Comments on: P.D. Horror Stories Roundup #1

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:12:50 +0000

I have read Crawford’s “The Upper Berth.” I can’t agree with critics that it is the end-all of great ghost stories, but I enjoyed it. The pacing, atmosphere and language are all superb examples of the genre; however, I think my modern perspective of the ghost story has blunted it’s ending: while perfectly fine, I simply saw it coming a mile away, and felt let down by the lack of either 1) irony, or 2) surprise. But I suppose my disappointment is a testament to the story’s pitch-perfect build-up. If I am to do a third round-up, “The Upper Berth” will certainly be considered.

By: Ron

Ron — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:51:43 +0000

I think its great that you included a Wharton story. She is so often overlooked as a ghost story writer. Some other great Ghost Stories by Wharton are “Kerfol”, “Mr. Jones”, “The Triumph of Night” and “All Souls’”. “The Eyes” and “The Lady’s Maid’s Bell” are invariably mentioned in Lit. classes, and are the worst examples of her short stories overall.

While I’m here, I’d like to make a plug for F. Marion Crawford’s “The Upper Berth”. It is at first an ominous tale of a man’s Trans-Atlantic journey by ship. Everyone in the crew seems to have an aversion to the cabin he is staying in. He sizes up his roommate by glancing over his possessions, and avoids him by going to bed early. In the middle of the night he hears his fellow traveller enter the room. He hears the climb up into the upper bunk (or berth) and almost immediately leave the berth and the room, with the door wide open. The next morning he learns that resident of the upper berth is missing, but trouble with his cabin has only just begun..

The Upper Berth can be found here: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/22246

By: themadblonde

themadblonde — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:51:28 +0000

Thanks again for the list & links. Can’t wait for more time to explore!

By: Public Domain Horror Stories Roundup #2

Public Domain Horror Stories Roundup #2 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:48:08 +0000

[...] the uninitiated, this roundup is the second installment to P.D. Horror Stories Roundup #1. Just as in that one, I avoid spoilers when hinting at the story. Unlike in that one, the stories [...]

By: Public Domain Horror Stories Roundup #2

Public Domain Horror Stories Roundup #2 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:08:45 +0000

[...] the uninitiated, this roundup is the second installment to P.D. Horror Stories Roundup #1. Just as in that one, I avoid major spoilers when hinting at the story. Unlike in that one, the [...]

By: Maybe the Internet Doesn't Suck

Maybe the Internet Doesn't Suck — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:30:50 +0000

[...] to anyone interested, I’ve been slowly drafting the second entry to P.D. Horror Stories Roundup for the past three weeks. I’m still trying to decide on two more short stories to [...]

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:02:46 +0000

I haven’t done them yet. But I always intended to do more Roundups; no less than three more. The next one is already being drafted. There are too many good stories floating around out there.

By: Mike Bliss

Mike Bliss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:04:22 +0000

My friend the writer and illustrator Frank Forte sent me your link. This is terrific stuff…and all P.D.! Have you complied other P.D. postings and links? This is Horror Stories Rounfup #1 so what I’m asking is did you do a Roundup #2, #3 etc?

Thanks, Mike Bliss