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.
I'm not sure exactly which authors are included in this collection. It could potentially include well - known Victorian authors who were fond of writing ghost stories, like M. R. James or Sheridan Le Fanu.
Since I don't have the book in front of me, I can't say for certain who the authors are. However, Valancourt is known for publishing a range of works, and it's possible that the 'Christmas Ghost Stories' collection features both established and new authors. Maybe it includes some classic horror authors who have a knack for writing spine - chilling tales, or it could introduce readers to some fresh voices in the world of ghost stories.
The stories in 'Valancourt Christmas Ghost Stories' often have a spooky and atmospheric feel. They might feature traditional elements like haunted houses, mysterious apparitions, and eerie settings which are common in ghost stories. The Christmas theme could add a unique touch, perhaps with a contrast between the festive season and the supernatural events.
It often uses the Christmas setting as a backdrop. For example, the cold, snowy landscapes are common, which are typical of Christmas. The stories might also include elements like Christmas feasts or family gatherings that are then disrupted by the appearance of ghosts.
One of the memorable stories could be 'The Tapestried Chamber'. It often stands out for its spooky atmosphere and the sense of mystery it creates with the tapestry being a central element. Another might be a story where a ghostly apparition warns of impending doom, which is a common yet engaging trope in such collections.
They often had a moral undertone. For example, in 'A Christmas Carol', the ghosts are there to teach Scrooge a lesson about kindness and generosity. The settings were typically Victorian - era locations like old mansions or gloomy streets. The language used was elaborate and descriptive, creating a spooky atmosphere.
During Victorian Christmas, telling ghost stories was a popular tradition. It was often done in the evenings, especially around the Christmas fire. Families and friends would gather together, and the spooky tales added an element of mystery and excitement to the festive season. The Victorians were fascinated by the supernatural, and Christmas provided a perfect time to share these hair - raising stories.
There's 'The Haunted House' which was a collection of short stories by various authors. These stories were often shared during the Victorian Christmas period. They typically had an eerie feel, with ghosts haunting old houses or having some sort of unfinished business. The Victorians liked these stories during Christmas as they added a sense of mystery and a bit of a chill to the festive season.
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain is another Dickens' work. It features a man haunted by a ghost and how it impacts his life during the Christmas season. There are also some less well - known but still interesting ones like The Trial for Murder by Charles Dickens as well. This story has elements of the supernatural and mystery set around Christmas time.