Ghost stories from around the world

Cultures throughout the world have tales about entities that aren't human and they have played an important role in shaping our psyche. Spirits, gnomes, bashees, demons and ghosts may or may not exist in the parallel world, but they do exist in our imagination and have found their way into literature most dextiriously. Stories about ghosts, demons and spirits are among the most exciting ones and have a great readership throughout the world and through generations. If you are among those who loves them too, here is a list of ghost stories that have worldwide appeal and have been taken from different cultures around the world.

Set in 1928, this book explores the ghosts a world war can leave behind. Freddie is still haunted by the war that took his brother from him. After years of suffering he is traveling through the lovely but treacherous French Pyrenees for some diversion from his mundane life and troublesome thoughts. During a snowstorm he has to shelter at an inn where he meets Fabrissa, another soul mourning the war. As they exchange stories they discover how the war left ghosts in both their countries.
Photo: Orion

In Japan, 2 schoolfriends die within an a fortnight of each other and the mystery was never solved. Four years later a paranormal researcher from Britain comes to investigate this, only to find much more than he expected. The book wonderfully brings out the differences in culture and custom between the two countries.
Photo: Lulu.com

This interesting story is set in the late 1800s in what is now Malaysia. It was then under British rule. The book is about Li Lan, a girl with terrible prospects who receives a proposal from a respectable family for their son. The catch is, their son is dead and needs a bride to calm his restless spirit. She has to accept and after marriage, she finds herself attracted to her husband's living cousin. However, her husband haunts her dreams and draws her into the spirit world and she has to fight to stay alive.
Photo: Hot Key

Set in Africa this book takes us into the culture of the Igbo people with three stories. One from the point of view of a British diplomat, who does not believe in what he considers 'their' superstitions until one purchase from the night market; One about the ghost of a drowned slave who wants revenge and one of a child haunting his aggrieved mother after his death.
Photo: Canaan-Star Publishing

Ruskin Bond is known to be a master of ghost stories. He lives in the Himalayas and all his stories are set in India, mostly around the hills where he lives. This book is a compilation of short stories by him, all featuring some aspect of the supernatural. Not all the tales are scary, some are sweet, some funny and one even a mystery.
Photo: Penguin India

This book follows a man Jack who is eager for a change in his life. He joins an Arctic expedition hoping to find meaning. However, as the team heads towards the abandoned mining settlement one by one all but Jack find themselves unable to continue. As the sun sets for the last time, Jack has to decide if he wants to go on alone or not and if that creepy sensation is something real.
Photo: Orion

This book is a collection of ghost stories that show that sunny Hawai'i has a dark side. The author spoke to many people to collect these stories and has compiled them in this book. Many tales talk about Morgan's corner, where many people have had paranormal encounters.
Photo: Mutual Pub Co