buff through my reaction to it. On this occasion I noticed the heavy and respectful nod to MR James. I appreciated it more as a cold and lonely gothic horror and pondered longer over the uncompromising ending.
When you read this story you will wonder why you have never heard of it before. And you’ll certainly never forget it.
Virtual Borderland 
That story scared the bejesus out of me when I first read it. Absolutely brilliant, and framed excellently by the rest of the book, which is largely non-fiction.
I see a small but steady flow of interest in this story passing through the blog – which pleasantly surprised me. It seems to stick with a lot of people once they have read it. I think the way in which it is framed aids in that – as it comes as such a shock. I think that may also have contributed to its low profile.
I first read this when I was about 14, and I remember that for a good month afterwards I couldn’t stop myself hastily scanning the background with a feeling of real terror whenever I was confronted with a mirror. I’ve read dozens of ghost stories since, but found none as frightening as this. I think it would work well on television, but as far as I know no one has adapted it yet.
I think this story is crying out to be adapted into a film – and it wouldn’t require a big budget with lots of effects, so could easily be adapted for TV. Maybe as the Hammer studios have started up again, and seem to have an interest in British ghost/supernatural stories, this little gem might float onto their radar.
I read in in CHILD book when I was about eleven. I NEVER EVER FORGOT this story!!
I first read it when it was about 12 and it always stayed with me too.
(spoiler alert)
i love this story. i first read it as a kid and recently read it again. it is still as scary. pity they have not issued the book again. i have a question: how do we make sense of the ending? how come the ghoul which limps (and therefore seems to be gideon’s brother) is in reality gideon?
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great book, first story had me in stitches then the Entrance was a complete shocker. I have to read that story at least once more. the whole book in fact
I read this tale many years ago whilst making my way through other Gerald Durrell books. It certainly left an impression as being the most vivid and frightening story I have read. Years later I couldn’t remember the title. When I found the book and revisited the story it hadn’t lost any of its surprises and scary moments.
I found ‘The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium’ shortly after reading My Family and Other Animals aged 10 or 11. The Entrance was a horrible surprise and scared the crap out of me. Well played, Mr Durrell.
Oh good, so it wasn’t just me who was scared of mirrors for about a month after I read it then? Seriously, this was a short story that scared the excrement out of me when I was 16 and, 30 years later, still leaves me with a genuinely unsettled feeling.
I was searching for the name of the book, which contains this story and came across your post. Simply loved the review.
I’ve read a bunch of Gerald Durrell books (which were my fathers) and he remains a favorite author till date.
Seema Misra – Artist, Writer, Wanderer, Book Lover, and Dreamer.
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