Winter Evening Tales (1820; second edition 1821) was James Hogg's most successful work of prose fiction in his lifetime. Its experimental medley of novellas, tales, poems and sketches posed a lively alternative to the dominant form of the historical novel established by Walter Scott. The collection includes terse masterpieces of mystery and the uncanny, virtuoso improvisations on folktale themes, and two brilliant autobiographical novellas, The Renowned Adventures of Basil Lee and Love Adventures of Mr George Cochrane.

This edition takes account of newly-discovered information about An Old Soldier's Tale and The Long Pack. A critical introduction, explanatory notes, reading list and Hogg chronology are provided to assist the reader in appreciating Hogg's entertaining and challenging tale collection to the full.

Contents

The Renowned Adventures of Basil Lee • short story by James Hogg
Dreadful Story of Macpherson • short fiction by James Hogg
John Gray of Middleholm • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 1] • short fiction by James Hogg
Adam Bell • short story by James Hogg
Duncan Campbell • novelette by James Hogg
An Old Soldier's Tale • short story by James Hogg
Highland Adventures • short fiction by James Hogg
Halbert of Lyne • short fiction by James Hogg
The Long Pack • (1817) • short story by James Hogg
A Peasant's Funeral • short story by James Hogg
Story of Two Highlanders • short story by James Hogg
Maria's Tale • short fiction by James Hogg
Singular Dream • short fiction by James Hogg
Love Adventures of Mr. George Cochrane • short fiction by James Hogg
Cousin Mattie • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 4] • short story by James Hogg
Welldean Hall • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 5] • novella by James Hogg
The Wife of Lochmaben • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 3] • short story by James Hogg
Tibby Johnston's Wraith • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 6] • short story by James Hogg
The Bridal of Polmood • novella by James Hogg
King Gregory • short fiction by James Hogg
The Shepherd's Calendar • short fiction by James Hogg
Connel of Dee • [Country Dreams and Apparitions • 2] • short fiction by James Hogg