The Canterville Ghost (1906)

I love this story, it's a classic. ( )

This short story about a haunted old mansion in the English countryside is not your typical ghost tale. The reason I picked it as one of my Halloween stories is the mention it gets in Shirley Jackson’s "The Haunting of Hill House":

"Do you recall," [Dr. Montague] asked with a little smile, "Oscar Wilde’s lovely story, 'The Canterville Ghost'?" "The American twins who routed the fine old English ghost," Theodora said. "Exactly. I have always liked the notion that the American twins were actually a poltergeist phenomenon; certainly poltergeists can overshadow any more interesting manifestation. Bad ghosts drive out good."

I really needed to take a break from that book, and this "reversed horror" story was a perfect distraction. And, of course, I'll never get tired of Wilde's wit.

He used this Gothic setting and put some stereotypical characters to contrast two cultures – old English/British aristocratic society, proud of its history, striving to preserve its traditions vs. (new/young) American, modern, albeit unrefined, consumerist, pragmatic, materialist – and did it with a comical effect. But there’s also a certain sadness and tragedy to Sir Simon of Canterville, and a romantic love story going on, all resulting in a message about the power of love and forgiveness blah blah – the end that I, actually, didn't like that much, it's too happy for my taste. Maybe not ideal for Halloween (you won't be scared), but still great, very amusing and humorous tale.

Some of my favorite parts:

"I fear that the ghost exists," said Lord Canterville, smiling, "(…) It has been well known for three centuries, since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of our family."

"Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville. But there is no such thing, sir, as a ghost, and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the British aristocracy."
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Indeed, in many respects, [Mrs. Otis] was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.
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"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is a very difficult thing to get real blood nowadays, and, as your brother began it all with his Paragon Detergent, I certainly saw no reason why I should not have your paints. As for colour, that is always a matter of taste: the Cantervilles have blue blood, for instance, the very bluest in England; but I know you Americans don’t care for things of this kind."
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"You know nothing about it, and the best thing you can do is to emigrate and improve your mind. My father will be only too happy to give you a free passage, and though there is a heavy duty on spirits of every kind, there will be no difficulty about the Custom House, as the officers are all Democrats. Once in New York, you are sure to be a great success. I know lots of people there who would give a hundred thousand dollars to have a grandfather, and much more than that to have a family ghost."
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"…Under these circumstances, Lord Canterville, I feel sure that you will recognise how impossible it would be for me to allow [these gems] to remain in the possession of any member of my family; and, indeed, all such vain gauds and toys, however suitable or necessary to the dignity of the British aristocracy, would be completely out of place among those who have been brought up on the severe, and I believe immortal, principles of Republican simplicity. Perhaps I should mention that Virginia is very anxious that you should allow her to retain the box, as a memento of your unfortunate but misguided ancestor. As it is extremely old, and consequently a good deal out of repair, you may perhaps think fit to comply with her request. For my own part, I confess I am a good deal surprised to find a child of mine expressing sympathy with mediævalism in any form, and can only account for it by the fact that Virginia was born in one of your London suburbs shortly after Mrs. Otis had returned from a trip to Athens."

Read more on my blog: http://alisaunderground.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/the-canterville-ghost-oscar-wil... ( )

I loved this story! I think Oscar Wilde and I have a thing going on! I enjoy the way he writes and thinks. We seem to share a similar sense of humor, as well, as I discovered while reading this. I watched the movie, starring Charles Laughton, when I was very young, and all I remember was how funny it was. The book didn't let me down. A must read for anyone with a sense of humor. ( )

This story may be short, but it is highly amusing. I did not experience a single second of boredom when reading this. I felt so sorry for the poor ghost, having to deal with obnoxious Americans who refused to pay him the respect he deserved. This entertaining tale from Oscar Wilde is definitely worth reading! ( )

In this short novel, the Canterville ghost tries hard to preserve his well being and his dignity, which are challenged by an american family moving into the castle that he inhabits. The younger members of the family play tricks on him continuously, and the older ones make his life difficult by refusing to be frightened and by giving him practical advice. A story to be read many times! ( )