Madam Crowl's Ghost & Other Stories

By J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Book Overview

In 1888 Henry James wrote 'There was the customary novel by Mr Le Fanu for the bedside; the ideal reading in a country house for the hours after midnight'.

Madam Crowl's Ghost & Other Stories are tales selected from Le Fanu's stories which mostly appeared in The Dublin University Magazine and other periodicals, and their haunting, sinister qualities still have an enormous appeal for the modern reader. The great M.R. James, who collected and introduces the stories in this book, considered that Le Fanu 'stands absolutely in the first rank as a writer of ghost stories.'

Contents:

Madam Crowl's Ghost

Squire Toby's Will

Dickon the Devil

The Child that went with the Fairies

The White Cat of Drumgunniol

An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street

Ghost Stories of Chapelizod

Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling

Sir Dominick's Bargain

Ultor de Lacy

The Vision of Tom Chuff

Stories of Lough Guir

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1840220678
• ISBN13: 9781840220674
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Wordsworth Editions
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.8" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

one great horror writer

hello, as one other great writer M. R. James wrote of joseph sheridan le fanu he stands absolutely in first rank as a writer of ghost storys I share that same verdict after reading many of his storys this book had some very god storys in it I recommend it to those that like ghost storys and like to be scared where when you are home all alone it is late at night and as you read the ghost storys you get cold chills that run through your body as you begin to think what was that bump, or creak that came from don the hall as you shiver continuing to ead the story and wonder if something is comming toward u :) enjoy the book and get more from this author and wilkie collins and edgar allen poe

A visionary genius

This is the perfect introduction to one of the most famed writers in the history of horror literature. LeFanu was the first to perfect the ghost story as a literary form and at one time was considered the greatest writer of supernatural fiction ever to live. Since then his reputation has shrunken. But he still enjoys a high reputation as the 19th century's most horrific author (after Edgar Allen Poe.) None of the stories in this volume were collected in a book during LeFanu's lifetime. They were selected from a wide range of stories published in contemporary magazines varying from London Society to Temple Bar. They offer a broad overview of his work, which ranges from whimsically charming to utterly terrifying. One salient feature of the stories is the innovative way in which LeFanu handles his themes. Several of them must have caused a sensation when first printed and remain shocking to this day. It would be an understatement to say that they are ahead of their time. The book is a must have for students of classic horror and 19th century literature in general.