A Ghost Story by Lafcadio Hearn
Lafcadio Hearn's A Ghost Story is a collection of supernatural tales set in Japan. The stories explore the mysterious and often frightening world of the supernatural, as seen through the eyes of the Japanese people. The stories range from the humorous to the tragic, and from the mysterious to the horrific. In one story, a man is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife, while in another, a woman is cursed by a vengeful spirit. In yet another, a man is cursed by a fox spirit, and in another, a woman is haunted by a ghostly figure. The stories are told in a simple, straightforward style, and are often accompanied by illustrations. Hearn's writing is evocative and atmospheric, and his stories are filled with a sense of dread and mystery. A Ghost Story is a classic of supernatural literature, and is sure to delight fans of the genre.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1889 · Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery · 1,285 words
First lines
There are certain beliefs as old as the world, that have encountered more or less scepticism in all ages, and nevertheless endure to-day, -- beliefs based upon observations so excellently authenticated, and so strongly interresembling, whether made before Christ or in the present age of rail-roads and electricity, that the admission of their testimony in the great trial which metaphysical theories are undergoing in the court of Common Sense, cannot be refused. We refer especially to the belief in warnings, --premonitions of death, -- wraiths, --doubles, --all those singular superstitions connected with sudden decease, all those apparitions of inexplicable voices by which people at vast distances from home are weirdly informed of the loss of friends, or relatives, to whom they are particularly attached. An immense number of extraordinary books have been written upon this subject; and an enormous bulk of modern testimony collected in regard to it,--so much, indeed, that people have long since become more or less weary of the theme, the more so because every new statement obtained bears a tiresome resemblance to others familiar from childhood. Nevertheless, while we have all read about such things, very few of us believe in them; and although there are probably few adult readers of this paper who have not occasionally met with some one claiming to have had ghostly experience, there are also few who are willing to place credence in such assertions.
What this Textopian page supports
A Ghost Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lafcadio Hearn
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Romance
- Length: 1,285 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Ghost Story by Lafcadio Hearn
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Ghost Story?
- How does this short story by Lafcadio Hearn fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Chin Chin Kobokama by Lafcadio Hearn
- Ghosts by Arthur Gask
- Tales Of The Midnight Club by C. E. Van Loan
- The Water Spectre by Francis Lathom
- On Ghosts by Mary Shelley
- The Spectre Bridegroom by William Hunt
Genres
- Fantasy — The book is about a ghost, which is a supernatural being, and thus falls under the genre of fantasy.
- Horror — The book contains elements of horror, such as the presence of a ghost, which can be seen as a source of fear and dread.
- Mystery — The book contains elements of mystery, as the reader is left to wonder why the ghost is present and what it wants.
- Romance — The book contains elements of romance, as the ghost is searching for a lost love.
Tags
ghosts · Japanese folklore · supernatural · horror · short stories · Lafcadio Hearn · mystery · cultural exploration · spirituality · urban legends · 19th century literature · atmospheric