Supernatural elements are key. These new books, like their Victorian counterparts, feature ghosts, spirits, or otherworldly phenomena. There could be apparitions that appear at midnight or strange noises that can't be explained by normal means. This adds to the mystery and horror aspect of the story.
They often have a spooky setting. Just like in Victorian times, new books of this kind usually take place in old, large houses, abandoned asylums or cemeteries. For example, many of these new books describe the dark corridors of an old mansion where strange things happen.
One such book is 'The Silent Companions' by Laura Purcell. It has that spooky, Victorian - era atmosphere with elements of the supernatural and mystery, much like the classic Victorian ghost stories.
There's 'The Spectral Inheritance'. This book is written in a style similar to Victorian ghost stories. It features a family curse and a haunted estate. The descriptions are very detailed, from the creaking floorboards to the cold spots in the rooms. It also has elements of mystery that keep you guessing, just like the old Victorian ghost stories used to do.
Among the top 10 Victorian ghost stories, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman can be considered. It is a psychological horror story where the narrator seems to be haunted by the wallpaper in her room. 'Green Tea' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu is another one. It's about a man who is haunted by a spectral monkey after drinking green tea. Also, 'Thrawn Janet' by Robert Louis Stevenson is a great example, with its dark and spooky Scottish setting.
Well, in Victorian ghost stories, there was a strong emphasis on atmosphere. The descriptions were detailed, creating a spooky and often claustrophobic feeling. The ghosts themselves were often depicted in a way that was both terrifying and yet somewhat pitiful. They might be the spirits of those who had been wronged in life. There was also a connection to the past. Many stories delved into family secrets or historical events that had been long forgotten. This connection to the past added to the overall sense of mystery. Victorian ghost stories also sometimes used dreams or visions as a way to introduce the supernatural elements, blurring the line between the real and the unreal.
Well, the features include complex moral lessons. They were used to teach the Victorian society about right and wrong in a rather indirect way. The stories usually had a slow - building suspense. The writers would gradually introduce strange events and occurrences to keep the readers on edge. And the use of supernatural elements was very characteristic. Ghosts were often depicted with some sort of connection to the past, like a wronged ancestor or a victim of a long - forgotten crime.
The Victorians were fascinated with ghost stories because they offered a thrilling escape from the mundane and a way to explore the unknown and supernatural.
The Victorian era influenced Victorian ghost stories in terms of their themes. The strict social norms led to themes like guilt and punishment in these stories. In other English ghost stories, the themes can be more diverse. For example, modern English ghost stories might be about urban legends. Victorian ghost stories also had a certain aesthetic due to the era's architecture and fashion. This is different from other English ghost stories which can be set in different time - period aesthetics.
The stories in 'Valancourt Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories' are rich in atmosphere. They use vivid language to create a sense of dread and anticipation. The ghosts themselves can be quite diverse, from the traditional white - sheeted specters to more complex, almost human - like apparitions with their own motives and backstories. They also often play on Victorian superstitions, like the fear of being visited by the ghosts of the dead at Christmas time, which was considered a time when the veil between the living and the dead was thin.