This post is one in a series of four. Enjoy the ride!

Short story The Body Snatcher.

Macfarlane somehow felt a certain touch of alarm at these
unpleasant words. He may have regretted that he had taught
his young companion so successfully, but he had no time to interfere, for the other noisily continued in this boastful strain:
“The great thing is not to be afraid. Now, between you and
me, I don’t want to hang—that’s practical; but for all cant,
Macfarlane, I was born with a contempt. Hell, God, Devil,
right, wrong, sin, crime, and all the old gallery of curiosities
—they may frighten boys, but men of the world, like you and
me, despise them. Here’s to the memory of Gray!”

Interesting insights: In 1945 Robert Wise directed a film based on this story, starring Boris Karloff, Henry Daniell and Bela Lugosi. About Daniell (who played Dr. Wolfe “Toddy” MacFarlane), Wise is quoted to have said: Henry was as far from a complainer as any I’ve ever known. He’d walk onto the set, do his work like the pro he was, do it damn good, and then quietly leave without being a burden to anybody. Period.

Which is your favourite story from the 1980s?

Looking for something modern? Check out my Top 8 Indie Reads of Last Year!