SLCLS Genre Study discussion

Has Horror changed? Are ghost stories not as scary as they once were? What's the scariest ghost story, haunted house you've read?

Darlene mentioned that Ghosts are the wave of the future. What is preferred? True Ghosts, or Fiction?

Teens still like to read "Jade Green" even though it is not exactly a new print. It was good--had the elements of horror--the dread that builds.

I read the "House of Darkness" books and they just made me angry. They are true ghost stories and their house is really haunted. But they put up with the house for years and years instead of doing something about it. Of course I did read both volumes.

So--either it wasn't as bad as they said, or they could live with it if it made them some money.

For a mystery/ghost story, try John Harwood's "The Seance".

For an adult for teen readers, try "The Dead of Winter" by Chris Priestley. If there were a cozy ghost story, this would be it.

Stephen King also couldn't resist a littler supernatural chill in "Joyland."

Not as scary as they once were? Ghost stories are always scary. Always.

FACT.

One of my very favorite ghost story writers is M. R. James, whose stories were written close to one hundred years ago but have lost none of their ability to terrify. Try reading "Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad" late at night. I dare you.

I still remember how scared I was after I read Wait til Helen Comes. It is still spooky!

I think, personally, that the older stories are more scary. And sometimes publishers try to trick us into reading a book, saying it is a ghost story. "Bellweather Rhapsody" was that way. It is actually a very good mystery book. But not a ghost story.

Has anyone read a ghost story recently that made them want to turn all the lights on, and NOT check under the bed (cause it might be waiting under the bed for you to look)>???

Has anyone read the oldy but goody The Woman in Black, by Susan Hill?

This new book was getting starred reviews in LJ, Allen, Mike. Unseaming. Antimatter Pr. Oct. 2014. 222p. ISBN 9780988912410, a collection of short stories.


read the review http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/201...

Wait Until Helen Comes creeped me out, even though it is a book for kids.

That title gets the most votes for continually creeping adults and kids both! More than any of her other books!

There--I think the older ones really are scarier than the newer ones. Are horror stories becoming PC?

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn also creeped me out, Natalie. I do think older ones are scarier. Ghosts, in particular when it comes to the kids stuff, seems to be taking on more of a humorous tone. You may have a point Jewel, they seem to be becoming more pc.

We seem to be swinging to the "don't show the horrors, just the fun stuff" type, which can be very good, but The Shining was more terrifying than Doctor Sleep. And if you want a good scare perhaps the older ones are the option.

Its interesting how many people do love "Wait till Helen Comes"!