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Los fantasmas favoritos de Roald Dahl / Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories
«Las buenas historias de fantasmas, al igual que los buenos libros infantiles, son tremendamente complicadas de escribir. Yo mismo soy escritor de relatos, y aunque llevo cuarenta y cinco años ejerciendo y siempre he deseado escribir una sola historia de fantasmas decente, nunca he logrado sacarla adelante. Y bien sabe Dios que lo he intentado.
En una ocasión creí que lo había conseguido. Fue con un cuento que ahora se titula “ La patrona ”. Pero cuando lo terminé y lo examiné detenidamente, comprendí que no era lo bastante bueno. No lo había logrado. Yo no tenía ese don, y punto. Así que al final cambié el final y lo transformé en una historia de no fantasmas. Desde 1958, año en que llevé a cabo mi investigación sobre las historias de fantasmas, he seguido leyendo todas las nuevas que han ido llegando hasta mí. Puede que se me hayan escapado una o dos, pero nada de lo que yo haya visto publicado desde entonces se ha acercado siquiera al nivel del selecto grupo de este libro. Espero que estas historias de fantasmas les resulten espeluznantes. Que les den escalofríos y perturben sus pensamientos. Fueron escritas precisamente con ese objetivo.» - Roald Dahl
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
Who better to investigate the literary spirit world than the supreme connoisseur of the unexpected? From the author of beloved books, such as James and the Giant Peach , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , and The Witches comes a collection of spooky tales carefully curated by the author himself, Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories .
Of the many permutations of the macabre or bizarre, Dahl was always especially fascinated by the classic ghost story. As he relates in the erudite introduction to this volume, he read some 749 supernatural tales at the British Museum Library before selecting the 14 that comprise this anthology. "Spookiness is, after all, the real purpose of the ghost story," Dahl writes. "It should give you the creeps and disturb your thoughts."
For this superbly disquieting collection, Dahl offers favorite tales by such masterful storytellers as E. F. Benson, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Rosemary Timperley, and Edith Wharton.
En una ocasión creí que lo había conseguido. Fue con un cuento que ahora se titula “ La patrona ”. Pero cuando lo terminé y lo examiné detenidamente, comprendí que no era lo bastante bueno. No lo había logrado. Yo no tenía ese don, y punto. Así que al final cambié el final y lo transformé en una historia de no fantasmas. Desde 1958, año en que llevé a cabo mi investigación sobre las historias de fantasmas, he seguido leyendo todas las nuevas que han ido llegando hasta mí. Puede que se me hayan escapado una o dos, pero nada de lo que yo haya visto publicado desde entonces se ha acercado siquiera al nivel del selecto grupo de este libro. Espero que estas historias de fantasmas les resulten espeluznantes. Que les den escalofríos y perturben sus pensamientos. Fueron escritas precisamente con ese objetivo.» - Roald Dahl
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
Who better to investigate the literary spirit world than the supreme connoisseur of the unexpected? From the author of beloved books, such as James and the Giant Peach , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , and The Witches comes a collection of spooky tales carefully curated by the author himself, Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories .
Of the many permutations of the macabre or bizarre, Dahl was always especially fascinated by the classic ghost story. As he relates in the erudite introduction to this volume, he read some 749 supernatural tales at the British Museum Library before selecting the 14 that comprise this anthology. "Spookiness is, after all, the real purpose of the ghost story," Dahl writes. "It should give you the creeps and disturb your thoughts."
For this superbly disquieting collection, Dahl offers favorite tales by such masterful storytellers as E. F. Benson, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Rosemary Timperley, and Edith Wharton.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2023
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,475 books26.7k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2023
La literatura inglesa me parece tan, pero tan densa a la hora de hablar de fantasmas. Parecería ser que "si no es un hecho victoriano, no está encantado"... Pero, por suerte, llega él para salvar este Halloween. Roald. Si me fascina como escritor, no puede fallar su instinto lector. Con esta selección de sus relatos de fantasmas favoritos así me lo confirma. Son trece historias que no caen en los cliches de todos los típicos cuentos de fantasmas ingleses, sino que buscan la manera de permanecer vigentes en el tiempo, cada uno con su peculiaridad y factor sorpresa. Obviamente algunos que me han gustado menos que otros, pero leí la totalidad sin dormirme, y eso es muchísimo. Salvando al propio Dhal, y algún que otro nombre dentro de mi catálogo de autores favoritos, no suelo elegir escritores ingleses porque se que la pomposidad de sus escritos me llevan directo al sueño, y pensé que esta no iba a ser la excepción, que no iba a superar la prueba de fuego, ¡pero lo hice!
January 17, 2025
I liked half of the stories. It was kind of hard to get into.
February 16, 2025
"Los fantasmas favoritos de Roald Dahl" es una antología de relatos de fantasmas seleccionados por el autor británico Roald Dahl. Esta colección difiere del genero infantil habitual.
En el prólogo, Dahl relata leyó más de 700 relatos de fantasmas en busca de material para una serie de televisión que nunca se concretó. Finalmente las narraciones escogidas se basan por su capacidad para estremecer, perturbar al lector y con una variedad de enfoques y estilos de la temática sobrenatural. Esta recopilación es ideal para lectura de Halloween para quienes disfrutan de historias clásicas de fantasmas, inquietantes y misteriosas.
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"Roald Dahl's Favorite Ghosts" is an anthology of ghost stories selected by British author Roald Dahl. In the foreword, Dahl relates that he read over 700 ghost stories in search of material for a television series that never materialized. Ultimately, the stories chosen are based on their ability to shock and disturb the reader and on a variety of approaches and styles of supernatural subject matter. This collection is ideal for Halloween reading for those who enjoy classic, haunting and mysterious ghost stories.
En el prólogo, Dahl relata leyó más de 700 relatos de fantasmas en busca de material para una serie de televisión que nunca se concretó. Finalmente las narraciones escogidas se basan por su capacidad para estremecer, perturbar al lector y con una variedad de enfoques y estilos de la temática sobrenatural. Esta recopilación es ideal para lectura de Halloween para quienes disfrutan de historias clásicas de fantasmas, inquietantes y misteriosas.
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"Roald Dahl's Favorite Ghosts" is an anthology of ghost stories selected by British author Roald Dahl. In the foreword, Dahl relates that he read over 700 ghost stories in search of material for a television series that never materialized. Ultimately, the stories chosen are based on their ability to shock and disturb the reader and on a variety of approaches and styles of supernatural subject matter. This collection is ideal for Halloween reading for those who enjoy classic, haunting and mysterious ghost stories.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews