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Ghostly: A Collection of Ghost Stories
Collected and introduced by the bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry --including Audrey Niffenegger's own fabulous new illustrations for each piece, and a new story by her--this is a unique and haunting anthology of some of the best ghost stories of all time.
From Edgar Allan Poe to Kelly Link, M.R. James to Neil Gaiman, H.H. Munro to Audrey Niffenegger herself, Ghostly reveals the evolution of the ghost story genre with tales going back to the eighteenth century and into the modern era, ranging across styles from Gothic Horror to Victorian, stories about haunting--haunted children, animals, houses. Every story is introduced by Audrey Niffenegger, an acclaimed master of the craft, with some words on its background and why she chose to include it. Audrey's own story is "A Secret Life With Cats."
Perfect for the classic and contemporary ghost story aficionado, this is a delightful volume, beautifully illustrated by Audrey, who is a graphic artist with great vision. Ghostly showcases the best of the best in the field, including Edith Wharton, P.G. Wodehouse, A.S. Byatt, Ray Bradbury, and so many more.
From Edgar Allan Poe to Kelly Link, M.R. James to Neil Gaiman, H.H. Munro to Audrey Niffenegger herself, Ghostly reveals the evolution of the ghost story genre with tales going back to the eighteenth century and into the modern era, ranging across styles from Gothic Horror to Victorian, stories about haunting--haunted children, animals, houses. Every story is introduced by Audrey Niffenegger, an acclaimed master of the craft, with some words on its background and why she chose to include it. Audrey's own story is "A Secret Life With Cats."
Perfect for the classic and contemporary ghost story aficionado, this is a delightful volume, beautifully illustrated by Audrey, who is a graphic artist with great vision. Ghostly showcases the best of the best in the field, including Edith Wharton, P.G. Wodehouse, A.S. Byatt, Ray Bradbury, and so many more.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2015
254 people are currently reading
7204 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Niffenegger
45 books12.3k followersAudrey Niffenegger (born June 13, 1963 in South Haven, Michigan) is a writer and artist. She is also a professor in the MFA Creative Writing Program at Columbia College Chicago.
Niffenegger's debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife (2003), was a national bestseller. The Time Traveler's Wife is an unconventional love story that centers on a man with a strange genetic disorder that causes him to unpredictably time-travel and his wife, an artist, who has to cope with his constant absence.
Her Fearful Symmetry (2009), Niffenegger's second novel, is set in London's Highgate Cemetery where, during research for the book, Niffenegger acted as a tour guide.
Niffenegger has also published graphic and illustrated novels including: The Adventuress (2006), The Three Incestuous Sisters (2005), The Night Bookmobile (2009), and Raven Girl (2013). Raven Girl was adapted into a ballet by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and the Royal Opera House Ballet (London) in 2013.
A mid-career retrospective entitled "Awake in the Dream World: The Art of Audrey Niffenegger," was presented by the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington D.C.) in 2013. An accompanying exhibition catalogue examines several themes in Niffenegger's visual art including her explorations of life, mortality, and magic.
Niffenegger's debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife (2003), was a national bestseller. The Time Traveler's Wife is an unconventional love story that centers on a man with a strange genetic disorder that causes him to unpredictably time-travel and his wife, an artist, who has to cope with his constant absence.
Her Fearful Symmetry (2009), Niffenegger's second novel, is set in London's Highgate Cemetery where, during research for the book, Niffenegger acted as a tour guide.
Niffenegger has also published graphic and illustrated novels including: The Adventuress (2006), The Three Incestuous Sisters (2005), The Night Bookmobile (2009), and Raven Girl (2013). Raven Girl was adapted into a ballet by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and the Royal Opera House Ballet (London) in 2013.
A mid-career retrospective entitled "Awake in the Dream World: The Art of Audrey Niffenegger," was presented by the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington D.C.) in 2013. An accompanying exhibition catalogue examines several themes in Niffenegger's visual art including her explorations of life, mortality, and magic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
November 12, 2015
Basically, this is a collection of the ghost stories that Audrey Niffenegger thinks you ought to read. With a few exceptions, I agreed with her. I'd read the bulk of the selections included, but welcomed the chance to re-read, as there are quite a few excellent stories featured. Each also has a charming black-and-white illustration by Niffenegger.
**** The Black Cat - Edgar Allen Poe
I think I might have to give this one the Most Unpleasant Narrator of All Time award.
It's true, animal abusers tend to be psychopaths.
Here, Poe gives us a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a man who shows no remorse for his deeds and is eager to blame outside factors for his own decisions. The story, published in 1843, still has the ability to shock, even today.
**** Secret Life, With Cats - Audrey Niffenegger
Unsatisfied housewife decides to volunteer at the local no-kill shelter, to bring some meaning to her life. While there, she also makes a friend with a fellow volunteer, who ends up leaving her a modest property in her will. And then, things get weird. This is one that I suspect will stick with me.
**** Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton
A woman is very much in love with her new husband, a widower. But as time goes on, it seems that another woman may have become a factor in their relationship. Who are the mysterious letters that arrive in the house at odd intervals from? And why does her husband find them so upsetting?
(a re-read)
***** The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions
What really makes this story is how what's terrifying about the ghost is how its influence affects the mind and moods of the characters... Over and above shadows and bumps in the night, it's the depression and despair that accompany its presence.
A writer rents out a suite in a decrepit and long-empty home. Sinking his savings into renovations, he's eager to show the apartment off to his lady-friend, whom he anticipates will be delighted by what he's done with the old place. However, her reaction is quite the opposite. Even though everything is freshly painted and lovely, she hates it. Moreover, she seems terribly prone to accidents whenever she comes to visit. Meanwhile, the tenant can't seem to get a lick of work accomplished there, and the more he tries to buckle down and get his latest novel written, the more he seems convinced that it's no good, and that he's a failure.
And that's just the beginning of the horror...
(Just as a note, I think what really brought this up to 5 stars for me is the character of Elsie [the friend of the narrator]. She's just so bold and real - 'substantial' in more ways than one. She's one that's going to stick with me.)
(a re-read)
***** The Mezzotint - M.R. James
A print curator comes across an 'interesting' picture on offer. At first it seems to be an unremarkable, amateur work - but something about it is strange: it seems to be slightly different each time it's viewed. The image may hold the clue to a terrible crime...
Classically old-fashioned - and wonderfully spooky!
(a re-read)
**** Honeysuckle cottage - P.G. Wodehouse
OK, the whole love-and-marriage as the dreaded ball'n'chain for bachelors is a bit passe, as a joke. However, this is still wonderfully written, and yeah, quite funny.
A successful romance novelist passes away - and her will requires that her nephew move into her charming cottage. The nephew is also a writer - but one who churns out ultra-masculine mystery-thrillers, and has nothing but disdain for his aunt's body of work. However, her house may have an insidious effect on his perspective - and his writing.
***** Click-clack the Rattlebag / Neil Gaiman
"Super-creepy short tale, with the feel of the stories kids tell each other at sleepover parties… Reminded me just a little bit of Kelly Link’s ‘The Specialist’s Hat.’ (Another super-creepy tale.)"
(a re-read)
**** They - Rudyard Kipling
"It unfolds as a man, driving aimlessly in his motorcar, comes across an estate tenanted by a lonely blind woman… and, it seems, several children, who are strangely elusive. The setting is vivid and lush, the language evocative – it’s more of a musing of life and loss than the ghost story it might seem to be. However, the ending is peculiar and rather unsatisfying – I’m not sure what to make of it." Of course I had 'The Jungle Book' and 'Rikki Tikki Tavi' as a child, but I'd never read this Kipling tale before. It unfolds as a man, driving aimlessly in his motorcar, comes across an estate tenanted by a lonely blind woman... and, it seems, several children, who are strangely elusive. The setting is vivid and lush, the language evocative - it's more of a musing of life and loss than the ghost story it might seem to be. However, the ending is peculiar and rather unsatisfying - I'm not sure what to make of it.
(a re-read)
**** Playmates - A.M. Burrage
Adopted by a man with no understanding of children's emotional needs, a lonely girl in a big old house finds some very unconventional playmates. Are they imaginary friends, created to stave off her isolation - or something else? Although technically a ghost story, this piece is more wistful than scary.
(a re-read)
*** The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt
It's very... A.S. Byatt-y. An academic type discovers that he (and only he) can see the ghost of his landlady's deceased son, and is drawn into an awkward relationship predicated on grief and loss.
**** Laura - Saki
Technically, this isn't a ghost story, but a tale of reincarnation. On her deathbed, a woman muses lightheartedly about how she maybe hasn't been the most angelic sort (considering her enjoyment of plaguing her insufferable husband), and will probably come back as a 'lower' type of creature. The way things play out is quite amusing.
***** The Open Window - Saki
Another hilarious piece from the master humorist.
Due to a 'blind' introduction proffered by his sister, a man goes calling on a total stranger. A niece tells a tale of family tragedy - and the fact that the reader can predict what's coming doesn't make it any less funny.
*****The Specialist's Hat - Kelly Link
available free on Link's site: http://www.kellylink.net/fiction/link...
"Creepy! Creepy, creepy, creeeeeepy! If you buy, and move into a haunted house, you PROBABLY should check the babysitter's references, and maybe her ID, too, before you leave your young children with her. Better yet, just get the hell out of that house before it's too late."
(Already read this one a few times... it's been well-anthologised.)
*** Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone
An unassuming-but-content older couple find themselves no-longer-so-content when their home is invaded by a horde of 'tiny ghosts' who plague them by acting like they own the place. In addition, they're quite free with their criticism. The story calls them 'ghosts' but they're more like Mary Norton's 'Borrowers' - if the Borrowers didn't bother hiding, and were obnoxious, to boot.
** The Pink House - Rebecca Curtis
At a writers' retreat, one woman tells her dinner guests a ghost story involving her ex-boyfriend. The listeners are less than impressed, and quite openly insulting. This is a very strange piece - I felt like it might possibly work if it was only one segment of a 'Canterbury-Tales-like' cycle, but on its own it was inconclusive and a bit pointless-feeling.
***** August 2026 : There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury
One of the finest stories ever written. :-)
Many thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
**** The Black Cat - Edgar Allen Poe
I think I might have to give this one the Most Unpleasant Narrator of All Time award.
It's true, animal abusers tend to be psychopaths.
Here, Poe gives us a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a man who shows no remorse for his deeds and is eager to blame outside factors for his own decisions. The story, published in 1843, still has the ability to shock, even today.
**** Secret Life, With Cats - Audrey Niffenegger
Unsatisfied housewife decides to volunteer at the local no-kill shelter, to bring some meaning to her life. While there, she also makes a friend with a fellow volunteer, who ends up leaving her a modest property in her will. And then, things get weird. This is one that I suspect will stick with me.
**** Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton
A woman is very much in love with her new husband, a widower. But as time goes on, it seems that another woman may have become a factor in their relationship. Who are the mysterious letters that arrive in the house at odd intervals from? And why does her husband find them so upsetting?
(a re-read)
***** The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions
What really makes this story is how what's terrifying about the ghost is how its influence affects the mind and moods of the characters... Over and above shadows and bumps in the night, it's the depression and despair that accompany its presence.
A writer rents out a suite in a decrepit and long-empty home. Sinking his savings into renovations, he's eager to show the apartment off to his lady-friend, whom he anticipates will be delighted by what he's done with the old place. However, her reaction is quite the opposite. Even though everything is freshly painted and lovely, she hates it. Moreover, she seems terribly prone to accidents whenever she comes to visit. Meanwhile, the tenant can't seem to get a lick of work accomplished there, and the more he tries to buckle down and get his latest novel written, the more he seems convinced that it's no good, and that he's a failure.
And that's just the beginning of the horror...
(Just as a note, I think what really brought this up to 5 stars for me is the character of Elsie [the friend of the narrator]. She's just so bold and real - 'substantial' in more ways than one. She's one that's going to stick with me.)
(a re-read)
***** The Mezzotint - M.R. James
A print curator comes across an 'interesting' picture on offer. At first it seems to be an unremarkable, amateur work - but something about it is strange: it seems to be slightly different each time it's viewed. The image may hold the clue to a terrible crime...
Classically old-fashioned - and wonderfully spooky!
(a re-read)
**** Honeysuckle cottage - P.G. Wodehouse
OK, the whole love-and-marriage as the dreaded ball'n'chain for bachelors is a bit passe, as a joke. However, this is still wonderfully written, and yeah, quite funny.
A successful romance novelist passes away - and her will requires that her nephew move into her charming cottage. The nephew is also a writer - but one who churns out ultra-masculine mystery-thrillers, and has nothing but disdain for his aunt's body of work. However, her house may have an insidious effect on his perspective - and his writing.
***** Click-clack the Rattlebag / Neil Gaiman
"Super-creepy short tale, with the feel of the stories kids tell each other at sleepover parties… Reminded me just a little bit of Kelly Link’s ‘The Specialist’s Hat.’ (Another super-creepy tale.)"
(a re-read)
**** They - Rudyard Kipling
"It unfolds as a man, driving aimlessly in his motorcar, comes across an estate tenanted by a lonely blind woman… and, it seems, several children, who are strangely elusive. The setting is vivid and lush, the language evocative – it’s more of a musing of life and loss than the ghost story it might seem to be. However, the ending is peculiar and rather unsatisfying – I’m not sure what to make of it." Of course I had 'The Jungle Book' and 'Rikki Tikki Tavi' as a child, but I'd never read this Kipling tale before. It unfolds as a man, driving aimlessly in his motorcar, comes across an estate tenanted by a lonely blind woman... and, it seems, several children, who are strangely elusive. The setting is vivid and lush, the language evocative - it's more of a musing of life and loss than the ghost story it might seem to be. However, the ending is peculiar and rather unsatisfying - I'm not sure what to make of it.
(a re-read)
**** Playmates - A.M. Burrage
Adopted by a man with no understanding of children's emotional needs, a lonely girl in a big old house finds some very unconventional playmates. Are they imaginary friends, created to stave off her isolation - or something else? Although technically a ghost story, this piece is more wistful than scary.
(a re-read)
*** The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt
It's very... A.S. Byatt-y. An academic type discovers that he (and only he) can see the ghost of his landlady's deceased son, and is drawn into an awkward relationship predicated on grief and loss.
**** Laura - Saki
Technically, this isn't a ghost story, but a tale of reincarnation. On her deathbed, a woman muses lightheartedly about how she maybe hasn't been the most angelic sort (considering her enjoyment of plaguing her insufferable husband), and will probably come back as a 'lower' type of creature. The way things play out is quite amusing.
***** The Open Window - Saki
Another hilarious piece from the master humorist.
Due to a 'blind' introduction proffered by his sister, a man goes calling on a total stranger. A niece tells a tale of family tragedy - and the fact that the reader can predict what's coming doesn't make it any less funny.
*****The Specialist's Hat - Kelly Link
available free on Link's site: http://www.kellylink.net/fiction/link...
"Creepy! Creepy, creepy, creeeeeepy! If you buy, and move into a haunted house, you PROBABLY should check the babysitter's references, and maybe her ID, too, before you leave your young children with her. Better yet, just get the hell out of that house before it's too late."
(Already read this one a few times... it's been well-anthologised.)
*** Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone
An unassuming-but-content older couple find themselves no-longer-so-content when their home is invaded by a horde of 'tiny ghosts' who plague them by acting like they own the place. In addition, they're quite free with their criticism. The story calls them 'ghosts' but they're more like Mary Norton's 'Borrowers' - if the Borrowers didn't bother hiding, and were obnoxious, to boot.
** The Pink House - Rebecca Curtis
At a writers' retreat, one woman tells her dinner guests a ghost story involving her ex-boyfriend. The listeners are less than impressed, and quite openly insulting. This is a very strange piece - I felt like it might possibly work if it was only one segment of a 'Canterbury-Tales-like' cycle, but on its own it was inconclusive and a bit pointless-feeling.
***** August 2026 : There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury
One of the finest stories ever written. :-)
Many thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
February 5, 2017
An interesting collection of ghost stories. Great variety.
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
I've read and heard this performed many times. A classic story. Yet a little disturbing as the main character seems to abuse his wife and his pets for no reason. A wonderful dénouement is had, however.
Secret Life, With Cats by Audrey Niffenegger
A little creepy. Also, reminds me why I don't have cats. Also, it was one of those dreary tales of a life sucked out of a person.
Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton
Another rather dreary tale. Not even creepy. Just sad.
The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions
If no one's rented a flat in over a dozen years, there may be a reason! Just saying.
This story is wonderfully creepy and intense. Things get worse and worse and worse for our hero. (Actually, he's not much of a hero.) A psychological thriller that may or may not be a ghost story.
The Mezzotint by M.R. James
I'm sure I've heard this story or one like it at some time. Not as spooky as I would like.
Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse
This was a delight! Why have the Beeb not made a movie of this? Maybe with Tom Hiddleston or that guy Matthew Goode?
Click-Clack the Rattle Bag by Neil Gaiman
I'll bet Neil Gaiman would be great at telling bedtime stories. This was a very short and evocative story about a boy wanting a bedtime story, but he's the one that does the scaring!
They by Rudyard Kipling
A bittersweet story of a house where the spirits of children get to play and be loved by a blind spinster
Playmates by A.M. Burrage
A sweet little ghost story.
The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt
I didn't really get that much out of this one. Far too depressing for me.
Laura / The Open Window by Saki
Two fun stories that remind quite a bit of Wodehouse!
The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link
Creepy twins. Creepy house. Creepy babysitter. Need I say more?
Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone
What would you do if you were house was haunted by tiny ghosts? A lot of them. Insulting tiny ghosts. Who criticize EVERYTHING. Loved this story, because it was quirky and funny... and the solution is great!
The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis
One of the meatier and more substantial stories in the book. Dark, claustrophobic, but - in the end - very satisfying.
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
Wow. Great story.
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
I've read and heard this performed many times. A classic story. Yet a little disturbing as the main character seems to abuse his wife and his pets for no reason. A wonderful dénouement is had, however.
Secret Life, With Cats by Audrey Niffenegger
A little creepy. Also, reminds me why I don't have cats. Also, it was one of those dreary tales of a life sucked out of a person.
Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton
Another rather dreary tale. Not even creepy. Just sad.
The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions
If no one's rented a flat in over a dozen years, there may be a reason! Just saying.
This story is wonderfully creepy and intense. Things get worse and worse and worse for our hero. (Actually, he's not much of a hero.) A psychological thriller that may or may not be a ghost story.
The Mezzotint by M.R. James
I'm sure I've heard this story or one like it at some time. Not as spooky as I would like.
Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse
This was a delight! Why have the Beeb not made a movie of this? Maybe with Tom Hiddleston or that guy Matthew Goode?
Click-Clack the Rattle Bag by Neil Gaiman
I'll bet Neil Gaiman would be great at telling bedtime stories. This was a very short and evocative story about a boy wanting a bedtime story, but he's the one that does the scaring!
They by Rudyard Kipling
A bittersweet story of a house where the spirits of children get to play and be loved by a blind spinster
Playmates by A.M. Burrage
A sweet little ghost story.
The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt
I didn't really get that much out of this one. Far too depressing for me.
Laura / The Open Window by Saki
Two fun stories that remind quite a bit of Wodehouse!
The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link
Creepy twins. Creepy house. Creepy babysitter. Need I say more?
Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone
What would you do if you were house was haunted by tiny ghosts? A lot of them. Insulting tiny ghosts. Who criticize EVERYTHING. Loved this story, because it was quirky and funny... and the solution is great!
The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis
One of the meatier and more substantial stories in the book. Dark, claustrophobic, but - in the end - very satisfying.
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
Wow. Great story.
October 24, 2022
Our traditional Shine&Shadow Halloween read!
Unfortunately I can't say that author Adrey Niffenegger's and my taste in ghost stories match very much - but still there have been a couple of stories (a couple in the truest sense of the word) I liked; "Mezzotint" by M.R. James which is about moving paintings, they always creep me out and "Honeysuckle Cottage" by P.G. Wodehouse, a hilarious story about a man stuck in a novel of his most despised genre - romance!
It was fun reading with my book friends but I don't think I would have enjoyed the read on my own. Three pumpkins 🎃🎃🎃
Unfortunately I can't say that author Adrey Niffenegger's and my taste in ghost stories match very much - but still there have been a couple of stories (a couple in the truest sense of the word) I liked; "Mezzotint" by M.R. James which is about moving paintings, they always creep me out and "Honeysuckle Cottage" by P.G. Wodehouse, a hilarious story about a man stuck in a novel of his most despised genre - romance!
It was fun reading with my book friends but I don't think I would have enjoyed the read on my own. Three pumpkins 🎃🎃🎃
October 23, 2015
3.5 a collection of ghost stories ranging from a few new ones back to Poe and Bradbury. Poe's story was one of my favorites though I had read it before. Another favorite was Honeysuckle Cottage, just loved the quirkiness of that one. Garman.so story provided a little shiver but for the most part none of these were very scary but all were good. Interesting so see what stories are chosen for a widespread collection like this one. A little something for everyone.
ARC from NetGalley.
ARC from NetGalley.
February 6, 2025
Ghostly: A Collection of Ghost Stories is a collection of 16 of what are claimed to be the “very creepiest, weirdest and wittiest ghost stories around”. They are selected by Audrey Niffenegger for this 2015 anthology, and have no common theme, although it is noticeable that stories are sometimes linked sequentially, by subject or style. She has included just one of her own stories: “A Secret Life With Cats”, which follows a familiar tale by Edgar Allan Poe; stories about children, possession, or haunted houses are placed together, and so on. Each story is prefaced with a few editorial sentences by Audrey Niffenegger, giving her reason for including it, or why she likes it. She may give a little background about the author and its original publication history. Audrey Niffenegger has also illustrated each story at its start. The 16 stories span the centuries, from the 18th to the present day.
Audrey Niffenegger says:
“Ghost stories are speculations, little experiments in death … a literature of loneliness and longing. Ghost stories can benevolent, grotesque, thrilling, repulsive. But the quieter, more desperate stories resonate more intensely. They are powered by grief and loss, separation and finality.”
Apart from the first one, her selection fits this second category. I have written a full review for most of them, and the links are here:
The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe ⭐⭐
A quintessential Poe story. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Secret Life, with Cats - Audrey Niffenegger ⭐⭐
A strange unresolved story. This is the only one by Audrey Niffenegger herself in her collection, and the one which I feel has the most effective lino-cut illustration (which is different from the cover of the story linked to). Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton ⭐⭐⭐
An understated and typically elegant story by this American writer. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Oliver Onions' most famous story, and impressively original. It is often quoted as one of the most horrific classic novellas, and is very effective. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Mezzotint - M.R. James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M.R. James is the master of creating slowly building and disturbing menace, and this is one of his very best stories. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Honeysuckle Cottage - P.G. Wodehouse ⭐⭐⭐
It takes some skill to combine creepy and comic, but P.G. Wodehouse, author of Jeeves and Wooster seems to have done it! Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Neil Gaiman ⭐
Nope. Sorry Mr. Gaiman, but this one just didn’t work. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
They - Rudyard Kipling ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A very eerie and haunting tale, which was personal to Rudyard Kipling. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Playmates - A.M. Burrage ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a touching, well-written tale, and unusually optimistic for a ghost story.
Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt ⭐
Ghost stores are not what A.S. Byatt does well. This one took far too long to get going, was far too prolix and had a peculiar ending.
Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Laura - Saki ⭐⭐⭐
A quirkily humorous short story; very tongue in cheek and typical of this author. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Open Window - Saki (H.H. Munro (1914) ⭐⭐⭐
This particular story by Saki was first published in 1914, and is one of his most popular short stories, being included in many anthologies. Framton Nuttel is staying in the country on his doctor’s orders, as a rest cure for his nerves. Following his sister’s advice, he reluctantly pays a formal visit to one of her acquaintances named Mrs. Sappleton. She is delayed, so Framton is entertained by her fifteen-year-old niece.
Vera tells him an horrific story about Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two brothers, who went out shooting and never returned. All three had been caught in a bog while crossing the moor, and their bodies were never recovered. This happened three years ago to the day, and Mrs. Sappleton still believes the men will come back, along with the brown spaniel who was lost with them. The niece explains that this is why the French windows are always kept open until dark.
At last Mrs. Sappleton arrives with apologies, and starts to talk about her husband and brothers, who are expected back soon from a day’s shooting. The others exchange glances. The story ends with the revelation that the niece specialises in “romance at short notice”.
It is a clever spooky tale, with a great surprise ending. It is witty, concise and slightly sinister: all trademarks of Saki’s narratives.
We may guess It’s a carefully controlled build-up, and all very tongue-in-cheek.
**
The Specialist’s Hat - Kelly Link ⭐
Mostly this story did not work. We realise quite early that The rest is a muddled mess, with derivative elements. Audrey Niffenegger may think very highly of this author, but I won’t be going out of my way to look for any more of her work.
**
Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone ⭐
Another dud. Plodding tale detailing domestic events, with the only difference being that little people appear in the flat. The only way we know they are ghosts is because they say they are. Nothing happens, and it has no atmosphere; it’s an interesting premise, but goes nowhere. Audrey Niffenegger says that this story had not been published before. I hope Amy Giacalone develops this story a little more.
**
The Pink House - Rebecca Curtiss ⭐
In her introduction to this story, Audrey Niffenegger quotes the author. Rebecca Curtiss criticises the “two-people-drinking-coffee-and-complaining-about-their-bunions type of story” - and then goes on to write precisely that! If you’re a traditionalist, she says, you have to create conflict and a plot, but she doesn’t have to, because ghost stories have excitement and horror built in. Really? Did I miss it?
There is a frame story, where a woman purports to tell a gathering of writers and painters an obscure true ghost story which happened over a period of seven years. It is fairly obvious that the story is about her, but it is so boring that one of her guests actually asks her if there is any point to it. (I can answer that one.) And how terribly "traditional" of the author, to start with a frame story. Like its predecessor, the story started in a boring way, went on to describe a boring life, and didn’t get any better.
To give you a taste, we learn that the protagonist cannot write the stories she wishes to, and is frustrated with her life. We read details of her sexual preferences, and infections, and how she dislikes her parents, but is glad when they help her move house. There are arguments and squabbles with her parents and sister in the car, and at the house. There’s an unsatisfactory boyfriend. And so on. The tiny supernatural content is but frustratingly, very little is made of this. And the story is so long! It just grinds on and on, and is a far cry from being a ghostly tale to send shivers down the spine.
This is the turkey of the collection. Both this and the previous two are entered separately on Goodreads, but since I dislike giving contemporary authors a measly one star, I have rated them within this collection only. Rebecca Curtiss seems to have several stories in “The New Yorker”. I have to assume they have a bit more about them than this humdrum pretentious nonsense.
**
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A most unnerving story, told with Ray Bradbury's unmistakable style. I’m not sure why Audrey Niffenegger included this version, as the most recent edition of the story was “August 2057: There Will Come Soft Rains”. Nor has she used the original 1950 title, from when the story was written. However, perhaps she thought it adds an extra frisson, forcing us to consider this as a contemporary story. It is certainly still ominous.
Please see my full review LINK HERE
I enjoyed reading this collection with the “Shine and Shadow” Goodreads group, and interestingly we all rated it at 3 stars, I believe, although we differed as to the stories we preferred. I did feel that the selection was an idiosyncratic one, and wonder whether in part it was prompted by what was in the public domain, plus a couple of new stories by authors whom the author wished to highlight for some reason. The one by Neil Gaiman had originally been written for charity, and most of the classic ones are available online free from copyright, which is what started me off on this train of thought. It could have been more of a vehicle for Audrey Niffenegger’s own pen and ink drawings, although I have to say I have seen much better Art work from her. These particular ones do not enhance the stories for me.
Oddly, most of the classic stories are English (unless you wish to stretch a point and claim Rudyard Kipling for India, and Edgar Allan Poe was American of course) and written by males. It seems odd that there are three white Victorian men and a couple of white Edwardian men represented, and no women authors from this period. Yet there were a huge number of Victorian women who wrote “sensational” ghost stories for the oppressed and repressed females stuck indoors, to read in secret.
In general the more contemporary stories are written by female white Americans. This lack of diversity overall also disappointed me in a collection of this type, selected and edited by a well-known American author who included one of her own stories. I would have thought that as well as a few old favourites, this was the chance to showcase some talented new authors, as well as those from earlier times who who might have been neglected on the grounds of race or gender.
Many of these Victorian-era ghost stories are most effective in psychological horror, not in gore. These very disturbing, creepy and eerie ones are the type I prefer, but there are also a couple of light amusing, satirical tales, and ones about the paranormal or science fiction which barely count as ghost stories.
It is an odd, eclectic selection, which I don't really recommend. The truly stellar ones can be found in better company elsewhere.
Audrey Niffenegger says:
“Ghost stories are speculations, little experiments in death … a literature of loneliness and longing. Ghost stories can benevolent, grotesque, thrilling, repulsive. But the quieter, more desperate stories resonate more intensely. They are powered by grief and loss, separation and finality.”
Apart from the first one, her selection fits this second category. I have written a full review for most of them, and the links are here:
The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe ⭐⭐
A quintessential Poe story. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Secret Life, with Cats - Audrey Niffenegger ⭐⭐
A strange unresolved story. This is the only one by Audrey Niffenegger herself in her collection, and the one which I feel has the most effective lino-cut illustration (which is different from the cover of the story linked to). Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton ⭐⭐⭐
An understated and typically elegant story by this American writer. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Oliver Onions' most famous story, and impressively original. It is often quoted as one of the most horrific classic novellas, and is very effective. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Mezzotint - M.R. James ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
M.R. James is the master of creating slowly building and disturbing menace, and this is one of his very best stories. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Honeysuckle Cottage - P.G. Wodehouse ⭐⭐⭐
It takes some skill to combine creepy and comic, but P.G. Wodehouse, author of Jeeves and Wooster seems to have done it! Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Neil Gaiman ⭐
Nope. Sorry Mr. Gaiman, but this one just didn’t work. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
They - Rudyard Kipling ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A very eerie and haunting tale, which was personal to Rudyard Kipling. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Playmates - A.M. Burrage ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a touching, well-written tale, and unusually optimistic for a ghost story.
Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt ⭐
Ghost stores are not what A.S. Byatt does well. This one took far too long to get going, was far too prolix and had a peculiar ending.
Please see my review LINK HERE
**
Laura - Saki ⭐⭐⭐
A quirkily humorous short story; very tongue in cheek and typical of this author. Please see my review LINK HERE
**
The Open Window - Saki (H.H. Munro (1914) ⭐⭐⭐
This particular story by Saki was first published in 1914, and is one of his most popular short stories, being included in many anthologies. Framton Nuttel is staying in the country on his doctor’s orders, as a rest cure for his nerves. Following his sister’s advice, he reluctantly pays a formal visit to one of her acquaintances named Mrs. Sappleton. She is delayed, so Framton is entertained by her fifteen-year-old niece.
Vera tells him an horrific story about Mrs. Sappleton’s husband and her two brothers, who went out shooting and never returned. All three had been caught in a bog while crossing the moor, and their bodies were never recovered. This happened three years ago to the day, and Mrs. Sappleton still believes the men will come back, along with the brown spaniel who was lost with them. The niece explains that this is why the French windows are always kept open until dark.
At last Mrs. Sappleton arrives with apologies, and starts to talk about her husband and brothers, who are expected back soon from a day’s shooting. The others exchange glances. The story ends with the revelation that the niece specialises in “romance at short notice”.
It is a clever spooky tale, with a great surprise ending. It is witty, concise and slightly sinister: all trademarks of Saki’s narratives.
We may guess It’s a carefully controlled build-up, and all very tongue-in-cheek.
**
The Specialist’s Hat - Kelly Link ⭐
Mostly this story did not work. We realise quite early that The rest is a muddled mess, with derivative elements. Audrey Niffenegger may think very highly of this author, but I won’t be going out of my way to look for any more of her work.
**
Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone ⭐
Another dud. Plodding tale detailing domestic events, with the only difference being that little people appear in the flat. The only way we know they are ghosts is because they say they are. Nothing happens, and it has no atmosphere; it’s an interesting premise, but goes nowhere. Audrey Niffenegger says that this story had not been published before. I hope Amy Giacalone develops this story a little more.
**
The Pink House - Rebecca Curtiss ⭐
In her introduction to this story, Audrey Niffenegger quotes the author. Rebecca Curtiss criticises the “two-people-drinking-coffee-and-complaining-about-their-bunions type of story” - and then goes on to write precisely that! If you’re a traditionalist, she says, you have to create conflict and a plot, but she doesn’t have to, because ghost stories have excitement and horror built in. Really? Did I miss it?
There is a frame story, where a woman purports to tell a gathering of writers and painters an obscure true ghost story which happened over a period of seven years. It is fairly obvious that the story is about her, but it is so boring that one of her guests actually asks her if there is any point to it. (I can answer that one.) And how terribly "traditional" of the author, to start with a frame story. Like its predecessor, the story started in a boring way, went on to describe a boring life, and didn’t get any better.
To give you a taste, we learn that the protagonist cannot write the stories she wishes to, and is frustrated with her life. We read details of her sexual preferences, and infections, and how she dislikes her parents, but is glad when they help her move house. There are arguments and squabbles with her parents and sister in the car, and at the house. There’s an unsatisfactory boyfriend. And so on. The tiny supernatural content is but frustratingly, very little is made of this. And the story is so long! It just grinds on and on, and is a far cry from being a ghostly tale to send shivers down the spine.
This is the turkey of the collection. Both this and the previous two are entered separately on Goodreads, but since I dislike giving contemporary authors a measly one star, I have rated them within this collection only. Rebecca Curtiss seems to have several stories in “The New Yorker”. I have to assume they have a bit more about them than this humdrum pretentious nonsense.
**
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A most unnerving story, told with Ray Bradbury's unmistakable style. I’m not sure why Audrey Niffenegger included this version, as the most recent edition of the story was “August 2057: There Will Come Soft Rains”. Nor has she used the original 1950 title, from when the story was written. However, perhaps she thought it adds an extra frisson, forcing us to consider this as a contemporary story. It is certainly still ominous.
Please see my full review LINK HERE
I enjoyed reading this collection with the “Shine and Shadow” Goodreads group, and interestingly we all rated it at 3 stars, I believe, although we differed as to the stories we preferred. I did feel that the selection was an idiosyncratic one, and wonder whether in part it was prompted by what was in the public domain, plus a couple of new stories by authors whom the author wished to highlight for some reason. The one by Neil Gaiman had originally been written for charity, and most of the classic ones are available online free from copyright, which is what started me off on this train of thought. It could have been more of a vehicle for Audrey Niffenegger’s own pen and ink drawings, although I have to say I have seen much better Art work from her. These particular ones do not enhance the stories for me.
Oddly, most of the classic stories are English (unless you wish to stretch a point and claim Rudyard Kipling for India, and Edgar Allan Poe was American of course) and written by males. It seems odd that there are three white Victorian men and a couple of white Edwardian men represented, and no women authors from this period. Yet there were a huge number of Victorian women who wrote “sensational” ghost stories for the oppressed and repressed females stuck indoors, to read in secret.
In general the more contemporary stories are written by female white Americans. This lack of diversity overall also disappointed me in a collection of this type, selected and edited by a well-known American author who included one of her own stories. I would have thought that as well as a few old favourites, this was the chance to showcase some talented new authors, as well as those from earlier times who who might have been neglected on the grounds of race or gender.
Many of these Victorian-era ghost stories are most effective in psychological horror, not in gore. These very disturbing, creepy and eerie ones are the type I prefer, but there are also a couple of light amusing, satirical tales, and ones about the paranormal or science fiction which barely count as ghost stories.
It is an odd, eclectic selection, which I don't really recommend. The truly stellar ones can be found in better company elsewhere.
October 30, 2015
I do enjoy reading ghost stories...and I don't restrict this reading to the days around Halloween. In my world tales of the supernatural and paranormal are appropriate any time of the year, any time of the day. Now horror, on the other hand, and seriously creepy ghost stories perhaps should be confined to daylight hours if one is prone to bad dreams. Niffenegger's collection is made up primarily of the gentler and more classic form of ghost story, the sort that finds its effects in style, manner and language, not in gore.
I did find the stories varied as those in collections often do and that among my favorites were many of the classics included. My favorites are: The Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton, The Mezzotint by M.R.James, Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G.Wodehouse (yes a comic ghost story), Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman, Playmates by A.M.Burrage, and a story from a quite contemporary writer, Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone. It is likely that other readers will have other favorites--but there were no truly unexpected stories here and a few that did not really "take off".
My rating 3.5*
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I did find the stories varied as those in collections often do and that among my favorites were many of the classics included. My favorites are: The Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton, The Mezzotint by M.R.James, Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G.Wodehouse (yes a comic ghost story), Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman, Playmates by A.M.Burrage, and a story from a quite contemporary writer, Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone. It is likely that other readers will have other favorites--but there were no truly unexpected stories here and a few that did not really "take off".
My rating 3.5*
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 22, 2022
A mixture of short stories collected by Audrey Niffenegger (including one of her own) from classic writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, M.R.James through to Ray Bradbury plus some from contemporary writers. There are a few creepy ones, some are humorous and others are just weird. Some aren’t really ghost stories at all. My favourites were ‘Click-clack the Rattlebag’ by Neil Gaiman; the two stories by Saki, ‘Laura’ and ‘The Open Window’; and ‘The Beckoning Fair One’ by Oliver Onions.
October 28, 2022
Collections of short stories are always a mixed bag and I feel this one only had five or six stories that I liked ('Black Cat' by Poe, ‘The Beckoning Fair One’ by Oliver Onions, and ‘Honeysuckle Cottage’ by P. G. Wodehouse being my top 3 - ‘The Specialist’s Hat’ by Kelly Link gets a special mention). I read this as part of the Shine&Shadow Halloween read and I am so glad I did it that way and not as a solo read, I wouldn't have survived the whole collection without being able to see what everyone else thought.
As usual, the ones that were good were really good, and the rest were just "eh."
As usual, the ones that were good were really good, and the rest were just "eh."
October 23, 2015
3.5 stars
Not my most favorite collection of creepy ghost stories, but there are a few prize gems in here that are worth a mention. (They, Playmates, Honeysuckle Cottage)
This is such an eclectic collection from vintage authors to modern day and while I wouldn't classify these as scary, there was an element of 'weird' that kept me turning the pages.
With Halloween right around the corner, this was a nice way to ring in the season. :)
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not my most favorite collection of creepy ghost stories, but there are a few prize gems in here that are worth a mention. (They, Playmates, Honeysuckle Cottage)
This is such an eclectic collection from vintage authors to modern day and while I wouldn't classify these as scary, there was an element of 'weird' that kept me turning the pages.
With Halloween right around the corner, this was a nice way to ring in the season. :)
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2017
3.5/5. Favourite stories in this collection: 'Secret Life, With Cats' by Audrey Niffenegger, 'The Mezzotint' by M.R. James, 'Click-Clack the Rattlebag' by Neil Gaiman & 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe.
November 26, 2015
Overall, a very good collection of straight-up ghost stories & some that are mere haunting stories. They flowed together very well, at times almost too well to distinguish, with an overlapping feeling of wistful melancholia.
The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe: 4*, ooooh this one is f**cked up!
Secret Life, with Cats - Audrey Niffenegger: 4*
Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton: 4*
The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions: 3*, a bit long, but a slow creeper
The Mezzotint - M.R. James: 5*
Honeysuckle Cottage - P.G. Wodehouse: 5*, Hilarious!
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Neil Gaiman: 5*, short and not-very-sweet
They - Rudyard Kipling: 4*, bittersweet
Playmates - A.M. Burrage: 3*
The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt, 3*
Laura - Saki: 3*, pretty funny
The Open Window - Saki: 4*, a classic
The Specialist's Hat - Kelly Link: 3*, creepy
Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone, 3*
The Pink House - Rebecca Curtis, 3*, kind of long & goofy but chilling towards the end!
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury: 5*
The Black Cat - Edgar Allan Poe: 4*, ooooh this one is f**cked up!
Secret Life, with Cats - Audrey Niffenegger: 4*
Pomegranate Seed - Edith Wharton: 4*
The Beckoning Fair One - Oliver Onions: 3*, a bit long, but a slow creeper
The Mezzotint - M.R. James: 5*
Honeysuckle Cottage - P.G. Wodehouse: 5*, Hilarious!
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Neil Gaiman: 5*, short and not-very-sweet
They - Rudyard Kipling: 4*, bittersweet
Playmates - A.M. Burrage: 3*
The July Ghost - A.S. Byatt, 3*
Laura - Saki: 3*, pretty funny
The Open Window - Saki: 4*, a classic
The Specialist's Hat - Kelly Link: 3*, creepy
Tiny Ghosts - Amy Giacalone, 3*
The Pink House - Rebecca Curtis, 3*, kind of long & goofy but chilling towards the end!
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains - Ray Bradbury: 5*
September 27, 2015
i received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
for me is a 3,5 stars.....
i appreciated this book and i found interesting stories in it, i was expecting a little bit more scary, mistery and suspense pieces......most of them were with a too linear plot............the ending were more likely predictable.......
for non english readers....i found a not easy writing, i had to check a lot the dictionary... some of the terms are not the everyday you can read in modern books.....
for me is a 3,5 stars.....
i appreciated this book and i found interesting stories in it, i was expecting a little bit more scary, mistery and suspense pieces......most of them were with a too linear plot............the ending were more likely predictable.......
for non english readers....i found a not easy writing, i had to check a lot the dictionary... some of the terms are not the everyday you can read in modern books.....
November 10, 2015
Ghostly...A Collection of Ghost Stories...Introduced and Illustrated by Audrey Niffenegger
What could be better than a collection of ghostly short stories about haunted houses, spectral chills and, of course, the odd cat.....
that are written by Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, P G Wodehouse, Neil Gaiman, Rudyard Kipling, Saki, Ray Bradbury, M R James, Audrey Niffenegger....and many more!
I know that Halloween is over, but good ghost stories are great reading for anytime of the year.
Grab a blanket and settle down with this fantastic book!!
What could be better than a collection of ghostly short stories about haunted houses, spectral chills and, of course, the odd cat.....
that are written by Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, P G Wodehouse, Neil Gaiman, Rudyard Kipling, Saki, Ray Bradbury, M R James, Audrey Niffenegger....and many more!
I know that Halloween is over, but good ghost stories are great reading for anytime of the year.
Grab a blanket and settle down with this fantastic book!!
October 16, 2015
Even if I already knew some of the stories collected in this book, reading them all together with some new other short tales made me shiver, right now I'm so frightened that I would even iron instead of going to bed. Some authors are well known, like Poe and Saki, some not for ghost stories like Edith Wharthon, but still all of them are worth reading.
Anche se alcune delle storie raccolte in questo volume le conoscevo, leggerle assieme con altre che erano novitá mi ha fatto venire i brividi, in questo momento ho talmente tanta paura che piuttosto che andare a dormire mi metto anche a stirare. Alcuni autori sono conosciuti, come Poe e Saki, altri magari sono famosi ma non per aver scritto storie di fantasmi come per esempio Edith Wharthon, ma tutti vanno letti perché ne vale proprio la pena.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND SCRIBNER FOR THE PREVIEW!
Anche se alcune delle storie raccolte in questo volume le conoscevo, leggerle assieme con altre che erano novitá mi ha fatto venire i brividi, in questo momento ho talmente tanta paura che piuttosto che andare a dormire mi metto anche a stirare. Alcuni autori sono conosciuti, come Poe e Saki, altri magari sono famosi ma non per aver scritto storie di fantasmi come per esempio Edith Wharthon, ma tutti vanno letti perché ne vale proprio la pena.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND SCRIBNER FOR THE PREVIEW!
October 17, 2017
Really a disappointment. Some of these stories are rare jewels. Others left me asking, "What?"
The spooky, ghostly aspect just wasn't there. Most of the stories were vague, and a few were simply disconnected. Just not for me.
The spooky, ghostly aspect just wasn't there. Most of the stories were vague, and a few were simply disconnected. Just not for me.
October 8, 2015
Three and a half stars: An interesting mix of ghostly stories for those who want an eclectic variety.
What is about a good ghost story that keeps us coming back for more? Is it that we are curious about our own mortality? Do we want a good scare? Are we looking for proof of life after death? Perhaps it is something simpler, perhaps it is because we want to be entertained, and we like to be frightened. Especially in the Fall as the shadows lengthen and lurk a little longer in the corners. For those of you who enjoy ghostly tales, Ms. Niffengegger has compiled a collection of stories that will show you how long the ghost story has been around, and how it has evolved. This book draws upon classic authors like Poe, Wharton, Kipling, Gaiman and Bradbury. So settle in and prepare for some ghosts.
What I Liked:
*I appreciated that this book drew upon a vast range of stories and authors. Many of the stories are older, dating back to the 19th and 20th century. Even though it takes a moment to get used to the older language and writing, it was easy to be immersed in the stories.
*I liked the range of the stories. Most were the type where the reader was left pondering on what happened. Was it a ghost or something else? For those of you who shy away from ghost stories because you don't want to be scared, fear not, this is a set of stories you can read an enjoy as most aren't particularly scary.
Here is a quick run down of the stories:
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
This was a typical Poe type story with murder, hiding of the body and betrayal by an unlikely source. This story blended elements from some other Poe stories, i.e. building of wall to encompass a body, falling into madness, etc. I liked the story, but I was put off by the violence to the cat. I was pleased that the narrator got what was coming to him in the end for his abhorrent behavior.
Three Stars
Secret Life, With Cats by Audrey Neffenegger
This was a strange little story about a woman who seems to have a good, comfortable marriage and life, but then she starts volunteering at a cat shelter. She makes a friend, and when her friend later dies, she inherits her house. The house has a strange little secret in the basement. Shudders......
Three stars
Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton
This was a tale that left me scratching my head as I am not sure exactly what went down. It is about a woman who recently married a widower. For months, he has been receiving strange letters all in the same hand. The wife confronts her husband, and he assures her everything is fine, but she frets that he has a mistress. The next day, she cannot reach her husband, and things take a strange turn when she opens the letter. Is the ghost of his deceased wife haunting him?
Three and a half stars
The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions
This is the longest and probably the most peculiar story in the collection. It is about an author who rents a floor of an abandoned house. He restores the floor and takes up residence. When he tries to write, he cannot as he is preoccupied with the house, and convinced he is being haunted by a beautiful ghost. This is a story of a man spiraling into madness. The question is whether it is the house that is causing him to go mad or is it himself?
Three and a half stars
The Mezzotint by M. R. James
This is a disturbing little tale about a painting that appears to be haunted. Is the painting acting out some scene from long ago when a robed figure crept in and stole a baby, or is it imagination? That is up to the reader to decide.
Three stars
The Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse
This was an interesting story about a writer who inherits a house from his aunt, who was also a writer. While inhabiting the house, the confirmed bachelor seems to be thrust right into one of his aunt's sickeningly sweet, romantic novels. He tries to fight off what is happening to him, but he is failing. Will he become entangled into the romantic story?
Four stars
Click Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman
The best story in the book. This is a short little tale, just a few pages in length, but it packs a punch. It is about a man visiting some friends, who encounters a little boy who tells him a strange tale about creatures who suck out the essence of a human through their eyes, leaving a bag of bones and skin that rattles in the wind. Where did the boy hear such a frightening story?
Five stars
They by Rudyard Kipling
This was a story about a man who, by chance, finds a lovely estate in the woods where an old, blind woman lives with a bunch of children. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to catch a glimpse of the elusive children. This was a story where it was very easy for me to pick up on what was going on from the beginning. I felt like this story dragged because it was full of lengthy descriptions, and I was unsure as to what happened at the end.
Two stars
Playmates by A.M. Barrage
A story about a man who takes in a young girl as his ward. At first, he pays little attention to the girl, but once he moves into a house in the country, the girl begins to change. She is smiling and happy, and always playing in the school room with her imaginary friends. I liked the way the man and the girl changed, due to the playmates.
Four stars
The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt
Another strange little story about a mother who is suffering with losing her child. She wants nothing more in the world than to see her son one more time. When the man she is renting a room to her in house starts seeing her ghost, she becomes distressed. I liked the ghost, but this story fell short for me. I really didn't get it.
Two stars
Laura and the Open Window by Saki
Two little tales by this author. Both of these stories were short but packed a punch. The first one was about someone dying and possibly reincarnating as an otter... is it possible?
The second, is more famous and one I have read before, about a young woman who tricks a stranger into believing he is seeing ghosts. A great little read.
Four stars
The Specialists Hat by Kelly Link
This was another one of those head scratching tales. Two young, twins move into a strange old house with their father after their mother dies. They are a bit obsessed with death. One night, a babysitter comes, and this babysitter is a bit strange. Not sure what really happened at the end of this one. Something sinister.
Two stars
Tiny Ghosts Amy Giaclone
This was a funny, lighter story about a couple who suddenly start seeing little ghosts in their home. These ghosts are rude, and they have attitudes. Funny, and light, and I liked the way they ended up getting rid of the ghosts.
Three stars
The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis
A story that opens the door to the possibility of possession by a ghost. Not particularly creepy, but it ends with a bang, and it gives the reader something to ponder. I ended up liking this strange little story.
Four Stars
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
This really isn't a ghost story per say, but was a great way to end the book. A short spin by Bradbury that takes you to a futuristic house that takes care of everything: the cooking, cleaning, maintenance and care of its family. The problem, the family is gone and the house is the only one standing after some cataclysmic disaster. A bit sad to see this ghost house functioning, taking care of no one.
Four and a half stars.
This was an interesting collection, that provides stories from authors dating back to Poe to modern day. It is an eclectic batch of stories, and I liked sampling the different styles. Some were stronger than others, and many left me scratching my head. Still it was a fun read, and if you like ghost stories, this is a fun way to sample ghost stories from the past to present, and to see how they have evolved.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
What is about a good ghost story that keeps us coming back for more? Is it that we are curious about our own mortality? Do we want a good scare? Are we looking for proof of life after death? Perhaps it is something simpler, perhaps it is because we want to be entertained, and we like to be frightened. Especially in the Fall as the shadows lengthen and lurk a little longer in the corners. For those of you who enjoy ghostly tales, Ms. Niffengegger has compiled a collection of stories that will show you how long the ghost story has been around, and how it has evolved. This book draws upon classic authors like Poe, Wharton, Kipling, Gaiman and Bradbury. So settle in and prepare for some ghosts.
What I Liked:
*I appreciated that this book drew upon a vast range of stories and authors. Many of the stories are older, dating back to the 19th and 20th century. Even though it takes a moment to get used to the older language and writing, it was easy to be immersed in the stories.
*I liked the range of the stories. Most were the type where the reader was left pondering on what happened. Was it a ghost or something else? For those of you who shy away from ghost stories because you don't want to be scared, fear not, this is a set of stories you can read an enjoy as most aren't particularly scary.
Here is a quick run down of the stories:
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
This was a typical Poe type story with murder, hiding of the body and betrayal by an unlikely source. This story blended elements from some other Poe stories, i.e. building of wall to encompass a body, falling into madness, etc. I liked the story, but I was put off by the violence to the cat. I was pleased that the narrator got what was coming to him in the end for his abhorrent behavior.
Three Stars
Secret Life, With Cats by Audrey Neffenegger
This was a strange little story about a woman who seems to have a good, comfortable marriage and life, but then she starts volunteering at a cat shelter. She makes a friend, and when her friend later dies, she inherits her house. The house has a strange little secret in the basement. Shudders......
Three stars
Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton
This was a tale that left me scratching my head as I am not sure exactly what went down. It is about a woman who recently married a widower. For months, he has been receiving strange letters all in the same hand. The wife confronts her husband, and he assures her everything is fine, but she frets that he has a mistress. The next day, she cannot reach her husband, and things take a strange turn when she opens the letter. Is the ghost of his deceased wife haunting him?
Three and a half stars
The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions
This is the longest and probably the most peculiar story in the collection. It is about an author who rents a floor of an abandoned house. He restores the floor and takes up residence. When he tries to write, he cannot as he is preoccupied with the house, and convinced he is being haunted by a beautiful ghost. This is a story of a man spiraling into madness. The question is whether it is the house that is causing him to go mad or is it himself?
Three and a half stars
The Mezzotint by M. R. James
This is a disturbing little tale about a painting that appears to be haunted. Is the painting acting out some scene from long ago when a robed figure crept in and stole a baby, or is it imagination? That is up to the reader to decide.
Three stars
The Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse
This was an interesting story about a writer who inherits a house from his aunt, who was also a writer. While inhabiting the house, the confirmed bachelor seems to be thrust right into one of his aunt's sickeningly sweet, romantic novels. He tries to fight off what is happening to him, but he is failing. Will he become entangled into the romantic story?
Four stars
Click Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman
The best story in the book. This is a short little tale, just a few pages in length, but it packs a punch. It is about a man visiting some friends, who encounters a little boy who tells him a strange tale about creatures who suck out the essence of a human through their eyes, leaving a bag of bones and skin that rattles in the wind. Where did the boy hear such a frightening story?
Five stars
They by Rudyard Kipling
This was a story about a man who, by chance, finds a lovely estate in the woods where an old, blind woman lives with a bunch of children. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to catch a glimpse of the elusive children. This was a story where it was very easy for me to pick up on what was going on from the beginning. I felt like this story dragged because it was full of lengthy descriptions, and I was unsure as to what happened at the end.
Two stars
Playmates by A.M. Barrage
A story about a man who takes in a young girl as his ward. At first, he pays little attention to the girl, but once he moves into a house in the country, the girl begins to change. She is smiling and happy, and always playing in the school room with her imaginary friends. I liked the way the man and the girl changed, due to the playmates.
Four stars
The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt
Another strange little story about a mother who is suffering with losing her child. She wants nothing more in the world than to see her son one more time. When the man she is renting a room to her in house starts seeing her ghost, she becomes distressed. I liked the ghost, but this story fell short for me. I really didn't get it.
Two stars
Laura and the Open Window by Saki
Two little tales by this author. Both of these stories were short but packed a punch. The first one was about someone dying and possibly reincarnating as an otter... is it possible?
The second, is more famous and one I have read before, about a young woman who tricks a stranger into believing he is seeing ghosts. A great little read.
Four stars
The Specialists Hat by Kelly Link
This was another one of those head scratching tales. Two young, twins move into a strange old house with their father after their mother dies. They are a bit obsessed with death. One night, a babysitter comes, and this babysitter is a bit strange. Not sure what really happened at the end of this one. Something sinister.
Two stars
Tiny Ghosts Amy Giaclone
This was a funny, lighter story about a couple who suddenly start seeing little ghosts in their home. These ghosts are rude, and they have attitudes. Funny, and light, and I liked the way they ended up getting rid of the ghosts.
Three stars
The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis
A story that opens the door to the possibility of possession by a ghost. Not particularly creepy, but it ends with a bang, and it gives the reader something to ponder. I ended up liking this strange little story.
Four Stars
August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
This really isn't a ghost story per say, but was a great way to end the book. A short spin by Bradbury that takes you to a futuristic house that takes care of everything: the cooking, cleaning, maintenance and care of its family. The problem, the family is gone and the house is the only one standing after some cataclysmic disaster. A bit sad to see this ghost house functioning, taking care of no one.
Four and a half stars.
This was an interesting collection, that provides stories from authors dating back to Poe to modern day. It is an eclectic batch of stories, and I liked sampling the different styles. Some were stronger than others, and many left me scratching my head. Still it was a fun read, and if you like ghost stories, this is a fun way to sample ghost stories from the past to present, and to see how they have evolved.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 13, 2016
Meh. Not great for modern readers of horror. If you grew up reading Stephen King or you're a fan of film director (genius) James Wan, these will disappoint. Victorian-era ghost stories -- which most of these are -- are not really "scary" in the modern sense. Mostly they're pretty boring. Ghosts back then seemed to represent the hauntings in characters' lives more than supernatural presence. Neil Gaiman's story was good and there were a couple others that were OK but I wouldn't recommend taking time out of my life to read this if you're a modern horror fan. Collections of short stories typically disappoint me anyway, but these really left me wanting more.
November 4, 2015
this was 4 and a half stars for me. I realized that I really like ghost stories, and am not such a big fan of horror. The majority of stories were by classic authors including Poe, Kipling, Wharton, and Ray Bradbury. Niffenegger chose the best of the best and even included two newer authors. If you like ghost stories, this is for you!
April 19, 2018
This got both modern & number of classic tales such as The Black Cat by Poe & the famous author Oliver Onions
October 4, 2015
A varied selection of ghost stories from Victorian era through to modern day authors. The spooky ghost theme is consistent throughout the collection though sometimes the reader is left with deciding whether it is a story of the paranormal or madness. The writing, however, varies widely from Gothic to humour to horror to simply odd and so on making it a decidedly inconsistent anthology. Overall, I found the selections mediocre, some better than others, a few great, but more than a few less than good. There were some I'd read before and the older ones were my favourites. There were classic stories by Poe, Oliver Onions and M.R. James but surprisingly my favourite in the entire collection was a modern story by a new-to-me author, Kelly Link. Almost all the older authors I've read before, if not these specific tales, but I just wasn't wowed by their representative stories. They have so many much better titles to choose from. Certainly not one of my favourite anthologies, but if you haven't read any of these authors before they are worth reading.
1. The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe (1843) - I've read this many times and reviewed it before. Quintessential Poe with many of his oft-repeated themes. The cat episode never fails to get at me. A little iffy as to whether it is a ghost story, though. (5/5)
2. Secret Life with Cats by Audrey Niffenegger (2006) - Ok this is certainly freaky. Freaky in a weird way and puts an entirely new spin on the idea of the crazy cat lady. Fun to read but the ending didn't seem to fit the character. (3/5)
3. Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton (1931) - Gahhh! This was decidedly dull with an incredibly predictable melodramatic ending. (2/5)
4. The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions (1911) - The collection's novella, this is a very long story. I haven't come across this author before but I'll be sure to look out for his name from now on. Very satisfying story that has us thinking all over the place. Either a ghost story or a descent into madness with a completely shocking ending that took me by surprise. The ending really makes the story worth the read. (5/5)
5. The Mezzotint by M.R. James (1904) - Oooh! Spooky! I loved this and the writing. James is a wonderful writer from this period. A man receives a picture and every time he looks at it, it has changed. Very creepy when he finds out the history of the engraving. (5/5)
6. Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse (1925) - The intro to this story says it's funny but I'm not a huge fan of Wodehouse and found the story a bit insipid and silly rather than ha-ha funny. A dyed-in-the-wool bachelor writer of mysteries inherits his romance writer aunt's house and finds it haunted by the spirit of wholesome head-over-heels love stories. Readable enough to keep my attention, though. (3/5)
7. Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman (2013) - Fast forward to modern times and here is a very short creepy story from Gaiman. It's certainly creepy enough but the pov it's written from isn't possible if we're to believe the intended doomed ending. I'm not big on Gaiman. (3/5)
8. They by Rudyard Kipling (1904) - A man drives upon a secluded manor with a large garden of fanciful topiaries and spies assorted children. Then he meets the young, beautiful blind mistress of the estate. Quite haunting though overly sentimental. (3/5)
9. Playmates by A.M. Burrage (1927) - Well-written though fairly straightforward 'nice' ghost story. A lonely young girl is raised alone by her elderly guardian, they move to an inherited old house and her usual glum manner eventually brightens up. Her guardian and the housekeeper think she has made up some imaginary friends but we, the reader, can figure out what these so-called friends really are. (3/5)
10. The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt (1982) - A man rents upper rooms from a married woman and soon learns he is the only one being visited by her 11yo son who was killed in a traffic accident two years ago. This was just boring. (1/5)
11. Laura by Saki aka H.H. Munroe (1914) - Saki is hit and miss with me; usually a miss and this was one of those. A woman is on her death bed talking about how she supposes she will be reincarnated as an otter. Of course, she does. The humour falls flat on me and I just found it stupid. (1/5)
12. The Open Window by Saki aka H.H. Munro (1914) - Now this one is a hit. I've read it before, but it always delights. A teenage girl plays a nasty trick on a distraught visiting man. Dark humour. (5/5)
13. The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link (1998) - This is a new-to-me author and I found this a spooky ghost story. It is a babysitter story and I admit to enjoying creepy babysitter tales. This one runs counter to your usual bb-sitter horror, and because of that is indeed a unique twist and haunting tale that slowly reveals it's rather unexpected ending. Probably my favourite in the entire collection. (5/5)
14. Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone (2015; previously unpublished) - This is just silly, but I guess the moral is not to let anyone push you around. (2/5)
15. The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis (2014) - A woman tells a gathering of writers and painters an obscure true ghost story which happened to her over a period of seven years. At the end, the listeners tell her what they think of her tale, which isn't much at all and I felt the same way. Strange, but in a "why bother" way. (2/5)
16. August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury (1950, orig. "April 1985") - A haunting, tale that tells the last day in the life of an automated house that survived the nuclear apocalypse. Chilling. It is dated, though, and changing the stories time-frame date from 1985 to 2026 doesn't fix that. I can take the piece more seriously as intended, from a Cold War perspective. I'd give the original 5 stars but give the edited date version four. (4/5)
1. The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe (1843) - I've read this many times and reviewed it before. Quintessential Poe with many of his oft-repeated themes. The cat episode never fails to get at me. A little iffy as to whether it is a ghost story, though. (5/5)
2. Secret Life with Cats by Audrey Niffenegger (2006) - Ok this is certainly freaky. Freaky in a weird way and puts an entirely new spin on the idea of the crazy cat lady. Fun to read but the ending didn't seem to fit the character. (3/5)
3. Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton (1931) - Gahhh! This was decidedly dull with an incredibly predictable melodramatic ending. (2/5)
4. The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions (1911) - The collection's novella, this is a very long story. I haven't come across this author before but I'll be sure to look out for his name from now on. Very satisfying story that has us thinking all over the place. Either a ghost story or a descent into madness with a completely shocking ending that took me by surprise. The ending really makes the story worth the read. (5/5)
5. The Mezzotint by M.R. James (1904) - Oooh! Spooky! I loved this and the writing. James is a wonderful writer from this period. A man receives a picture and every time he looks at it, it has changed. Very creepy when he finds out the history of the engraving. (5/5)
6. Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Wodehouse (1925) - The intro to this story says it's funny but I'm not a huge fan of Wodehouse and found the story a bit insipid and silly rather than ha-ha funny. A dyed-in-the-wool bachelor writer of mysteries inherits his romance writer aunt's house and finds it haunted by the spirit of wholesome head-over-heels love stories. Readable enough to keep my attention, though. (3/5)
7. Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman (2013) - Fast forward to modern times and here is a very short creepy story from Gaiman. It's certainly creepy enough but the pov it's written from isn't possible if we're to believe the intended doomed ending. I'm not big on Gaiman. (3/5)
8. They by Rudyard Kipling (1904) - A man drives upon a secluded manor with a large garden of fanciful topiaries and spies assorted children. Then he meets the young, beautiful blind mistress of the estate. Quite haunting though overly sentimental. (3/5)
9. Playmates by A.M. Burrage (1927) - Well-written though fairly straightforward 'nice' ghost story. A lonely young girl is raised alone by her elderly guardian, they move to an inherited old house and her usual glum manner eventually brightens up. Her guardian and the housekeeper think she has made up some imaginary friends but we, the reader, can figure out what these so-called friends really are. (3/5)
10. The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt (1982) - A man rents upper rooms from a married woman and soon learns he is the only one being visited by her 11yo son who was killed in a traffic accident two years ago. This was just boring. (1/5)
11. Laura by Saki aka H.H. Munroe (1914) - Saki is hit and miss with me; usually a miss and this was one of those. A woman is on her death bed talking about how she supposes she will be reincarnated as an otter. Of course, she does. The humour falls flat on me and I just found it stupid. (1/5)
12. The Open Window by Saki aka H.H. Munro (1914) - Now this one is a hit. I've read it before, but it always delights. A teenage girl plays a nasty trick on a distraught visiting man. Dark humour. (5/5)
13. The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link (1998) - This is a new-to-me author and I found this a spooky ghost story. It is a babysitter story and I admit to enjoying creepy babysitter tales. This one runs counter to your usual bb-sitter horror, and because of that is indeed a unique twist and haunting tale that slowly reveals it's rather unexpected ending. Probably my favourite in the entire collection. (5/5)
14. Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone (2015; previously unpublished) - This is just silly, but I guess the moral is not to let anyone push you around. (2/5)
15. The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis (2014) - A woman tells a gathering of writers and painters an obscure true ghost story which happened to her over a period of seven years. At the end, the listeners tell her what they think of her tale, which isn't much at all and I felt the same way. Strange, but in a "why bother" way. (2/5)
16. August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury (1950, orig. "April 1985") - A haunting, tale that tells the last day in the life of an automated house that survived the nuclear apocalypse. Chilling. It is dated, though, and changing the stories time-frame date from 1985 to 2026 doesn't fix that. I can take the piece more seriously as intended, from a Cold War perspective. I'd give the original 5 stars but give the edited date version four. (4/5)
July 22, 2021
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
There were some really great stories in here. And some just ok stories.
I really liked The Pink House, Tiny Ghosts, the July Ghost, Playmates, The Black Cat, The Open Window and The Secret Life of Cats.
I struggled with They by Rudyard Kipling. Too much crap. Overall, I am generally not one to read short story anthologies but this had a really great theme and it was connected thoughtfully and carefully. If I can find other short story anthologies put together in this manner I might be hooked. Any recommendations?
There were some really great stories in here. And some just ok stories.
I really liked The Pink House, Tiny Ghosts, the July Ghost, Playmates, The Black Cat, The Open Window and The Secret Life of Cats.
I struggled with They by Rudyard Kipling. Too much crap. Overall, I am generally not one to read short story anthologies but this had a really great theme and it was connected thoughtfully and carefully. If I can find other short story anthologies put together in this manner I might be hooked. Any recommendations?
December 9, 2020
I'm happy I've finally took the time to read this!
This bookbis composed of a bunch of short stories.
Some I enjoyed, some I didn't. I honestly thought it would be a lot scarier but some of these didn't really strike me a "ghostly" story.
So, therefore I'm giving it an overall rating of 3 stars
This bookbis composed of a bunch of short stories.
Some I enjoyed, some I didn't. I honestly thought it would be a lot scarier but some of these didn't really strike me a "ghostly" story.
So, therefore I'm giving it an overall rating of 3 stars
October 14, 2015
Everyone should have a quest and mine is finding the perfect ghost story. What better place to find a great ghost story than in a book of just such stories put together by Audrey Niffenegger (Time Traveler’s Wife, Her Fearful Symmetry)?
Each story has an introduction by Ms. Niffenegger that explains a little bit about the story’s author, some background on the story itself and why she decided to include it in this collection. It also includes some charming illustrations drawn by Ms. Niffenegger.
The stories are quite diverse both in when they were written (some as early as the 1700’s) and their authors; some very well known as Poe and Bradbury and others unfamiliar to me. Also included were more contemporary fiction such as the story by Ms. Niffenegger herself. In my self proclaimed quest for a good, scary ghost story I’ve read many so it surprised that the ones I enjoyed the most were the two included by Saki, an author I have not read before. The stories were very tightly written, had the fright factor yet were on the humorous side. “Click, Clack the Rattlebag” by Neil Gaiman was a definite favorite as well.
Haunted houses, possessed people, ghostly places and strange objects were all given a nod. While, admittedly, not every story appealed to me – which is expected when reading a collection – overall, Ms. Niffenegger made some good choices. Spanning many eras of writing I also found it interesting to see how writing and content changed over the years. It was very clear when seeing stories brought together in one book. The only drawback in my opinion (and the reason for my rating) was that some of the stories included left me wondering if it was truly a ghost story or a description of someone losing their grip on their own sanity … maybe sometimes it’s the same thing?
So have I found my “perfect” ghost story yet … probably not … but the journey is what makes the quest so much fun!
The stories in this collection are:
• 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allen Poe
• 'Secret Life, With Cats' by Audrey Niffenegger
• 'Pomegranate Seed' by Edith Wharton
• 'The Beckoning Fair One' by Oliver Onions
• 'The Mezzotint' by M.R. James
• 'Honeysuckle Cottage' by P.G. Wodehouse
• 'Click Clack the Rattlebag' by Neil Gaiman
• 'They' by Rudyard Kipling
• 'Playmates' by A.M. Burrage
• 'The July Ghost' by A.S. Byatt
• 'Laura' by Saki
• 'The Open Window' by Saki
• 'The Specialist's Hat' by Kelly Link
• 'Tiny Ghosts' by Amy Giacalone
• 'The Pink House' by Rebecca Curtis
• 'August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains' by Ray Bradbury
*I received this ebook at no charge from Simon and Schuster
via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
Some pretty exciting news from her website
“Currently, I am working on a sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife. The working title is The Other Husband. I am also continuing to work on The Chinchilla Girl in Exile and artwork for an exhibition at Printworks Gallery in September 2016.”
My curiosity is piqued and I know I definitely want to read “The Other Husband”.
Each story has an introduction by Ms. Niffenegger that explains a little bit about the story’s author, some background on the story itself and why she decided to include it in this collection. It also includes some charming illustrations drawn by Ms. Niffenegger.
The stories are quite diverse both in when they were written (some as early as the 1700’s) and their authors; some very well known as Poe and Bradbury and others unfamiliar to me. Also included were more contemporary fiction such as the story by Ms. Niffenegger herself. In my self proclaimed quest for a good, scary ghost story I’ve read many so it surprised that the ones I enjoyed the most were the two included by Saki, an author I have not read before. The stories were very tightly written, had the fright factor yet were on the humorous side. “Click, Clack the Rattlebag” by Neil Gaiman was a definite favorite as well.
Haunted houses, possessed people, ghostly places and strange objects were all given a nod. While, admittedly, not every story appealed to me – which is expected when reading a collection – overall, Ms. Niffenegger made some good choices. Spanning many eras of writing I also found it interesting to see how writing and content changed over the years. It was very clear when seeing stories brought together in one book. The only drawback in my opinion (and the reason for my rating) was that some of the stories included left me wondering if it was truly a ghost story or a description of someone losing their grip on their own sanity … maybe sometimes it’s the same thing?
So have I found my “perfect” ghost story yet … probably not … but the journey is what makes the quest so much fun!
The stories in this collection are:
• 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allen Poe
• 'Secret Life, With Cats' by Audrey Niffenegger
• 'Pomegranate Seed' by Edith Wharton
• 'The Beckoning Fair One' by Oliver Onions
• 'The Mezzotint' by M.R. James
• 'Honeysuckle Cottage' by P.G. Wodehouse
• 'Click Clack the Rattlebag' by Neil Gaiman
• 'They' by Rudyard Kipling
• 'Playmates' by A.M. Burrage
• 'The July Ghost' by A.S. Byatt
• 'Laura' by Saki
• 'The Open Window' by Saki
• 'The Specialist's Hat' by Kelly Link
• 'Tiny Ghosts' by Amy Giacalone
• 'The Pink House' by Rebecca Curtis
• 'August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains' by Ray Bradbury
*I received this ebook at no charge from Simon and Schuster
via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
Some pretty exciting news from her website
“Currently, I am working on a sequel to The Time Traveler’s Wife. The working title is The Other Husband. I am also continuing to work on The Chinchilla Girl in Exile and artwork for an exhibition at Printworks Gallery in September 2016.”
My curiosity is piqued and I know I definitely want to read “The Other Husband”.
October 5, 2018
A nicely varied collection of ghost stories. Stories include "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe, "Secret Life, with Cats" by Audrey Niffenegger, "Pomegranate Seed" by Edith Wharton, "The Beckoning Fair One" by Oliver Onions, "The Mezzotint" by M. R. James, "Honeysuckle Cottage" by P. G. Wodehouse, "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman, "They" by Rudyard Kipling, "Playmates" by A. M. Burrage, "The July Ghost" by A. S. Byatt, "Laura" by Saki, "The Open Window" by Saki, "The Specialist's Hat" by Kelly Link, "Tiny Ghosts" by Amy Giacalone, "The Pink House" by Rebecca Curtis, and "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury. My least favorite was "The Specialist's Hat" because snakes were overplayed. I also didn't really enjoy "The Pink House." My favorites were "The Black Cat," "Secret Life, with Cats," "The Mezzotint," and "Playmates."
October 17, 2020
I enjoyed this one!! I'm actually not a huge fan of short stories, but this collection was a great blend of both old and modern ghost tales that I couldn't help but have a fun time reading them! Every time the ghosts would make an appearance in the stories (and some of them were SO unique) I'd sit there like, "!" because I was having so much fun reading this; it really helped solidify my already spooky mood! I loved that each story was prefaced with reasons why Audrey Niffenegger included it, and why she liked it, as well as background on the reasons the author wrote it and its original publication history, and illustrations by her that fit the plots! I thought that was such a cool, original touch and really added to the atmosphere. I've also had this collection on my to read list ever since I picked it up on a Barnes & Noble cafe date with my fiance when it was first released back in 2015 and I'm so glad I finally read it!! It's hard to give this collection an overall rating, so I'm going to break it down story by story
-The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe - *****
What else could you rate a story by the master of gothic horror? Chilling!!
-Secret Life, with Cats by Audrey Niffenegger - *****
This was a reread as this was the story I read when I picked it up at Barnes & Noble 5 years ago. Still so unsettling and freaky - and so enjoyable!!
-Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton - *****
A masterful telling of dreadful foreboding and an overall sense of unease because you know exactly where it's headed! You want to warn her but you just can't. Really really liked this one
-The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions - ***
This was actually my least favorite of the bunch to read but it's one of the overall highest rated in the collection so it might just be me! This is an older story and reads like one, and the writing was a bit hard for me to get through without getting distracted. It took me a few days to read this one story and while I got definite Yellow Wallpaper vibes, I didn't enjoy this one very much
-The Mezzotint by M.R. James - ****
Straight and to the point! Reminded me of The Conjuring 2 with The Crooked Man in the music box! Unsettling and eerie
-Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Woodhouse - ****
This was a perfect way to break up some of the drearier, older tellings - humorous and a little silly, but still with that sense of paranormal!
-Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman - *****
A modern Edgar Allan Poe, that Neil Gaiman! This was one of the best stories in this book; snappy, short, and to the point, this one gave me goosebumps when I read it late at night! Pay attention to the dialogue in this one to REALLY feel the chills!! My first Gaiman story (on paper) but definitely not my last!
-They by Rudyard Kipling - ****
Oh, this one was so SAD. One of many stories in this book with ghostly children, but perhaps the most emotional one of them all! This one made me more sad than scared
-Playmates by A.M. Burrage - *****
I think this one might've been my favorite. It gave me Haunting of Bly Manor/Haunting of Hill House vibes and packed such a lasting punch in that last paragraph that I sat there blinking when I was done. Another ghostly story with children, but probably the strongest of the batch! I would definitely reread this one yearly
-The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt - *** 1/2
Also one that was more sad than scary, but a little long-winded and made only sadder once you read the preface note that this was inspired by the loss of the author's son
-Laura by Saki - *** 1/2
Another humorous, quick read! I would've liked for it to be a LITTLE bit longer, but I guess the brevity is one of its strengths!
-The Open Window by Saki - ****
This one was also a humorous one, and I enjoyed it much more than Laura! Very tongue-in-cheek
-The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link - **** 1/2
I loved the reveal on the babysitter! This one was a bit confusing and very open-ended/left open to interpretation, but creepy twins in a haunted, gothic mansion with creepy poetry and snakes in the woods? Count me in!
-Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone - *** 1/2
The last of the humorous anecdotes - this honestly could've been a Halloween episode of a 90's sitcom with the way it was written! I neither loved nor disliked it but it was definitely memorable!
-The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis - **** 1/2
This one actually was subtly chilling! Very interesting/unique premise but a bit pretentious yet incredibly well-written; I am not at all surprised this was originally published in the New Yorker! One of the strongest in the set, in my opinion!
-August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury - ****
I can only imagine how existentially terrifying this one was when it was originally released in 1950! Apparently the original date was April 1985 so it's interesting it got updated; however, since it doesn't seem like we'll have these technological advancements in 6 years, I couldn't be TOO scared - someday, though, this story could (hopefully not though!!!) occur, and that's the horror in this one. No ghosts, but definite uneasiness!!
All in all, I would definitely recommend this collection! While I didn't LOVE all of the stories, I didn't skip any either, and as someone who generally avoids short story collections, I think that's extremely telling how strong this book was! So good for this rainy October night!
-The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe - *****
What else could you rate a story by the master of gothic horror? Chilling!!
-Secret Life, with Cats by Audrey Niffenegger - *****
This was a reread as this was the story I read when I picked it up at Barnes & Noble 5 years ago. Still so unsettling and freaky - and so enjoyable!!
-Pomegranate Seed by Edith Wharton - *****
A masterful telling of dreadful foreboding and an overall sense of unease because you know exactly where it's headed! You want to warn her but you just can't. Really really liked this one
-The Beckoning Fair One by Oliver Onions - ***
This was actually my least favorite of the bunch to read but it's one of the overall highest rated in the collection so it might just be me! This is an older story and reads like one, and the writing was a bit hard for me to get through without getting distracted. It took me a few days to read this one story and while I got definite Yellow Wallpaper vibes, I didn't enjoy this one very much
-The Mezzotint by M.R. James - ****
Straight and to the point! Reminded me of The Conjuring 2 with The Crooked Man in the music box! Unsettling and eerie
-Honeysuckle Cottage by P.G. Woodhouse - ****
This was a perfect way to break up some of the drearier, older tellings - humorous and a little silly, but still with that sense of paranormal!
-Click-Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman - *****
A modern Edgar Allan Poe, that Neil Gaiman! This was one of the best stories in this book; snappy, short, and to the point, this one gave me goosebumps when I read it late at night! Pay attention to the dialogue in this one to REALLY feel the chills!! My first Gaiman story (on paper) but definitely not my last!
-They by Rudyard Kipling - ****
Oh, this one was so SAD. One of many stories in this book with ghostly children, but perhaps the most emotional one of them all! This one made me more sad than scared
-Playmates by A.M. Burrage - *****
I think this one might've been my favorite. It gave me Haunting of Bly Manor/Haunting of Hill House vibes and packed such a lasting punch in that last paragraph that I sat there blinking when I was done. Another ghostly story with children, but probably the strongest of the batch! I would definitely reread this one yearly
-The July Ghost by A.S. Byatt - *** 1/2
Also one that was more sad than scary, but a little long-winded and made only sadder once you read the preface note that this was inspired by the loss of the author's son
-Laura by Saki - *** 1/2
Another humorous, quick read! I would've liked for it to be a LITTLE bit longer, but I guess the brevity is one of its strengths!
-The Open Window by Saki - ****
This one was also a humorous one, and I enjoyed it much more than Laura! Very tongue-in-cheek
-The Specialist's Hat by Kelly Link - **** 1/2
I loved the reveal on the babysitter! This one was a bit confusing and very open-ended/left open to interpretation, but creepy twins in a haunted, gothic mansion with creepy poetry and snakes in the woods? Count me in!
-Tiny Ghosts by Amy Giacalone - *** 1/2
The last of the humorous anecdotes - this honestly could've been a Halloween episode of a 90's sitcom with the way it was written! I neither loved nor disliked it but it was definitely memorable!
-The Pink House by Rebecca Curtis - **** 1/2
This one actually was subtly chilling! Very interesting/unique premise but a bit pretentious yet incredibly well-written; I am not at all surprised this was originally published in the New Yorker! One of the strongest in the set, in my opinion!
-August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury - ****
I can only imagine how existentially terrifying this one was when it was originally released in 1950! Apparently the original date was April 1985 so it's interesting it got updated; however, since it doesn't seem like we'll have these technological advancements in 6 years, I couldn't be TOO scared - someday, though, this story could (hopefully not though!!!) occur, and that's the horror in this one. No ghosts, but definite uneasiness!!
All in all, I would definitely recommend this collection! While I didn't LOVE all of the stories, I didn't skip any either, and as someone who generally avoids short story collections, I think that's extremely telling how strong this book was! So good for this rainy October night!
August 28, 2017
I wrote a whole big thing about why I'm obsessed with ghost stories, but meh. TL;DR: setting, memory, and gender. Just like everything else I'm interested in.
I absolutely loved "The Specialist's Hat" and "The Beckoning Fair One." Those two were the creepiest masterpieces of the form I've ever read. Like reread every once in a while for the rest of your life, on that level.
All of Edith Wharton's ghost stories, including "Pomegranate Seed," collected here, is gorgeous, top-shelf stuff. Read it all. Much as Ursula Le Guin is my favorite realist author, Edith Wharton is pretty much my favorite speculative author.
The rest is a mixed bag. Most were pretty good. I didn't get the Rudyard Kipling story AT ALL but I liked it anyway, cause that's how I am. Some were pretty predictable (Why do you not realize that kid is a GHOST?). Only a couple were AWFUL (Saki, my friend, there will never exist a world in which a woman reincarnated as a fucking otter is scary). And my shame is that I'm not on Team Gaiman at all (Why do you not realize that kid is a GHOST, Neil?!)
The problem with ghost story collections is that the mood is often spoiled by the story being in a ghost story collection in the first place. So, for instance, the AS Byatt story would've landed a little better had I not known going in what was up. As modern ghost collections go, this is a pretty good one, though.
I absolutely loved "The Specialist's Hat" and "The Beckoning Fair One." Those two were the creepiest masterpieces of the form I've ever read. Like reread every once in a while for the rest of your life, on that level.
All of Edith Wharton's ghost stories, including "Pomegranate Seed," collected here, is gorgeous, top-shelf stuff. Read it all. Much as Ursula Le Guin is my favorite realist author, Edith Wharton is pretty much my favorite speculative author.
The rest is a mixed bag. Most were pretty good. I didn't get the Rudyard Kipling story AT ALL but I liked it anyway, cause that's how I am. Some were pretty predictable (Why do you not realize that kid is a GHOST?). Only a couple were AWFUL (Saki, my friend, there will never exist a world in which a woman reincarnated as a fucking otter is scary). And my shame is that I'm not on Team Gaiman at all (Why do you not realize that kid is a GHOST, Neil?!)
The problem with ghost story collections is that the mood is often spoiled by the story being in a ghost story collection in the first place. So, for instance, the AS Byatt story would've landed a little better had I not known going in what was up. As modern ghost collections go, this is a pretty good one, though.
April 9, 2018
4.5* An eclectic mix of authors, many older ones, but also a few newer authors mixed in, including one previously unpublished story. The tonal registers are also varied - including more amusing, satirical tales, to truly creepy, eerie ones, and others that veer more heartfelt and sentimental. I also thought that Niffenegger arranged the stories in a very well thought out order, with threads of similarity often running from one story to the next - be it in content, theme, or tone.
January 31, 2018
Loved pretty much all but 2 of these stories! Satisfyingly creepy and weird.
December 25, 2017
3.5 stars
Honestly wasn't sure how to rate this book, as with most collections, because some of the stories were five stars some one, and most inbetween.
Honestly wasn't sure how to rate this book, as with most collections, because some of the stories were five stars some one, and most inbetween.
September 27, 2015
The Good Stuff
My favorite story by far was , by Neil Gaiman (the man is a truly incredible writer who never wastes a word) - those are my types of ghost stories kids - sorry. I shivered at the end, it was the type of story we used to tell each other at sleepovers. You know the ones, right, keeps you up at night
Even the stories I didn't enjoy, I do appreciate the sense of mood they created
Some truly unique stories
The Beckoning Fair One is wonderfully moody with a sense of foreboding
The Mezzotint was delightfully dark and creepy and stayed with me for quite a while
I also enjoyed Playmates, a very haunting yet empathetic tale (and as Niffenegger mentions, really shows you the resilience of children)
The tale by Rudyard Kipling is creepy, yet beautiful. You really feel the authors grief
Got a kick out of Laura by Saki. Ok, all I can say is that it is dark and funny and involves an Otter, what's not to love
I've read The Open Window before and it was pure delight to read again.
Tiny Ghosts was wickedly odd and funny, it was my 2nd favorite next to Neil Gaiman's story
There is a Ray Bradbury story, and damn that man was a wicked writer. Like Gaiman, not a word wasted. A truly gifted author. This one is not your usual ghost story, but something more horrific, because you can see the reality of it and that is more horrific than any ghost story
Um, the Edgar Allan Poe story, made me start being even nicer to my cat
The Not So Good Stuff
Not my favorite types of ghost stories in this collection. Found them a little too literary for my taste. This isn't a bad thing, just a personal preference
I don't trust my cat now (Also note to self: never piss off your cat or um die before someone can find you)
I am a ghost story nerd so I was very much looking forward to reading this, but I was a tad disappointed, as many were very old fashioned and outdated for this generation. Again not a bad thing, just a personal preference
Favorite Quotes
"we all wonder about death, but we don't understand it. Ghost stories are speculations. little experiments in death"
"Coke is very bad for you, ' said the boy. "If you put
a tooth in coke, in the morning it will be dissolved into nothing. That's how bad Coke is for you and why you must always clean your teeth, every night."
"I'd heard the Coke story as a boy, and had been told, as an adult, that it wasn't true, but was certain that a lie which promoted dental hygiene was a good lie, and I'd let it pass."
"Because I can't stop my body and mind waiting, every day, every day, I can't let go."
3 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review
My favorite story by far was , by Neil Gaiman (the man is a truly incredible writer who never wastes a word) - those are my types of ghost stories kids - sorry. I shivered at the end, it was the type of story we used to tell each other at sleepovers. You know the ones, right, keeps you up at night
Even the stories I didn't enjoy, I do appreciate the sense of mood they created
Some truly unique stories
The Beckoning Fair One is wonderfully moody with a sense of foreboding
The Mezzotint was delightfully dark and creepy and stayed with me for quite a while
I also enjoyed Playmates, a very haunting yet empathetic tale (and as Niffenegger mentions, really shows you the resilience of children)
The tale by Rudyard Kipling is creepy, yet beautiful. You really feel the authors grief
Got a kick out of Laura by Saki. Ok, all I can say is that it is dark and funny and involves an Otter, what's not to love
I've read The Open Window before and it was pure delight to read again.
Tiny Ghosts was wickedly odd and funny, it was my 2nd favorite next to Neil Gaiman's story
There is a Ray Bradbury story, and damn that man was a wicked writer. Like Gaiman, not a word wasted. A truly gifted author. This one is not your usual ghost story, but something more horrific, because you can see the reality of it and that is more horrific than any ghost story
Um, the Edgar Allan Poe story, made me start being even nicer to my cat
The Not So Good Stuff
Not my favorite types of ghost stories in this collection. Found them a little too literary for my taste. This isn't a bad thing, just a personal preference
I don't trust my cat now (Also note to self: never piss off your cat or um die before someone can find you)
I am a ghost story nerd so I was very much looking forward to reading this, but I was a tad disappointed, as many were very old fashioned and outdated for this generation. Again not a bad thing, just a personal preference
Favorite Quotes
"we all wonder about death, but we don't understand it. Ghost stories are speculations. little experiments in death"
"Coke is very bad for you, ' said the boy. "If you put
a tooth in coke, in the morning it will be dissolved into nothing. That's how bad Coke is for you and why you must always clean your teeth, every night."
"I'd heard the Coke story as a boy, and had been told, as an adult, that it wasn't true, but was certain that a lie which promoted dental hygiene was a good lie, and I'd let it pass."
"Because I can't stop my body and mind waiting, every day, every day, I can't let go."
3 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review
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