Classic Book Reader
Cover of A Book of Ghosts

A Book of Ghosts

by S. Baring-Gould (1834–1924)

  • Free to read
  • 8 hours to read
  • 9 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"A Book of Ghosts" by S. Baring-Gould is a collection of ghost stories written in the early 20th century. The book features a series of narratives that explore the eerie encounters and the supernatural, alongside cultural and historical elements, primarily set in England and France. The tales promise to take readers on a spine-tingling exploration of spectral encounters, showcasing an array of characters and their haunted experiences. The opening portion of the book introduces the narrator's visit to Orléans, where he seeks to gather material for a biography of Joan of Arc. Disappointed by the modernity of the town and its lack of authentic historical relics, the narrator's experiences come alive when he encounters a mysterious waiter named Jean Bouchon who persistently seeks payment for the coffee he serves. As the narrator learns more about Bouchon's past—his dismissal for stealing tips and subsequent death—he discovers that Bouchon has haunted the café since 1869, only bothering visitors. This odd narrative sets the stage for a mix of curiosity, humor, and the supernatural, hinting at the unique stories that will follow in the collection.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Short stories
  • Ghost stories, English

Read the opening

Chapter I

Among the many hangers-on at the Hotel de l'Europe at Luxor—donkey-boys, porters, guides, antiquity dealers—was one, a young man named Mustapha, who proved a general favourite.

I spent three winters at Luxor, partly for my health, partly for pleasure, mainly to make artistic studies, as I am by profession a painter. So I came to know Mustapha fairly well in three stages, during those three winters.

When first I made his acquaintance he was in the transition condition from boyhood to manhood. He had an intelligent face, with bright eyes, a skin soft as brown silk, with a velvety hue on it. His features were regular, and if his face was a little too round to quite satisfy an English artistic eye, yet this was a peculiarity to which one soon became accustomed. He was unflaggingly good-natured and obliging. A mongrel, no doubt, he was; Arab and native Egyptian blood were mingled in his veins. But the result was happy; he combined the patience and gentleness of the child of Mizraim with the energy and pluck of the son of the desert.

Keep reading A Book of Ghosts →

Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV
  6. Chapter I
  7. Chapter II
  8. Chapter III
  9. Chapter IV

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of A Book of Ghosts by S. Baring-Gould comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #36638, released 2011-07-06. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Short Stories, Science-Fiction & Fantasy.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by S. Baring-Gould