The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century Ghost Stories by Michael Cox
33 of the greatest and most terrifying ghost stories from our time are collected in The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century Ghost Stories. This book illustrates the variety and adaptability of the genre and the various ways in which supernatural tales have adapted to twentieth-century contexts and concerns. It is the first anthology to chronicle the evolution of the ghost story over the past 100 years. These stories feature not only the resurrected dead but also ghosts that are decidedly contemporary, such as a typewriter that is haunted, a ghost that rides trains, and an urban ghost made of smoke and soot. Children’s ghosts, haunted houses, jovial spooks, and lethal apparitions all exist.
The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century Ghost Stories by Michael Cox
Amazon.com
There are ghost stories by experts like M.R. James and Algernon Blackwood as well as many written by authors who aren’t typically associated with the genre. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edith Wharton, Graham Greene, A.S. Byatt, and Angela Carter are just a few of the literary greats whose works are included in this collection. The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century Ghost Stories serves as a reminder of the benefits of ambiguity and wonder at a time when our society seems to be becoming more and more logical and predictable. These tales are distinctive and unforgettable, staying in the mind for a very long time.
This book has a large following. It follows the traditional structure of a ghost story: in act one, someone breaks the rules and does something unlawful. In this instance, a young man named Mr Cort purchases a home, I believe its name is Lorn Manor, and goes out to visit it despite locals warning him not to go there after dark. When he enters the manor and opens the door, it is completely dark. The door smashes behind him as he enters. The stories are excellently written, powerful, timeless, and incredibly entertaining. Each one is similar to a hidden treasure.
