The Screaming Skull: And Other Great American Ghost Stories

by David G. Hartwell (Editor), F. Marion Crawford (Contributor), Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman (Contributor)

Twelve supernatural tales by American writers. Marion Crawford, "Ligeia" by Edgar Allan Poe, "Consequences" by Willa Cather, "A Ghost Story" by Mark Twain, and eight more tales of spirits by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edward Lucas White, Frank R. Stockton, Henry James, Edith Wharton and more.

Table of Contents
1 • The Screaming Skull by F. Marion Crawford
38 • Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe
58 • A Ghost Story by Mark Twain
66 • The Ghost of Dr. Harris by Nathaniel Hawthorne
74 • The House of the Nightmare by Edward Lucas White
86 • The Transferred Ghost by Frank R. Stockton
101 • The Real Right Thing by Henry James
118 • The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall by John Kendrick Bangs
130 • The Eyes by Edith Wharton
154 • The Shadows on the Wall by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
170 • The Rival Ghosts by Brander Matthews
192 • Consequences by Willa Cather

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

217 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

David Geddes Hartwell was an American editor of science fiction and fantasy. He worked for Signet (1971-1973), Berkley Putnam (1973-1978), Pocket (where he founded the Timescape imprint, 1978-1983, and created the Pocket Books Star Trek publishing line), and Tor (where he spearheaded Tor's Canadian publishing initiative, and was also influential in bringing many Australian writers to the US market, 1984-date), and has published numerous anthologies. He chaired the board of directors of the World Fantasy Convention and, with Gordon Van Gelder, was the administrator of the Philip K. Dick Award. He held a Ph.D. in comparative medieval literature.

He lived in Pleasantville, New York with his wife Kathryn Cramer and their two children.

Reviews

[David Harton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, another decent collection of short stories from many of which were written by authors I've never read before. There were a few, specifically "The Screaming Skull," "The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall," and "The Rival Ghosts," that really stuck out to me. I found many of these stories to be more amusing than horrifying, but I don't think that diminishes them in any way.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was an enjoyable variety in these tales, nothing that truly unnerved me, and a lot that made me go 'HUH?', but the clever ones truly delighted me.

The Tale of the Rival Ghosts may have been my favourite because WHAT a fun idea to have two competing ghosts haunt someone.

[Jessica Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of short shories. I would think it would be a good fit for young adult readers. There is no horror and the settings are vintage. I couldn't see it giving anyone a bad night's sleep.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable collection of ghost stories that's more funny and clever than scary.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Riot RHC 2023 Task 21: Read a book of short stories

Not my favorite collection, but still an ok read. More humor than horror

[Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty fun anthology of ghost stories. I really enjoyed reading most of them, especially those that included a humorous aspect. There were only two stories that I didn't enjoy because of the writing style (excessively descriptive and wordy). The best part is that each story (even those I didn't like) were unique in their own right.