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choukou's review against another edition
I did not expect this book to be so autobiographical and was hoping for a greater focus on the locations the author visited. Right now it's not for me, but maybe i will give this another read in the future, now that i know what to expect.
jennykeery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
milesjmoran's review
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: War
rebelspinster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
4.5
So much about this book was unexpected— I anticipated spookiness, and I got some, but I also got a heaping portion of existential sadness. This book took me months to finish because I started it when I was in the throes of a bad OCD episode and the subject matter kept hitting a bit too close to my deepest anxieties, namely death from serious illness. “Ghostland” is a book about other horror books, stories, and films, but it’s also the story of a man who is loses one family member after another to cancer until he is left completely alone. I can’t conceive of anything more horrific. I did finish this book eager to read the recommended works of Susan Cooper, Thomas Hardy, Algernon Blackwood, and, of course, M.R. James, but I must warn potential readers that this book goes far beyond an extended list of British horror recommendations. Prepare to feel the true, everyday horror that is loneliness, not just the fun, spooky horror of Parnell’s media recommendations.
lfmp's review
This book isn’t what I expected it to be. It’s more of his life story, with bits about ghost stories included. From other reviews it looks like this was to include his personal ghosts and reflections on grief and was apparently done well, but I just wanted to read about ghosts and folklore!
circlesofflame's review against another edition
2.0
This book couldn't decide if it was a nonfiction work about nature, a travelogue or a memoir and, as a result, it left me feeling pretty confused and often a bit bored. I think it started off quite well, but got all muddled as it continued. I feel for the author's story and experiences, but don't feel the same way about the reading experience if this had been marketed as a memoir. If I had been clearer on its content, this might not have been a book I decided to read.
lucyblack's review against another edition
2.0
I really struggled to finish this. It was all good stuff! But told in a rambling all over the show fashion that was hard to follow and got really boring.
I liked the book and film references and the stuff about his family. I could have done with less landscape descriptions and jumps in topic.
I liked the book and film references and the stuff about his family. I could have done with less landscape descriptions and jumps in topic.