Review: The Two Sams: Ghost Stories

Unlike most of the books I have rated at 5/5, this one is neither a novel, nor a fast, entertaining read. These short stories could not be read quickly, one after the other. They were too intense. The introduction to the collection mentioned M.R. James; Hirschberg's stories may be as well-crafted as those famous stories, but for me, they were even more disturbing. Perhaps that is because Hirshberg's have a contemporary setting; it's easier to maintain a feeling of distance when the stories are set in the late 19th and early 20th century, and populated with antiquarians and scholars. Hirschberg's stories have modern settings - European cities, small American towns and cities - and are populated by teenagers, teachers, parents and old men; ordinary people we can all identify with or recognize. The themes are universal and timeless. The stories are about the eternal struggle between adults and child. They focus particularly on children and youth who are 'at risk', in the jargon, heading for trouble and hard for anyone, adults or friends, to reach. They are about genocide, the most famous one of the twentieth century, but genocide, too, is an eternal theme in human history. And they are about the personal tragedies that have always happened and always will; the loss to death of someone who is loved, and the helpless watching of others suffering such losses.

Although the themes are universal and timeless, their presentation is very contemporary. These lost children, genocides, deaths and grieving survivors, all mirror our own experiences, or the experiences of people we know. Such themes are naturals for a ghost story; death, loss and suffering are often associated with the supernatural, which is woven effectively though each story. In some stories, the existance of a ghost is only hinted at, left somewhat uncertain, which is a very effective technique. Other ghosts follow traditional patterns of behaviour - they warn or say good-bye to those left behind, or they maliciously attack the living out of envy or resentment.

These are excellent short stories; beautifully and effectively written. They are perhaps not the stories to choose if the reader wants some light, amusing reading, but they should certainly be read by anyone who enjoys ghost stories in the M.R.James' tradition.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Book Review: The Two Sams: Ghost Stories