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J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 1
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer best known for gothic and mystery novels like "Carmilla." This is one of his most popular works.
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2004
About the author
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
1,458 books1,519 followersJoseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer of Gothic tales and mystery novels. He was the leading ghost-story writer of the nineteenth century and was central to the development of the genre in the Victorian era. M.R. James described Le Fanu as "absolutely in the first rank as a writer of ghost stories". Three of his best-known works are Uncle Silas, Carmilla and The House by the Churchyard.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 27, 2015
Have to say the story of Rose really creeped me out. This was my first Sheridan Le Fanu book. Trying to broaden my literary horizons by adding more classic reads on a regular basis.
June 9, 2020
Die erste Geschichte fand ich etwas entnervend. Die zweite dagegen war creepy as hell. Ich weiß nicht, ob es vorher auch schon Geschichten von typischen Spukhäusern in diesem Stil gab, in denen alle die dort einziehen ein böses Schicksal ereilt und das von den gruseligsten Erscheinungen und Phänomenen heimgesucht wird. Falls nicht, ist le Fanu's Carmilla nicht nur der Vorgänger für alle Vampirromane, sondern er hat mit "An account of some strange disturbances in Aungier Street" auch den Grundstein für Geschichten wie "The haunting of hill house" oder "The Amityville Horror" gelegt.
Spukhäuser sind für mich von je her der reinste Horror. Wahrscheinlich würde ich eher auf einem Friedhof übernachten, als in einem alten angeblichen Spukhaus.
Nachdem le Fanu so pathetisch und ernst die unheimlichen Geschehnisse erzählt, kommt der letzte Satz vollkommen überraschend und ironisch daher und ließ mich unverhofft schmunzeln:
"I wish you a very good night and pleasant dreams."
Bei diesem Satz musste ich irgendwie an den erzählenden Leichnam aus Geschichten aus der Gruft denken, der einem am Ende auch immer noch angenehme Träume wünscht und sich mit seinem Horrorlachen verabschiedet.
Ich bin froh, dass ich die Kurzgeschichte in meiner Stadtwohnung und nicht auf dem Dorf in meinem Elternhaus, wo es unablässig knackt und kracht im Gebälk gelesen zu haben. Im letzteren Fall hätte ich wahrscheinlich keinen Schlaf gekriegt. Aber ich bin auch einfach ein Mimöschen was Horror betrifft und kann die Finger trotzdem nicht davon lassen.
Spukhäuser sind für mich von je her der reinste Horror. Wahrscheinlich würde ich eher auf einem Friedhof übernachten, als in einem alten angeblichen Spukhaus.
Nachdem le Fanu so pathetisch und ernst die unheimlichen Geschehnisse erzählt, kommt der letzte Satz vollkommen überraschend und ironisch daher und ließ mich unverhofft schmunzeln:
"I wish you a very good night and pleasant dreams."
Bei diesem Satz musste ich irgendwie an den erzählenden Leichnam aus Geschichten aus der Gruft denken, der einem am Ende auch immer noch angenehme Träume wünscht und sich mit seinem Horrorlachen verabschiedet.
Ich bin froh, dass ich die Kurzgeschichte in meiner Stadtwohnung und nicht auf dem Dorf in meinem Elternhaus, wo es unablässig knackt und kracht im Gebälk gelesen zu haben. Im letzteren Fall hätte ich wahrscheinlich keinen Schlaf gekriegt. Aber ich bin auch einfach ein Mimöschen was Horror betrifft und kann die Finger trotzdem nicht davon lassen.
March 26, 2012
Includes "the awesome one with the chick from the painting who is forced to marry the undead guy" and the somewhat less awesome one "in which Dude lives with his cousin in a house owned by his uncle, and the house is horribly haunted...by a portrait. Oh, and its original. Who was a judge. Who hanged himself." No explanation as to what is up with the portrait is ever given. Or the monstrous rat. Was it just a normal oversized rat? Or was it some sort of supernatural thing? Or what?
Still love the whole concept behind "maiden marries undead guy". And the picture as described at the beginning is also amazing. (Note for posterity: I heard that shortly after reading a preview for the 3rd book in C. S. Friedman's Magister series. The short story--particularly the description of what was in the painting--somehow reminded me of that; namely of the temple bit. I guess because both were set in temples? Who knows.)
Still love the whole concept behind "maiden marries undead guy". And the picture as described at the beginning is also amazing. (Note for posterity: I heard that shortly after reading a preview for the 3rd book in C. S. Friedman's Magister series. The short story--particularly the description of what was in the painting--somehow reminded me of that; namely of the temple bit. I guess because both were set in temples? Who knows.)
April 28, 2014
Just two tales in this volume - 'Schalken the Painter' and 'An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street'. Both mildly diverting, but not really any more than that. The first tale was more successful than the second, which suffered from the distraction of a somewhat confused-sounding narrator who made it all feel rather tiresome. I didn't dislike these stories, but neither was a patch on Carmilla, and the Goodreads definition of the two-star rating - 'it was okay' - seems entirely appropriate here.
April 6, 2012
"Schalken The Painter" was once perfectly described as being "grisly, ghoulish and inexplicably haunting" by radio host EG Marshall in his introduction to the radio version of this that was done by the CBS Radio Mystery Theatre. The story is truly disturbing and Fanu has quite the touch with Gothic horror. Between him and Stoker I start to wonder what it is with the Irish and the macabre? I love the authentic Dutch period touches and the dark poetry that laces the tale. As far as Gothic horror goes it really doesn't get much better than this.
June 21, 2015
Included in this volume are two short stories of the paranormal by this author. I discovered this read quite randomly in the public domain and was delighted with finding an author I had never heard of before. I thought he wrote two imaginative and pretty creepy stories. Considering it was written when authors didn't have the technology available and had to rely on their own wits to write I thought they were well done and I was highly entertained. I would definitely hope to read more from this author.
December 7, 2011
Fine ghostly tales from Le Fanu. Now in the public domain, a free electronic copy is available here.
January 23, 2011
Spooky, but, in that game I sometimes play with a book, utterly unadaptable to modern audiences. The last story is incredibly eerie, a piece about a doubt-spreading spectral tenet, and the horror comes not only from the physical death he brings, but also from the spiritual victory he attempts. It's a story that haunts me, as a religious person (or "person of faith," whatever), but probably was generally more effective in its era.
May 19, 2014
It had been some time since I last read anything by Le Fanu. I recall reading Uncle Silas many years ago and likeing it.
Le Fanu is a master at his craft. He knows how to write a good, scary story.
Le Fanu is a master at his craft. He knows how to write a good, scary story.
January 2, 2015
Just two stories in this little selection. I enjoy these kinds of stories and don't have the skills for a full - blown critique.
I like Fanu's style, but this was the first I've read. while I wasn't moved to the core or anything, I will read more. I read it because of a Goodreads recommendation.
I like Fanu's style, but this was the first I've read. while I wasn't moved to the core or anything, I will read more. I read it because of a Goodreads recommendation.
May 28, 2015
Good old ghost stories
Well-written late 19th/early 20th century short horror fiction. a bit verbose as is typical for the time. Still, and sadly, they don't write like this any more!
Well-written late 19th/early 20th century short horror fiction. a bit verbose as is typical for the time. Still, and sadly, they don't write like this any more!
January 21, 2012
I just really love Mr. Le Fanu's writing style! I am excited to read more of his books!
July 23, 2012
Two old-time 19th century traditional ghost stories--although perhaps they weren't traditional when written. Maybe LeFanu created the tradition. Intelligently written, smooth. Fun.
October 22, 2013
Coming to JSlF because MR James rated him. Not quite got into his style yet, but working my way through the ghostly tales and will probably revisit this once I'm in the groove.
March 22, 2015
Greatly enjoyed the first story, Shalken the Painter.
The second story,Disturbances in Aungier Street, was a lesser entry for Le Fanu.
The second story,Disturbances in Aungier Street, was a lesser entry for Le Fanu.
October 27, 2015
The master of creepiness
Superb writing. J S LeFanu always manages to evoke an ominous atmosphere of brooding menace that occasionally plunges into outright horror
Superb writing. J S LeFanu always manages to evoke an ominous atmosphere of brooding menace that occasionally plunges into outright horror
November 17, 2012
This was my first exposure to Le Fanu, and the tales were very good.
October 7, 2021
My new favorite scary story Author
"I wish you a good night and pleasant dreams. " I just love how the author writes that after telling some really scary ghost stories. They could make some pretty good scary movies.
I've read the first story about the painter in another story collection. It's like one of your friends telling you about the background of this painting that seems pretty innocent. Only it involves demon like characters and ghosts. I enjoyed reading it again.
The other story is a haunted house story. It starts out two friends, going to college together, want to save money staying in a relatives empty rental house. House seems pretty nice by the way its described. They even have a housekeeper. They start out having scary dreams every other night. Then really scary things start happening around two or three in the morning every night. Some of the things creeped me out. I could almost see the ghost.
I like this author. He writes pretty scary short stories. They're very descriptive and also there is some humor added in. I even liked the last sentence in the book. It made me laugh.
"I wish you a good night and pleasant dreams. " I just love how the author writes that after telling some really scary ghost stories. They could make some pretty good scary movies.
I've read the first story about the painter in another story collection. It's like one of your friends telling you about the background of this painting that seems pretty innocent. Only it involves demon like characters and ghosts. I enjoyed reading it again.
The other story is a haunted house story. It starts out two friends, going to college together, want to save money staying in a relatives empty rental house. House seems pretty nice by the way its described. They even have a housekeeper. They start out having scary dreams every other night. Then really scary things start happening around two or three in the morning every night. Some of the things creeped me out. I could almost see the ghost.
I like this author. He writes pretty scary short stories. They're very descriptive and also there is some humor added in. I even liked the last sentence in the book. It made me laugh.
February 4, 2020
I am grateful that the older books written by late authors are now available on eBooks. If today's readers don't have access to hardcopy editions, then we would have lost an opportunity to read these classics. These were good old-fashioned ghost-horror stories and I appreciated the authenticity of the characterization and the language. Often current authors write historical stories, but they sound too modern to be authentic.
September 2, 2020
It has Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's two popular horror short stories. I enjoy reading his horror fiction as the scarriness in his stories comes more from the way he writes, the way he builds it up just about enough to make the readers uneasy.
October 22, 2023
Great Old Horror Tales
With a few exceptions, the transcription was quite good. I appreciate the work involved.
And of course, great gothic stories are always fun when read aloud to a welcoming audience…..
With a few exceptions, the transcription was quite good. I appreciate the work involved.
And of course, great gothic stories are always fun when read aloud to a welcoming audience…..
October 21, 2017
Schalken, the Painter and Disturbances in Aungier Street remind me of Stoker and James...Le Fanu was the original master of the genre...
September 14, 2019
I like a ghostly tale and Le Fanu is right up there with Lovecraft when it comes to strange visitations and ghastly old houses.
October 10, 2023
A couple of nice ghost stories for Halloween. Easy to read.
October 31, 2025
Interesting, well written if not particularly scary.
March 23, 2021
J.S. Le Fanu was a contemporary of Edgar Allan Poe. I have read "Carmilla", but somehow I never got around to reading anything else he wrote. This collection has only two stories, so it is just a taste. It was a rare treat and I am looking forward to going through his other stories. If you enjoy Poe and other writers of "Weird Fiction" from the 1800s, you will probably enjoy Le Fanu.
January 23, 2018
Macabre tales of utmost horror and thrill
Perhaps it is the book, perhaps it is the period when it was written, perhaps it is the period when the events take place, or it is my own perception. Whatever it is, this book contains two classic tales of macabre which puts today's high horror movies to shame. Schlacken the painter is obviously better known but the narrative on the latter (minus a little meandering at the end) is of epic proportions. I read it during high of the hottest summer, during my early evening commute in carriages full of grownups and still felt the chills and was petrified.
A must read.
Perhaps it is the book, perhaps it is the period when it was written, perhaps it is the period when the events take place, or it is my own perception. Whatever it is, this book contains two classic tales of macabre which puts today's high horror movies to shame. Schlacken the painter is obviously better known but the narrative on the latter (minus a little meandering at the end) is of epic proportions. I read it during high of the hottest summer, during my early evening commute in carriages full of grownups and still felt the chills and was petrified.
A must read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews