'A Little Place Off the Edgware Road' (1939) by Graham Greene

Originally published in 1939, 'A Little Place Off the Edgware Road' is a short story by Graham Greene that explores themes of guilt, death, and psychological unease.

Plot Overview: The story follows Craven, a lonely and troubled man who spends his time wandering the streets of London, particularly around the Edgware Road. He is haunted by a persistent fear of death, which has been exacerbated by the grim realities of war and his own personal anxieties.

One evening, Craven visits a small, run-down cinema—his usual refuge from the bleakness of life. As he watches a film, he becomes increasingly disturbed by a man sitting near him, who appears strangely lifeless. The figure’s presence unsettles him, triggering feelings of paranoia and an eerie sense that something is terribly wrong.

After the film ends, Craven has a brief and chilling encounter with this man, who seems to be speaking as if from beyond the grave. It is then revealed that the man had already been dead, adding a supernatural and psychological horror element to the story. The encounter leaves Craven deeply shaken, reinforcing his fears about mortality and his fragile grip on reality.

Themes: Death and Fear of Mortality: Craven’s obsession with death is central to the story, reflecting Greene’s interest in existential dread.

Psychological Horror: The story plays with ambiguity—whether Craven is experiencing a real supernatural event or a hallucination brought on by his own anxieties.

Urban Isolation: The bleak setting of London, with its grimy streets and anonymous crowds, heightens the protagonist’s sense of loneliness and despair.

Conclusion: 'A Little Place Off' the Edgware Road is a chilling and atmospheric short story that blends psychological tension with subtle supernatural horror. Greene masterfully crafts a tale that lingers in the reader’s mind, playing on deep-seated fears of death and the unknown.