The ability to create disquiet and apprehension is a talent possessed by the best purveyors of the supernatural. A well-crafted ghost story takes the reader from the comfort of the known to the half light of the unrevealed. Below are four tales that illustrate the genre at its finest.
Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad by M.R. James
A poem by Robert Burns provides the title to M.R. James's tale of Professor Parker's visit to a Norfolk guesthouse for a short winter break. Taking a walk upon a hill above the beach, he comes across an overgrown graveyard and is drawn to a far grave situated at the cliff edge. He notes a small object made of bone which he takes before leaving. Returning along the beach, he sees a figure behind him silhouetted against the setting sun.
Back in his room Parker cleans and inspects the item and finds it to be a small whistle. Upon clearing the mud in which it is cased he finds a Latin inscription – "Who is this who is coming?" He blows the whistle and the wind outside grows fierce as if in reply.
Who or what has the Professor summoned? Read this unsettling and claustrophobic tale to find the answer.
The Signalman by Charles Dickens
Upon finding a secluded railway signal box, a traveler sees a signalman staring toward a red light at the tunnel entrance. The traveler, standing on a hill looking down, shouts, "Hello down there," while waving with his right hand and shielding the sun from his eyes with his left. Upon seeing him, the signalman seems agitated but the traveler continues down to the signal-box to reassure him he means no harm.
They talk in the signal-box and the signalman tells how he is troubled by the heavy responsibility his job entails. He asks why the traveler has ventured to this spot and is told that he was drawn to this spot but does not know why. They meet again at the signal-box the following night and the signalman explains why his initial appearance disturbed him. He had suffered three visions of a similar figure shouting "Hello down there," waving and covering his face in a similar way to the traveler. Following the first two sightings horrific accidents in or near the tunnel had followed and the third sighting had taken place barely a week before the arrival of the traveler.
Discover what destiny awaits the signalman and the unwitting role the traveler plays in his fate.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Ghost stories shared on a Christmas Eve provide the backdrop for James' powerful tale of fear and imagination. A guest tells of a governess and her two charges, Flora and Miles, who live a large country house with a maid named Mrs Grose. Flora and Miles are the niece and nephew of a young bachelor, who persuaded the governess to take the position following the death of the previous incumbent.
The governess initially settles well but one evening, while walking the grounds, sees an unfamiliar man watching her from the window of the house. She later sees him staring through the dining room window but disappears as she goes to confront him. On describing the events to Mrs Grose, she is told he resembles Mr Quint, a former valet who is now dead.
The governess suspects the ghost wishes to abduct Miles and becomes very strict in watching the children. Later, she sees a women dressed in black by the lake and takes this to be Miss Jessel, the former governess.
Are these ghosts or inventions of the governess? Are the children in danger from the spectres or a more earthly force?
The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
"Be mindful what you wish for" is a well-known saying and The Monkey's Paw highlights this concept in a tale about a husband, wife and son who are visited on a bleak windswept night by an old old army colleague of the father. The drink flows and the soldier is persuaded to talk of tales from his time in India.
He shows them a monkey's paw and says it had a spell cast upon it that allowed the possessor to have three wishes. He confesses he is the second to hold it but says the previous owner had chosen death as his final wish. With this he throws the paw into the fire but it is quickly removed by the father. As he's leaving, the soldier cautions him to choose his wishes wisely.
The father and son decide to tempt fate. Read this to find the terrifying consequences of their decision.
Classic Ghost Stories
These four classic tales are prime examples of how to weave mystery and imagination to produce stories that stay with the reader long after the cover has been closed and the candle quietened.
Related Articles
Readers may also enjoy learning more about Classic Crime Fiction.
 |
