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Concentrated on four short novels by the prominent Mexican modernist writer Amado Nervo (1870–1919), namely, El donador de almas (1899), Mencía (1907), El sexto sentido (1913) and Amnesia (1918), this article argues that Nervo uses the fear sentiment in a subtle and quiet way, but nonetheless effective in its purpose of generating an atmosphere of unrest and mystery. Although Nervo’s stories show similitude with those of, for instance, R. Darío and L. Lugones, through a skilful use of dark humor, ironic distance and moderate skepticism, the author creates a disturbing and mysterious world very much of his own. In this article, Nervo’s fantastic texts are also viewed in the context of the rich Spanish American Modernist movement. Key words: Mexican Literature, Fantastic Literature, Spanish-American Short Novel, Spanish-American Modernism.