Ghost Stories


Book Description

A masterful collection of ghost stories that have been overlooked by contemporary readers—including tales by celebrated authors such as Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Mark Twain, and Edith Wharton—presented with insightful annotations by acclaimed horror anthologists Leslie S. Klinger and Lisa Morton. The ghost story has long been a staple of world literature, but many of the genre's greatest tales have been forgotten, overshadowed in many cases by their authors' bestselling work in other genres. In this spine-tingling anthology, little known stories from literary titans like Charles Dickens and Edith Wharton are collected alongside overlooked works from masters of horror fiction like Edgar Allan Poe and M. R. James. Acclaimed anthologists Leslie S. Klinger (The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes) and Lisa Morton (Ghosts: A Haunted History) set these stories in historical context and trace the literary significance of ghosts in fiction over almost two hundred years—from a traditional English ballad first printed in 1724 up to the science fiction–tinged tales of the early twentieth century. In bringing these masterful tales back from the dead, Ghost Stories will enlighten and frighten both longtime fans as well as new readers of the genre. Including stories by: Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry James, M. R. James, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Walter Scott, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, and more.




Classic Ghost Stories


Book Description

This collection offers ghost stories that have long been considered classical: stories that have served as prototypes for other work, and stories that are in themselves uniquely great.




Best Classic Horror Stories of All Times


Book Description

This carefully crafted book is a collection of popular horror and supernatural short stories of high literary standard from the masters of horror genre. These stories were first published before the early 1900s and are recognized as classics of the genre. Theselected authors have earned a solid reputation for their craft of portraying the various elements of horror in such a powerful mannerthat they make us pleasantly uncomfortable even a century after they were written. Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac by Honoré de Balzac: In this collection, Honoré de Balzac presents a selection of his acclaimed short stories, showcasing his incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. With its rich language and engaging narratives, this book is a must-read for fans of classical literature. Key Aspects of the Book "Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac": Collection of Short Stories: The book features a collection of acclaimed short stories by Honoré de Balzac. Vivid Storytelling and Character Development: The stories showcase Balzac's incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. Useful for Literature Enthusiasts: The book is useful for fans of classical literature and those interested in the works of Balzac. Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright who is regarded as one of the greatest writers of Western literature. His book, Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac, is highly regarded for its captivating storytelling and rich language.




Classic Victorian and Edwardian Ghost Stories


Book Description

This is a book to be read by a blazing fire on a winter's night, with the curtains drawn close and the doors securely locked. The unquiet souls of the dead, both as fictional creations and as 'real' apparitions, roam the pages of this haunting selection of ghost stories by Rex Collings. Some of these stories are classics while others are lesser-known gems unearthed from this vintage era of tales of the supernatural. There are stories from distant lands - 'Fisher's Ghost' by John Lang is set in Australia and 'A Ghostly Manifestation' by 'A Clergyman' is set in Calcutta. In this selection, Sir Walter Scott (a Victorian in spirit if not in fact), keeps company with Edgar Allen Poe, Sheridan Le Fanu and other illustrious masters of the genre.




Three Ghost Stories


Book Description

First published in 1859, celebrated English realist novelist and storyteller Charles Dickens' present book 'Three Ghost Stories' is a collection of his three ghost stories.




The Wordsworth Book of Horror Stories


Book Description

A superb collection of some of the greatest tales of the genre; many are classics while others are lesser-known gems unearthed from the vintage era of the supernatural.




The Spine-Chilling Tales for Halloween


Book Description

The Spine-Chilling Tales for Halloween embodies a curated collection that traverses the dark, enigmatic corridors of Gothic horror, supernatural mysteries, and eerie folklore. Capturing a broad sweep of literary stylesfrom the melancholic and haunting narratives of the Victorian Gothic to the cosmic horror and psychological depths explored in early 20th-century literaturethis anthology showcases the remarkable diversity and enduring appeal of horror fiction. Standout pieces, ranging from the ominous and unsettling to tales of the grotesque and uncanny, underscore the richness of the genre, without tying the collections significance to any single author, instead praising the collective mastery of its contributors. The authors represented in this volume are titans in the realm of dark fiction, each contributing uniquely to the tapestry of horror and suspense literature. From Charles Dickens ghostly narratives to H.P. Lovecrafts cosmic dread, and Mary Shelleys groundbreaking Gothic novel, their works have not merely defined but also continuously reshaped the boundaries of the genre. These writers, belonging to various historical and cultural epochs, collectively embody the evolution of horror literature, engaging with societal fears and individual anxieties in ways that remain profoundly impactful today. The Spine-Chilling Tales for Halloween is an indispensable tome for aficionados and newcomers alike, offering a panoramic view of horrors literary landscape. This anthology invites readers to immerse themselves in the depth and breadth of its pages, presenting a unique opportunity to explore a constellation of fears and fascinations across ages. For those seeking to delve into the shadows of the human psyche through the prism of varied literary craftsmanship, this collection promises an enriching journey through the many moods of horror and suspense.




The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories, Volume Three


Book Description

A new anthology of twenty ghostly tales of Yuletide terror, collected from rare Victorian periodicals Seeking to capitalize on the success of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843), Victorian newspapers and magazines frequently featured ghost stories at Christmas time, and reading them by candlelight or the fireside became an annual tradition, a tradition Valancourt Books is pleased to continue with our series of Victorian Christmas ghost stories. This third volume contains twenty tales, most of them never before reprinted. They represent a mix of the diverse styles and themes common to Victorian ghost fiction and include works by once-popular authors like Ellen Wood and Charlotte Riddell as well as contributions from anonymous or wholly forgotten writers. This volume also features a new introduction by Prof. Simon Stern. "Before me, with the sickly light from the lantern shining right down upon it, was--a cloven hoof! Then the awfulness of the compact I had made came to my mind with terrible force ..." - Frederick Manley, "The Ghost of the Cross-Roads" "By the fireplace there was a large hideous pool of blood soaking into the carpet, and leaving ghastly stains around. I am not ashamed to confess that my brain reeled; the mysterious horror overcame me ..." - Lillie Harris, "19, Great Hanover Street" "A fearful white face comes to me; a horrible mask, with features drawn as in agony--ghastly, pale, hideous! Death or approaching death, violent death, written in every line. Every feature distorted. Eyes starting from the head. Thin lips moving and working--lips that are cursing, although I hear no sound." - Hugh Conway, "A Dead Man's Face"




The Ghost Writer


Book Description

What evil lies within a family’s secret history? “A first-class creeper, a literary ghost story in the Victorian tradition” by the author of The Séance (The Boston Globe). Timid, solitary librarian Gerard Freeman lives for just two things: his elusive pen pal, Alice, and a story he found hidden in his mother’s drawer years ago. Written by his great-grandmother Viola, it hints at his mother’s role in a sinister crime. And as he discovers more of Viola’s chilling tales, he realizes that they might hold the key to finding Alice and unveiling his family’s mystery. But upon returning to his ancestral home in England, Gerard finds that the stories-within-stories of his past begin to blur the lines between fact, fiction, and fantasy. They’re also driving him so deep into the dark that he might not be able to see what’s right in front of him until it’s too late. “A haunting literary gothic” (Booklist) that has earned extraordinary critical acclaim, this novel is “a Victorian ghost story that honors the likes of Dickens and Henry James . . . A smart, stylish and mesmerizing book” (The Washington Post Book World). “Intricate and engrossing. . . . One ghoulishly absorbing read.” —Entertainment Weekly