The Lair of the White Worm

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Lair of the White Worm

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in 1860s England, this Gothic thriller follows Adam Salton's return to his ancestral home, where he uncovers a terrifying secret beneath the countryside. Ancient legends, mesmerism, and a monstrous creature lurk in the shadows, blending folklore with supernatural horror in a chilling tale of revenge and survival.

Summary up to 500 words

In Bram Stoker's *The Lair of the White Worm*, Australian Adam Salton returns to England to visit his wealthy grand-uncle, Richard Salton, at the family estate, Lesser Hill. Richard invites Adam to Castra Regis, the ancestral seat of the Caswall family, which has been uninhabited by its owners for generations. The current head, Edgar Caswall, lives abroad and is obsessed with the mechanical powers of a giant kite and the mysterious contents of a chest belonging to the French scientist Mesmer. Edgar's household includes his wife, Lady Arabella, and two daughters, Mimi and Lilla. While the daughters are gentle, Edgar is cold, vengeful, and harbors a deep hatred for Mimi, whom he blames for thwarting his wills. He views Adam as an obstacle to his schemes. The atmosphere at Castra Regis grows increasingly tense as Edgar conducts strange experiments involving the kite and the chest. His obsession leads to paranoia, culminating in the death of his old servant, Simon Chester, who faints upon recalling the chest's contents. Lady Arabella, who has her own motives for being at the estate, attempts to navigate the dangerous social dynamics while Edgar plots revenge. The tension escalates during a violent storm. Lightning strikes, causing the tower of Castra Regis to collapse and the house to catch fire. Inside, a horrific explosion erupts from a well-hole beneath the house, revealing a monstrous creature—a giant white worm—that has been lurking underground. Driven by a malevolent force, the creature attacks the inhabitants, spewing blood and flesh from the earth. The storm and the creature's rampage destroy the estate, killing Lady Arabella and tearing the worm apart. The survivors, including Adam, Mimi, and Sir Nathaniel de Salis, escape the devastation. In the aftermath, they survey the ruins, finding the worm's remains and the evidence of its destructive power. The novel concludes with the destruction of the evil forces and the promise of a new beginning for the survivors.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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