On Ghosts

Why do ghost stories continue to frighten us even when reason tells us not to believe?

In On Ghosts, Mary Shelley turns her attention to one of humanity's oldest fascinations: the possibility that the dead may somehow remain among the living. Blending reflection, anecdote, imagination, and curiosity, Shelley considers why supernatural stories possess such extraordinary power over the mind.

Rather than offering a conventional fictional ghost story, this fascinating piece explores belief, skepticism, fear, memory, and the mysterious experiences that resist easy explanation. Shelley's thoughtful approach makes the work especially compelling for readers interested in Gothic literature, supernatural folklore, nineteenth-century ideas, and the psychology of fear.

From the author of Frankenstein comes an intriguing glimpse into the cultural world that helped shape Gothic and supernatural literature. Enter Mary Shelley's shadowy meditation on ghosts and discover why the unknown continues to haunt the imagination.

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Release date

Ebook: 1 October 2026