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Oxford Bookworms 5: Ghost Stories
After dinner we turned the lights out and played 'hide-and-seek'. In the dark, I touched a hand, a very cold hand. Now, because of the game, I had to hide in the dark with ...with this cold person - not speaking, not knowing who it was. Slowly the others found us, hid with us, until we were all there - all thirteen. Thirteen? But there were only twelve people in the house! We touched each other in the dark, counting. Thirteen. Quickly, nervously, I lit a match to see...
95 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
44 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
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If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.
Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 10, 2019
3,5/5
Me han gustado todos los relatos, algunos ya los había leído anteriormente en español. Me quedo con The Judge's House.
Me han gustado todos los relatos, algunos ya los había leído anteriormente en español. Me quedo con The Judge's House.
September 28, 2013
Once in a while, I go to the Oxford University Press office in my city and browse in their bookshop for part of the afternoon. The OUP bookshop has a very unique collection of books, when compared to regular bookshops. So I always enjoy browsing there. One of the sections there that I enjoy browsing is the section for younger readers which had abridged classics and original books written for younger readers. These books have end of chapter exercises and activities, a glossary and other interesting extras. It is always a pleasure to read them. When I was in school, I used to love them. I still love them. Once in a while, when I want to feel that I am still a child at school, I buy some of these abridged books and read them from cover to cover. ‘Ghost Stories’ (retold by Rosemary Border) was one of those abridged classics.
‘Ghost Stories’ is a slim collection of six stories. All of them were Victorian (or Victorian-style) ghost stories, mostly written between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The stories in the collection were :
Smee by A.M.Burrage
The Judge’s House by Bram Stoker
The Stranger in the Mist by A.N.L.Munby
The Confessions of Charles Linkworth by E.F.Benson
The Ghost Coach by Amelia B. Edwards
Fullcircle by John Buchan
I liked all the stories in different ways, but I liked some more than the others. My favourite story in the book was John Buchan’s ‘Fullcircle’ which is about a house which has a personality of its own, influences its occupants in subtle ways, shapes their lives to fit its own style but also makes their lives full and rich and happy. It is a gentle, affectionate house. My favourite passage from the book was also from this story. It went like this :
Then, as I looked, the actors and the stage seemed to disappear. I was conscious of only one ‘person’ – the house itself. It sat there in its little valley, smiling at all our modern ideas. And all the time its spirit worked its gentle influence on those who loved it. The house was more than a building; it was an art, a way of life. Its spirit was older than Carteron, older than England. A long time ago, in ancient Greece and Rome, there were places like Fullcircle. But in those days they were called temples, and gods lived in them.
I liked the gentle ghosts in some of the other stories. In ‘The Stranger in the Mist’, a gentle ghost tries to help people who are lost in the mountains at night, but it has the wrong map and so its intentions don’t work as expected. In ‘The Confessions of Charles Linkworth’, a condemned man’s ghost turns up and asks for forgiveness. In ‘Smee’ the ghost of a girl who fell off the stairs while playing hide-and-seek comes back to participate in similar games which others play in that house in later years. ‘The Ghost Coach' is about a coach which carries ghosts and which re-enacts an accident which happened in the mountains twenty years back, everyday. The scary ghost in the book was the one in Bram Stoker’s ‘The Judge’s House’. It is the ghost of the cruel judge – it is terrible and it doesn’t leave any occupant of the house alone in peace.
Have you read 'Ghost Stories' retold by Rosemary Border?
‘Ghost Stories’ is a slim collection of six stories. All of them were Victorian (or Victorian-style) ghost stories, mostly written between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The stories in the collection were :
Smee by A.M.Burrage
The Judge’s House by Bram Stoker
The Stranger in the Mist by A.N.L.Munby
The Confessions of Charles Linkworth by E.F.Benson
The Ghost Coach by Amelia B. Edwards
Fullcircle by John Buchan
I liked all the stories in different ways, but I liked some more than the others. My favourite story in the book was John Buchan’s ‘Fullcircle’ which is about a house which has a personality of its own, influences its occupants in subtle ways, shapes their lives to fit its own style but also makes their lives full and rich and happy. It is a gentle, affectionate house. My favourite passage from the book was also from this story. It went like this :
Then, as I looked, the actors and the stage seemed to disappear. I was conscious of only one ‘person’ – the house itself. It sat there in its little valley, smiling at all our modern ideas. And all the time its spirit worked its gentle influence on those who loved it. The house was more than a building; it was an art, a way of life. Its spirit was older than Carteron, older than England. A long time ago, in ancient Greece and Rome, there were places like Fullcircle. But in those days they were called temples, and gods lived in them.
I liked the gentle ghosts in some of the other stories. In ‘The Stranger in the Mist’, a gentle ghost tries to help people who are lost in the mountains at night, but it has the wrong map and so its intentions don’t work as expected. In ‘The Confessions of Charles Linkworth’, a condemned man’s ghost turns up and asks for forgiveness. In ‘Smee’ the ghost of a girl who fell off the stairs while playing hide-and-seek comes back to participate in similar games which others play in that house in later years. ‘The Ghost Coach' is about a coach which carries ghosts and which re-enacts an accident which happened in the mountains twenty years back, everyday. The scary ghost in the book was the one in Bram Stoker’s ‘The Judge’s House’. It is the ghost of the cruel judge – it is terrible and it doesn’t leave any occupant of the house alone in peace.
Have you read 'Ghost Stories' retold by Rosemary Border?
January 29, 2018
The book 'Ghost stories' consists of 6 short stories, each not longer than ten pages.
As for me, only the first story was quite creepy. The other ones were not too bad, but certainly not as scary as they could have been.
Rather for teenagers, perfect for being retold by the bonfire, or in the tent to scare one another at night.
I recommend this compilation for those who study English, as the language is very repetitive, thus enhance memorizing vocabulary and structures.
As for me, only the first story was quite creepy. The other ones were not too bad, but certainly not as scary as they could have been.
Rather for teenagers, perfect for being retold by the bonfire, or in the tent to scare one another at night.
I recommend this compilation for those who study English, as the language is very repetitive, thus enhance memorizing vocabulary and structures.
October 4, 2025
Terriblemente decepcionante, Ghost Stories (historias de fantasmas, en su traducción al español) es una lectura simplona, aburrida y sin el más mínimo interés. Y eso a pesar de ser un libro de muy corta duración y hablar de relatos de fantasmas.
Las historias originales que se narran en este libro son de grandes escritores entre los que se encuentran Bram Stoker, A. M. Burrage o Amelia B. Edwards, por citar solo algunos. Al ser una lectura graduada, estoy convencida de que el texto ha sido adaptado y recortado lo que afecta a la integridad de los cuentos, haciéndolos más dinámicos, pero perdiendo detalles que hubieran mejorado la atmósfera de los relatos. De todas maneras, no hay demasiado que pueda comentar en general, sobre el estilo literario de los cuentos que aquí aparecen. Y es que para no alargar de manera innecesaria esta crítica, no puedo analizar el estilo de cada autor por separado.
Ghost Stories cuenta seis historias de fantasmas a la antigua usanza. Ya sabéis, apariciones, movimientos de objetos, bajadas de temperatura, etc. Así que a través de las páginas de este libro nos encontramos con juegos fantasmales, fantasmas homicidas, buenos samaritanos que causan desgracias, confesiones tardías, autobuses malditos y la clásica casa encantada. Todos los elementos más típicos nos los encontramos en unas historias que, gracias a que duran pocas páginas, son soportables, pero no acaban de gustar ni de convencer.
En definitiva, Ghost stories solo sirve para practicar inglés y poco más. Si queréis pasar “miedo” con esta clase de historias hay que irse a buscar a otro lado, sin importar el idioma. Mi consejo es que solo lo leáis por razones prácticas. Y para eso el contenido te da bastante igual, la verdad. Y es que estas Ghost stories son tan pesadas e indigestas como ciertos platos de la comida inglesa.
Las historias originales que se narran en este libro son de grandes escritores entre los que se encuentran Bram Stoker, A. M. Burrage o Amelia B. Edwards, por citar solo algunos. Al ser una lectura graduada, estoy convencida de que el texto ha sido adaptado y recortado lo que afecta a la integridad de los cuentos, haciéndolos más dinámicos, pero perdiendo detalles que hubieran mejorado la atmósfera de los relatos. De todas maneras, no hay demasiado que pueda comentar en general, sobre el estilo literario de los cuentos que aquí aparecen. Y es que para no alargar de manera innecesaria esta crítica, no puedo analizar el estilo de cada autor por separado.
Ghost Stories cuenta seis historias de fantasmas a la antigua usanza. Ya sabéis, apariciones, movimientos de objetos, bajadas de temperatura, etc. Así que a través de las páginas de este libro nos encontramos con juegos fantasmales, fantasmas homicidas, buenos samaritanos que causan desgracias, confesiones tardías, autobuses malditos y la clásica casa encantada. Todos los elementos más típicos nos los encontramos en unas historias que, gracias a que duran pocas páginas, son soportables, pero no acaban de gustar ni de convencer.
En definitiva, Ghost stories solo sirve para practicar inglés y poco más. Si queréis pasar “miedo” con esta clase de historias hay que irse a buscar a otro lado, sin importar el idioma. Mi consejo es que solo lo leáis por razones prácticas. Y para eso el contenido te da bastante igual, la verdad. Y es que estas Ghost stories son tan pesadas e indigestas como ciertos platos de la comida inglesa.
November 2, 2021
Quite a short audiobook. It is quite a fun book of old spooky tales.
June 5, 2023
Five spooky 👻 classics short stories.
I’ve enjoyed reading them especially “The Judge’s House”
I’ve enjoyed reading them especially “The Judge’s House”
February 13, 2019
Good for quickreading. It is moderately creepy in my opinion but I enjoyed reading it.
January 24, 2015
Reading this book again and I was so glad that I've got to get back what I missed about this book the first time I read it. Not the most hauntingly scary stories I've ever read, but still the ghost stories in this book are packed with enough mystery, wit and charm and some unexpected, scary endings to made me feel scared at times. My favorites are "The Judge's House", "The confession of Charles Linkworth" and "The Ghost Coach".
I think this book is packed with decent ghost stories, just don't know why it receives such low rating scores...
I think this book is packed with decent ghost stories, just don't know why it receives such low rating scores...
March 4, 2014
After dinner we turned the lights out and played 'hide-and-seek'. In the dark, I touched a hand, a very cold hand. Now, because of the game, I had to hide in the dark with ...with this cold person - not speaking, not knowing who it was. Slowly the others found us, hid with us, until we were all there - all thirteen. Thirteen? But there were only twelve people in the house! We touched each other in the dark, counting. Thirteen. Quickly, nervously, I lit a match to see...
January 18, 2020
I borrowed this book from my cousin.
She described it as extremely scary.
The only story that actually scared me, was the one by the marvelous Bram Stoker.
The rest of them were creepy or unsettling, but not scary.
A quick read I would recommend to those who like ghost stories.
She described it as extremely scary.
The only story that actually scared me, was the one by the marvelous Bram Stoker.
The rest of them were creepy or unsettling, but not scary.
A quick read I would recommend to those who like ghost stories.
January 11, 2015
I read this while doing the laundry today. Wasn't scary. A quick read.
December 31, 2020
Not bad, but not very scary. It's short and quite easy.
May 3, 2024
It's all I need say to declare this a lucky find, but I will say more. These six ghost stories have been truncated and simplified for certain literacy aims, which you can explore depending on your needs. The fact remains that even without the revision, these half-dozen tales are great finds, not always compiled, and really effective ways to spend a few minutes. We start with what happens when people play 'sardines' with a ghost, before Bram Stoker delivers a devilish king rat kind of creature, up against a young student newly renting "The Judge's House" of the title.
Thirdly, is it a malicious spirit in the Welsh mists, or just a phantom trying to do well but failing most lethally? What happens when a hanged man gets in touch with the doctor who confirmed the successful execution – by telephone? The biggest issue might be here that story five has a lot in common with the third, where a man needs rescuing from his walk across the hills – here he meets the locals, who are odd enough, but then… And perhaps John Buchan's closer here is another mis-step – it's certainly not the traditional ghost story.
Being shorter than designed they of course lose some of the frisson, but these still have some power, and it is great to get some pieces that only the cognoscenti have had access to before now. The book has a glossary and readers' activities pertaining to its special intentions, but having fluked on it as a fairly competent reader I can't say too much negative about it. It's definitely four stars, for the very fact these accessible tales are from less-trodden corners of their genre.
Thirdly, is it a malicious spirit in the Welsh mists, or just a phantom trying to do well but failing most lethally? What happens when a hanged man gets in touch with the doctor who confirmed the successful execution – by telephone? The biggest issue might be here that story five has a lot in common with the third, where a man needs rescuing from his walk across the hills – here he meets the locals, who are odd enough, but then… And perhaps John Buchan's closer here is another mis-step – it's certainly not the traditional ghost story.
Being shorter than designed they of course lose some of the frisson, but these still have some power, and it is great to get some pieces that only the cognoscenti have had access to before now. The book has a glossary and readers' activities pertaining to its special intentions, but having fluked on it as a fairly competent reader I can't say too much negative about it. It's definitely four stars, for the very fact these accessible tales are from less-trodden corners of their genre.
January 8, 2023
Good as an introduction
Rating: 6/10
I first read Ghost Stories as a class assignment during my high school days. I enjoyed it quite a lot at the time. Looking through old books I rediscovered my copy and I was curious to see how it measured up after all these years.
The Judge's House by Bram Stroker is the only tale I remembered very clearly and for good reason; it is the most intriguing and well written of the bunch, with quite a strong finale. The rest of the entries are typical of their genre, somewhat outdated and predictable by modern standards but still enjoyable. If I had to pick one as a second favorite it would be Smee by A.M. Burrage.
In conclusion, this is a good gift to a child of 10-14 years old who are interested in "horror". Adults should look elsewhere.
Rating: 6/10
I first read Ghost Stories as a class assignment during my high school days. I enjoyed it quite a lot at the time. Looking through old books I rediscovered my copy and I was curious to see how it measured up after all these years.
The Judge's House by Bram Stroker is the only tale I remembered very clearly and for good reason; it is the most intriguing and well written of the bunch, with quite a strong finale. The rest of the entries are typical of their genre, somewhat outdated and predictable by modern standards but still enjoyable. If I had to pick one as a second favorite it would be Smee by A.M. Burrage.
In conclusion, this is a good gift to a child of 10-14 years old who are interested in "horror". Adults should look elsewhere.
June 26, 2022
تحكي الرواية في طياتها ستة قصص تتصف بالرعب والترعيب والترهيب
........
يمكنني تقسيم القصص من حيث التفضيل على هذا المنوال
الافضل: smee. the confession of charles linkworth. the ghost coash
متوسط: the judge's house
الاضعف: the stranger in the mist . fullcircle
كانت اللغة اقل من المتوسط في الصعوب باستثناء كلمات قليلة وهو ما ساعدني على اتمامها بسرعة ورغبة في المزيد
كانت القصص متفاوتة في الجودة وهذا يفسر باختلاف الكتاب واصحاب القصص ولكن لولا الالقاء المذهل والتشويق في بعض القصص لكانت كل القصص بجودة واحدة وهي قصة رخيصة
........
يمكنني تقسيم القصص من حيث التفضيل على هذا المنوال
الافضل: smee. the confession of charles linkworth. the ghost coash
متوسط: the judge's house
الاضعف: the stranger in the mist . fullcircle
كانت اللغة اقل من المتوسط في الصعوب باستثناء كلمات قليلة وهو ما ساعدني على اتمامها بسرعة ورغبة في المزيد
كانت القصص متفاوتة في الجودة وهذا يفسر باختلاف الكتاب واصحاب القصص ولكن لولا الالقاء المذهل والتشويق في بعض القصص لكانت كل القصص بجودة واحدة وهي قصة رخيصة
November 14, 2025
well, since it is an english book ill write my review in English. This book is short and east to read, it was not hard, also, from my point of view, it was less scarier than what people in my class was saying. it is true that the Linkworth confession and smee were quite disturbing but besides those, everything else was fine. My favourite story was smee cuz i thought that it was pretty nice and entertaining but the worst one was the coqch one, i hated the story, not my taste at all. Maybe my puntuation on the exam will change this review. STAY TUNED😝😝😝
3,1/5
3,1/5
February 8, 2020
I really loved reading this one while I was learning English back in high school. It was one of the first English books I've ever been able to read entirely. These days I can read anything and everything, but this one will always be special for me!
May 28, 2021
Ghost Stories is a collection of six short stories. In my opinion the stories weren't very scary, which might not have been the point, but i was kind of expecting it. They are all well written and its an interesting enough read. The Confession of Charles Linkworth is my favourite of these.
January 29, 2023
Três estrelas e meia pois equilíbrio:
Smee: 3 estrelas
The judge's house: 5 estrelas
The stranger in the mist: 2 estrelas
The confession of charles linkworth: 5 estrelas
The ghost coach: 4 estrelas
Fullcircle: 2,5 estrelas
Smee: 3 estrelas
The judge's house: 5 estrelas
The stranger in the mist: 2 estrelas
The confession of charles linkworth: 5 estrelas
The ghost coach: 4 estrelas
Fullcircle: 2,5 estrelas
March 7, 2023
Me gustaron los cuentos cortos, no son tenebrosos, pero son entretenidos, además me ayudaron a practicar mi ingles, es un nivel medio de ingles, sin mayores dificultades, pero hace que no pares mucho a buscar significados, trae un glosario, en general lo disfrute bastante.
Y mi cuento favorito fue la casa del juez!
Y mi cuento favorito fue la casa del juez!
February 24, 2019
3.5/5
Reading it funnier than doing nothing, but it is just that. I didn’t feel scare.
Reading it funnier than doing nothing, but it is just that. I didn’t feel scare.
March 4, 2020
اصلأ داستانهاش ترسناک نبودن :/
داستان اول و دومش نسبتاً جالب بود، اما بقیه اصلأ داستان خوب و جذابی نداشتن!
داستان اول و دومش نسبتاً جالب بود، اما بقیه اصلأ داستان خوب و جذابی نداشتن!
June 19, 2020
It was amazing book and i really enjoyed reading it, it is short but its good for every reader, especially for readers that started to study english soon
September 13, 2020
Amazing
December 29, 2022
Smee was creepy, as was The Judge's House. Fullcircle was enjoyable.
January 23, 2023
3.5/5
I really liked the Confession of Charles Linkworth, I think it was definitely the most interesting one.
It was an easy read, fast... yet I didn't find it scary.
I really liked the Confession of Charles Linkworth, I think it was definitely the most interesting one.
It was an easy read, fast... yet I didn't find it scary.
January 29, 2023
I read it because of school, it’s not bad at all and it’s easy to read. I like that there are different stories, but I didn’t like some of them.
February 5, 2023
Why ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
3.5/5
I really liked the Confession of Charles Linkworth, I think it was definitely the most interesting one.
It was an easy read, fast... yet I didn't find it scary.
I really liked the Confession of Charles Linkworth, I think it was definitely the most interesting one.
It was an easy read, fast... yet I didn't find it scary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews