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Chill Tidings: Dark Tales of the Christmas Season
'The tiles of the hall floor were as pretty as ever, as cold as ever, and bore, as always on Christmas Eve, the trickling pattern of dark blood.' The gifts are unwrapped, the feast has been consumed and the fire is well fed – but the ghosts are still hungry. The ghosts are at the door. Welcome to a new collection of Christmas nightmares, ushering in a fresh host of ghastly phantoms and otherworldly intruders bent on ruining, or partaking in, the most wonderful time of the year. With classic tales from Algernon Blackwood, Elizabeth Bowen, Charlotte Riddell and L. P. Hartley jostling with rare pieces from the sleeping periodicals and literary magazines of the British Library collections, it’s time to open the door and let the real festivities begin.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 16, 2021
“Nothing satisfies us on Christmas Eve but to hear each other tell authentic anecdotes about spectres. It is a genial, festive season, and we love to muse upon graves, and dead bodies, and murders, and blood.”
I just love a festive anthology! And this one did not disappoint. Sure, Victorian ghost stories can feel a tad repetitive after a while once you get used to the usual tropes that pop up, but there’s a certain comfort in knowing what to expect - and what is better than a ghost story on a cold winter’s evening?
Chill Tidings is the follow-up to another British Library collection of Christmas ghost stories - a collection I read last year called Spirits of the Season. I was thoroughly impressed by Spirits of the Season and didn’t think twice about picking up Chill Tidings for this year!
Like any anthology, there are going to be stories you LOVE and some that just miss the mark. My absolute favourites were The Real and the Counterfeit, which was about a man who didn’t believe in ghosts himself and decided to dress up and spook his believer friends, and also The Crown Derby Plate, which followed a woman paying a visit to a ramshackle house to collect a China plate... this one actually unnerved me a little.
In particular I was really happy to see some of the female authors I learned about in Monster, She Wrote make an appearance - Marjorie Bowen, Elizabeth Bowen and Charlotte Riddell to name a few. Algernon Blackwood also had a story included, which I was delighted about as I loved his first story in Spirits of the Season. Oh and a HP Lovecraft story as well - my third time reading The Festival, Lovecraft’s attempt at a dark Christmas tale!
Amongst all the sinister ghost stories, there’s also some humour thrown in, in the form of the story Told After Supper, as well as a really sweet tale where the ghost of a young girl’s great-grandfather encourages her and his nephew to celebrate the holiday.
Really enjoyed this collection overall and I love discovering new authors in the form of anthologies. It was also fun to buddy read this one with @zukythebookbum 🖤 I’d definitely recommend! 3.5 stars.
I just love a festive anthology! And this one did not disappoint. Sure, Victorian ghost stories can feel a tad repetitive after a while once you get used to the usual tropes that pop up, but there’s a certain comfort in knowing what to expect - and what is better than a ghost story on a cold winter’s evening?
Chill Tidings is the follow-up to another British Library collection of Christmas ghost stories - a collection I read last year called Spirits of the Season. I was thoroughly impressed by Spirits of the Season and didn’t think twice about picking up Chill Tidings for this year!
Like any anthology, there are going to be stories you LOVE and some that just miss the mark. My absolute favourites were The Real and the Counterfeit, which was about a man who didn’t believe in ghosts himself and decided to dress up and spook his believer friends, and also The Crown Derby Plate, which followed a woman paying a visit to a ramshackle house to collect a China plate... this one actually unnerved me a little.
In particular I was really happy to see some of the female authors I learned about in Monster, She Wrote make an appearance - Marjorie Bowen, Elizabeth Bowen and Charlotte Riddell to name a few. Algernon Blackwood also had a story included, which I was delighted about as I loved his first story in Spirits of the Season. Oh and a HP Lovecraft story as well - my third time reading The Festival, Lovecraft’s attempt at a dark Christmas tale!
Amongst all the sinister ghost stories, there’s also some humour thrown in, in the form of the story Told After Supper, as well as a really sweet tale where the ghost of a young girl’s great-grandfather encourages her and his nephew to celebrate the holiday.
Really enjoyed this collection overall and I love discovering new authors in the form of anthologies. It was also fun to buddy read this one with @zukythebookbum 🖤 I’d definitely recommend! 3.5 stars.
December 21, 2020
full post here
https://www.oddlyweirdfiction.com/202...
"There must be something ghostly in the air at Christmas -- something about the close, muggy atmosphere that draws up the ghosts..." from Jerome K. Jerome, "Told After Supper."
In Chill Tidings I have a double bonus -- a first-class collection of specially-chosen ghostly Christmas stories and another installment of the excellent British Library Tales of the Weird series. I originally bought this book to read on Kindle since Amazon said it was not due to be published in hard copy until August 2021 (??) but I was so completely nettled over not having a physical book to hold in my hands that I went directly to British Library publishing for my copy. I was so happy to have been notified about this book by one of my like-minded goodreads friends (Thank you, David!) because I'd already read and loved Ms. Kirk's Spirits of the Season (2018), also part of the Tales of the Weird series. This present volume presents thirteen stories that the editor says she wished she could have "fitted into the first book," chronologically arranged from 1868 to 1955 with one exception -- Jerome K. Jerome's "novelette" Told After Supper from 1891, placed at the end of this anthology.
Between these covers one can look forward to (according to the editor's introduction) "traditional Victorian spookiness," as well as "a weird pagan vision," a "sentimental tale of redemption," and then
"spooky monks, a Vampire lady, a fatal duel, a gruesome Father Christmas and festive gifts from beyond the grave."
How could anyone possibly say no to all that? Each and every story is set at Christmas time, with not a bad story to be found anywhere.
This volume is truly a fine anthology, and I don't know how Ms. Kirk will top her two Christmas anthologies for the Tales of the Weird series, both of which are excellent. If she does go on to do a third, I'll be waiting eagerly. Of course, it's not necessary to wait until the Christmas season to read either, but I'm sort of into this whole ghostly Christmas reading tradition now and quite enjoying it.
very, very highly recommended
https://www.oddlyweirdfiction.com/202...
"There must be something ghostly in the air at Christmas -- something about the close, muggy atmosphere that draws up the ghosts..." from Jerome K. Jerome, "Told After Supper."
In Chill Tidings I have a double bonus -- a first-class collection of specially-chosen ghostly Christmas stories and another installment of the excellent British Library Tales of the Weird series. I originally bought this book to read on Kindle since Amazon said it was not due to be published in hard copy until August 2021 (??) but I was so completely nettled over not having a physical book to hold in my hands that I went directly to British Library publishing for my copy. I was so happy to have been notified about this book by one of my like-minded goodreads friends (Thank you, David!) because I'd already read and loved Ms. Kirk's Spirits of the Season (2018), also part of the Tales of the Weird series. This present volume presents thirteen stories that the editor says she wished she could have "fitted into the first book," chronologically arranged from 1868 to 1955 with one exception -- Jerome K. Jerome's "novelette" Told After Supper from 1891, placed at the end of this anthology.
Between these covers one can look forward to (according to the editor's introduction) "traditional Victorian spookiness," as well as "a weird pagan vision," a "sentimental tale of redemption," and then
"spooky monks, a Vampire lady, a fatal duel, a gruesome Father Christmas and festive gifts from beyond the grave."
How could anyone possibly say no to all that? Each and every story is set at Christmas time, with not a bad story to be found anywhere.
This volume is truly a fine anthology, and I don't know how Ms. Kirk will top her two Christmas anthologies for the Tales of the Weird series, both of which are excellent. If she does go on to do a third, I'll be waiting eagerly. Of course, it's not necessary to wait until the Christmas season to read either, but I'm sort of into this whole ghostly Christmas reading tradition now and quite enjoying it.
very, very highly recommended
December 29, 2024
“The tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve was firmly established by the Victorian period. Its origins are in the early Christian belief that souls in purgatory were most active on the day before a holy day, and thus more likely to intrude into our world.”
A seasonal anthology from the British Library with winter and Christmas tales, the second in Tales of the Weird series on Christmas. The stories range from 1868 to 1955 and include contributions from Charlotte Riddell, Marjorie Bowen, Hume Nesbit, L P Hartley, Algernon Blackwood, Louisa Baldwin, Frank R Stockton, H P Lovecraft, Elizabeth Bowen, Andrew Caldecott, Rosemary Timperley and Jerome K Jerome.
The Jerome K Jerome Novella is one of the better contributions, especially as it is a parody/pastiche of Dickens’s ghost stories.
The editor, Tanya Kirk, explores the reasons behind the origins ofthe popularity of ghost stories in the nineteenth century. It was a time of rapid change, industrialisation and scientific progress. As always stories were a way of making sense of things.
As well as the excellent parody by Jerome there are other good contributions. The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen is suitably creepy. Burrage’s Fourth Wall is also rather good. Timperley exploits the trop of being lonely at Christmas in an interesting way. I wasn’t a fan of Lovecraft’s contribution, but all in all this is a decent collection.
A seasonal anthology from the British Library with winter and Christmas tales, the second in Tales of the Weird series on Christmas. The stories range from 1868 to 1955 and include contributions from Charlotte Riddell, Marjorie Bowen, Hume Nesbit, L P Hartley, Algernon Blackwood, Louisa Baldwin, Frank R Stockton, H P Lovecraft, Elizabeth Bowen, Andrew Caldecott, Rosemary Timperley and Jerome K Jerome.
The Jerome K Jerome Novella is one of the better contributions, especially as it is a parody/pastiche of Dickens’s ghost stories.
The editor, Tanya Kirk, explores the reasons behind the origins ofthe popularity of ghost stories in the nineteenth century. It was a time of rapid change, industrialisation and scientific progress. As always stories were a way of making sense of things.
As well as the excellent parody by Jerome there are other good contributions. The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen is suitably creepy. Burrage’s Fourth Wall is also rather good. Timperley exploits the trop of being lonely at Christmas in an interesting way. I wasn’t a fan of Lovecraft’s contribution, but all in all this is a decent collection.
December 31, 2020
Oh, it is a stirring night in Ghostland, the night of December twenty-fourth!
From Told After Supper by Jerome K. Jerome
A lovely collection of 13 Christmassy spooky tales, ranging from Gothic horror to paranormal, from psychological horror to the hilarious parody of the genre by Jerome K. Jerome, which closes the volume.
The British Library's Tale of the Weird series is such a treat, and this collection the perfect read for the Christmas season: recommended to all horror lit lovers, if nothing else because of the wide range the anthology offers, the chance to read something by lesser-known authors, and the opportunity to appreciate a how the genre evolved over the years (the collection covers publications from 1868 to 1955).
Chill Tidings contains:
A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Riddell ★★★✰✰
The Old Portrait by Hume Nisbet ★★✰✰✰
The Real and the Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin ★★★★✰
Old Applejoy's Ghost by Frank R Stockton ★★✰✰✰
Transition by Algernon Blackwood ★★✰✰✰
The Fourth Wall by A.M. Burrage ★★★★✰
The Festival by H.P. Lovecraft ★✰✰✰✰
The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen ★✰✰✰✰
Green Holly by Elizabeth Bowen ★★★✰✰
Christmas Re-Union by Andrew Caldecott ★★✰✰✰
A Christmas Meeting by Rosemary Timperley ★★★★✰
Someone in the Lift by L.P. Hartley ★★★✰✰
Told After Supper by Jerome K. Jerome ★★★★✰
[The ratings for each individual story are there simply so I can remember which ones I enjoyed the most, since my memory is sadly unreliable].
December 21, 2021
‘Is there a story?’ asked Miss Pym, who associated ghosts with neat tales into which they fitted as exactly as nuts into shells.
A gathering of Christmas hauntings! Sounds perfect, yes? Let's find out!
"A Strange Christmas Game" by Charlotte Ridell: Meanders a bit, but ends , so overall a lovely Christmas ghost story.
"A Portrait" by Hume Nisbet: A genuine delight. I love the suggestion of One of the best stories of its kind I've ever read.
"The Real and the Counterfeit" by Lousa Baldwin: The set up took too long and there are jolly young friends doing jolly things and I couldn't hang in there. (I'm very over long stories this Christmas!)
"Old Applejoy's Ghost" by Frank Stockton: Third rate "A Christmas Carol," but the POV was entertaining.
"Transition" by Algernon Blackwood: Some lovely cutting quotes, but on the whole I was expecting more from Blackwood.
"The Fourth Wall" by A.M. Burrage: I saw no reason to stick with this once I realized what the conceit was.
"The Festival" by H.P. Lovecraft: I already one starred this story right over here. No idea why it's in this collection; it doesn't fit in with anything.
"The Crown Derby Plate" by Marjorie Bowen: The dangers of antiquing! More meandering, but I enjoyed it.
"Green Holly" by Elizabeth Bowen: Seemed for a moment like it might be a lot of fun, then inexplicably turned totally vapid.
"Christmas Re-union" by Andrew Caldecott: More of an unsolved double murder than a ghost story, really.
"A Christmas Meeting" by Rosemary Timperley: A lovely chill!
"Someone in the Lift" by L.P. Hartley: Wholly ruined by doing exactly what I expected.
"Told After Supper" by Jerome K. Jerome: Call me a wet blanket if you want, but when I go looking for a book of ghost stories, I am very much NOT looking for a parody of the genre. You know. If future editors of such volumes want to just jot down my preferences.
And that's that. What do I think? I think "A Portrait" is the only really wonderful story in the collection, and you can hear it on YouTube or Spotify. (Sorry no link; I think Goodreads is still being bah-humbug about that. Search and you'll find it though!) Otherwise, "A Strange Christmas Game," "The Crown Derby Plate," and "A Christmas Meeting" are serviceable enough hauntings, but I wouldn't really go out of my way to read them. YMMV of course, but I'd just listen to the Nisbet story and give the rest a pass.
2021 Advent Calendar
Welcome to the short story Advent calendar! I will be reading a story a night (theoretically) and reviewing as I go, though I may give myself amnesty to finish the review the next day. Traditionally, these would be stories available online, but because I did no planning for this whatsoever until Karen inspired me to jump in on 12/1/21, I will be reading out of collections and anthologies I already own. Goodness knows I have enough of them. I expect though that I will jump around a bit, so I will include the full list on each. (Also, if you haven't seen a short story Advent calendar before, check out karen's calendar; she has been 10,000x better than I have about keeping the tradition and has all kinds of story goodness you can look at.
Story List
12/1: "Laughter at the Academy" in Laughter at the Academy by Seanan McGuire.
12/2: "Lost" in Laughter at the Academy by Seanan McGuire.
12/3: "The Consultant in by The Bread We Eat in Dreams Catherynne Valente.
12/4: "White Lines on a Green Field in by The Bread We Eat in Dreams Catherynne Valente.
12/5: "Mr. Fiddlehead" in The Woman Who Married a Cloud by Jonathan Carroll.
12/6: "Uh-Oh City" in The Woman Who Married a Cloud by Jonathan Carroll.
12/7: "The Ones Who Stay and Fight" in How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin
12/8: "The City Born Great" in How Long 'til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin
12/9: "Ghost Days" in The Hidden Girl and Other Stories by Ken Liu.
12/10: A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Ridell in Chill Tidings: Dark Tales of the Christmas Season, which I think I will use in its entirety to catch up for Advent. (Also, sorry Santa, but these dates are lies until I get everything caught up again. Think of them as marks on the calendar!)
12/11: "A Portrait" by Hume Nisbet
12/12: "Old Applejoy's Ghost" by Frank Stockton
12/13: "Transition" by Algernon Blackwood
12/14: "The Crown Derby Plate" by Marjorie Bowen
12/15: "Green Holly" by Elizabeth Bowen
12/16: "Christmas Reunion" by Andrew Caldecott
12/17: "A Christmas Meeting" by Rosemary Timperley
12/18: "Someone in the Lift" by L.P. Hartley
12/19: "Told After Supper" by Jerome K. Jerome
November 18, 2021
I think it is excellent. I wasn't sure whether to give it 4 or 5 stars, but I went with 5 because I found so many of the stories to be enjoyable. In any collection, there are bound to be some stories that just aren't as interesting to me as others, but I found here that even the stories I didn't care for as much were still quite entertaining. I know that it used to be the custom (and perhaps still is, in some places) to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve, but I've had no personal experience with that, and I've only ever just read a handful. How nice to find so many such stories all contained in a single volume! Not only did I get to read the stories, but I appreciate how this book has strengthened my understanding of that particular tradition. I also must say how impressed I am with the editor for her informative and brief introductions to each tale. The stories are all chronological, and each is grounded in a bit of context and given alongside some information about the author's life. She put a lot of thought into this book, and it shows. All in all, a lot of fun.
December 16, 2021
The main perk of being ill, is being made to stay in bed and snooze and read. Hence the devouring of audio books and physical books. This aside.....
A wonderful collection of ghost stories some I knew and some I didn't but all entertaining never the less.
As with all collections some of the stories aren't as strong as others but still they either made me smile or sent a shiver down my spine.
A good pre Christmas read.
A wonderful collection of ghost stories some I knew and some I didn't but all entertaining never the less.
As with all collections some of the stories aren't as strong as others but still they either made me smile or sent a shiver down my spine.
A good pre Christmas read.
January 5, 2024
Zbirna ocena: mešana salata na kraju slave. Priče o posetama duhova prošlosti uoči velikih porodičnih praznika su mi uglavno legle mlako, a tek nekolicina je uspela da probije niža očekivanja koje imam od klasika. Zbirke autora Marjorie Bowen, L P Hartley i Jerome K Jerome ću svakako potražiti u idućem periodu.
Pojedinačne ocene:
1. ‘A Strange Christmas Game’ by Charlotte Riddell – standardna viktorijanska priča o duhovima u starim porodičnim kućama. Staložena klasika sa simpatičnim likovima. Za starinski šarm: 3 🌟
2. ‘The Old Portrait’ by Hume Nisbet – živopisna kombinacija Drakule i Slike Dorijana Greja. Za maštovitost: 4 🌟
3. ‘The Real and the Counterfeit’ by Louisa Baldwin – glupa šala imitiranja porodičnog duga sa tužnim krajem. Za nepotrebnu tragediju: 2 🌟
4. ‘Old Applejoy’s Ghost’ by Frank R Stockton – divna priča o naporima dobrog duha da praunuci pruži prazničan Božić. Za potpunu slatkoću:5 🌟
5. ‘Transition’ by Algernon Blackwood – Neću da otkrivam o kakvoj trasformaciji je reč. Za interesantnu perspektivu: 3 🌟
6. ‘The Fourth Wall’ by A M Burrage – Slučaj uklete kolibe u koji bih stvarno poverovala. Za “najrealističniji” duh: 3,5 🌟
7.‘The Festival’ by H P Lovecraft – Uspavao me je. Za dremku i dnf: 1 🌟
8. ‘The Crown Derby Plate’ by Marjorie Bowen – Odlična atmosfera, motivi radnje i napetost. Potražiću još dela ove autorke. Čista 5 🌟
9. ‘Green Holly’ by Elizabeth Bowen – Zamršeno, haotično, zamorno. 0 🌟
10. ‘Christmas Re-union’ by Andrew Caldecott – Vrlo dobra misterija, zanimljivija za ljubitelje detektiva. 4 🌟
11. ‘A Christmas Meeting’ by Rosemary Timperley –Sentimentalna priča. 3 🌟
12. ‘Someone in the Lift’ by L P Hartley – Pošteno sam se naježila. Odličan 5 🌟
13. ‘Told After Supper’ by Jerome K Jerome – Nasmejala sam se od duše slušajući ovaj satiričan monolog o tipičnim okosnicama žanra. Urnebesno 5 🌟
Pojedinačne ocene:
1. ‘A Strange Christmas Game’ by Charlotte Riddell – standardna viktorijanska priča o duhovima u starim porodičnim kućama. Staložena klasika sa simpatičnim likovima. Za starinski šarm: 3 🌟
2. ‘The Old Portrait’ by Hume Nisbet – živopisna kombinacija Drakule i Slike Dorijana Greja. Za maštovitost: 4 🌟
3. ‘The Real and the Counterfeit’ by Louisa Baldwin – glupa šala imitiranja porodičnog duga sa tužnim krajem. Za nepotrebnu tragediju: 2 🌟
4. ‘Old Applejoy’s Ghost’ by Frank R Stockton – divna priča o naporima dobrog duha da praunuci pruži prazničan Božić. Za potpunu slatkoću:5 🌟
5. ‘Transition’ by Algernon Blackwood – Neću da otkrivam o kakvoj trasformaciji je reč. Za interesantnu perspektivu: 3 🌟
6. ‘The Fourth Wall’ by A M Burrage – Slučaj uklete kolibe u koji bih stvarno poverovala. Za “najrealističniji” duh: 3,5 🌟
7.‘The Festival’ by H P Lovecraft – Uspavao me je. Za dremku i dnf: 1 🌟
8. ‘The Crown Derby Plate’ by Marjorie Bowen – Odlična atmosfera, motivi radnje i napetost. Potražiću još dela ove autorke. Čista 5 🌟
9. ‘Green Holly’ by Elizabeth Bowen – Zamršeno, haotično, zamorno. 0 🌟
10. ‘Christmas Re-union’ by Andrew Caldecott – Vrlo dobra misterija, zanimljivija za ljubitelje detektiva. 4 🌟
11. ‘A Christmas Meeting’ by Rosemary Timperley –Sentimentalna priča. 3 🌟
12. ‘Someone in the Lift’ by L P Hartley – Pošteno sam se naježila. Odličan 5 🌟
13. ‘Told After Supper’ by Jerome K Jerome – Nasmejala sam se od duše slušajući ovaj satiričan monolog o tipičnim okosnicama žanra. Urnebesno 5 🌟
December 27, 2021
4.5 stars. A good collection of Christmasy ghost/horror stories (though some very loosely fit the Christmas theme). My favorites were “The Fourth Wall” and “Told After Supper”, least favorite being the H.P. Lovecraft story (“The Festival”, I think).
Overall worth the read!
Overall worth the read!
November 24, 2020
A mixed bag, obviously, but only the Lovecraft felt unworthy of the time invested. Worth having for Jerome K. Jerome alone.
December 22, 2024
Another great collection of Christmas hauntings from the British Library Tales of the Weird series.
A Strange Christmas Game (1868) by Charlotte Riddell (3/5)
After a brother and sister inherit a house that seems to be haunted, they learn that one of their kinsmen disappeared on Christmas Eve years earlier.
The Old Portrait (1896) by Hume Nisbet (4/5)
After a painter buys an old painting for the frame, he examines it more closely on Christmas Eve and makes what starts out as an intriguing discovery. Short and sinister.
The Real and the Counterfeit (1895) by Louisa Baldwin (4/5)
During Christmas a man plays a practical joke on his friend, who hopes to see the ghost of a Cistercian monk. Transitions well from lighthearted to spooky.
Old Applejoy’s Ghost (1900) by Frank R. Stockton (3/5)
After a ghost learns that Christmas will not be celebrated in the house that he haunts, he decides to intervene. A light-hearted haunting.
Transition (1913) by Algernon Blackwood (3/5)
A clerk doesn’t let a trolly knocking him down stop him from carrying Christmas presents home to his family.
The Fourth Wall (1915) by A.M. Burrage (3/5)
A group of people renting a cottage in the countryside slowly come to realize that it’s haunted.
The Festival (1925) by H.P. Lovecraft (4/5)
After a man is summoned to his ancestral home by his family, he learns about an ancient Yuletide festival. Includes a quote from the Necronomicon.
The Crown Derby Plate (1933) by Marjorie Bowen (4/5)
An antique collector visits an old house hoping to recover a missing plate from a set of china. The descriptive prose helps to create an eerie atmosphere.
Green Holly (1944) by Elizabeth Bowen (3/ 3)
Intelligence staff billeted at an old house attract the attention of a ghost.
Christmas Re-union (1947) by Andrew Caldecott (4/5)
Secrets from the past and a mysterious Santa make for an eerie story set during a Christmas party.
A Christmas Meeting (1952) by Rosemary Timperley (4/5)
A woman alone on Christmas Day receives a visitor from a young man who enters her room by mistake. After he leaves she learns the truth about his visit. Short and bittersweet.
Someone in the Lift (1955) by L.P Hartley (5/5)
A small boy keeps seeing a shadowy figure in a hotel lift. Although the ending is telegraphed it’s still quite chilling.
Told After Super (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome (4/5)
A group of people tell ghost stories while drinking whiskey punch on Christmas Eve. Between some of the names (Teddy Biffle, Dr. Scrubbles) and the witty humor, it was like reading a ghost story by P. G. Wodehouse.
Looking forward to reading the next collection.
A Strange Christmas Game (1868) by Charlotte Riddell (3/5)
After a brother and sister inherit a house that seems to be haunted, they learn that one of their kinsmen disappeared on Christmas Eve years earlier.
The Old Portrait (1896) by Hume Nisbet (4/5)
After a painter buys an old painting for the frame, he examines it more closely on Christmas Eve and makes what starts out as an intriguing discovery. Short and sinister.
The Real and the Counterfeit (1895) by Louisa Baldwin (4/5)
During Christmas a man plays a practical joke on his friend, who hopes to see the ghost of a Cistercian monk. Transitions well from lighthearted to spooky.
Old Applejoy’s Ghost (1900) by Frank R. Stockton (3/5)
After a ghost learns that Christmas will not be celebrated in the house that he haunts, he decides to intervene. A light-hearted haunting.
Transition (1913) by Algernon Blackwood (3/5)
A clerk doesn’t let a trolly knocking him down stop him from carrying Christmas presents home to his family.
The Fourth Wall (1915) by A.M. Burrage (3/5)
A group of people renting a cottage in the countryside slowly come to realize that it’s haunted.
The Festival (1925) by H.P. Lovecraft (4/5)
After a man is summoned to his ancestral home by his family, he learns about an ancient Yuletide festival. Includes a quote from the Necronomicon.
The Crown Derby Plate (1933) by Marjorie Bowen (4/5)
An antique collector visits an old house hoping to recover a missing plate from a set of china. The descriptive prose helps to create an eerie atmosphere.
Green Holly (1944) by Elizabeth Bowen (3/ 3)
Intelligence staff billeted at an old house attract the attention of a ghost.
Christmas Re-union (1947) by Andrew Caldecott (4/5)
Secrets from the past and a mysterious Santa make for an eerie story set during a Christmas party.
A Christmas Meeting (1952) by Rosemary Timperley (4/5)
A woman alone on Christmas Day receives a visitor from a young man who enters her room by mistake. After he leaves she learns the truth about his visit. Short and bittersweet.
Someone in the Lift (1955) by L.P Hartley (5/5)
A small boy keeps seeing a shadowy figure in a hotel lift. Although the ending is telegraphed it’s still quite chilling.
Told After Super (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome (4/5)
A group of people tell ghost stories while drinking whiskey punch on Christmas Eve. Between some of the names (Teddy Biffle, Dr. Scrubbles) and the witty humor, it was like reading a ghost story by P. G. Wodehouse.
Looking forward to reading the next collection.
December 24, 2020
The British Library now has 19 books of short stories in its Tales of the Weird collection, and though this is the only one of them I have read, my fear is that with so many, the quality and relevance to the title, has become watered down.
Any book of short stories has its stengths and weaknesses, so its in the latter regard that I chiefly take this book to task.
Rather than 'Dark Tales' these are ghost stories, and several, like Casper, are far too friendly to take their place in such a line up.
There seem to be so many 'Christmas' ghost stories around that its rare to come across anything original from after 1900.
However, there was one story here that stood out and that I will remember, The Real and The Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin; about a Cistercian monk, and enjoyed particularly as for many years I kept a monk's habit close to get up to all sorts of hijinks with stories and ghostly appearances..
Its actually available free (and by audio) here.
For future such 'dark' collections, might I suggest a 'scale of darkness' such as with the strength of cheese or coffee? Few, if any, here, would have ranked above 3 out of 6.
Any book of short stories has its stengths and weaknesses, so its in the latter regard that I chiefly take this book to task.
Rather than 'Dark Tales' these are ghost stories, and several, like Casper, are far too friendly to take their place in such a line up.
There seem to be so many 'Christmas' ghost stories around that its rare to come across anything original from after 1900.
However, there was one story here that stood out and that I will remember, The Real and The Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin; about a Cistercian monk, and enjoyed particularly as for many years I kept a monk's habit close to get up to all sorts of hijinks with stories and ghostly appearances..
Its actually available free (and by audio) here.
For future such 'dark' collections, might I suggest a 'scale of darkness' such as with the strength of cheese or coffee? Few, if any, here, would have ranked above 3 out of 6.
January 9, 2021
A mixed bag of Yuletide ghost stories from the annals of the British Library. Some are incredibly musty and creaky, even allowing for the traditions of the time they were written, but the anthology is worth the cover price just for Frank R. Stockton’s poignant tale ‘Old Applejoy’s Ghost’, told from the perspective of the eponymous wraith, and Jerome K. Jerome’s hilarious spoof of fireside ghost stories, ‘Told After Supper’.
December 28, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ a good collection for the festive season.
January 29, 2021
Ooh I love me a collection of short stories! This was a fun little selection of Christmas ghost stories through the Victorian era and beyond. Like with any collection of stories, there's always going to be hits and misses, but fortunately this anthology had more enjoyable stories than it did bad or boring ones.
Some of stories I liked best in this collection were: The Old Portrait, about a man who uncovers a beautiful haunting portrait under a ruined canvas. The Fourth Wall, about a group of people who spend Christmas is a perfect cottage but continue to have a weird sense that they're being observed by an audience. Someone in the Lift, about a boy who see's the shadowy figure of a man in the lift of a hotel.
A couple of things I really loved about this collection was the variety of different authors and how Kirk gave us a little biography for each one before we got into their story.
Another thing I enjoyed about this collection was the fact that not all stories were necessarily horror, despite them being about ghosts. For example, a heart-warming story called Old Applejoy's Ghost was about a resident grandfather ghost who convinces his great-granddaughter and nephew to celebrate Christmas.
Overall I really enjoyed this Christmassy anthology, it’s definitely fuelled a love for seasonal reads this time of year and I want to read more of these British Library collections! Also a big thanks to @jobis89 for buddy reading this with me, it was nice being able to discuss the stories with someone.
Some of stories I liked best in this collection were: The Old Portrait, about a man who uncovers a beautiful haunting portrait under a ruined canvas. The Fourth Wall, about a group of people who spend Christmas is a perfect cottage but continue to have a weird sense that they're being observed by an audience. Someone in the Lift, about a boy who see's the shadowy figure of a man in the lift of a hotel.
A couple of things I really loved about this collection was the variety of different authors and how Kirk gave us a little biography for each one before we got into their story.
Another thing I enjoyed about this collection was the fact that not all stories were necessarily horror, despite them being about ghosts. For example, a heart-warming story called Old Applejoy's Ghost was about a resident grandfather ghost who convinces his great-granddaughter and nephew to celebrate Christmas.
Overall I really enjoyed this Christmassy anthology, it’s definitely fuelled a love for seasonal reads this time of year and I want to read more of these British Library collections! Also a big thanks to @jobis89 for buddy reading this with me, it was nice being able to discuss the stories with someone.
January 15, 2021
Chill Tidings: Dark Tales of the Christmas Season is a wonderful anthology of short ghost stories all based around Christmas. The tradition of telling ghost stories around such festive holidays is a tradition I wish we had done growing up; as it is these short stories are filled with supernatural occurances that are not neccessarily scary or horror, but rather filled with suspense and intrigue.
Tanya Kirk has gathered an array of ghost stories spanning the Victorian era, including well known and lesser-known authors, as well as both female and male writers. These stories range from a few pages to possible novelettes; with the ghostly element varying from active malevolence or benevolence to passive appearances.
A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Riddell (1868)
Follows the usual narrative of young people inheritting a house from an unknown family member of whom they have never met. The house is old and isolated, somewhere in the country a few miles from the nearest town; with only a couple of serving staff to keep the house occupied, and, of course, there is the ghost.
The previous owner, two ancestral lines back, has a murky question mark surrounding his disappearance on Christmas Eve. He was last seen by a neighbour after they played a few games of cards and then the neighbour left in the very early hours of the morning. The neighbour was the last to see the owner, for he disappeared that night never to be seen or heard of again.
Riddell sets up the pieces for a "classic" ghost story, there's a mystery in the past, young blood (skeptical of the supernatural) in the house, and stories of unnatural sounds and movement within two specific room that the help refuse to step foot into.
An excellent story to begin the collection with!
The Old Portrait by Hume Nisbet (1896)
This is a short but sweet story leaning more towards the supernatural and a "haunting" rather than a ghost story with an apparition.
Nisbet plays with the idea of objects holding value to the deceased, and that certain unearthly phenomenon can imprint themselves onto physical items; in this case an old painting found and bought by a frame enthusiast.
The Real and The Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin (1895)
When a group of friends are brought together over the Christmas season in an old ancestral house ghost stories are to be expected, especially ones directly related to the immediate building.
As happens quite frequently in these types of ghost stories there is always the skeptic who is determined to play some sort of gag on their peers, it's all in good fun, no-one is to find out it's a hoax but if they do it'll be a right laugh. Their minds often follow this train of thought.
Baldwin does an excellent job at setting the wintry scene, merriment, and comradery between the characters. There is always the underlying tone of a ghost story waiting to happen but you're quite happy reading through the frivolities and daily exploits of the three young lads and the neighbour girls as they enjoy themselves in the snow and the days surrounding Christmas.
Old Applejoy's Ghost by Frank R. Stockton (1900)
I really enjoyed this story; unlike many of the others Old Applejoy's Ghost is from the point of view from an actual ghost. The old man is active in his haunting and known by his decendants to haunt the estate, but he pauses his activity when a very young member of the family begins living in the house for fear of causing the child harm.
Old Applejoy was a delight to read, his interactions and reasoning behind what he does gives the ghost story and haunting a familial feel throughout.
Transition by Aldernon Blackwood (1913)
Brief but sweet. Blackwood creates a mildly confusing but full narrative of one man's journey home after procurring Christmas presents for his wife and children. Throughout the story you are aware of something being amiss, you know what it is but question whether Blackwood is leading you astray.
There are ghosts within this story that make me think of A Christmas Carol when Scrooge is brought to see his past. There is a lingering sense of familiarity and yet the Other at the same time.
The Fourth Wall by A.M.Burrage (1915)
Have you ever visited a place that just felt artificial? That something was off? A.M.Burrage manages to take that feeling of unease and put it into a story.
A group of friends hire a cottage for several weeks to aid in the recovery of another's senses, he is over worked and stressed, the strain of which has effected his health; so to the country they must go! All is right and well, yes there are a few abnormalities with how the staff treat the cottage but all-in-all the building is very pleasant...however there is something wrong with the dining room. There's nothing ominous or dangerous, or even creepy about this room, but they all feel something quite strange about it.
Burrage sets the scene beautifully and lays breadcrumbs throughout the story of what has/is to happen within this cottage. Not an active haunting but still something quite unsettling and supernatural is laced throughout.
The Festival by H.P.Lovecraft (1925)
Not a ghost story in the regular sense but The Festival definitely fits the bill for Weird Fiction around Christmas.
The protagonist's narrative starts off quite "snooty" and looks down upon the "traditional" Christmas festivities he expects to find within this isolated town. He is there for a higher purpose, a better purpose, a purpose that transcends the need/want to do anything else, he is called there because of who he is, who his family is, and his blood line.
If you've read any Lovecraft then The Festival follows his usual thread with the weird and gothic.
The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen (1933)
I had actual read this story in another collection a couple of years ago, and found I remembered the story quite vividly when re-reading in this anthology.
Is there anything quite as annoying as discovering a collection a crockery you've just bought is missing one key element such as a plate? For Martha Pym this is something that has irked her since purchasing the collectable ceramic wear some years prior. The house she had bought it from has been sold to new owners and it is suggested she go and see if her missing piece may have been found.
Going up to the house, Martha meets a curious character who also collects plates, but not all is as it seems with this curious individual at the newly purchased house.
Green Holly by Elizabeth Bowen (1944)
With an older cast of characters, Elizabeth Bowen's short story is different to those previously mentioned in this collection. The story feels very repeptitive and circular, with phrases repeated time and again; the active living characters seem to be stuck in a loop of thoughts and communication whereas the ghost, although also repeating events from the past is very much able to manipulate the present.
Christmas Re-union by Andrew Caldecott (1947)
Split into chapters, Andrew Caldecott's short story is slightly longer than most but fully engages with the usual ghostly tropes of the genre. An estranged individual, a mystery to their past, extreme weather, and a gathering of friends and family.
Mr. Clarence Love is invited to the holiday festivities mostly because of his money and "generous" nature when presenting gifts to the host family and indulging their children. All is not quite right, we are on the outside of the actual events revolving round Mr. Love, following instead the heresay and gossip from the host family. We watch as a telegram leaves Mr. Love out of sorts and the usual appearance of Father Christmas does little to lighten his mood but rather stirs him up even more when certain poetic verse are said.
We are left questioning whether the events that transpire are due to supernatural/ghostly intervention or because of human nature.
A Christmas Meeting by Rosemary Timperley (1952)
I love this short but sweet story about people being alone at the Christmas. One of my favourite stories from this collection.
Someone in the Lift by L.P.Hartley (1955)
Have you had those moments, specifically at night, when you see a shadow where you're certain there wasn't one before? Hartley uses that fear and confusion, and amplifies it through the eyes of a young boy.
Peter had never seen a lift before, and being in a hotel around Christmas meant that he saw this caged machine daily. The the lift also scared him; he could see a shadow in the corner as it reached their floor; the shadow never looks at him and always disappeared before the lift came to a stop on his level.
This story feels like a slow progression that suddenly comes to ahead in a dramatic fashion on Christmas day.
Told After Supper by Jerome K. Jerome (1891)
This is the longest story in the collection, originally published as a novelette Jerome K. Jerome presents us with a handful of ghost stories within the main body of the narrative. This adds more questions to the story and the protagonist but also feeds the account.
Told After Supper is told as a first hand account of an unfortunate event; the protagonist attempting to justify his action but also condemning them as the readers can build up an idea as to how the ghost may have appeared and caused the transgression against him.
An interesting collection, Chill Tidings contains a number of ghost stories I would rate between three and four stars individually but as a collection I give four out of five stars and look forward to reading more in The Britich Library Weird Fiction Collection, and those edited by Tanya Kirk.
Tanya Kirk has gathered an array of ghost stories spanning the Victorian era, including well known and lesser-known authors, as well as both female and male writers. These stories range from a few pages to possible novelettes; with the ghostly element varying from active malevolence or benevolence to passive appearances.
A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Riddell (1868)
Follows the usual narrative of young people inheritting a house from an unknown family member of whom they have never met. The house is old and isolated, somewhere in the country a few miles from the nearest town; with only a couple of serving staff to keep the house occupied, and, of course, there is the ghost.
The previous owner, two ancestral lines back, has a murky question mark surrounding his disappearance on Christmas Eve. He was last seen by a neighbour after they played a few games of cards and then the neighbour left in the very early hours of the morning. The neighbour was the last to see the owner, for he disappeared that night never to be seen or heard of again.
Riddell sets up the pieces for a "classic" ghost story, there's a mystery in the past, young blood (skeptical of the supernatural) in the house, and stories of unnatural sounds and movement within two specific room that the help refuse to step foot into.
An excellent story to begin the collection with!
The Old Portrait by Hume Nisbet (1896)
This is a short but sweet story leaning more towards the supernatural and a "haunting" rather than a ghost story with an apparition.
Nisbet plays with the idea of objects holding value to the deceased, and that certain unearthly phenomenon can imprint themselves onto physical items; in this case an old painting found and bought by a frame enthusiast.
The Real and The Counterfeit by Louisa Baldwin (1895)
When a group of friends are brought together over the Christmas season in an old ancestral house ghost stories are to be expected, especially ones directly related to the immediate building.
As happens quite frequently in these types of ghost stories there is always the skeptic who is determined to play some sort of gag on their peers, it's all in good fun, no-one is to find out it's a hoax but if they do it'll be a right laugh. Their minds often follow this train of thought.
Baldwin does an excellent job at setting the wintry scene, merriment, and comradery between the characters. There is always the underlying tone of a ghost story waiting to happen but you're quite happy reading through the frivolities and daily exploits of the three young lads and the neighbour girls as they enjoy themselves in the snow and the days surrounding Christmas.
Old Applejoy's Ghost by Frank R. Stockton (1900)
I really enjoyed this story; unlike many of the others Old Applejoy's Ghost is from the point of view from an actual ghost. The old man is active in his haunting and known by his decendants to haunt the estate, but he pauses his activity when a very young member of the family begins living in the house for fear of causing the child harm.
Old Applejoy was a delight to read, his interactions and reasoning behind what he does gives the ghost story and haunting a familial feel throughout.
Transition by Aldernon Blackwood (1913)
Brief but sweet. Blackwood creates a mildly confusing but full narrative of one man's journey home after procurring Christmas presents for his wife and children. Throughout the story you are aware of something being amiss, you know what it is but question whether Blackwood is leading you astray.
There are ghosts within this story that make me think of A Christmas Carol when Scrooge is brought to see his past. There is a lingering sense of familiarity and yet the Other at the same time.
The Fourth Wall by A.M.Burrage (1915)
Have you ever visited a place that just felt artificial? That something was off? A.M.Burrage manages to take that feeling of unease and put it into a story.
A group of friends hire a cottage for several weeks to aid in the recovery of another's senses, he is over worked and stressed, the strain of which has effected his health; so to the country they must go! All is right and well, yes there are a few abnormalities with how the staff treat the cottage but all-in-all the building is very pleasant...however there is something wrong with the dining room. There's nothing ominous or dangerous, or even creepy about this room, but they all feel something quite strange about it.
Burrage sets the scene beautifully and lays breadcrumbs throughout the story of what has/is to happen within this cottage. Not an active haunting but still something quite unsettling and supernatural is laced throughout.
The Festival by H.P.Lovecraft (1925)
Not a ghost story in the regular sense but The Festival definitely fits the bill for Weird Fiction around Christmas.
The protagonist's narrative starts off quite "snooty" and looks down upon the "traditional" Christmas festivities he expects to find within this isolated town. He is there for a higher purpose, a better purpose, a purpose that transcends the need/want to do anything else, he is called there because of who he is, who his family is, and his blood line.
If you've read any Lovecraft then The Festival follows his usual thread with the weird and gothic.
The Crown Derby Plate by Marjorie Bowen (1933)
I had actual read this story in another collection a couple of years ago, and found I remembered the story quite vividly when re-reading in this anthology.
Is there anything quite as annoying as discovering a collection a crockery you've just bought is missing one key element such as a plate? For Martha Pym this is something that has irked her since purchasing the collectable ceramic wear some years prior. The house she had bought it from has been sold to new owners and it is suggested she go and see if her missing piece may have been found.
Going up to the house, Martha meets a curious character who also collects plates, but not all is as it seems with this curious individual at the newly purchased house.
Green Holly by Elizabeth Bowen (1944)
With an older cast of characters, Elizabeth Bowen's short story is different to those previously mentioned in this collection. The story feels very repeptitive and circular, with phrases repeated time and again; the active living characters seem to be stuck in a loop of thoughts and communication whereas the ghost, although also repeating events from the past is very much able to manipulate the present.
Christmas Re-union by Andrew Caldecott (1947)
Split into chapters, Andrew Caldecott's short story is slightly longer than most but fully engages with the usual ghostly tropes of the genre. An estranged individual, a mystery to their past, extreme weather, and a gathering of friends and family.
Mr. Clarence Love is invited to the holiday festivities mostly because of his money and "generous" nature when presenting gifts to the host family and indulging their children. All is not quite right, we are on the outside of the actual events revolving round Mr. Love, following instead the heresay and gossip from the host family. We watch as a telegram leaves Mr. Love out of sorts and the usual appearance of Father Christmas does little to lighten his mood but rather stirs him up even more when certain poetic verse are said.
We are left questioning whether the events that transpire are due to supernatural/ghostly intervention or because of human nature.
A Christmas Meeting by Rosemary Timperley (1952)
I love this short but sweet story about people being alone at the Christmas. One of my favourite stories from this collection.
Someone in the Lift by L.P.Hartley (1955)
Have you had those moments, specifically at night, when you see a shadow where you're certain there wasn't one before? Hartley uses that fear and confusion, and amplifies it through the eyes of a young boy.
Peter had never seen a lift before, and being in a hotel around Christmas meant that he saw this caged machine daily. The the lift also scared him; he could see a shadow in the corner as it reached their floor; the shadow never looks at him and always disappeared before the lift came to a stop on his level.
This story feels like a slow progression that suddenly comes to ahead in a dramatic fashion on Christmas day.
Told After Supper by Jerome K. Jerome (1891)
This is the longest story in the collection, originally published as a novelette Jerome K. Jerome presents us with a handful of ghost stories within the main body of the narrative. This adds more questions to the story and the protagonist but also feeds the account.
Told After Supper is told as a first hand account of an unfortunate event; the protagonist attempting to justify his action but also condemning them as the readers can build up an idea as to how the ghost may have appeared and caused the transgression against him.
An interesting collection, Chill Tidings contains a number of ghost stories I would rate between three and four stars individually but as a collection I give four out of five stars and look forward to reading more in The Britich Library Weird Fiction Collection, and those edited by Tanya Kirk.
January 22, 2022
I really enjoyed this collection of ghost stories, collected by Tanya Kirk, a curator for The British Library. She wrote a nice introduction to the collection and talked about the tradition of telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve, which was popular with the Victorians. It was something we did this year with a friend, and it was fun, so we hope to make it a tradition. This collection has several contenders for a good read-aloud for next year.
Kirk wrote an introduction to each story, talking briefly about the author’s life. I was struck by how so many of them were writing to make ends meet and support their families. I always think of making a profit from writing as an eventual reward after a combination of persistence and luck, not a job to do because you need money. I thought of it more as something you want to do—or feel you can’t not do—and hopefully, eventually, you share your creation with the world and maybe support yourself with it, but maybe not. Anyway, it seems like writing was approached at least somewhat differently by these writers, many of whom wrote for magazines in the late 1800s.
It took me a couple of weeks to pick away at this, so here’s the rundown the best I can remember:
A Strange Christmas Game, by Charlotte Riddell 3.5 stars
Quick little ditty with a likeable narrator, some ghosts, and a little twist at the end.
The Old Portrait, by Hume Nisbet 4 stars
Sure, haunted portraits have been done before, but this one still snuck up on me and got me!
The Real and the Counterfeit, by Louisa Baldwin 3.5 stars
This probably deserves more stars, but the grim, sudden ending made me mad at it.
Old Applejoy’s Ghost, by Frank R. Stockton 5 stars
This one had an irresistible spirit of joy and goodwill. Not all ghosts have to be scary, and this one was sweet.
Transition, by Algernon Blackwood 4 stars
This was familiar territory, but it was the friendliest lead-in I’ve ever seen to the dark revelation (I mean, not really—I think most readers will know where the story is going) at the end.
The Fourth Wall, by A.M. Burrage 5 stars
This was one of my favorites of the collection and at the top of my list to read out loud next Christmas Eve. It took a neat, original path to creating a nice spooky mood.
The Festival, by H.P. Lovecraft 4 stars
I’m not a big fan of weird horror, but I have to give it to Lovecraft—he sure knew how to make a reader’s skin crawl.
The Crown Derby Plate, by Marjorie Bowen 4 stars
Fun story about a china collector who gets more than she bargained for when she goes looking for the last piece of a set.
Green Holly, by Elizabeth Bowen 2 stars
Meh, my least favorite. I didn’t like any of the characters and didn’t care what happened to them.
Christmas Re-union, by Sir Andrew Caldecott 4 stars
A very ominous Santa Claus in this one, and I liked the setting and the idea of department stores sending out Santas to homes that had ordered them.
A Christmas Meeting, by Rosemary Timperley 5 stars
Short and sweet tale of two lonely souls making a connection on Christmas Eve.
Someone in the Lift, by L.P. Hartley 3 stars
I liked it until the ending.
Told After Supper, by Jerome K. Jerome 5 stars
This novelette made me laugh out loud so many times. It’s a clever satire of a bunch of different ghost story tropes, and reading it made me look forward to reading this author again. Loved it!
Kirk wrote an introduction to each story, talking briefly about the author’s life. I was struck by how so many of them were writing to make ends meet and support their families. I always think of making a profit from writing as an eventual reward after a combination of persistence and luck, not a job to do because you need money. I thought of it more as something you want to do—or feel you can’t not do—and hopefully, eventually, you share your creation with the world and maybe support yourself with it, but maybe not. Anyway, it seems like writing was approached at least somewhat differently by these writers, many of whom wrote for magazines in the late 1800s.
It took me a couple of weeks to pick away at this, so here’s the rundown the best I can remember:
A Strange Christmas Game, by Charlotte Riddell 3.5 stars
Quick little ditty with a likeable narrator, some ghosts, and a little twist at the end.
The Old Portrait, by Hume Nisbet 4 stars
Sure, haunted portraits have been done before, but this one still snuck up on me and got me!
The Real and the Counterfeit, by Louisa Baldwin 3.5 stars
This probably deserves more stars, but the grim, sudden ending made me mad at it.
Old Applejoy’s Ghost, by Frank R. Stockton 5 stars
This one had an irresistible spirit of joy and goodwill. Not all ghosts have to be scary, and this one was sweet.
Transition, by Algernon Blackwood 4 stars
This was familiar territory, but it was the friendliest lead-in I’ve ever seen to the dark revelation (I mean, not really—I think most readers will know where the story is going) at the end.
The Fourth Wall, by A.M. Burrage 5 stars
This was one of my favorites of the collection and at the top of my list to read out loud next Christmas Eve. It took a neat, original path to creating a nice spooky mood.
The Festival, by H.P. Lovecraft 4 stars
I’m not a big fan of weird horror, but I have to give it to Lovecraft—he sure knew how to make a reader’s skin crawl.
The Crown Derby Plate, by Marjorie Bowen 4 stars
Fun story about a china collector who gets more than she bargained for when she goes looking for the last piece of a set.
Green Holly, by Elizabeth Bowen 2 stars
Meh, my least favorite. I didn’t like any of the characters and didn’t care what happened to them.
Christmas Re-union, by Sir Andrew Caldecott 4 stars
A very ominous Santa Claus in this one, and I liked the setting and the idea of department stores sending out Santas to homes that had ordered them.
A Christmas Meeting, by Rosemary Timperley 5 stars
Short and sweet tale of two lonely souls making a connection on Christmas Eve.
Someone in the Lift, by L.P. Hartley 3 stars
I liked it until the ending.
Told After Supper, by Jerome K. Jerome 5 stars
This novelette made me laugh out loud so many times. It’s a clever satire of a bunch of different ghost story tropes, and reading it made me look forward to reading this author again. Loved it!
August 15, 2023
Thirteen (unsurprisingly!) "traditional" ghost stories first published between the late 1860s to the 1950s & as you'd expect from this classic style, they are haunting, mysterious & create a lovely sense of unease - although one are two of them also have a lovely streak of humour.
In a set of short stories there's usually some I don't like or just don't get. I enjoyed these with maybe the exception of "Green Holly" which just didn't make sense to me (especially the ending even after reading the latter pages 3 times!).
My favourite would have to be "The Crown Derby Plate" - very atmospheric & creepy - with the rest being a lovely spooky mix. However, the ending of "Christmas Reunion" left me rather bemused, which was a shame as I'd being enjoying it up to that point & Lovecraft's "The Festival", while I didn't dislike it, seemed out of place amongst the others.
Overall a good anthology of ghost stories. While they might not have had me shaking in my boots they were enjoyable & have whetted my appetite for more in the series.
In a set of short stories there's usually some I don't like or just don't get. I enjoyed these with maybe the exception of "Green Holly" which just didn't make sense to me (especially the ending even after reading the latter pages 3 times!).
My favourite would have to be "The Crown Derby Plate" - very atmospheric & creepy - with the rest being a lovely spooky mix. However, the ending of "Christmas Reunion" left me rather bemused, which was a shame as I'd being enjoying it up to that point & Lovecraft's "The Festival", while I didn't dislike it, seemed out of place amongst the others.
Overall a good anthology of ghost stories. While they might not have had me shaking in my boots they were enjoyable & have whetted my appetite for more in the series.
November 25, 2022
Christmas 2022 Read #4
An artist uncovers a haunting relic that comes to life at the stock of midnight Christmas Eve. A story told from the ghost's perspective, trying to wrangle up the holiday spirit in his living relatives. A father and husband finds a strange clarity while trying to gift the presents he bought his family but they'll never get them. Santa ends up bringing revenge rather than presents. Santa skips the chimney for the elevator.
Not only did this collection hold a variety of stories from a variety of authors but it moved through time which I loved. The oldest story was from 1868 and each progressed until the final story of 1955. This made it so fun, moving through time. Christmases through the decades.
An artist uncovers a haunting relic that comes to life at the stock of midnight Christmas Eve. A story told from the ghost's perspective, trying to wrangle up the holiday spirit in his living relatives. A father and husband finds a strange clarity while trying to gift the presents he bought his family but they'll never get them. Santa ends up bringing revenge rather than presents. Santa skips the chimney for the elevator.
Not only did this collection hold a variety of stories from a variety of authors but it moved through time which I loved. The oldest story was from 1868 and each progressed until the final story of 1955. This made it so fun, moving through time. Christmases through the decades.
March 13, 2024
4.12⭐
Introduction by Tanya Kirk ✔
A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Riddell 4.5⭐
The Old Portrait • (1890) by Hume Nisbet 5⭐
The Real and the Counterfeit • (1988) by Louisa Baldwin 4.25⭐
Old Applejoy's Ghost • (1900) by Frank R. Stockton 4⭐
Transition • (1913) by Algernon Blackwood 3.25⭐
The Fourth Wall • (1915) by A. M. Burrage 4.25⭐
The Festival • [Cthulhu Mythos] • (1925) by H. P. Lovecraft 3.5⭐
The Crown Derby Plate • (1933) by Marjorie Bowen 4⭐
Green Holly • (1944) by Elizabeth Bowen 4⭐
Christmas Re-Union by Sir Andrew Caldecott (1946) 4⭐
A Christmas Meeting by Rosemary Timperley (variant of Christmas Meeting 1952) 4.25⭐
Someone in the Lift • (1955) by L. P. Hartley 4.5⭐
Told After Supper • (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome 4⭐
Introduction by Tanya Kirk ✔
A Strange Christmas Game by Charlotte Riddell 4.5⭐
The Old Portrait • (1890) by Hume Nisbet 5⭐
The Real and the Counterfeit • (1988) by Louisa Baldwin 4.25⭐
Old Applejoy's Ghost • (1900) by Frank R. Stockton 4⭐
Transition • (1913) by Algernon Blackwood 3.25⭐
The Fourth Wall • (1915) by A. M. Burrage 4.25⭐
The Festival • [Cthulhu Mythos] • (1925) by H. P. Lovecraft 3.5⭐
The Crown Derby Plate • (1933) by Marjorie Bowen 4⭐
Green Holly • (1944) by Elizabeth Bowen 4⭐
Christmas Re-Union by Sir Andrew Caldecott (1946) 4⭐
A Christmas Meeting by Rosemary Timperley (variant of Christmas Meeting 1952) 4.25⭐
Someone in the Lift • (1955) by L. P. Hartley 4.5⭐
Told After Supper • (1891) by Jerome K. Jerome 4⭐
December 29, 2024
3.5/5
This collection of short stories was nowhere near my radar. And then a friend read it for a bookish bingo challenge which I'm also doing this month and it was perfect for a missing tile I had there. Plus, it just seemed like a fun collection to work through this Christmas season!
Overall, I liked the collection, though I felt like I preferred the older stories to the newer ones, which probably has more to do with the older settings feeling more appropriate for these types of ghost stories. And they were all quite predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. My favourite out of the bunch was "The Old Portrait" and I enjoyed "Told After Supper" (a parody of the genre) a lot as well.
So if you're looking for spookier Christmas stories, this just might fit the bill.
This collection of short stories was nowhere near my radar. And then a friend read it for a bookish bingo challenge which I'm also doing this month and it was perfect for a missing tile I had there. Plus, it just seemed like a fun collection to work through this Christmas season!
Overall, I liked the collection, though I felt like I preferred the older stories to the newer ones, which probably has more to do with the older settings feeling more appropriate for these types of ghost stories. And they were all quite predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. My favourite out of the bunch was "The Old Portrait" and I enjoyed "Told After Supper" (a parody of the genre) a lot as well.
So if you're looking for spookier Christmas stories, this just might fit the bill.
November 20, 2021
Christmas - the perfect time for telling ghost stories! Seriously, long before romance took over the Christmas genre, ghost stories were the thing. In this anthology, there are stories about an unhappy ghost, a joyful ghost, a thoughtful ghost, a revengeful ghost, a ghost who didn’t realize he was a ghost, and more. Each story is prefaced with some informative background tidbits on the author and time period. As in most collections, some stories will be better liked than others, and this collection certainly falls in that category for me. But all are entertaining in their own right, and perfect for reading on a cold and wintery night, especially when the moon is full and spirits are nigh . . .
December 10, 2025
What a lovely little collection of Christmas ghost stories and tales of which some will chill you, some will warm your heart and some make you snuggle a little lower into your blanket. This is my first experience of the British Libraries collections and I can not wait to get my melon into more of them.
These would be perfect to read to your family as there is a tale for all ages.
I particularly loved 'Old Applejoy's Ghost' by Frank R. Stockton published in 1900
These would be perfect to read to your family as there is a tale for all ages.
I particularly loved 'Old Applejoy's Ghost' by Frank R. Stockton published in 1900
December 23, 2025
Generally good but patchy in places. I enjoyed the older and more traditional stories by Charlotte Riddell, Hume Nisbet, Blackwood, Burrage and Marjorie Bowen.
However, the cute, the comic and the odder ones were less enjoyable. And I don't like Lovecraft at all despite the fab opening atmosphere as the ending was too weird for me.
I have obviously very conservative tastes when it comes to ghost stories!
However, the cute, the comic and the odder ones were less enjoyable. And I don't like Lovecraft at all despite the fab opening atmosphere as the ending was too weird for me.
I have obviously very conservative tastes when it comes to ghost stories!
January 13, 2025
3.5
Una buona collezione di 13 storie che vanno dal gotico al paranormale, con protagonisti misteri e fantasmi nel periodo natalizio. Alcune, nonostante l’ambientazione, scaldano il cuore e ci fanno sorridere. Altre ci fanno provare un brivido.
Una buona collezione di 13 storie che vanno dal gotico al paranormale, con protagonisti misteri e fantasmi nel periodo natalizio. Alcune, nonostante l’ambientazione, scaldano il cuore e ci fanno sorridere. Altre ci fanno provare un brivido.
December 25, 2025
My favourite short story was The Old Portrait. It blends Picture of Dorian Grey and Dracula elements.
November 28, 2021
As with all collections, some of these stories are great and some are good/OK. But I enjoyed the reading experience either way. 'Told After Supper' by Jerome K. Jerome is a fun send-up of Dickens'-style Victorian ghost stories, 'Green Holly' by Elizabeth Bowen is a light manor house ghost story with a twist ending, and "A Strange Christmas Game' by Charlotte Ridell is a slightly spookier tale of a haunting. This is a fun read if you're looking for an alternative to sweet Christmas stories.
December 28, 2020
It’s not as dark or chilling as the title had me believe. Still, it’s a pretty good selection of 19th/early-20th century ghost stories, starting with the weaker ones and getting stronger. Most of them are really quite light and playful, with the ghost in a lonely house or old mansion being the staple choice.
The second story in, ‘The Real and the Counterfeit’, has to be the worst of the pack and could easily have lost two thirds of wordcount without killing it dead. At least they got that one out of the way early.
Some of my highlights: Hume Nisbet’s ‘The Old Portrait’, where a hidden painting catalyses the horror. It’s short, but punchy, and is the only ghostly tale in here with an artwork central to the story. You get some exciting variations on common themes where strong characters come out. There’s real warmth and pathos in ‘Transition’ by Algernon Blackwood, and the characterisation of Mrs Lefain, the lonely old woman in ‘The Crown Derby Plate’ by Marjorie Bowen, came across as a brilliant synthesis of setting and situation. There’s also a good H.P Lovecraft tale called ‘The Festival’, which contains everything you’d expect to get from him: a stranger enters a remote, snowy village and descends into the literal depths of a sludgy nightmare. It’s full of folk horror elements and by god it groans with adjectives.
But my two runaway favourites were ‘A Christmas Meeting’ by Rosemary Timperley, and ‘Someone in the Lift’ by L.P Hartley. Timperley’s is very short, but solid, surprising and unexpected. And as for Hartley’s, I just loved the whole idea a kid whose living in a building and thinks he keeps seeing a tall shadowy man in the mechanism of the lift. The way his father rationalises it to help him through is totally convincing, and the ending may just give me nightmares.
The second story in, ‘The Real and the Counterfeit’, has to be the worst of the pack and could easily have lost two thirds of wordcount without killing it dead. At least they got that one out of the way early.
Some of my highlights: Hume Nisbet’s ‘The Old Portrait’, where a hidden painting catalyses the horror. It’s short, but punchy, and is the only ghostly tale in here with an artwork central to the story. You get some exciting variations on common themes where strong characters come out. There’s real warmth and pathos in ‘Transition’ by Algernon Blackwood, and the characterisation of Mrs Lefain, the lonely old woman in ‘The Crown Derby Plate’ by Marjorie Bowen, came across as a brilliant synthesis of setting and situation. There’s also a good H.P Lovecraft tale called ‘The Festival’, which contains everything you’d expect to get from him: a stranger enters a remote, snowy village and descends into the literal depths of a sludgy nightmare. It’s full of folk horror elements and by god it groans with adjectives.
But my two runaway favourites were ‘A Christmas Meeting’ by Rosemary Timperley, and ‘Someone in the Lift’ by L.P Hartley. Timperley’s is very short, but solid, surprising and unexpected. And as for Hartley’s, I just loved the whole idea a kid whose living in a building and thinks he keeps seeing a tall shadowy man in the mechanism of the lift. The way his father rationalises it to help him through is totally convincing, and the ending may just give me nightmares.
January 20, 2021
Very cute collection of ghost stories set around Christmas Eve. Perfect for the holiday season! I really enjoyed that the author curated the stories in an illustrative way. Being sure to include tidbits about the authors of these mini-stories, as well as important historical tidbits. That really made it fun and interesting for me.
Some of the stories were more fun (read: spooky) than others.... but all in all, I really enjoyed reading it and will probably get the first volume soon (there are two in this selection).
Some of the stories were more fun (read: spooky) than others.... but all in all, I really enjoyed reading it and will probably get the first volume soon (there are two in this selection).
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