The Body Snatcher and Olalla: Two Haunting, Classic Tales

The Body Snatcher follows a young medical student, Fettes, who becomes entangled in grave-robbing under the influence of his superior, the sinister Dr. Macfarlane, as they supply bodies for anatomical study. Years later, Fettes is haunted by the memory of a corpse they recognize as someone they had supposedly already buried—raising chilling questions about murder and morality.

In Olalla, a wounded British soldier recovering in a remote Spanish estate becomes captivated by the mysterious and beautiful Olalla, whose noble family harbors a dark and supernatural secret. As he uncovers their eerie past and Olalla’s internal struggle, he is forced to confront themes of heredity, self-denial, and the haunting power of ancestral sin.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer known for his significant contributions to world literature. Through his stories, Stevenson commented on Victorian society, often critiquing its hypocrisies and moral ambiguities, making his work relevant to discussions on ethics, identity, and the human condition. Stevenson's legacy lies in his ability to entertain while subtly challenging readers to ponder deeper societal and personal issues. His works continue to be studied, adapted, and celebrated for their storytelling prowess and thematic depth.

Frank Marcopolos lives in Florida with his dog, Sparky. He served as a U.S. paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during the war.