Published in 1901, 'The Oriental Rug' is a classic tale of a supernatural object passing from one owner to the next, leaving a trail of trouble in its wake. The story starts when a wealthy American, Mr. Moulton, buys a stunning antique rug from the East. He's warned it carries a dark history, but he doesn't listen.

The Story

The plot is simple but effective. We follow the rug as it moves from Moulton's grand house to other characters—an artist, a struggling family, a skeptic. Wherever it goes, misfortune seems to follow. There are financial disasters, broken relationships, and strange accidents. The book builds tension by asking one persistent question: is this a genuine curse woven into the fabric, or are we just seeing a string of coincidences through a superstitious lens?

Why You Should Read It

Ellwanger writes with a calm, descriptive style that makes the creeping dread feel real. He doesn't need gore; the fear comes from the quiet, unsettling feeling that an inanimate object in your home might be... aware. I loved how each new owner's story felt like its own little ghost story, all connected by this one beautiful, troubling artifact. It makes you think about the hidden histories of the old things we collect.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect, quick read for a gloomy afternoon if you love classic, slow-burn spooky stories. Think of it as a great-grandparent to modern 'cursed object' horror. It’s not scary in a jump-scare way, but it will give you a wonderfully eerie feeling. If you enjoy authors like M.R. James or early atmospheric horror, you'll find a real gem here. Just maybe don't read it while sitting on a Persian rug.