Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii [Paperback]

Glen Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2005 | ISBN-10: 1566477042 | ISBN-13: 978-1566477048

Obake: Ghost Stories in Hawai'i showcases supernatural tales collected from islanders of all backgrounds that first appeared in 1983 in the Hawai'i Herald. They are presented here for the first time in a single volume, accompanied by the original haunting illustrations by artist Ross Yamanaka. Those who do not care to believe in ghosts, or the hereafter, will glimpse into the dark realm of mystery.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The late Glen Grant was well-known in the islands as a storyteller, folklorist, historian and author. For nearly twenty-five years he collected ghost stories which he shared in public talks, community programs, ghost tours and theater programs. In 1989 he was the recipient of the Tusitala Award by the Storytelling Association of Hawai'i. His occult writings also include: Honolulu Mysteries, The Secret Obake Casebook: Tales from the Dark Side of the Cabinet and Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawai'i.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Mutual Publishing (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566477042
• ISBN-13: 978-1566477048
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More about people than ghosts, April 6, 2009

By 

Juviebetfixer "X" (Turin, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii (Paperback)

Lore lovers, those enchanted by the unique spookiness that distinct locations possess, will enjoy Grant's collection of Japanese and Hawaiian ghost stories. None of these tales, however, are formulaic. If you enjoy typical treats of the genre, then you might not quite be satisfied by what is grant is doing here. His goal isn't to terrify, but to introduce.

The scenic locations of Oahu are related in Grant's personal, detailed prose. His delightfully unpretentious manner, and deep knowledge of the neighborhoods, provides a very readable experience. The spectres in these stories loom in such understated, subtle ways -- they are denizens of the margins and back yards, rather than stubborn, attention-seeking poltergeists. I find these sorts of stories more haunting in their hushed, rumour-oriented narratives. Grant's care for the people and customs of Hawai'i makes these stories both educational and entertaining. Don't expect to find a heap of overwrought tales of the paranormal here. They read like they are: an agnostic reporter with a talent for listening, exploring, and withholding judgement.

As a personal note, my favorite story by far had nothing to do with ghosts at all. "On The Kaidan Trail of Lafcadio Hearn" was an utterly heartfelt travelogue of Grant's visit to Japan to pay homage to his obvious mentor, the culture hopping Hearn. While in Tokyo, local academics mistake Grant for a Hearn scholar and, assuming he has the same academic clout as them, suddenly shower him with respect. Doors suddenly open, and invitations received, and Grant finds himself where few researchers ever go . . . the butsudan of Hearn's grandson. This chapter functioned beautifully as a study on how pretenses, titles, and degrees do not necessarily equal knowledge; and that the most gratifying moments when travelling are the unexpected ones. Very touching tribute to Hearn, as well as Grant's affection for strangers and strange encounters.

4.0 out of 5 stars Tales of spirits and woe in Hawaii..., July 23, 2010

By 

R Schmidt (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii (Paperback)

Everyplace has its tales of ghosts, spirits, and hauntings. Hawaii is a bit unique because of the polyglot ("a mixture or confusion of languages") and multicultural nature of their society, bringing in old and new tales from Japan, China, the mainland US, Korea, and other countries and areas, as well as the legends of the native Hawaiians.

In Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii, storyteller and American Studies professor Glen Grant collects stories he has written on the supernatural. He always puts himself in the role of the skeptic, but then things just start happening... In this collection, Grant also reprints some of the tales of "Arthur McDougal," detective, another skeptic, but with a gun.

The spirits usually come out at night, but not always.

4.0 out of 5 stars Frightfully Enjoyable, April 13, 2008

By 

Jon Timothy Kelly "ucirvinite" (Silicon Valley) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Obake: Ghost Stories of Hawaii (Paperback)

I picked this book up on a whim at a tour bus rest stop in Kauai - and for the next few days was on the edge of my seat as I read through each story. Before his death in 2003, the author was a popular teacher at the University of Hawai'i, and a tour guide who lead a Haunted Oahu Tour group. These tours must have been wonderfully frightful with all the stories and legends that he had collected over the years.

If you know nothing about Hawaiian ghosts (and I knew nothing), this book is a wonderful little intro, combining real-life accounts of the author with a few fictionalized stories based on real-life interviews (though some of these fictional stories were "hit-and-miss.") He is particularly interested in highlighting the multi-cultural aspects of these ghost tales as encompassing the ethnic diversity of Hawai'i (and this is what I enjoyed most about the book).