the best collection of gothic ghost stories

Well, 'The Turn of the Screw' could be in there too. It's a really interesting story where the line between the real and the imagined is very blurry. The governess believes she sees ghosts, but it's not entirely clear if they are real or just in her head. And it creates this really tense, gothic mood.

Edgar Allan Poe is surely one of them. His works are filled with gothic elements and his writing style really sets the mood for ghost stories. For example, his descriptions of death and decay are very vivid.

One of the best gothic ghost stories is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It tells a haunting tale of a governess who believes the children she is in charge of are being haunted by ghosts. Another great one is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which features the iconic vampire Count Dracula and has elements of gothic horror and the supernatural. Also, 'The Fall of the House of Usher' by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic. It has a desolate setting and a sense of impending doom that is very characteristic of gothic ghost stories.

Sure. 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving is a great start. It's not too complex and has a really spooky atmosphere with the Headless Horseman. Another good one is 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde. It has a touch of humor along with the ghostly elements, which makes it more accessible for beginners. And 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens also has some ghostly apparitions and it's a well - known story that can introduce you to the gothic ghost story genre.

'Dracula' by Bram Stoker can also be considered. It combines gothic elements with the figure of the vampire, which has a ghost - like quality. The spooky castles, the mystery surrounding Dracula, and his ability to control the undead all contribute to its gothic and ghostly atmosphere.

One of the well - known collections is 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' by M. R. James. It's full of classic and chilling short ghost stories. Another great one is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson, which contains some truly terrifying short - form tales within it.

Ghost stories were a type of novel with mysterious, scary, or supernatural elements. They usually contained some incredible events and characters, as well as disturbing scenes and plots. These novels often explored the weaknesses and flaws of human nature and how humans reacted to supernatural forces. The collection of ghost stories was very extensive. They could draw inspiration from ancient legends and myths, as well as modern novels and movies. Some famous ghost stories included Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Ghost Blows Out the Light, Grave Robber's Chronicles, and so on. These novels were not only well-known and influential in China, but also worldwide.

You could start by skimming through the table of contents. If there are titles that immediately catch your eye, those might be the best stories. Also, look for stories that have unique settings. For example, a ghost story set in a long - forgotten castle might be more interesting than a common haunted house story. Additionally, stories that have a strong emotional element, like a story of a lost love that haunts a place, might be among the best in the 'collection of ghost stories'.

Visiting second - hand bookstores can be a great way to find hidden gems in the form of ghost story collections. Sometimes, older, out - of - print collections can be found there. You can also check the works of well - known horror authors. Often, they have their own collections of ghost stories or anthologies that they've contributed to that are likely to be of high quality.

One of the well - known ones is 'The Collected Ghost Stories of M. R. James'. His stories are filled with eerie atmospheres and creepy encounters. Another could be 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' which has a great selection of classic ghost tales that have terrified readers for generations.