Halloween is a favorite setting for ghost stories and tales of horror. Great and not-so-great authors in the horror genre have set stories against the backdrop of Halloween. It’s a natural combination. Nobody would ever picture Halloween as a bright and sunshiny day with birds singing, flowers growing, and children laughing.
Halloween itself brings to mind a picture of a dark and stormy night with ghosts and goblins out in full force. Black cats and black bats, witches, and their bubbling cauldrons are what come to mind when you think of Halloween.
There are and have been a few authors over the years who can make you shiver and shake and make you think that it’s Halloween every day of the year. Here are a few of my absolute favorites of all time:
Edgar Allen Poe: If you haven’t read “The Raven” in a while, get a copy and enjoy it all over again:
“And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that is floating on the floor Shall be lifted nevermore.”
Stephen King: This man can made the hair on the back or your neck stand up! The name “Stephen King” is synonymous with the horror genre. King’s novels and stories are just perfect for Halloween, from the gory (“Cell”) to the intense (“The Shining”) to the epic action adventure (“Dark Tower”). If you are looking for the ultimate ghost story, go with “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson. This is probably the best ghost story that’s ever been published.
