Ghosted

A social, historical and scientific exploration into the ways and reasons we chase, stalk and measure supernatural phenomena to find proof of the existence, or non existence, of ghosts.

Engaging … Ghosted explores the shifting balance of power between mediums and investigators — the traumatised grief of desperate World War I parents giving way to the macho nerd-dom of the modern “ghost-hunter,” out for spectral scalps and YouTube hits … Vernon’s real subject is the basic need to believe, as true now as at the turn of the last century. Indeed, perhaps it’s more vital — and human — than ever before.

A lively, highly readable book.

Whether you believe in ghosts or are sceptical – this book will enthral. Vernon describes beautifully the history of ghost hunting and questions why we keep searching for ghosts. Ghosted is not really about ghosts at all – but about the living, and the grief which touches us all.

Ghosted is a unique and deeply personal journey through the world of paranormal investigation, and the very human emotions that fuel our yearning for a glimpse of the world beyond … Alice Vernon presents the social and cultural role that ghosts play in our lives, whether we believe they’re real or not.

In this overview of our long-standing fascination with ghosts, Alice Vernon offers an honest, respectful and thought-provoking reflection on grief and the conflicting forces of scepticism and belief.

Whether you believe in ghosts or are skeptical—this book will enthral. Vernon describes beautifully the history of ghost hunting and questions why we keep searching for ghosts. Ghosted is not really about ghosts at all—but about the living, and the grief which touches us all.

Alice Vernon is Lecturer in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University, where her research focuses on parapsychology, sleep disorders, and the horror genre. Alice's debut book, Night Terrors (2022) explored troubled sleep in literature and culture, and was BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week.