Great Ghost Stories: Tales of Mystery and Madness

Great Ghost Stories #1

by Stephen Jones (Editor), Les Edwards (Illustrator), Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (Contributor)

Hard Cover Book

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

357 pages, Hardcover

First published July 6, 2004

About the author

Stephen Jones is an eighteen-time winner of the British Fantasy Award.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in here had a very high level of writing. It really stretched my mind to incorporate the imagery. Plus, because the authors were from different countries and different time periods, it was great fun to read each story and work to pick up hints on the time period and setting.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read only two of these stories previous to this anthology so this collection was largely new to me (given my bibliophila, always a plus). Ghost stories rely on buildup--artful use of atmosphere, imagery and language--to get a person in the proper frame of mind to evoke the appropriate fear response and many of these stories deliver the goods.

However, in spite of being chosen from gifted writers, I didn't care for a couple of these. In my personal opinion, I can't believe any man can be so terrified of a specter that whines to have her hair combed. What a sap! If ever had to pick your own clotted follicles out of a drain after a shower, it's probably a tad disgusting but horrible enough to scar you for life? Please.

The stories are largely by male writers; one of those by a female author isn't really scary. Her entry is more of a murder mystery with supernatural trappings attached. But it's a fine anthology overall with recognizable names so classic horror fans might get a kick out of it.

[Mrs. Bun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ghost stories and this selection of 25 stories from both contemporary and legendary authors did not disappoint. There were some tales so original I read them multiple times, in awe of the boundless imaginations some writers have. Many of these stories take place in England and there is a distinctly Victorian feel to many of them - gentlemen and halls and horse drawn carriages and such. This was a well curated collection and in my opinion just the right sort of book to have at the bedside on a dark autumn night.

[David Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of horror, so the short ghost stories genre is pretty unknown to me. I was surprised how many of the stories were really more about the relationships and emotional experiences of the characters within the story than about anything scary happening. Finding a creative way to tell the typical ghost story also seemed more important the many of the authors than any details actually meant to be frightening.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorites were Stephen King's and Sir Walter Scott's Stories.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few good stories, the others I tend to have gotten lost & wondered why were they even in here? Lost my concentration.

[H. F. Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Underground” 3.5 stars

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun

[Tricia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories where a little hard to get through.