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Reviews
The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle
larry_yonce's review against another edition
4.0
fascinating collection of 19th century ghost tales
Eerie & satisfying journey back to the Victorian era and the Christmas tradition of "laying the ghost" [to rest] in weird fiction. Top notch editing and selection of stories make this a superb reading choice for Christmas (or anytime really! ). This volume is the first in a series that I will most definitely continue with. The first story "The Tapestried Chamber " and the last, "The Doll's Ghost " were the highlights for me. Both are first-rate tales....of any length.
Eerie & satisfying journey back to the Victorian era and the Christmas tradition of "laying the ghost" [to rest] in weird fiction. Top notch editing and selection of stories make this a superb reading choice for Christmas (or anytime really! ). This volume is the first in a series that I will most definitely continue with. The first story "The Tapestried Chamber " and the last, "The Doll's Ghost " were the highlights for me. Both are first-rate tales....of any length.
readerette's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Definitely some creepy moments and themes, even for modern times! A few objectionable words and representations, but these are from the 1800s. Also a bit of interesting history included with each story. Not all the stories were particularly interesting, and there's a lot of exposition in some of them.
spooky_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was my final short story collection of the year and it was such a perfect way to start off holiday season and, as expected, I’m now itching to buy the next three volumes in the Valancourt Victorian Christmas ghost story collection. Aside from a few stories that were a miss for me (like any short story collection/ anthology), I definitely had my favorites:
• The Tapestried Chamber- Walter Scott
• The Old Nurse’s Story- Elizabeth Gaskell
• Bring Me A Light- Anonymous
• A Mysterious Visitor- Ellen Wood
If you venture to get your hands on this collection, my recommendation is to enjoy it one day at a time (preferably evenings) with a glass of wine or a hot cup of tea. Light a candle, curl up in bed or on the couch and really settle in.
• The Tapestried Chamber- Walter Scott
• The Old Nurse’s Story- Elizabeth Gaskell
• Bring Me A Light- Anonymous
• A Mysterious Visitor- Ellen Wood
If you venture to get your hands on this collection, my recommendation is to enjoy it one day at a time (preferably evenings) with a glass of wine or a hot cup of tea. Light a candle, curl up in bed or on the couch and really settle in.
amalia1985's review against another edition
4.0
‘’Imagine a midwinter night, an early sunset, a long drafty evening spent by candlelight. The season of Christmas coincides with the shortest days of the year and, for middle-class Victorians, a chance for families to reconnect in story-telling circles.’’
The Tapestried Chamber by Sir Walter Scott: A veteran spends the night in an impressive tapestried chamber but a nightmarish visitor forces him to cope with the most powerful fear he has ever experienced.
The Old Nurse’s Story by Elizabeth Gaskell: No Christmas Ghost Stories collection is complete without this classic story by our beloved writer. A dark tale of innocence lost in the Northumberland moors.
‘’I try to be patient, but my cross has been heavy and my heart is empty and weary, and I long for the death that comes so slowly to those who pray to die.’’
Horror: A True Tale by John Berwick Harwood: A woman narrates the incident of utter terror that changed her life forever. A haunting story steeped in Scottish legends.
‘’The vast monotonous moor, the threatening sky and the fierce rushing blast had something for me sublime and invigorating.’’
Bring Me A Light by Anonymous: Between sunset and moonrise, strange occurrences take place in an isolated manor in the moors. A young heir learns the story of his ill-fated ancestors. A marvellous tale, atmospheric and memorable.
‘’There is said to be a skeleton in some out-of-the way cupboard of every house.’’
Old Hooker’s Ghost by Anonymous: A strange story of hauntings that plage the offsprings of an old, noble family and an exciting masquerade celebrating Twelfth Night. Snapdragon always creates the proper atmosphere for a mystery.
The Ghost’s Summons by Ada Buisson: A young doctor witnesses the death of a wealthy gentleman under mysterious, supernatural circumstances. However, the secrets of the deceased and his family are much more terrifying. A powerful tale of (very) mortal wickedness with a fantastic closure.
Jack Layford’s Friend by Anonymous: This was horrible! Bad writing, boring plot, loathsome narrator. In my humble opinion, this story had no place in this collection.
How Peter Parley Laid a Ghost by Anonymous: Why did we need a story in which the narrator calls everyone either a fool or an idiot? Why did we need ten pages over the differences between Gothic and Norman architecture?
The Mysterious Visitor by Ellen Wood: A tale that makes use of the visitation of the dead as a deathly premonition. The utterly stupid wife spoiled the entire story for me…
The Haunted Rock by W.W.Fenn: Following three uber-stupid tales, we are finally treated to the moving story of a rock haunted by the ghost of a young woman who lost her beloved in the sea. A tale rich in unique Cornish atmosphere.
The Lady’s Walk by Margaret Oliphant: A West-Highland tale dedicated to the hearth goddess that protects the ancient families of the lochs. Outstanding descriptions of the Highland nature, beautiful tale.
The Captain of the Pole-Star by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: A story of strange visions set in the Arctic Cirle? Dare I say that this one was a bit boring?
The Doll’s Ghost by F.Marion Crawford: A moving, dark tale of the bond between a girl and a doll, seen through the eyes of a troubled dollmaker.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
The Tapestried Chamber by Sir Walter Scott: A veteran spends the night in an impressive tapestried chamber but a nightmarish visitor forces him to cope with the most powerful fear he has ever experienced.
The Old Nurse’s Story by Elizabeth Gaskell: No Christmas Ghost Stories collection is complete without this classic story by our beloved writer. A dark tale of innocence lost in the Northumberland moors.
‘’I try to be patient, but my cross has been heavy and my heart is empty and weary, and I long for the death that comes so slowly to those who pray to die.’’
Horror: A True Tale by John Berwick Harwood: A woman narrates the incident of utter terror that changed her life forever. A haunting story steeped in Scottish legends.
‘’The vast monotonous moor, the threatening sky and the fierce rushing blast had something for me sublime and invigorating.’’
Bring Me A Light by Anonymous: Between sunset and moonrise, strange occurrences take place in an isolated manor in the moors. A young heir learns the story of his ill-fated ancestors. A marvellous tale, atmospheric and memorable.
‘’There is said to be a skeleton in some out-of-the way cupboard of every house.’’
Old Hooker’s Ghost by Anonymous: A strange story of hauntings that plage the offsprings of an old, noble family and an exciting masquerade celebrating Twelfth Night. Snapdragon always creates the proper atmosphere for a mystery.
The Ghost’s Summons by Ada Buisson: A young doctor witnesses the death of a wealthy gentleman under mysterious, supernatural circumstances. However, the secrets of the deceased and his family are much more terrifying. A powerful tale of (very) mortal wickedness with a fantastic closure.
Jack Layford’s Friend by Anonymous: This was horrible! Bad writing, boring plot, loathsome narrator. In my humble opinion, this story had no place in this collection.
How Peter Parley Laid a Ghost by Anonymous: Why did we need a story in which the narrator calls everyone either a fool or an idiot? Why did we need ten pages over the differences between Gothic and Norman architecture?
The Mysterious Visitor by Ellen Wood: A tale that makes use of the visitation of the dead as a deathly premonition. The utterly stupid wife spoiled the entire story for me…
The Haunted Rock by W.W.Fenn: Following three uber-stupid tales, we are finally treated to the moving story of a rock haunted by the ghost of a young woman who lost her beloved in the sea. A tale rich in unique Cornish atmosphere.
The Lady’s Walk by Margaret Oliphant: A West-Highland tale dedicated to the hearth goddess that protects the ancient families of the lochs. Outstanding descriptions of the Highland nature, beautiful tale.
The Captain of the Pole-Star by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: A story of strange visions set in the Arctic Cirle? Dare I say that this one was a bit boring?
The Doll’s Ghost by F.Marion Crawford: A moving, dark tale of the bond between a girl and a doll, seen through the eyes of a troubled dollmaker.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
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