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Title: Best Ghost Stories of J. S. LeFanu by J. Sheridan LeFanu ISBN: 0-486-20415-4 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 01 June, 1964 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.12 (8 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Not your standard ghostly fare
Comment: Probably the most distinguishing characteristic of LeFanu's writing to me is that he doesn't explain why something is happening in his stories. Ghosts search through drawers, skeletons are dug up, heroes disappear, and barons die of unseen causes, and we are never told what happened. LeFanu doesn't necessarily explain the motives and occurrences of his stories and loose ends are not all tied up. At first, I was unsure about what to think; what kind of ghost story doesn't explain all the events at the end? How am I supposed to be terrified if I don't know the ultimate cause of Baron X's demise? The method of storytelling began to grow on me, though, and I now feel that a lack of resolution on every issue creates a better story. Why should the supernatural be fully explained in 20 pages? When the reader is demoted from an omniscient viewpoint to that of only an eyewitness, the tale is more compelling.
My favorite stories are probably "Sir Dominick's Bargain" and "An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House," the former for its mood and atmosphere, and the latter for its minimalist telling. "The Haunted Baronet" is another excellent story, with strong attention to detail and background that help in the story-telling; it was a very satisfactory read. "The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh" is the same story told sans background and detail, and is clearly inferior. The other stories I enjoyed based on the setting, which is 19th century Ireland, which evokes a mood much like James'. Overall, it is the sort of book that makes you wish for a warm fireplace and a stormy night.
Enjoy!
Rating: 3
Summary: stories from "the builder"
Comment: when it came to building a ghost story, through dialogues and occurences, noone matches Lefanu. At this, he is a master. he describes the situation before THE happening magnificently. however, when it does happen, the story is over. the horror itself seem to escape Lefanus writing style. his ghost stories are mostly not catching to a modern(living)reader. only 2 of his ghost stories are worth reading. I still recommend this book. the reason are the two stories who are not ghost stories. Carmilla, one of the very best vampire stories, built beautifully through subtle hints, psychology, and descriptions. my favourite gothic story. then it's Lefanu's masterpiece: green tea. in fact, one of the best horror stories ever written! too bad Lefanu insisted on writing so many ghost stories, instead of common horror, otherwise he might be a real master in the genre, as Carmilla and Green Tea proves
Rating: 4
Summary: This and M R James
Comment: I don't much like ghost stories, but these and the ones by M R James really stand out from the pack. Atmospheric, inventive, and original. In "Carmilla" LeFanu invented the vampire story, and with its subtle horrors and hints of lesbianism, it is at least as good as Dracula. Rich and intricate prose.
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Title: Best Ghost Stories by Algernon Blackwood ISBN: 0486229777 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 01 June, 1973 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Ghost and Horror Stories of Ambrose Bierce by Ambrose Bierce ISBN: 0486207676 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 01 June, 1964 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: The Collected Ghost Stories of E. F. Benson by Richard Dalby, E. F. Benson ISBN: 0786709804 Publisher: Carroll & Graf Pub. Date: 10 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Ghost Stories and Mysteries by J. S. LeFanu ISBN: 0486207153 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 01 June, 1975 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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Title: Uncle Silas: A Tale of Bartram-Hugh (Penguin Classics) by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Victor Sage ISBN: 0140437460 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 05 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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