Ghosts of the Carolinas

by Nancy Roberts

Eighteen stories based upon actual events including the famous Gray Man of Pawley's Island, Alice of Murrells Inlet, and the hitchhiker of Hwy 107.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Folklore, Supernatural, Short Stories, Halloween, History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1967

Reviews

[Terrell Tucker]

Another fun visit with the ghosts of North Carolina!

[John J Questore]

I bought this book on a recent trip to South Carolina. I thought it would be an interesting look into some places to maybe visit next time I'm there, or down in North Carolina.

Boy was I wrong.

First, I don't know who the editor was (it wasn't listed), but to allow so many spelling mistakes, as well as grammatical errors is unconscionable! Even simple things that a 5th grader could spot (for example, the letter 'e' missing from the word 'the'). Errors like that take away from the overall experience of the book.

However, that pales in comparison to the disappointment I felt after finishing this book. Rather than a "guided tour" of haunted places, or even exact locations of ghost sightings, it was nothing more that a dozen or so campfire ghost stories. In fact, the last story has been told so many times, by so many different people, that I would have been embarrassed to include it - a couple driving pick up a girl who needs to get home. Surprise! She's no longer in the car when they get to the house. And you know what? They are told she died on that very day years ago. Ooh! Shocker.

The writing style was poor, at best.

As a Scout leader, I may just tweak one or two the next time we're sitting around telling ghost stories. But save your money - you can find more interesting stuff looking around the Internet.

[Charlotte Ehney]

Nancy Roberts introduced me to ghosts stories. I first read this book when I was a child and relished each story. I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Nancy Roberts when she came to our local library for a talk and book signing. She was a gracious lady and she preserved so many local ghost stories.

Most of the ghost stories in this book are from the 1700s to early 1900s. They are from a different time when the Carolinas was less populated and more rural/agricultural. Communication was limited and nights brought darkness that was only penetrated by the a low flame or dim bulb. The ghosts very from a ghastly hound chasing those along a lonely rural road to a woman who appears to travelers along the highway to a stranger who wants his family to know of his final fate.

[Lauren]

Not really scary, but definitely interesting from a historical aspect.

[Britt]

Really boring. Use of slurs. I didn’t read the last two-three stories. Just google ghost stories and you’ll be better off.

[C K]

Great campfire material- fun way to present a bit of the history of the Carolinas

[Charlotte]

nothing crazy, basically a text book

[David Ward]

Ghosts of the Carolinas by Nancy Roberts (University of South Carolina Press 1986)(398.32). This book features popular ghost tales from each state; it includes great information about the Brown Mountain Lights, which is a series of "ghost lights" visible from Wiseman's View in Western North Carolina. My rating: 7/10, finished 2002.

[Marc Pressley]

This Nancy Roberts classic is a great introduction to not only the well known legends but some of the more obscure tales of Carolina eeriness. Roberts combines the research of a seasoned folklorist with a writerly penchant for detail. A good read indeed.

[Lex]

Some of these really creeped me out. The ghost dog and the very last stories sent chills down my spine. However, it was hard to concentrate on the stories when, as a journalist, all I could do was keep editing the text, which had a lot of misspelled words and missing punctuation. It drove me batty!

[Kristina Writes Wrongs]

Another bad book given to me by a friend who insisted I read it. It was somewhat interesting, but the author did not convince of the existence of ghosts.

[Marquise De sade]

One of my first ghost reads!