Most readers know Roald Dahl for his wonderful, though often dark, children’s novels–Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Witches, and many others. Dahl also wrote short fiction aimed at adults. In those stories, Dahl always “aims to disturb” the reader, and, skillful writer that he is, he generally achieves his goal. So when picking stories for this collection, and horror fiction almost always works best in the short story format to my mind, Dahl sought out writers of the uncanny who could tell a tale that would leave you ill at ease. I can attest that he succeeded, at least in my case.
While there are some familiar names in this collection, including E.F. Benson, Edith Wharton, and Sheridan Le Fanu, most of the writers here were new to me. Dahl says he read “seven hundred and forty-nine ghost stories” in compiling the tales presented here, and he was “completely dazed by reading so much rubbish.” But the fourteen titles he chose are among the best ghost stories written.
From the opening story “W.S” in which a writer finds himself pursued by one of his characters to the final tale, “The Upper Berth,” involving the haunting of a cabin on board an ocean liner, these stories all will make you decidedly uncomfortable and likely to turn an extra light or two on around the house.
Dahl sought out stories that were neither violent nor graphic, but rather ones that seemed likely enough at the outset and then took a strange turn somewhere along the way. Empty rooms and loneliness seem to propel many of these tales. Often the protagonist finds him- or herself alone, perhaps at the holidays or in a new city. This alone-ness sets the stage for some supernatural encounter, though it is often only afterwards that the uncanny nature of things is revealed.
If you like M.R. James or Henry James for that matter you will find a lot to enjoy in these stories selected by a master of the macabre.
Check the WRL catalog for Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories
I, personally loved the pilot related ghost story.
It was a good one, indeed!
I’ll have to check it out. I always have trouble finding stories that are capable of scaring me. I think it’s because there are always words that come between me and the story. By the time my mind has constructed an image, I’ve already processed the words and know what to expect.
Interesting thought on scary stories. Let us know what you think of Dahl’s choices.
I will, though it might be a while. At the moment, I’ve got my hands full with about 4 other books :-P
Hah, I know what you mean about a full reading list!
Haven’t read the ghost stories yet, but I did start reading some of his own short stories for adults. One of them was “The Skin.” Coming from children’s books like “James and the Giant Peach,” it was very different :-P
Very true. I think “Lamb to the Slaughter” is one of his darkest.
I have done my dissertation on Roald Dahl and Cornell Woolrich and both of them have used the scary scenes and images which scares one to death. I like his way of treated human nature, as complex and cruel because that is near to the actual reality. I hope in near future, i meet more Dahl lovers in India. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for the comment!
Sounds fun! I’m totally good with horror that’s not gory! Why it all has to be gross to be scary, I’ll never understand!
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i love a good tip for ghosts
Excellent let us know what you think of this one.
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