👻 Ghost Stories

The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

✍️ Charles Dickens
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$6.98
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Dickens explores memory loss through a ghostly bargain with a twin specter.

The narrative focuses on Redlaw, who encounters a spirit resembling himself. This entity offers to erase his painful memories. He accepts, leading to significant changes in his life. The story examines the value of grief and the danger of forgetting. It uses gothic imagery to discuss psychological themes. The plot revolves entirely around this supernatural encounter and its aftermath.

Key Themes
memory erasure ghostly double moral consequence
Literary Context

This work belongs to the Victorian literary period. It utilizes gothic fiction conventions to explore psychological depth. The story reflects 19th-century concerns about memory and identity through supernatural metaphor.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
M.R. James · Edgar Allan Poe · Henry James · The Turn of the Screw
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2017 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781547065080

📝 Description: The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

Charles Dickens presents a psychological ghost story centered on Redlaw, a man burdened by past grief. A specter appears to him, described as an awful likeness of his own features, with bright eyes and grizzled hair. This phantom twin proposes a bargain: the ability to forget sorrow, wrong, and trouble. Redlaw initially hesitates but ultimately agrees to cancel these painful memories. The narrative explores the consequences of erasing personal history. By accepting the ghost's offer, Redlaw removes the emotional weight of his experiences. The text examines how such a loss affects his relationships and his perception of the world. It draws on gothic traditions where supernatural elements mirror internal states. The story is organized around this central interaction between the protagonist and his double. This edition suits readers interested in Victorian literature and moral fables. It appeals to those who enjoy stories about memory and identity. Individuals seeking fast-paced action or modern horror tropes may find it less engaging. The work remains a study of human nature through a supernatural lens.

💎 Our verdict on The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
This novel excels in its delicate balance of supernatural dread and intimate character study. By centering the plot on a bargain with a spectral double, Dickens effectively uses gothic tropes to examine the psychological weight of grief. The prose is rich with atmospheric description, creating a haunting mood that lingers without relying on visceral horror. It suits readers who appreciate slow-burn narratives and philosophical depth within the horror genre. The exploration of memory loss provides a unique twist on traditional ghost stories, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy moral ambiguity. While it may lack the pace expected by modern horror fans, its strength lies in its thoughtful examination of the human condition through a chillingly effective supernatural premise.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the intersection of gothic atmosphere and deep psychological inquiry will find this text rewarding. It appeals to those who value moral fables over action, offering a study of human nature through a supernatural lens. Individuals fascinated by themes of memory, identity, and the necessity of grief for emotional wholeness will gain insight here. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of erasing one's past. It is ideal for literary horror enthusiasts who prefer introspection over jump scares. Those seeking to understand how Victorian authors used specters to mirror internal conflicts will appreciate its nuanced approach to the ghost story subgenre and its enduring relevance to discussions on emotional burden.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

This novel excels in its delicate balance of supernatural dread and intimate character study. By centering the plot on a bargain with a spectral double, Dickens effectively uses gothic tropes to examine the psychological weight of grief. The prose is rich with atmospheric description, creating a haunting mood that lingers without relying on visceral horror. It suits readers who appreciate slow-burn narratives and philosophical depth within the horror genre. The exploration of memory loss provides a unique twist on traditional ghost stories, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy moral ambiguity. While it may lack the pace expected by modern horror fans, its strength lies in its thoughtful examination of the human condition through a chillingly effective supernatural premise.

✍️ More books by this author Charles Dickens

Conte de Noel: Le grand classique de Charles Dickens
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Charles Dickens
Conte de Noel: Le grand classique de Charles Dickens
$19.50
81
Read →
The Signal-Man
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Charles Dickens
The Signal-Man
$8.00
86
Read →
Adventures, #17
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Charles Dickens
Adventures, #17
$19.90
81
Read →
The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories by Charles Dickens and Others
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Charles Dickens
The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories by Charles Dickens and Others
$28.99
81
Read →
The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories by Charles Dickens and Others
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Charles Dickens
The Haunted House: A Collection of Short Stories by Charles Dickens and Others
$18.99
78
Read →
Three Ghost Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Charles Dickens
Three Ghost Stories
$15.95
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Memento Mori
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Paul Holbrook
Memento Mori
$13.94
78
Read →
Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective II: The Case of The Powerless Witch
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Quinton Veal
Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective II: The Case of The Powerless Witch
$12.00
78
Read →
The Manitou
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jessie Cox
The Manitou
$10.50
78
Read →
The Phantom of the Opera
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Alexander Teixeira De Mattos
The Phantom of the Opera
$17.00
81
Read →
The Trial
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
David Wyllie
The Trial
$10.25
81
Read →
Prey Until Dawn
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Daryn Guarino
Prey Until Dawn
$50.00
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Charles Dickens
The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain
$6.99
86
Read →
A Christmas Carol: In Prose Being ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol: In Prose Being
$5.99
86
Read →
Carmilla ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Anton Rivas
Carmilla
$6.99
86
Read →
The Fall of the House of Usher ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Edgar Allan Poe
The Fall of the House of Usher
$6.99
86
Read →
Postal ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
J R Park
Postal
$6.99
86
Read →
The Red Room ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
H G Wells
The Red Room
$6.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist