Haunted

Thank you #netgalley and #bonnierbooksuk for giving my access to the ARC of #Haunted.

“We all know the same ghosts: it's simply a question of how doggedly they haunt us.”

Part-chilling tale, part-memoir, part-cultural exploration, Haunted: Ghost Stories and Their Afterlives takes us through some of the most chilling and enduring ghost stories, and discusses what they reveal about the listener, the teller and the times we live in.

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I tend to read fiction over non-fiction but this one really grabbed my attention. I love a good ghost story but what makes this book extra special is the locations referenced within it. The stories are largely gathered from Newcastle and its surrounding areas, as well as other parts of the British Isles such as York.

The book is a good study of the supernatural and explores what that means to different people, catering to audiences of believers and nonbelievers alike.

If you’re looking for a little scare, a cosy read or have an interest in the history and psychology of the supernatural - this is the book for you.

Four ghosts from me.

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Haunted looks at the phenomena of ghosts & hauntings & asks why we are so fascinated by ghost stories & more importantly what do they tell us about us? As someone who has had probably more than their fair share of spooky experiences, I was intrigued by the synopsis for this one.

Now we're talking! Really enjoyed this book about the nature & role of ghosts & hauntings (alongside other beings such as goblins & fairies) in society. I can't say I agree with all the author's conclusions as I am most definitely interested in the actual hauntings & not just the experience, but there were some insightful musings, not least on why an empty or abandoned building seems so eerie to us. Let's face it though - we're all here for the scary stories & the experiences related to the author for the book were very unsettling indeed. I had to read this in the early evening so that as soon as it went dark outside, I could switch to something a little lighter. Fascinating read.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bonnier Books/Manilla Press, for the opportunity t0 read an ARC.

E. Jay Gilbert’s *Haunted: Ghost Stories and Their Afterlives* is a thought-provoking exploration of the supernatural that goes beyond mere ghostly thrills. Part-memoir, part-cultural analysis, the book delves into the universal fascination with ghost stories, blending spine-chilling tales with insightful commentary on why we tell them—and what they reveal about us.

Gilbert, who has spent years collecting local ghost stories from her village near Newcastle, uncovers an intriguing paradox: while many ghosts are unique to their locations, the themes and emotions they evoke are eerily similar across cultures and generations. From the ubiquitous "White Ladies" to tales of haunted roads and spectral apparitions, the book highlights the shared nature of these stories while inviting readers to reflect on why certain tropes persist. In doing so, *Haunted* asks deeper questions: Are we more interested in the identity of the ghost or in how their presence makes us feel? What do these stories tell us about the communities that foster them?

The book is as much about the tellers as it is about the ghosts themselves. Gilbert reflects on how ghost stories act as cultural artifacts, offering glimpses into the fears, desires, and anxieties of the people who share them. She also examines how these tales evolve over time, adapting to new generations and technologies while retaining their core elements of mystery and fear. The book's mix of memoir and cultural analysis enriches the storytelling experience, making it not just a collection of ghost stories but also a meditation on why we are so drawn to the supernatural.

While *Haunted* offers plenty of eerie moments—enough to satisfy readers looking for a bit of a scare—it stands out for its focus on the psychological and social aspects of ghost-telling. Gilbert strikes a careful balance between entertainment and scholarly insight, making the book accessible to both skeptics and believers. Whether you’re fascinated by the paranormal or simply intrigued by why certain stories endure, *Haunted* provides an engaging journey through the eerie, the inexplicable, and the all-too-human.

For those interested in the intersection of folklore, psychology, and history, *Haunted* offers a fresh perspective on the ghost story tradition. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about what our ghosts say about us—and why, no matter where we live, we seem to know the same spectres.