Classic ghost story books

The best horror books of all time penguin random house. A masterful collection of ghost stories that have been overlooked by contemporary readersincluding tales by celebrated authors such as charles dickens, sir walter scott, mark twain, and edith whartonpresented with insightful annotations by acclaimed horror anthologists leslie s. E nesbit ghost stories a bbc radio audiobook youtube. Featuring such signature works by major authors as a christmas carol by charles dickens, the legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving and the turn of the screw by henry james, this volume also brings together works you may not have encountered before. Ghost stories deal with subjects and situations focusing on hauntings, spirits, and interactions with the dead. Ghost story is a classic of horror fiction and as such, it is far, far superior to any of the slice and dice horror stories or movies floating around out there. Ghost story is a book about the real horrors of life, those that we create ourselves, those that originate, not from without but from within. Legends about haunted houses have long appeared in literature. Oct 30, 2017 a good oldfashioned ghost story is designed to terrify and entertain, and straubs breakthrough novel does both. The best ghost stories from the victorian era to read for halloween or christmas selected by dr oliver tearle. Algernon blackwoods the empty house horror classic short.

Mar 16, 2017 algernon henry blackwood, cbe 14 march 1869 10 december 1951 was an english short story writer and novelist, one of the most prolific writers of ghost stories in the history of the genre. Set during the american civil war, it is the story of peyton farquhar, a confederate sympathizer condemned to death by hanging from owl creek bridge. The turn of the screw is considered to be his best work. If youre a fan of all things spooky and paranormal and you probably are, if youre here, then the very best kind of book is a ghost book. This story from the afterlife narrated by the ghost of a 14yearold murder victim was an instant bestseller when it was published, and was made into a. Linked to the ghost is the idea of hauntings, where a supernatural entity is tied to a place, object or person. It wasnt until 1828 that what is generally considered the first modern ghost story appeared. The classic ghost story arose during the victorian period, and included authors such as m. A good oldfashioned ghost story is designed to terrify and entertain, and straubs breakthrough novel does both. Oct 26, 2018 35 classic horror stories, free to download 1.

The book s distinguished lineup of writers includes edgar allan poe, algernon blackwood, arthur machen, m. Jan 02, 2015 scotts important contribution to the development of the ghost story lies in his popularization of the shortstory form for the telling of a ghostly tale. The books distinguished lineup of writers includes edgar allan poe, algernon blackwood, arthur machen, m. With dickens famous words, merry christmas, everyone. Another classic of ghoststory writing, with a doomed family and a crumbling, historic house at the heart of it. This collection of classic stories includes shirley jacksons most unsettling, dark tales, including the the possibility of evil and the summer people. All of the locals know about the ghosts that come out during the summer time in gracetown, florida. In mansize in marble, a married couple moves into a cottage that the. The episodes are tagged according to country, century and type, whether that be weird tale, ghost story, horror story, though most likely this will be revised.

Top 5 best ghost story books for 5yearolds featuring illustrated ghost stories. Lets start with the biggest problem for anyone writing a ghost story. Sir walter scotts the tapestried chamber, included in this volume. Broster, marjorie bowen, may sinclair and dennis wheatley. This is a list of childrens classic books published no later than 1990 and still available in the english language books specifically for children existed by the 17th century.

Aug 10, 2017 a collection of classic ghost stories to scare all the family. James is the best ghost story writer out there, and while he is good, i really do prefer the ambrose bierce stories. Classic ghost story collection essential audiobooks. Though the ghost is a subtler literary tool than the vampire, the werewolf, or god help us the zombie, its still easy to.

Reading is rarely fun when its being forced upon you. A ghost story may be any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters belief in them. I have recently been on a victorian and edwardian ghost story binge. At its base, beloved is a classic ghost story centering around a former slave beset by otherworldly torments tied to a longburied and horrifying secret. Tony also gives small commentaries at tidbits after each story, but really the story is the thing. Oldfashioned horror books these books were all published before 1960 some of them forgotten, many outofprint illustrate how authors and publishers tried to scare people in the days before jfk, the beatles and everything. No list of ghost stories could exclude this victorian classic set in a. James, william hope hodgson, vernon lee, ambrose bierce, edith wharton, h. Those across the river is one of many books on this list that dig into the. As the nights are drawing in, how about a ghost story. The woman in black by susan hill, the haunting of hill house by shirley jackson, the turn of the screw by henry james, th. A collection of classic ghost stories to scare all the family.

Smashwords classic ghost stories a book by andrew murray. The head on the stick story this is a genuine classic told all over the world for generations the little one on the road a story that seems to have found its way around america its strange how its always told as this happened to a friend of mine. This it is a fantastic epic romance is referred to as a ghost story as it is written in gothic style. This list of books about ghosts is sponsored by tor books. Fans of ghost stories will know where the tale is leading, but it remains an enjoyable read with a classic ghost story feel. Algernon henry blackwood, cbe 14 march 1869 10 december 1951 was an english short story writer and novelist, one of the most prolific writers of ghost stories in the history of the genre. The 12 best ghost books to keep you up at night best ghost stories ever written there isnt much better than curling up at night with a good book, a blanket and some hot chocolate.

Oct 26, 2017 comprising two timelines, this ghost story tells of the death of two boys who grow fascinated with the occult and then the results of their death and practice in the same house 100 years later. Featuring such signature works by major authors as a christmas carol by charles dickens, the legend of sleepy hollow by washington irving and the turn of the screw by henry james, this volume also brings together works you may not have encountered. Algernon blackwoods the empty house horror classic. Author inez haynes irwin wrote a wealth of books during her lifetime, including nonfiction, short stories and novels. Even though a teens joband high school is essentially that. This short story inspired this list, because it made me wonder if new takes on other urban legends and classic ghost stories existed.

Perhaps best known for her childrens books and her poetry, edith nesbit was also wrote more than one chilling ghost story. It takes a familiar trope of the ghost story a couple of friends spend the night in an old mansion and offers a sinister insight into one mans past, a particularly nasty judge whose ghost visits the two men. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. James, sheridan le fanu, violet hunt, and henry james.

Oldfashioned horror books these books were all published before 1960 some of them forgotten, many outofprint illustrate how authors and publishers tried to scare people in the days before jfk, the beatles and everything else that came with the swinging sixties. The 12 best ghost books 2019 best ghost stories ever written. Mary shelley cited a volume of such stories as the inspiration for her to think of a story, resulting in the creation of her immortal classic frankenstein. Perhaps the only classic novelist to really rival edgar allen poe when it came to making seriously bonechilling ghost story books is henry james. The story, told from the point of view of five older friends who share a dark secret and gather every year to tell ghost stories, is a perfect melding of classic ghost story elements and modern style. The woman in black by susan hill, the haunting of hill house by shirley. Youll be the hit of the halloween campfire with classic ghost stories, a fun compilation of spooky tales from beyond the grave. This eerie collection includes works by bram stoker, edgar allen poe, washington irving and more. If you havent read this in school, you should pick it up today. Aug 04, 2019 classic ghost stories is a collection of some of the finest tales of the supernatural in world literature. The victorians loved a ghost story, and many of the most celebrated writers of victorian novels had a go at this ghoulish genre, from elizabeth gaskell to charles dickens to. Aug 28, 2019 this story from the afterlife narrated by the ghost of a 14yearold murder victim was an instant bestseller when it was published, and was made into a mawkish but still affecting film by peter.

Theres something primal about a haunted house storystories in which a. Edgar allan poe 18091848 although poe was a prolific and innovative writer of gothic horrorand, arguably, the inventor of the detectivestory genrevery few of his works can. In 1960, the literary critic leslie fiedler delivered a eulogy for the ghost story in his classic study love and death in the american novel. Ghost stories classic tales of horror and suspense. Oct 27, 2010 another classic of ghost story writing, with a doomed family and a crumbling, historic house at the heart of it. A ghost story by yrsa sigurdardottir, translated by philip roughton. This book is fine for older middle school aged preteens and teens and up but definitely not kids.

This is a good selection of ghost stories but with all ghost story anthologies there is a certain amount of overlap. Its a musthave for anyone who enjoys some seriously good, classic horror. Not all of the stories in this excellent collection involve ghosts, but the titular novella ghost summer is, in my mind, a perfect example of what a ghost story should be. The summoning by hillary monahan i dont know if bloody mary is still a thing today but wow, the obsession in my middle school. A great starting point for children to get familiar with all the classic ghost stories, this collection is a perfect mix of original tales and some more contemporary retellings. Lost hearts by m r james, narrated by gregg rizzoo whistle and ill come to you my lad by m r james, narrated by philip matherthe monkeys paw by w w jacobs, narrated by catherine obrienthe ash tree by m r james, narrated by gregg rizzoo whistle and ill come to you my lad tells the tale of an introverted academic. Haunting is used as a plot device in horror fiction and paranormalbased fiction. Bone up on your scary stories this halloween with this great hardcover illustrated book it makes a great gift, too. Classic ghost stories is filled with lots of stories that use old english prose and strange character names so most children will not be skilled enough to decipher what is on the page.

Classic ghost stories is a collection of some of the finest tales of the supernatural in world literature. If you love great ghost story books that have a modern twist to them, you will love the eerily relatable anthology known as suburban secrets. Thats why so many high school kids are so resistant and resentful about the books theyve been assigned to read by their teachers. The ghost may appear of its own accord or be summoned by magic. Oct 22, 2018 in 1960, the literary critic leslie fiedler delivered a eulogy for the ghost story in his classic study love and death in the american novel. Kate mosses top 10 ghost stories books the guardian. Pages in category ghost story writers the following 82 pages are in this category, out of 82 total. The traditional ghost story is often inspired by folklore and a sense of decaying history, and is similar in tone to the gothic novels that came before it. The stories are quite scary and m r jamess a warning to the curious is a favourite, although closely followed by at chrighton abbey and the open door. Lost hearts by m r james, narrated by gregg rizzoo whistle and ill come to you my lad by m r james, narrated by philip matherthe monkeys paw by w w jacobs, narrated by catherine obrienthe ash tree by m r james, narrated by gregg rizzoo whistle and ill come to you my lad tells the tale of. Still, kings classic remains one of the scariest books to follow the basic. Comprising two timelines, this ghost story tells of the death of two boys who grow fascinated with the occult and then the results of their death and practice in the same house 100 years later. Classic ghost stories were influenced by the gothic fiction tradition, and contain elements of folklore and psychology. Start by marking classic ghost stories as want to read.

This category groups authors past and present who made significant in quality andor quantity contributions to the ghost story. Illustrated ghost stories at usborne childrens books. Great ghost stories, excellent mystery, and yes, your favorite poems are all in this tome. Irish writer joseph sheridan le fanu was a master of the ghost story, and this creepy little tale is among his most popular. Classic ghost stories podcast episodes can be found on the side menu. Classic ghost stories is a treasure trove of tales of ghosts and hauntings with 36 stories published in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Nathaniel hawthornes short story is the uramerican horror tale. In the nobel prizewinning authors most famous book, the ghost of a baby killed by her mother to save her from slavery is a malicious sprite but also a metaphor for the way in which the great evil. Oct 31, 2019 this short story inspired this list, because it made me wonder if new takes on other urban legends and classic ghost stories existed. Before that, books were written mainly for adults although some later became popular with children.