Ghost stories have a long connection with the traditional British Christmas – the Victorians making the spooky tales a large part of the Christmas tradition. So, it is fitting that the Christmas ghost story is being revived at the Portico Library, one of Manchester’s finest 19th Century buildings. The Longest Night brings together some of the finest writers around to create an entirely independent, limited edition, DIY collection of spooky tales – including contributions from Booker nominee Alison Moore, Jenn Ashworth (pictured), Emma Jane Unsworth, Tom Fletcher and Richard Hirst. This launch promises to be suitably Christmasy and gothic, a winning combination in any reader’s book, and will include an introduction from Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes from the Centre for Gothic Studies at MMU. The collection will then head out on a tour of regional libraries where you can expect festive-themed readings and mulled wine. The perfect antidote to the crammed Christmas markets and busy shopping centres, sit down with a mulled wine and be suitably chilled by creepy Christmas.
Fri 13 Dec, Portico Library, 57 Mosley St, M2 3HY, Tel: 0161 236 6785, 6.30pm, £8 (£5 conc), www.eventbrite.co.uk
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Wed 11 Dec 2013
