Spectral

[susanstinson]

Ghost stories -- ones that are well written -- can focus the attention in an intense vivid way on questions about death, memory, morality, history, and tensions between inner and outer life. I love that.

And, as long as I can stand it and if I trust the writer, there's a pleasure to being teased and scared that way.

I haven't yet read Affinity by Sarah Waters, but I'm looking forward to it. Anybody else like ghost stories? Or want to tell one?

Comments

[susanstinson.livejournal.com]

I'm a very big wimp when it comes to movies -- I can hardly stand to go see the scary ones because they stay with me so long. Plus, I've been known to shriek, which embarrasses my companions.

Oo, urban legends. I can remember walking home from a swimming pool when I was a kid while an older girl told us a whole series of those babysitter stories -- they still chills me.

[beatgoddess.livejournal.com]

It took me about 2 weeks to consent to the evil-doll episode of xfiles. I've been talking about it a little in my journal this week. But only a little. I don't want to think about it too much!

The scary ones stay with me a loooooooong time. And sometimes I shriek too. Usually, I just look away or dig my fingers into an armrest or into the person I'm watching with. Also, I don't watch scary shit alone. No siree bob.

Have you ever been to www.snopes.com? It's the urban legend clearinghouse. It's phat - also a giant timesuck.