Best Ghost Stories of J. S. LeFanu (Dover Literature: Gothic/Horror Short Stories)

You can’t go wrong when you already know the stories are great. Joseph Sheridan LeFanu was one of the finest writers of Supernatural/Gothic literature during the nineteenth century. If you love “ghost” stories, these are a must read. Start with Shalken the Painter. Genuine horror story, so well written! And this book, I believe - I’ll have to double check - has his whole collection of stories. You can find LeFanu in other compilations here and there. Here, you get his whole collection. Authors and stories like this are going to be more difficult to find because they are underrated and considered obscure. My book came with a tear in the cover, but the binding is solid and the text well intact. I bought it cheap and used intentionally and the seller was clear and honest about the state of the book. I will buy from them again and am happy to have acquired another great author for my collection!

This is THE book to get on Le Fanu, especially if you're new to him. It was published in 1964 but no big deal since the author died in 1873.Weight, size, heft, and binding make it a good book for reading whether in the chair or in bed (best place for ghost stories!). Also, a very goodintroductory essay. These days most new readers are drawn to dip into Le Fanu to read, "Carmilla" and that's here too. Don't waste your cashon a Carmilla-only book since those cost almost as much as this one and you get lots more content including all his other classics as well as some rarities. Wish it were hardcover but I don't think most Dover books are. So great content, good quality make and feel make this a keeper!

For anyone who is looking for some excellent gothic ghost-stories,this is the book to start with.Le fanu is largely forgotten by today's reading public and the television absorbed culture.They don't know what their missing out on.Poe is the American grand-daddy of the mysterious horror story,yet the French-Irishman ,Sheridan LeFanu, is on the same level too.I can only recommend this gothic horror collection for all who what to be intellectually thrilled and pleasantly chilled .All before the witching hour surrenders,at the stroke of midnight,on the Eve of All-Hallows.For another year.Delicious reading for the Autumn season,til Samhain parts for another spell.-Beware of sleep,and Beware of Cats!

These are great stories for bedtime reading. Compared to today's scary stories, these are elegant and inspired. If you have a taste for the fiction of bygone eras -- don't draw the line with today's best sellers -- you'll find a lot of magnificent writing. I'm still reading this book, and I plan to pass it around to all my pals. PBS and British Telly buffs will adore this book.

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!

Enjoyable collection of short stories

Le Fanu is brilliant. If you like "ghost" stories a bit on the intellectual side you'll love this collection and his work. If you like Poe you'll love LeFanu.

I like reading scary stories during October, and I'm so glad that I found this book! A perfect collection of ghost stories for autumn nights.The book came in great condition, too!