Enjoy haunting tales at Christmas

We’ve all known and loved the classic A Christmas Carol story by Charles Dickens. Maybe its most notable feature is the appearance of multiple ghosts. We associate the two and think of it as unique, but what’s funny here is that the concept of Christmas ghosts in fiction isn’t specific to the Dickens novel, nor to Victorian literature. It’s a Wonderful Life is another example of a Christmas ghost story.

Don’t get me wrong. Dickens’ novel has stood the test of time for a reason, but ghost stories at Christmas time have been significant. In the Victorian era, many people enjoyed Christmas Eve traditions of telling ghost stories by the hearth, which offers some idea of where Dickens found his inspiration.

Of course, the ghost stories told on Christmas Eve weren’t necessarily about Christmas itself or part of a larger cautionary tale. Many ghost stories from that time, particularly the work of M.R. James and Algernon Blackwood continue to be anthologized to this day. Like Dickens’ novella, their ghost stories have also stood the test of time.

Maybe reading ghost stories at this time of year sounds morbid, but let’s look at the other side of that thought. Ghost stories, although spooky, are infused with magic and, above all, hope. Those two points define Christmas for many people and might even be the reasoning behind the Victorian tradition.

Though Christmas is a busy time for everyone, it often affords us an opportunity to relax, as well. Speaking for myself, holidays are a great chance to catch up on some reading. If you’re having trouble deciding what to read, consider a ghost story to keep up the Christmas tradition. The Big Book of Ghost Stories, edited by Otto Penzler, belongs to our collection and includes stories by the aforementioned masters. We also own a Pocket Classics edition anthology, simply titled Ghost Stories. My favorite ghost story is ‘1408’ by Stephen King. This tale about a haunted hotel room is collected in Everything’s Eventual.

Whatever you decide, be sure to read your Christmas ghost story in the warmest and cosiest conditions possible. Enjoy the mystery, magic and hope that is common to ghost stories and Christmas.

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Please note that all branches of the library will be closed on Dec. 25, 26 and 27. On Thursday, Dec. 28, we reopen with an Escape Room Challenge for all ages. Up to eleven people will be ‘locked’ in a room, and will have to solve the clues to escape. There will be snacks, video games and board games to play while you wait. Escape rooms will be held at 1 and 2 p.m., and there is no registration for this event, so plan to arrive early.

While the library is closed, the website is always open at www.fepl.ca for browsing, placing holds, and downloading books, movies, music and magazines.

Derek Clendening is an information services assistant at the Fort Erie Public Library.