Helpful Score: 3
Ghost Story was a ground-breaking classic written in 1979 that set the bar a mile high for any paranormal tale to come after it. Straub's story isn't a quick read. It's a slow burn through multiple layers that weave in and out of the story. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing. On the contrary, I loved the eerie atmosphere he created along with such detailed characters that weren't flat and one-dimensional. I've read a few negative reviews on here and the common theme is that it was too much or they found it boring. I feel bad for these people that they have no patience and that their short attention spans won't let such a wonderful tale slowly unfold before their very eyes. For those of you that don't want fast food horror and enjoy savoring a creepy atmospheric tale, look no further.
When I say that this story is layered, I mean thick, rich multiple layers. It's set in the small, idyllic town of Milburn in rural New York. In 1979, there is no mention of chain stores or houses that all look alike in Milburn. These are mom and pop run places and every home is as unique as the residents that live in them. A group of older gentlemen that call themselves the Chowder Society meet at a different member's home every month. The rules are that they wear evening clothes, don't drink too much, and rotate through the members on who was going to tell a story for that evening. The meeting following the peculiar death of one of their members, to break the tension, a member asked "What's the worst thing you've ever done?" To which he replied, "I won't tell you that, but I'll tell you the worst thing that ever happened to me...the most dreadful thing." And so the ritual of telling ghost stories began. Unfortunately, this also brought on the nightmares that would plague the members. You see, fifty years ago they were part of a terrible accident and a young girl died and now she wants her revenge.
Straub creates such a realistic setting in Milburn that you'd swear he was from NY. Oddly enough, he grew up in Wisconsin. The atmosphere and character development is what makes Ghost Story so effective. The bitter cold of the winter blizzard. The isolationism of being cut off from one another. The eerie dread that permeates through the story as you try to decipher what is real and what is imagination. So kick back in your recliner. Have a drink by your side and let Straub chill you to the bones with this tale.
When I say that this story is layered, I mean thick, rich multiple layers. It's set in the small, idyllic town of Milburn in rural New York. In 1979, there is no mention of chain stores or houses that all look alike in Milburn. These are mom and pop run places and every home is as unique as the residents that live in them. A group of older gentlemen that call themselves the Chowder Society meet at a different member's home every month. The rules are that they wear evening clothes, don't drink too much, and rotate through the members on who was going to tell a story for that evening. The meeting following the peculiar death of one of their members, to break the tension, a member asked "What's the worst thing you've ever done?" To which he replied, "I won't tell you that, but I'll tell you the worst thing that ever happened to me...the most dreadful thing." And so the ritual of telling ghost stories began. Unfortunately, this also brought on the nightmares that would plague the members. You see, fifty years ago they were part of a terrible accident and a young girl died and now she wants her revenge.
Straub creates such a realistic setting in Milburn that you'd swear he was from NY. Oddly enough, he grew up in Wisconsin. The atmosphere and character development is what makes Ghost Story so effective. The bitter cold of the winter blizzard. The isolationism of being cut off from one another. The eerie dread that permeates through the story as you try to decipher what is real and what is imagination. So kick back in your recliner. Have a drink by your side and let Straub chill you to the bones with this tale.
Helpful Score: 2
Scary. Not one of the books you read where you can predict the ending. Kept me wondering.
Helpful Score: 2
I was confused by the story until the middle of the book when things began to make sense. Straub does an excellent job of not letting the reader know who or what is the ghost until the end. Not your typical ghost story at all and full of great characters. I wonderful read.
Helpful Score: 2
Classic horror novel. Reminiscent of Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
Helpful Score: 2
A great horror novel about four aging men in a terror-stricken town. An act inadvertently carried out in their youth has come back to haunt them and now they are about to learn what happens to those who believe they can bury the past & get away with murder.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of Straub's best works. He builds the tension until the very end.
Helpful Score: 1
For four aging men in the terror-stricken town of Milburn, New York, an act inadvertently carried out in their youth has come back to haunt them. Now they are about to learn what happens to those who believe they can bury the past -- and get away with murder.
Peter Straub's classic bestseller is a work of "superb horror" (The Washington Post Book World) that, like any good ghost story, stands the test of time -- and conjures our darkest fears and nightmares.
Peter Straub's classic bestseller is a work of "superb horror" (The Washington Post Book World) that, like any good ghost story, stands the test of time -- and conjures our darkest fears and nightmares.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good, solid haunting tale. It flows nicely throughout, and keeps you guessing right up to the end. Straub is masterful at building suspense, and keeps ratcheting the tension all the way through.
It did drag a bit in the middle, but to a succinct and much-needed end: I always worry when a major character appears who is an author, and starts discussing literature, poetry, how hard it is being a writer, etc. It slowed during that bit of the bridge, but once the pieces of the story fell into place, I realized that it was a necessary refrain, and that Straub didn't overdo the self-indulgence like many of his peers are known to do when introducing literature into literature. Not too much, anyway.
Great visualizations throughout--full of the elements of classic spooky stories: graveyards, smoky studies full of leather and wood and brandy, spooky old houses, dark woods, and soulless creatures masquerading as friends.
A bit dated, but it still holds up well as a modern read.
It did drag a bit in the middle, but to a succinct and much-needed end: I always worry when a major character appears who is an author, and starts discussing literature, poetry, how hard it is being a writer, etc. It slowed during that bit of the bridge, but once the pieces of the story fell into place, I realized that it was a necessary refrain, and that Straub didn't overdo the self-indulgence like many of his peers are known to do when introducing literature into literature. Not too much, anyway.
Great visualizations throughout--full of the elements of classic spooky stories: graveyards, smoky studies full of leather and wood and brandy, spooky old houses, dark woods, and soulless creatures masquerading as friends.
A bit dated, but it still holds up well as a modern read.
If you want a good ghost story then read this book.
SCARY!!!!!!!!!!! it really scared me.great for halloween time.
this book is good for anyone who loves a good ghost story! Very intriguing.
another one of his good ones...............
Four older men are haunted by a mistake made in their youth. One young writer finds himself obsessed with a student. All of their lives intersect as Peter Straub spins a truly horrifying tale.
THIS BOOK IS SO SCARY, THERE WAS A MOVIE TOO, I DONT KNOW WHICH WAS SCARIER!
Really scarey
Much better than the movie....and I liked the movie.
A pretty good read but didn't have the best flow. There were definitely some scary moments.
This book was givin to me by a friend and I liked it.
Horrible. Do not request this title.
Book is actually titled GHOST STORY
Never read this book. Part of Stephen King Horror Library.
I have never read this book in all honesty---but I have heard it's good. Please give it a good home! :)
