The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories cover art

The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories

From Elizabeth Gaskell to Ambrose Bierce

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The Penguin Book of Ghost Stories

By: Michael Newton
Narrated by: Gabrielle Nellis-Pain, David Monteath
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by David Monteath and Gabrielle Nellis-Pain. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Michael Newton.

'The ghost is the most enduring figure in supernatural fiction. He is absolutely indestructible. He changes with the styles in fiction but he never goes out of fashion. He is the really permanent citizen of the earth, for mortals, at best, are but transients.' (Dorothy Scarborough)

This new selection of ghost stories, by Michael Newton, brings together the best of the genre. From Elizabeth Gaskell's 'The Old Nurse's Story' through to Edith Wharton's 'Afterword', this collection covers all of the most terrifying tales of the genre. With a thoughtful introduction and helpful notes, Newton places the stories contextually within the genre and elucidates the changing nature of the ghost story and how we interpret it.

©2020 Michael Newton (P)2020 Penguin Audio Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Ghosts Horror Haunted Scary Paranormal Fantasy

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All stars
Most relevant
Good bunch of oldies well read. Interesting essay at the end. Worth a listen tho I think I enjoyed reading them better

Edith Wharton & MR James are the best

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Great collection of short ghost stories and brilliant performances but I failed to get even the slightest shiver when listening. Many of the endings were pretty obvious. Enjoyed the collection though and would recommend. Just don’t expect to get too creeped out 👻

The front cover is probably the scariest part !

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Nice collection of stories put together ss a easy to understand and clear text which I enjoyed very much nice one well done??????

The standard of the stories was high and well put together a nice easy read clear and positive script. Well done???????.

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while I appreciate these stories are written of a different time, I found the majority far too verbose at points, with characters wandering off into too much detail or at apparently unnecessary right angles to the story that I just struggled to maintain connection to the story and occasionally lost the will to live! There are a few classics here which should be listened too (e.g. Dickens The Signalman) but otherwise give this a miss and head over to something by M.R.James would be my advice.

A difficult read at best...

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