By John Maguire
This month, John Maguire of Arts Groupie CIC returns with his latest feature, delving into the Victorian ghost story tradition and the enduring allure of tales told by firelight on cold winter nights. From the eerie echoes of Liverpool’s haunted landmarks to the timeless influence of Dickens and M.R. James, John’s piece conjures the chilling charm of festive storytelling. Explore the Victorian ghost story genre, where suspense and supernatural intrigue intertwine, capturing the essence of the season. Grab a warm drink, settle in, and prepare to be transported into a world where shadows come alive and the spirit of Christmas takes a ghostly turn.
There is nothing more comforting on a brumal night than an open roaring fire, the aroma of cooking, perhaps chestnuts roasting (in the Victorian era- they were associated with poverty), away from the ghastly elements of cold and rain, home with family and friends cosied together to enjoy a tale…particularly one of a ghostly nature.
Tantalising terror from an endorphin rush and adrenaline felt collectively in a warm space. You cannot beat a personal narration from a family member. Particularly when the narrative arcs are mixed up and details altered to make the story more personal, bespoke, changing street names to more localised familiar territories. My winter childhood was filled with local legends like Spring heeled Jack, The Childwall Abbey lepers and the ghostly stagecoach of Court Hey Park (see it and imminent death is coming your way). The shadows by candlelight can turn the everyday into something sinister in the darkness of evening tide. A yucca plant in a corner of my bedroom morphs into a spiky haired Shock head Peter/Edward Scissorhands like figure.
Mobile technologies have seen a resurgence in books being read out loud too and you can hear fearful tales being told from past orators like Christopher Lee and Vincent Price.
Mankind loves basic storytelling. Perhaps one of the oldest ghost stories is from the 8th Century. The tale of a Scandinavian prince raging battle against a grimma guest – a malevolent monster going by the name of Grendel. Beowulf has survived by being passed on orally before being committed to paper.
On long winter nights, people stopped working due to the lack of light and being huddled around the fire, telling tales was a way to pass the time and stay warm. Not so far removed to the Netflix binge people now partake in.
The popular rise of the Victorian Ghost story can be traced to the industrial revolution, with the development of the printing press making the written word more accessible to everyday people. Popular periodicals would be read by whole families together.
The horror lurking in the darkness away from the light and warmth of the home has inspired the imaginations of many writers, from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818) set in a snowy wasteland, to perhaps the most famous ghost story from the Victorian era, A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens. A notable game changer, a vivid and sensory tale of festive redemption. The atmosphere of Victorian London seeps off the page.
The great socially engaged writer helped to essentially lay down a recipe for Xmas, with a focus on family love, forgiveness and reunion bringing about peace and celebration.
Dickens also wrote The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth and The Haunted Man. But his tale of the transformation of a capitalist miser to a humane lover of life is the one that has truly stood the test of time.
The tradition continued with many other writers following suit with M.R James publishing Ghost Stories of An Antiquary in 1904 , Susan Hill famed writer of The Woman in Black has published several chilling novellas and today the BBC continue with Mark Gatiss adapting tales for television.
Liverpool has 2500 listed buildings, of which 27 are Grade I and 105 Grade II* listed. It has been described by English Heritage as England’s finest Victorian city. Buildings that are atmospheric and eerie in the darkness. Three Years ago, ArtsGroupie started a tradition of reading out Ghost Stories aloud for Xmas in the sumptuous Hornby Library in Central Library. The candlelight and shadows all add to the charm of this annual celebration of the Victorian tradition. This revival of the traditional ghost story being retold has in fact been picked up by The New York Times. And in 2024 we have also added a new location Metal Culture at Edge Hill Station, another magnificent Victorian piece of architecture. A perfect dramatic backdrop for our celebration.
Last year, we ran a short Ghost Story For Christmas Competition as part of an Arts Council England Funded project around the Victorian revival. So, pull up a chair, wrap your hands around a warm drink and enjoy reading the Christmas ghost stories, whilst the howling winds and cold night air beats against your windowsill.
Afterall, tis the season to be terrified.
We are always keen to hear about local ghost stories, so please do send any to artgroupie@outlook.com.
You can also join Arts Groupie CIC for one of their Ghost Stories For Christmas events this December.
Images courtesy of ArtsGroupie CIC.