Christmas Ghost Stories Week Two
Story Review and Prompt
This week, I am continuing my dive into the stories from The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories, Volume Five, along with creating a prompt for me (and you as well) to write with.
The next story that really grabbed me is by English novelist and Egyptologist, Amelia Blanford Edwards. One of the bummers of being primarily an Americanist is that I have missed many of these more obscure English writers. Edwards (1831-1892) sounds amazing and is definitely someone that I need to read more about.
Her most famous ghost story is the often anthologized, “The Phantom Coach" (1864). I have not had the chance to read this one yet. However, editor, Christopher Philippo had the good sense to include Edwards’ story, “My Brother’s Ghost Story” (1865) in this volume, and I loved it all.
Spoilers ahead! (Read the story first if you would don’t want it to be spoiled)
The plot starts with a group of strangers, mostly traveling salesmen, who meet up an inn and decide to make the trek over the Alps together. They talk of life and loves. One, Christian is a music box maker who introduces himself in a way that I need to start doing. He says, “musical-box maker by trade, stands five feet eleven in his shoes…” (24). Beyond the fact that I am a little shorter, knowing one’s height when you first meet is an important thing to add.
Two of the others sell mosaics and cameos. Christian looks at one and the two tell him how the beautiful ruins painted there is really a tomb, but that his girl “would never guess it was a tomb, if you did not tell her” (26). This line becomes a foreshadow for the end of the story and is so subtle that I missed it on the first read. Edwards really has a way with conversation and I really loved these guys right from the start. They were all so lively and happy.
They travel to the next inn together. When the narrator wakes the next morning, Christian is gone. He has gotten an early start to be home with his love. The two others leave after breakfast, and the narrator stays alone.
The next night, he hears the music from Christian’s music box outside his window. he meets up with one of the mosaic salesmen the next day. He was also visited by the music of Christian’s music box.
When asked for his thoughts by the narrator, the mosaic salesman knows exactly what we readers suspect, “My conclusion, signor, is, that some harm has happened to poor Christian on the glacier, and that his spirit came to me last night” (33).
A search party is called, and sure enough, Christian had fallen into a crevasse. A place of beauty that was really a tomb. The group rescues his body and return it to his love and family for burial.
The dialogue and fast friendship of these travelers really grabbed me from the beginning and Edwards’ use of strong description throughout made this one that you should not skip over.
With Amelia Blanford Edwards’ “My Brother’s Ghost Story,” in mind, write a story or poem that incorporates music of some kind.
I know, you are saying, “But Buck, you had music in last week’s story.” That is no big deal because have music in most of my stories.
See my entry later in the week and comment or Cross-Post with your own story or poem. Check out The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories, Volume Five, and read along with me as we move into the spooky Christmas season.
You could also post your favorite Christmas Ghost Story in the comments. I would love to check them out.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-red-rose-on-black-background-247122/