An essay by Parul Sehgal was previously published in THE NEW YORK TIMES Book Review. The topic was appropriate for Halloween: Why the ghost story persists.
Sehgal observed: “Literature — the top-shelf, award-winning stuff — is positively ectoplasmic these days, crawling with hauntings, haints and wraiths of every stripe and disposition.” I myself have found much more of a demand for stories with a supernatural edge than those set in the verisimilitude of reality. Maybe people are looking for psychological escapes from the real world more than ever.
Many of the classics of literature such as Henry James’ “Turn of the Screw” or Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House” provide us with eerie ghost stories. Today’s ghost stories vary. They may be written in the classic mold or entirely unique. They may reflect our modern society or hearken back to the past. Sehgal observed: “ghost stories are never just reflections. They are social critiques…”
In my novel DARK MOON RISING, there are two ghosts, women from two different centuries who haunt the family home of the men who wronged them. These ghosts seek justice via revenge.
https://luminositypublishing.com/book/dark-moon-rising/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z7824A4/
Sehgal commented that ghost stories are often drenched in sex and violence. But obviously that is not the only thing that makes them appealing to readers. I think that one strong appeal of ghost stories is the suggestion that there is life after death.
For a short spooky Halloween story that
combines mystery and the supernatural, I offer a free read, my short story “The
Bokur”
If you enjoy sci-fi horror, try another free read:
https://whitecatpublications.com/2022/03/26/dark-matter/
Are there any ghost stories that particularly
have appeal to you or you found memorable?
A cogent reasoning for the continuing popularity of ghost stories... plus the fact that (I believe) some ghost stories are true. Great analysis! Thanks for yet another interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHi Janis,
DeleteReader's Digest carried some ghost stories at one time that people swore were true.
It's human to wonder about things we can't explain, and to seek in paranormal phenomena suggestions to unanswerable questions. Some ghost stories are also a terrific vehicle for satire and humor. I'm not surprised they've survived century after century.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteThere are some classic ghost stories that entertain. I agree.
I didn't mean my comment to be anonymous. It's from me, Susan Oleksiw.
ReplyDeleteGhost stories are great at any time of the year, in any setting. Thanks for sharing these insights, and your ghost story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Saralyn, for visiting and commenting. I hope some readers do enjoy my stories.
DeleteNice post! I agree that ghost stories continue to thrive for many reasons. I personally believe that, while life-after-death is an important reason, people are also attracted to ghost stories bc it reminds us that there are forces greater than science and natural law. This keeps us curious and humble and perhaps keeps our imaginations active.
ReplyDeleteWell-said! Thank you for commenting.
Delete