Thought Train to Pusan

This is probably a story that most people are familiar with from some adaptation or another, but upon seeing the old copy of this book on my friend’s shelf recently, I realized that I have neither seen nor read a single one? Which on the one hand makes sense because I don’t ever really read horror, but at the same time my friend has gotten me into watching horror movies within the last few years so this almost seems like a bit of an oversight! No time like the present, though! And I know that while this is said to be a true story, there are some questions as to the validity of it: was it all a scam? Is the tale an exaggerated account of the real paranormal (or parapsychological) events that happened in the house? Why would a family just up and leave to pitch a tale that could possibly make them money but possibly not, in particular after spending so much money on the place to begin with? I don’t know, but the idea of this being a true experience for this family real...

What a contrast to go from a book that I gave 5 stars to something that I'm not sure ever fully engrossed me. While the odd story here or there within the collection peaked my interest, overall something was missing here. I have previously read Joe Hill's sublime graphic novel series Locke & Key --which was absolute breathtaking-- and therefore had some high hopes with this short-story collection. This, unfortunately, led to some disappointment on my part. 20th Century Ghosts is a collection of short stories, not necessarily all involving ghosts, but all involving some kind of supernatural or horror element to them. This open-ended topic leaves a big working range within which to create and present stories of all kinds of different topics and mood. From actual ghosts living inside movie theatres, to people turning into giant bugs, to a young boy making friends with an inflatable child, to a vampire hunter's children, to a museum of people's last breaths, there...