library_bookwyrm's review
4.0
I loved this little collection of Victorian short ghost stories, just because I love Victorian literature and I love a good ghost story - but what really made this book fantastic was Moore's notes on the historical context of ghost stories in the era and each individual story itself. A good read for those who are interested in Victorian history as well as literature and ghost stories!
ton526's review
5.0
Well-chosen Christmas themed Gothic tales. Like stepping into a 19th century fireside tale.
felifirefly's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
odrib's review
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Child death
Minor: Racism, Suicide, War, Colonisation, Death of parent, Racial slurs, and Grief
trishthebooknerd's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
fruitbatwoman's review
4.0
A great and spooky collection of Victorian Ghost Stories, some with a Christmas theme, but moest set in dark, gloomy wintertime.
As with all anthologies, the stories can be hit and miss, but I found the selection in this book was at least consistent and all the stories had a similar mood and style to them, despite being written by different authors. My favorite was "Horror: A True Tale" by John Berwick Harwood, as it was simple but incredibly creepy, followed by "The Old Nurse's Story" by Elizabeth Gaskell. Not all of the stories are creepy, but all are excellent to be read on a dark night around a fire or candlelight!
As with all anthologies, the stories can be hit and miss, but I found the selection in this book was at least consistent and all the stories had a similar mood and style to them, despite being written by different authors. My favorite was "Horror: A True Tale" by John Berwick Harwood, as it was simple but incredibly creepy, followed by "The Old Nurse's Story" by Elizabeth Gaskell. Not all of the stories are creepy, but all are excellent to be read on a dark night around a fire or candlelight!
lora_h's review
4.0
A varied selection of Victorian ghost stories with really good but concise background notes (including a little bit of Victorian gossip).