I was somewhat disappointed with this collection of ghost stories. I was expecting the stories to have a Christmas connection, as in "A Christmas Carol", but they really have little or nothing to do with the holiday. The "Christmas connection" is that they were printed in magazines during the winter season, to be read (or read aloud) at night, a Victorian tradition. The Victorians were very fond of ghost stories, as they had a fascination with spiritualism and death. Now, I have read and enjoyed many Victorian ghost tales, so I knew what to expect in that aspect. This collection, however, is a very uneven and mixed lot of stories. My favorites were by Elizabeth Gaskell, Conan Doyle (pre-Sherlock Holmes), and F. Marion Crawford (a creepy story reminiscent of Algernon Blackwood's "The Doll"). Many of the others were just okay, and several not good at all. The longest, "The Lady's Walk" by Margaret Oliphant, was far too long and wordy and almost pointless. I kept flipping ahead to see when it ended. Valancourt has put together some nice collections of stories, but this one is at or near the bottom of my list. Except perhaps for one or two stories, this is one book that will not be re-read in the future. ( )

I am a freaky fan of all things Victorian, especially stories. Throw in ghosts, and I'm there! Throw in Christmas, and I'll meet you with a cup of peppermint Shnapps and hot cocoa. I can never get enough of these types of stories. Mind you, this was a collection, and I had never heard of any author, so these gems are hard to find. Some were hokey, some were serious, all were fun. There's even one from Doyle, and it's not Sherlock! You had to suspend your disbelief for all of them, but you know that going into a ghost story anyway, don't you? My favorite quote sums up the "cozy" feeling one gets when reading a Victorian ghost story. Here's the quote: "[If this story is] read aloud, to an undoubting audience by the doubtful light of the closing evening, or, in silence, by a decaying taper, and amidst the solitude of a half-lighted apartment, it may redeem its character as a good ghost-story." Time to sit by the fire and start reading! ( )

The Captain of the “Pole-star” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle I love me some Conan Doyle, but not this one. I’m not a fan of Arctic settings, nor of stories that take place at sea, so this was a double whammy against me liking it. Add to that, it isn’t really a spooky ghost story, so much as a second hand account of ghost sightings and their results.

In my opinion, Conan Doyle’s The Haunted Grange of Grosthorpe is a far superior ghost story.

How Peter Parley Laid a Ghost by Anonymous My first thought as I started reading this – a story aimed at Victorian children – was that the writing shines a sorry light on the state of today’s education. I doubt many children today would be able to pass a reading comprehension quiz based on this story, purely based on the vocabulary. I could be wrong, but the writing here is certainly more sophisticated than that of most of today’s books aimed at adults.

This story was better than Conan Doyle’s Captain of the Pole-Star; more interesting, amusing, and frankly, better written. But it’s still not a true ghost story; it’s a morality tale aimed at the folly of superstition. In this context, it’s a brilliant story; in the context of a spooky ghost story … not so much. ( )

http://www.susanhatedliterature.net/2019/01/the-valancourt-book-of-victorian-chr... ( )

‘’Imagine a midwinter night, an early sunset, a long drafty evening spent by candlelight. The season of Christmas coincides with the shortest days of the year and, for middle-class Victorians, a chance for families to reconnect in story-telling circles.’’

The Tapestried Chamber by Sir Walter Scott: A veteran spends the night in an impressive tapestried chamber but a nightmarish visitor forces him to cope with the most powerful fear he has ever experienced.

The Old Nurse’s Story by Elizabeth Gaskell: No Christmas Ghost Stories collection is complete without this classic story by our beloved writer. A dark tale of innocence lost in the Northumberland moors.

‘’I try to be patient, but my cross has been heavy and my heart is empty and weary, and I long for the death that comes so slowly to those who pray to die.’’

Horror: A True Tale by John Berwick Harwood: A woman narrates the incident of utter terror that changed her life forever. A haunting story steeped in Scottish legends.

‘’The vast monotonous moor, the threatening sky and the fierce rushing blast had something for me sublime and invigorating.’’

Bring Me A Light by Anonymous: Between sunset and moonrise, strange occurrences take place in an isolated manor in the moors. A young heir learns the story of his ill-fated ancestors. A marvellous tale, atmospheric and memorable.

‘’There is said to be a skeleton in some out-of-the way cupboard of every house.’’

Old Hooker’s Ghost by Anonymous: A strange story of hauntings that plage the offsprings of an old, noble family and an exciting masquerade celebrating Twelfth Night. Snapdragon always creates the proper atmosphere for a mystery.

The Ghost’s Summons by Ada Buisson: A young doctor witnesses the death of a wealthy gentleman under mysterious, supernatural circumstances. However, the secrets of the deceased and his family are much more terrifying. A powerful tale of (very) mortal wickedness with a fantastic closure.

Jack Layford’s Friend by Anonymous: This was horrible! Bad writing, boring plot, loathsome narrator. In my humble opinion, this story had no place in this collection.

How Peter parley Laid a Ghost by Anonymous: Why did we need a story in which the narrator calls everyone either a fool or an idiot? Why did we need ten pages over the differences between Gothic and Norman architecture?

The Mysterious Visitor by Ellen Wood: A tale that makes use of the visitation of the dead as a deathly premonition. The utterly stupid wife spoiled the entire story for me…

The Haunted Rock by W.W.Fenn: Following three uber-stupid tales, we are finally treated to the moving story of a rock haunted by the ghost of a young woman who lost her beloved in the sea. A tale rich in unique Cornish atmosphere.

The Lady’s Walk by Margaret Oliphant: A West-Highland tale dedicated to the hearth goddess that protects the ancient families of the lochs. Outstanding descriptions of the Highland nature, beautiful tale.

The Captain of the Pole-Star by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: A story of strange visions set in the Arctic Cirle? Dare I say that this one was a bit boring?

The Doll’s Ghost by F.Marion Crawford: A moving, dark tale of the bond between a girl and a doll, seen through the eyes of a troubled dollmaker.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ ( )