Andy Williams says that there’ll be scary ghost stories along with tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. I think most people guess he’s just talking about Dickens. But, no. It’s a thing. Or it was a thing. A HUGE thing. In this one, I talk to Dr. Tara Moore about why the Victorians got so into ghost stories. And I got a bunch of listeners to help me read one, too…
Listen below, on the Podbean site, or on your favorite podcast app:
Tara Moore’s books:
Algernon Blackwood’s “The Kit Bag” (full text)
This story was first published in 1908, so it’s not Victorian. But it’s close enough, and, like I said in the podcast, it’s hard to find ghost stories they read at Christmas that actually mentioned…Christmas. Go figure. But this one does. Besides, I just love Blackwood.
(And, here, if you haven’t read his story the “The Willows,” it is awe-inspiring. It’s the kind of “weird” that Lovecraft only wished he could do. Way better than “The Kit Bag,” to be honest, but not Christmas, not “ghosts,” and also too long for my podcast.
And a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who read for me:
- @Bitter1Stuff
- Ginny Frey @reallyginny
- Emily DuPont @emd15g
- @Cryptsy
- Tessa Jansen @thexscha
- Michael May @michaelmaycomix
Find other great Christmas podcasts at the Christmas Podcast Network. The one I played for this one is Tinsel Tunes.
If you’re interestined in the Flash Fiction Contest, go here.
… and if you enjoy my site, consider buying me a coffee. It helps support the contest, podcast, and to get all the cards ultimately uploaded and searchable.
weirdchristmas.com 
The interview with Tara Moore is very interesting and I’ll be looking for her book, and those of F. Marion Crawford and Elizabeth Gaskell. The Kit Bag reading turned out AWESOME! Thanks, Weird Christmas! 🙂
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Also, that Andy Williams song is one of my favorite Christmas tunes EVER. I have the album and have listened to it always since I was a little girl. Good stuff!
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