The Canterville Ghost in Supernatural Fiction Readers

Oct 24, 2020 Werner rated it really liked it

Shelves: supernatural-fiction

First published serially in 1887, this novella (really more of a glorified short story; in the anthology Classic Ghost Stories, where I first read it, it occupies about 30 pages) was Wilde's first foray into fiction, having previously made his literary mark in poetry. For this reread, I read it online at the Project Gutenberg website, here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522... .

While the tale is definitely a ghost story --there's no doubt that the ghost is, for purposes of the narrative, "re First published serially in 1887, this novella (really more of a glorified short story; in the anthology Classic Ghost Stories, where I first read it, it occupies about 30 pages) was Wilde's first foray into fiction, having previously made his literary mark in poetry. For this reread, I read it online at the Project Gutenberg website, here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14522... .

While the tale is definitely a ghost story --there's no doubt that the ghost is, for purposes of the narrative, "real"-- it's not horrific. True, the specter is the revenant of a wicked Elizabethan nobleman who murdered his wife (and was then starved to death by her brothers); he brags about having frightened many people to death or insanity over the ensuing centuries, and the haunting comes complete with a supernatural blood stain, clanking chains in the night, gruesome apparitions, and all the appurtenances of the 19th-century English ghost story tradition. But what we have here is, in part, a humorous parody of the tradition, with its features played for laughs. The ghost isn't actually capable of doing any physical harm, and he's helpless in the face of the good-natured American family (the father is the U.S. minister to England) newly renting Canterville Chase, who at first refuse to believe in him, and refuse to be scared by him even after they're convinced of his existence. (Even his track record of malevolence is so over the top that it's difficult to take very seriously.) Wilde was renowned in his own day for his droll wit, and it's much on display here --and adults are probably better able to fully appreciate it than kids are, despite the occasional inclusion of this work in children's ghost story anthologies.

Adults are also better able to perceive deeper content, which is there below the surface. Like his contemporary Henry James, Wilde is very interested in exploring cultural differences between Americans and Europeans (specifically Brits, here). Much of his humor is directed at the supposed (and exaggerated, here) provincialism and cultural smugness of Americans, but it's an affectionate teasing; all of the American characters are basically decent people, even the mischief-making twins, and the minister's teenage daughter Virginia is the genuine heroine of the story. Americans are more practical and utilitarian, less constrained to act in stereotypical ways just because it's always been done that way, and more attuned to modernity, than their British cousins. (At the same time, Wilde isn't inclined to totally deprecate the value of tradition and traditional verities; the two nationalities can learn from each other.) He also has a surprisingly spiritual message tucked into the latter part of the story --though unpacking it too fully would involve spoilers.

I'd recommend this to all readers who like ghost stories --and even to many who usually don't! ...more

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Nov 01, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-book, victorian, ghost, funny-read, oct-scare-fest-2010, favorites, classic-horror, short-story

Now that was a good ghost story. It was refreshing. I loved the humor, but there was also pathos. I kind of liked the old crusty Canterville ghost, even though he was kind of evil. I loved how the Otis children turned the tables on him. And how Virginia felt sad for Sir Simon, and helped him to get closure.

This is the second story I've read by Oscar Wilde, and I must say, I am very impressed with his writing. His work has a depth, but an airy lightness to it, and a hard to define beauty to it. ...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Dorlana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, supernatural

Loved it! What a great supernatural short story from one of my favorite authors. And it was free! Here is the link for Kindle readers: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002...
...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Batgrl (Book Data Kept Elsewhere) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ghost-gothicish-horror-stories, classics, gutenberg-and-other-free-ebooks, favorites-i-do-reread, read-for-class, 2013-classic-author-az-challenge

Gutenberg link here, for those wanting immediate (and free) gratification. Though I really don't like most of the illustrations in that version.

I can't remember when I first read this story, only that it was long ago, and that I've always thought it was an underrated work of Wilde's. Since I love ghost stories in general I was predisposed to like this one.

The story comes in two parts: the first where we're introduced to the family and then the ghost, and which contains a lot of humor and slapsti Gutenberg link here, for those wanting immediate (and free) gratification. Though I really don't like most of the illustrations in that version.

I can't remember when I first read this story, only that it was long ago, and that I've always thought it was an underrated work of Wilde's. Since I love ghost stories in general I was predisposed to like this one.

The story comes in two parts: the first where we're introduced to the family and then the ghost, and which contains a lot of humor and slapstick. The second part becomes poetic in its discussion of death, and a bit melodramatic in its ending.

Early in Chapter I, an example of the humor:

Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace, and, quite unconscious of what it really signified, said to Mrs. Umney, "I am afraid something has been spilt there."

"Yes, madam," replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, "blood has been spilt on that spot."

"How horrid!" cried Mrs. Otis; "I don't at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It must be removed at once."

The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, "It is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed."

"That is all nonsense," cried Washington Otis; "Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time," and before the terrified housekeeper could interfere, he had fallen upon his knees, and was rapidly scouring the floor with a small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic. In a few moments no trace of the blood-stain could be seen.

"I knew Pinkerton would do it," he exclaimed, triumphantly, as he looked round at his admiring family; but no sooner had he said these words than a terrible flash of lightning lit up the sombre room, a fearful peal of thunder made them all start to their feet, and Mrs. Umney fainted.

The American family is very much an object of humor and here in particular is an example of their rampant consumerism - they always know the right product for the situation! It may be Oscar Wilde writing in 1906, but it's definitely a "surprise, it's product placement" joke. (There was a lot of product placement in short stories at the time, but not everyone was satirizing it.)

There are a lot of jabs at Americans here, but since the family is obviously A Type (father obsessed with Greek republicanism, mother into fashion and entertaining, twin sons constantly into mischief, etc.) it's pretty much standard comedy of the time. With a ghost thrown into the mix.

In Chapter V the descriptions and conversations become serious and poetic - the Ghost and Virginia have a conversation:

"Far away beyond the pine-woods," he answered, in a low, dreamy voice, "there is a little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars of the hemlock flower, there the nightingale sings all night long. All night long he sings, and the cold crystal moon looks down, and the yew-tree spreads out its giant arms over the sleepers."

Virginia's eyes grew dim with tears, and she hid her face in her hands.

"You mean the Garden of Death," she whispered.

"Yes, death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace. You can help me. You can open for me the portals of death's house, for love is always with you, and love is stronger than death is."

Very Victorian, very sentimental, but still quite well written.

I'm sure there are many people who'd find the ending too hokey and sweet, but considering the level of comedy we started with, a sweet ending is rather surprising, and pulling off that tone next to humor rather fun to see. Wilde manages to pull it off, I think. ...more

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