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Victorian Ghost Stories!
- Madeleine
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 5860
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: "Mania" by L J Ross
- Preferred HF: Plantagenets, Victorian, crime, dual time-frame
- Location: Essex/London
I read this about a year ago and enjoyed it, I didn't notice anything in particular about the narrative structure or writing style which bothered me. I think I felt the ending was a bit flat, so I agree that it not's really a genuine ghost story although I still found some of it creepy; I thought the reveal scenes were a bit of an anti-climax in the end, it reminded me a bit of a Victorian Jonathan Creek, if you're familiar with that TV series. But I thought it was OK as a bit of escapism.
Currently reading "Mania" by L J Ross
Senence wasnt all that I hoped and more. It was a decent read, but at times I felt that it was a little slow. I got that Victorian Gothic feel then there were times I was rolling my eyes. I think the middle is where I lost my interest. It's been a while since I read it.
Decent read but I wasnt awe struck.
Decent read but I wasnt awe struck.
News, views, and reviews on books and graphic novels for young adult.
http://yabookmarks.blogspot.com/
http://yabookmarks.blogspot.com/
- Vanessa
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
- Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
- Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
- Preferred HF: Any
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
The Seance is on my list to read soon. I loved The Ghost Writer by the same author.
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
- Vanessa
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
- Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
- Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
- Preferred HF: Any
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
The Seance by John Harwood
[quote=""Madeleine""]I read this about a year ago and enjoyed it, I didn't notice anything in particular about the narrative structure or writing style which bothered me. I think I felt the ending was a bit flat, so I agree that it not's really a genuine ghost story although I still found some of it creepy; I thought the reveal scenes were a bit of an anti-climax in the end, it reminded me a bit of a Victorian Jonathan Creek, if you're familiar with that TV series. But I thought it was OK as a bit of escapism.[/quote]
I didn't notice anything about the narrative structure either - it reminded me a little of Susan Hill's writing.
No, it's not a genuine ghost story but I thought it was quite creepy and atmospheric. I really enjoyed it.
I didn't notice anything about the narrative structure either - it reminded me a little of Susan Hill's writing.
No, it's not a genuine ghost story but I thought it was quite creepy and atmospheric. I really enjoyed it.
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
- Madeleine
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 5860
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: "Mania" by L J Ross
- Preferred HF: Plantagenets, Victorian, crime, dual time-frame
- Location: Essex/London
Yes they loved their ghost stories.
I mentioned M R James a couple of years ago on this thread (see first page) and I also found a copy of a book of ghost stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, that someone left behind at work when they moved offices - haven't read that one yet though.
If you want a more modern ghost story, but one which still has a period feel - it's set not long after WW2 - then Sarah Waters' "The Little Stranger" is pretty creepy.
I mentioned M R James a couple of years ago on this thread (see first page) and I also found a copy of a book of ghost stories by Elizabeth Gaskell, that someone left behind at work when they moved offices - haven't read that one yet though.
If you want a more modern ghost story, but one which still has a period feel - it's set not long after WW2 - then Sarah Waters' "The Little Stranger" is pretty creepy.
Last edited by Madeleine on Wed June 26th, 2013, 2:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently reading "Mania" by L J Ross
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- Scribbler
- Posts: 10
- Joined: November 2015
- Currently reading: A Christmas With The Dodger by Charlton Daines
- Interest in HF: A teacher put a Historical Fiction book in my hands when I was ten and I immediately looked for more. It brings history to life!
- Favourite HF book: Cannot choose!
- Preferred HF: Ancient Egypt, Barbarian invasions of Europe c.200-400, Victorian England
- Location: UK
Re: Victorian Ghost Stories!
Charles Dickens wrote some excellent Victorian ghost stories. There's a collection of them on Amazon for free if you have an ereader, or they can be had from Gutenberg.