The Ghost World

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Ghost World

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer presents a Victorian compendium of folklore and supernatural accounts, exploring ghosts, hauntings, and period perspectives on the afterlife through a lively survey of historical beliefs and regional legends.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Ghost World*, Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer compiles a comprehensive Victorian-era survey of folklore concerning the soul, ghosts, and hauntings. The work begins by examining ancient cross-cultural conceptions of the soul's exit at death, ranging from the smoke imagery in the *Iliad* to specific beliefs about souls escaping through the mouth or nostrils. The text details various superstitions surrounding the dying, such as the fear that tears or feathers might detain the soul, and the custom of unfastening locks to aid its passage. The narrative expands to cover specific categories of spirits, including the unburied dead, murdered individuals, and animal ghosts like phantom birds and butterflies. It delves into the phenomenon of 'second sight,' discussing how certain individuals, particularly those born at twilight or on specific holidays, were believed to possess the power to see spirits. The book explores the concept of death-warnings, detailing family-specific omens like the Banshee, the Bodach Glas, and animal signs such as the appearance of a sturgeon or a black calf. Furthermore, the text investigates the nature of phantom sounds, distinguishing between genuine supernatural noises and practical tricks by smugglers or pranksters. It recounts famous instances of poltergeist activity, such as the disturbances at Epworth Parsonage and the mysterious noises at Abbotsford, which coincided with the death of a local supplier. The work concludes with a broad overview of global beliefs, from the midnight axe of the Galapagos to the spiritual inhabitants of caves among American Indians, offering a comprehensive and engaging look at how humanity has historically interpreted the unseen world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/thomas-firminger-thiselton-dyer_ghost-world.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-8da5e3638b994cae.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery
• Horror