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The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories
The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories | Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott
17 posts | 11 read | 13 to read
The first-ever collection of Victorian Christmas ghost stories, culled from rare 19th-century periodicals During the Victorian era, it became traditional for publishers of newspapers and magazines to print ghost stories during the Christmas season for chilling winter reading by the fireside or candlelight. Now for the first time thirteen of these tales are collected here, including a wide range of stories from a diverse group of authors, some well-known, others anonymous or forgotten. Readers whose only previous experience with Victorian Christmas ghost stories has been Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" will be surprised and delighted at the astonishing variety of ghostly tales in this volume. "In the sickly light I saw it lying on the bed, with its grim head on the pillow. A man? Or a corpse arisen from its unhallowed grave, and awaiting the demon that animated it?" - John Berwick Harwood, "Horror: A True Tale" "Suddenly I aroused with a start and as ghostly a thrill of horror as ever I remember to have felt in my life. Something--what, I knew not--seemed near, something nameless, but unutterably awful." - Ada Buisson, "The Ghost's Summons" "There was no longer any question what she was, or any thought of her being a living being. Upon a face which wore the fixed features of a corpse were imprinted the traces of the vilest and most hideous passions which had animated her while she lived." - Walter Scott, "The Tapestried Chamber"
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IndoorDame
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This begins with an admonition only to read the stories aloud, at night, by candlelight… But they‘re actually crafted well for reading on the page. There were a few I had trouble concentrating on, but overall most were compelling which was the opposite of the ratio I expected.

TheBookHippie I love these! 1y
IndoorDame @TheBookHippie I definitely expect to go back to them next Christmas and reread a few 1y
TheBookHippie @IndoorDame I want the whole book set 🤣 1y
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IndoorDame @TheBookHippie ahh, for unlimited library space. (That‘s totally what I should‘ve asked Santa for!) 1y
SamAnne Stacked!
1y
Reggie Sorry I didn‘t put this on your later post because I get put on the spot when there‘s people asking for refs but now that I‘ve scrolled down these two are 2 of my favorite single author short story collections 1y
IndoorDame @Reggie thank you!! 1y
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IMASLOWREADER
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because one ghost story for tonight isn‘t enough plus i have been wanting to read this on christmas day so here we go… #goodnightworld #readinggoal #ghoststory

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dabbe
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I started this in December 2021 but didn't finish until January 2022. I purposely carried it over as I savored each ghost story. Did the same thing this year with Volume II. I sense a tradition in the works!

Thanks for the fantastic idea, @andrew65. What fun!

Andrew65 Perfect for the time of year. 1y
dabbe @Andrew65 Give me a good mystery or ghost story at this time of year, right? 🤣 1y
Andrew65 @dabbe Spot on 😂 1y
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IndoorDame
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Love this image!

Making me wonder if you all still hang mistletoe in your houses? I know people still hang it in Christmas tv episodes cause it‘s such a classic plot device. But I don‘t know anyone personally who has it, and I can‘t remember being at a Christmas party with mistletoe…?

Chrissyreadit I hang it for decorating because my fake sprig is so pretty. But I did not get that box out this year. 1y
IndoorDame @Chrissyreadit I hope you‘re having a good Christmas! ❤️🎄 1y
Chrissyreadit @IndoorDame it‘s calm today and that makes me so happy. Hoping to have energy to move a little today- right now just chilling on the couch. How about you? 1y
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IndoorDame @Chrissyreadit same. Just reading and tea so far, I‘d love more energy later, but it‘s been nice. And (knock wood) we haven‘t lost power here which makes everything way less stressful 1y
Ruthiella My friend in Germany decorates with mistletoe…so some people still use it. 👍 1y
IndoorDame @Ruthiella I do like that people are keeping the old traditions alive even if they‘re not as commonplace 1y
42 likes6 comments
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BookwormOfTheDamned
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In this episode, I review "The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories" edited by Tara Moore.

https://youtu.be/OSUhGCB9LuQ

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dabbe
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I am a freaky fan of all things Victorian, especially stories. Throw in ghosts, and I'm there! Throw in Christmas, and I'll meet you with a cup of peppermint Schnapps and hot cocoa. This was a collection, and I hadn't heard of most of the authors, so these gems are hard to find. Some were hokey, some were serious, all were fun. Time to sit by the cozy fire and start reading!

TheBookHippie Oh these I need!!! 1y
dabbe @TheBookHippie They have other books, too! Perfect for this time of year. 😊 1y
TheBookHippie @dabbe I was looking my grandma read us Victorian ghost stories at Christmas and @IamIamIam suggested these then I saw your amazing pic and now I need them all. 1y
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dabbe @TheBookHippie Well, it helps if I remember what pictures I post. #duh!

I haven't read the others yet but will definitely read at least one by 12/31!
1y
dabbe @TheBookHippie Well, it helps if I remember what pictures I post. #duh!

I haven't read the others yet but will definitely read at least one by 12/31!
1y
IamIamIam 🥰🎄👻 1y
TheBookHippie @dabbe 😂😂😂😂♥️ 1y
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rsteve388
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Not this author but close enough.

This collection of short ghost stories for Christmas was a fun and enjoyable read. While not all.the stories are to my liking enough of them were fun to engage with. Would recommend for short story lovers.

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Gina
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Super excited about this lil xmas collection♡

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Chrys
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This book is a collection of ghost stories from the various publications that put them out during the Christmas season in Victorian Britain. Some were of course better than others, but I really enjoyed reading them and the concept of ghost stories as a Christmas tradition (not surprising as Halloween is my favorite holiday)

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Read4life
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Michael_Gee
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Our last book club meet for 2020 was on this delicious collection of 13 stories. It showcases a variety of what ghosts can represent and range in tone from very funny to somewhat chilling. It was a “pick” for everyone, which was a great way to end the year! 🎄💀🖤 I look forward to reading the other volumes in the years to come.

batsy This sounds good! 👻🎄 3y
Michael_Gee @batsy I recommend it! And isn‘t the cover just great? 3y
batsy It is! 👌🏽 3y
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vivastory Love Valancourt! I'm patiently awaiting my copy of 3y
Michael_Gee @vivastory Oh awesome! That looks so good. Did you get the special edition hardback? 3y
vivastory I was really tempted & where I finally comitted they had just sold out. Might have to check ebay because the map the special edition includes sounds really awesome 3y
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khooliha
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Turns out the way to get a pick out of me, when I am wavering, is to end your collection with a killer story about a doll ghost. Who knew!

khooliha It's not a bad collection, but I want less filler and more killer, even if the "killer" in question is just seeing a vaguely human-shaped mist blotch. 5y
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khooliha
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Good to know terrible brains like mine have existed since Victorian times!

Gezemice Nice! 😁👍 5y
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khooliha
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I am in the least Victorian-y, Chirstmas-y setting (a cover band is jamming in the background too), so bring on the ghosts!

khooliha Update: the story about setting innocent people on fire ended with a PUNCHLINE and it was GREAT 5y
Michael_Gee LOL I can‘t wait to read this. 3y
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khooliha
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I might be home for the holidays, but I gotta stay #onbrand

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Jakaranda
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@LeahBergen Ready to start my second story. Perhaps the one about grim head on the pillow which would be me home sick with the flu barely able to boil water for my last Davids Tea. Sob.

LeahBergen Ooo! I like that mug! ❤️ 6y
Ilovemyfreckles That book looks right up my alley! 6y
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