Reviews tagging 'Suicide'
Eight Ghosts: The English Heritage Book of New Ghost Stories by Stuart Evers, Andrew Martin, Mark Haddon, Andrew Michael Hurley, Rowan Routh, Kamila Shamsie, Max Porter, Kate Clanchy, Jeanette Winterson, Sarah Perry
2 reviews
kristenreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
slowloris's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
General review:
I'll start my review with saying that this book isn't what I thought or wanted it to be.
As a sucker for historical landmarks and ghosts- when I saw this book on the shelf at Pevensey Castle, I couldn't resist. I expected the book to be a collection of short stories based on reported ghostly goings on, perhaps with a short explanation on what the story was based on. However, many are just regular ghost stories that just-so-happen to be taking place at an English Heritage property. To me this was a little disappointing.
At the end of the book there is a section on quick descriptions of various properties and their spooky happenings. But even this section was confusing to me- as it was a few paragraphs describing the history of the property and one quick sentence on the ghosts.
Overall a tad underwhelming but I enjoyed my reading experience.
On to the actual stories:
As with all short story collections there are some good, some ok, and some that felt like they didn't understand the assignment.
Sarah Perry- They Flee From Me That Sometime Did Me Seek
3
I enjoyed this story, but I found it wasn't very memorable- and I had forgotten about it by the time I reached the end of the book.
I appreciate the traditional ghost story telling format, I was invested immediately. There were detailed descriptions of the scenery and the emotional affects. I did enjoy the ending however I thought the details were unnecessary. </Opened her veins in a warm bath, only not lengthways, as you're supposed to, and it didn't work> <In my opinion graphic descriptions of suicide are never warranted>
Andrew Michael Hurley- Mr Lanyard's Last Case
3.75
This story was more chilling than the others, and left me thinking about it after I had closed the book.
The beginning paragraph was beautiful, I didn't expect to be wowed by the writing in this book. </I, for one, am thankful of the unwritten statue of decency that compels us not to speak ill of the dead. But perhaps such compassion is driven by a stronger desire to see a man's affliction and troubles die with him. That way, our own, we hope, might do the same when the time comes> The descriptions of the prison holdings were viseral and drew me in.
Mark Haddon- The Bunker
2
For me- this was by far the weakest story in the collection, and brought the whole book down.
In my opinion, this simply isn't a ghost story. Rather it is more of a time-jump apocalyptic. I feel as though the writer may have been confused on the prompt for this collection. As an apocalyptic short story, I would've been far more interested as it seemed like a decent enough idea.
I had no idea where this was set- the other stories had been very clear on the properties they were set in.
This story made me consider not continuing with this collection.
Kamila Shamsie- Foreboding
3.25
I really enjoyed the main character of this story, probably my favourite in the collection.
The beginning of this story was a bit cheesy and exactly what I expected. The tension before the end was built up very well, and definitely had me invested.
However, to me, this story could've taken place anywhere- there was no real tie-in to the castle.
Stuart Evers- Never Departed More
3
This story would have been better if simplified.
For me there was a lot of unnecessary build up and explanation. There was a lot of focus on the main character being an actress, which I felt didn't add anything to the story and just wasted pages. I enjoyed the bitter-sweet love story element and the ending.
Kate Clanchy- The Wall
2.75
This seemed like a filler to bulk the book out.
Whilst this was a cute little story about loss and mourning- it could've been set anywhere. The story seemed like a sticker that could've been slapped onto any location.
I didn't find this story to be as impactful as it could've been. A nice premise, but lacking depth.
Jeanette Winterson- As Strong As Death
3
This was a sweet ghost story, which was unlike most the others in this collection.
I enjoyed this story and its inclusion of the properties history and residents. Overall this story didn't leave me with a huge impact, but I liked it when I read it.
Max Porter- Mrs Charbury at Eltham
4
For me this is the standout story of the collection.
I had previous read Max Porter's Lanny and really enjoyed it- so I had been looking forward to this story the most.
This story explores the anguish brough on by the main characters youthful mistakes. The tension was built up masterfully, and the construction of the somewhat dislikeable narrator that you still root for.
This fictional story was beautifully entwined in the history of the property. This story was much more along the lines of what I wanted from this collection.
I'll start my review with saying that this book isn't what I thought or wanted it to be.
As a sucker for historical landmarks and ghosts- when I saw this book on the shelf at Pevensey Castle, I couldn't resist. I expected the book to be a collection of short stories based on reported ghostly goings on, perhaps with a short explanation on what the story was based on. However, many are just regular ghost stories that just-so-happen to be taking place at an English Heritage property. To me this was a little disappointing.
At the end of the book there is a section on quick descriptions of various properties and their spooky happenings. But even this section was confusing to me- as it was a few paragraphs describing the history of the property and one quick sentence on the ghosts.
Overall a tad underwhelming but I enjoyed my reading experience.
On to the actual stories:
As with all short story collections there are some good, some ok, and some that felt like they didn't understand the assignment.
Sarah Perry- They Flee From Me That Sometime Did Me Seek
3
I enjoyed this story, but I found it wasn't very memorable- and I had forgotten about it by the time I reached the end of the book.
I appreciate the traditional ghost story telling format, I was invested immediately. There were detailed descriptions of the scenery and the emotional affects. I did enjoy the ending however I thought the details were unnecessary. </Opened her veins in a warm bath, only not lengthways, as you're supposed to, and it didn't work> <In my opinion graphic descriptions of suicide are never warranted>
Andrew Michael Hurley- Mr Lanyard's Last Case
3.75
This story was more chilling than the others, and left me thinking about it after I had closed the book.
The beginning paragraph was beautiful, I didn't expect to be wowed by the writing in this book. </I, for one, am thankful of the unwritten statue of decency that compels us not to speak ill of the dead. But perhaps such compassion is driven by a stronger desire to see a man's affliction and troubles die with him. That way, our own, we hope, might do the same when the time comes> The descriptions of the prison holdings were viseral and drew me in.
Mark Haddon- The Bunker
2
For me- this was by far the weakest story in the collection, and brought the whole book down.
In my opinion, this simply isn't a ghost story. Rather it is more of a time-jump apocalyptic. I feel as though the writer may have been confused on the prompt for this collection. As an apocalyptic short story, I would've been far more interested as it seemed like a decent enough idea.
I had no idea where this was set- the other stories had been very clear on the properties they were set in.
This story made me consider not continuing with this collection.
Kamila Shamsie- Foreboding
3.25
I really enjoyed the main character of this story, probably my favourite in the collection.
The beginning of this story was a bit cheesy and exactly what I expected. The tension before the end was built up very well, and definitely had me invested.
However, to me, this story could've taken place anywhere- there was no real tie-in to the castle.
Stuart Evers- Never Departed More
3
This story would have been better if simplified.
For me there was a lot of unnecessary build up and explanation. There was a lot of focus on the main character being an actress, which I felt didn't add anything to the story and just wasted pages. I enjoyed the bitter-sweet love story element and the ending.
Kate Clanchy- The Wall
2.75
This seemed like a filler to bulk the book out.
Whilst this was a cute little story about loss and mourning- it could've been set anywhere. The story seemed like a sticker that could've been slapped onto any location.
I didn't find this story to be as impactful as it could've been. A nice premise, but lacking depth.
Jeanette Winterson- As Strong As Death
3
This was a sweet ghost story, which was unlike most the others in this collection.
I enjoyed this story and its inclusion of the properties history and residents. Overall this story didn't leave me with a huge impact, but I liked it when I read it.
Max Porter- Mrs Charbury at Eltham
4
For me this is the standout story of the collection.
I had previous read Max Porter's Lanny and really enjoyed it- so I had been looking forward to this story the most.
This story explores the anguish brough on by the main characters youthful mistakes. The tension was built up masterfully, and the construction of the somewhat dislikeable narrator that you still root for.
This fictional story was beautifully entwined in the history of the property. This story was much more along the lines of what I wanted from this collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Suicide
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