'Ghost Story' by Peter Straub is a classic horror tale that revolves around a group of elderly men known as The Chowder Society, who gather to swap spooky stories. As the story progresses, their past catches up with them, leading to terrifying consequences. The book skillfully weaves together different timelines and backstories of characters, creating a sense of predestined fate and exploring the themes of cause and consequence. The narrative unfolds in a small town where mysterious deaths occur, forcing the characters to confront their darkest secrets and battle an evil force that threatens to destroy everything.

Characters:

Characterization is central to the narrative, focusing on the internal struggles and fears of a group of aging men dealing with their shared past.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by elaborate descriptions and a psychological depth that some readers found engaging, while others viewed it as overly verbose.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves together past and present events focused on a group of men and their long-buried secret, which manifests into supernatural occurrences.

Setting:

The story is set in a wintery, small-town environment that enhances the atmospheric tension crucial to the horror elements.

Pacing:

Pacing starts slowly, requiring patience from the reader, but builds to a more intense conclusion later in the story.

Because he thought that he would have problems taking the child over the border into Canada, he drove south, skirting the cities whenever they came and taking the anonymous freeways which were like a ...

Notes:

Ghost Story was published in 1980, the same year as the author's birth.

The story starts with a prologue involving a kidnapping that sets a dark tone for the novel.

The novel features a group called the Chowder Society, whose members share ghost stories and secrets from their past.

One of the main themes of the book is the idea that the past cannot be buried and will inevitably return to haunt individuals.

Critics have noted that Straub's writing style is intricate and rich, often leading to a slow build in tension.

The book explores the complexities of male friendship and the impact of guilt from past actions on the present.

The setting of the novel is a snowy small town in New York, contributing to the eerie atmosphere.

The primary antagonist is a shapeshifting entity, which adds a supernatural twist to the ghost story.

Throughout the narrative, there are multiple layers and digressions that explore various literary references and themes.

The book delves into the psychology of fear and trauma, making the horror more nuanced than straightforward.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, trauma, psychological distress, and supernatural horror.

From The Publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub's classic tale of horror, secrets, and the dangerous ghosts of the past…

What was the worst thing you've ever done?

In the sleepy town of Milburn, New York, four old men gather to tell each other stories-some true, some made-up, all of them frightening. A simple pastime to divert themselves from their quiet lives.

But one story is coming back to haunt them and their small town. A tale of something they did long ago. A wicked mistake. A horrifying accident. And they are about to learn that no one can bury the past forever…

Ratings (48)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (14)
Liked It (12)
It Was OK (10)
Did Not Like (4)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (137):

Read It (45)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (61)
Did Not Finish (8)
Not Interested (20)

4 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Did Not Like

2 months

Maybe 2.5 stars. I never felt like the story started for me. Kept waiting for getting invested but it didn't work for me. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for "Ghost Story". I had thought it would be more exciting and on the edge of my seat kind of read. Maybe I'll give it another go some other time

StephB

Incredible

3 months

Awesome! Any fan of horror will love this book. Reminded me of Stephen King's writing and parts of the story made me think of some movies I've seen

... you know the ones, someone gets killed accidentally only ... are they really dead? How do you live with the secret?

The story starts ...

"What's the worst thing you've ever done?," ... "I won't tell you that, but I'll tell you the worst thing that ever happened to me...the most dreadful thing..."

Looking for something spooky to read on a cold winter's night, curled up on the sofa with a blanket? This is it, but ya might wanna keep the lights on. :)

Quizeen

Loved It

9 months

Coming of age stories with a supernatural twist are always great!

marnel163

Loved It

10 months

I read this so long ago but remember loving it. Think I will re-read this one or listen on audiobook.

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About the Author:

Peter Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. In the Night Room and lost boy, lost girl were winners of the Bram Stoker Award, as was his collection 5 Stories. Straub is the editor of numerous anthologies, including the two-volume American…

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Ghost Story

Peter Straub