The Wimbourne Book of Victorian Ghost Stories: Volume 4

by Alastair Gunn (Introduction), Nathaniel Hawthorne, J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Twenty ghostly tales from the supernatural masters of the Victorian age. Wimbourne Books presents the fourth in a series of rare or out-of-print ghost stories from Victorian authors. With an introduction by author Alastair Gunn, Volume 4 in the series spans the years 1835 to 1869 and includes stories from a wide range of male authors; English, Irish, Scottish and American. Includes tales by Charles Dickens, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Washington Irving. Readers new to this genre will discover its pleasures; the Victorian quaintness, the sometimes shocking difference in social norms, the almost comical politeness and structured etiquette, the archaic and precise language, but mostly the Victorians’ skill at stoking our fears and trepidations, our insecurities and doubts. Even if you are already an aficionado of the ghostly tale there is much within these pages to interest you. Wait until the dark of the stormy night arrives, lock the doors, shutter the windows, light the fire, sit with your back to the wall and bury yourself in the Victorian macabre. Try not to let the creaking floorboards, the distant howl of a dog, the chill breeze that caresses the candle, the shadows in the far recesses of your room, disturb your concentration.

Includes the stories; The Gray Champion (1835) – Nathaniel Hawthorne; The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh (1838) – Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu; Guests from Gibbet-Island (1839) – Washington Irving; Ghost Gossips at Blakesley House (1841) – William Mudford; The Grimsby Ghost (1842) – Thomas Hood; The Miniature (1844) – John Yonge Akerman; The Legend of the Weeping Chamber (1851) – Bayle St. John; The Ghost of Pit Pond (1854) – Dudley Costello; The Pot of Tulips (1855) – Fitz-James O’Brien; The Ghost in the Bride’s Chamber (1857) – Charles Dickens; The Yellow Gown (1858) – George John Whyte-Melville; The Ghost’s Forfeits (1858) – James Hain Friswell; The Haunted and the Haunters (1859) – Edward Bulwer-Lytton; Experiences of Farthing Lodge (1864) – Thomas Wilkinson Speight; The Painted Room at Blackston Manor (1864) – John Berwick Harwood; The Spectral Coach of Blackadon (1865) – Thomas Quiller Couch; The Botathen Ghost (1867) – Robert Stephen Hawker; The Ghosts at the Grange (1867) – George Manville Fenn; The Shadow of a Shade (1869) – Tom Hood; Uncle Cornelius, His Story (1869) – George MacDonald.

Genres: Horror, Gothic

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2017

About the author

ALASTAIR GUNN is an author, musician and professional astrophysicist based in the UK and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. As well as an active scientist, Alastair is an experienced and popular public lecturer on astronomy and is known for his accessible (though challenging), light-hearted, and visually stunning lectures. He has made guest appearances on many TV and radio shows around the world and has hosted a regular astronomy program on radio. Alastair writes a regular column for BBC Science Focus magazine and has written for The Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Guardian and is a contributor to many astronomy magazines including Astronomy Now, BBC Sky at Night and StarDate. His fiction includes ghostly short stories, a collection of supernatural stories called Ballymoon and his debut novel, The Bergamese Sect.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid compilation, anchored by George Macdonald's amusing yet touching "Uncle Cornelius, His Story", from which I extract this gem of dialogue:

"She liked me I am sure. That is not much to say. Liking is very pleasant and very cheap. Love is as rare as a star.”
“I thought the stars were anything but rare, uncle.”
“That’s because you never went out to find one for yourself, Katey. They would prove a few miles apart then.”
“But it would be big enough when I did find it.”
“Right, my dear. That is the way with love."

[David Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read

A decent selection of tales from beyond the grave. The authors do a splendid job of taking you back in time do "witness" the ghostly happenings on the moors and in the rooms of ancient manors.

[Onorio Catenacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent collection of Victorian Ghost Stories

I am very glad that Mr. Gunn has made the effort to find and reproduce these excellent ghost stories. Many of the stories are very well-written regardless of subject matter.

[Estott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable