Book Review: Ghost Story by Peter Straub

Title: Ghost Story

Author: Peter Straub

Release date: January 1st, 1979

My history with Straub is limited. Growing up, my first exposure to horror was when my neighbor, Patti Moody, would let me borrow her Stephen King books. This started when I was eight or nine. I began making my through her books, always thankful to her for letting me read them. I eventually got to the one titled ‘The Talisman’ which was co-written by Straub and King. I loved it and asked Patti if she had any of Straub’s work. She didn’t but she did believe our tiny Burton Community Hall Library did. She looked for me and sure enough, the only book they had was one titled ‘Ghost Story.’ She borrowed it for me, as I was too young to take it out at the time. I devoured it. It had me up for nights, long past when I should’ve been asleep and it gave me nightmares for weeks after.

Now, some thirty years later, it was a book that I vaguely recalled events from but not enough to accurately recall most moments. You may know my love of a specific author and after seeing he had re-read it and raved that it held up, I knew I needed to dive back in once again.

What I liked: The story follows a group of older men who gather to tell each other stories. The stories are designed to frighten each other, but what occurs now, is one such tale coming back to have real life implications and events to unfold related to it.

Straub weaves the story masterfully, as one would expect from an author of his stature and ability. The characters all feel like older relatives we each have, with their odd little quirks and funny-isms that only they have. The location/setting works well to have a big city aesthetic with a small town flow and the first few discovers that occur are so spot on with creating internal terror, you’ll be absently pulling your feet closer to your body, no matter where you sit.

This book is a classic case of revealing done right. The opening sequences with the man standing over the girl and practically begging her to tell him who she really is would’ve made for an unsettling novella purely on its own, but once you understand it is wrapped up in a larger narrative, the ripples begin and they travel far off from the shoreline.

What I didn’t like: Large sections of the novel will feel dated and some newer (IE younger) readers will smirk or question why certain things are done they way they are, but that is the case for the year this occurs.

For me, it did remind me a lot of my recent re-read of ‘Frankenstein.’ That book had sections that came across as phenomenally tedious and completely unnecessary, especially when compared to the masterfully pristine portions that showcase some of the best writing and horribly dark moments you’ll ever read.

Why you should buy this: Straub has long been a favorite author of King and it is a book like this that showcases that. Straub has also been a massive, massive influence on so many of the current crop of super-authors, those horror writers who are churning out best-sellers, Netflix and Worldwide Theatrical releases. This book is a masterclass is developing atmosphere and keeping the reader’s mind agape with potential. Really, really dark and disturbing book and one that should be considered a must-read.

4/5