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The Canterville Ghost

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 9,636 ratings · 431 reviews

Oscar Wilde was the master of the studied insult. His jabs at hypocrisy, pretense and boring conventionality still have a penetrating power. His snubs and put-downs became the talk of his time, no less by his targets than by Wilde himself. This illustrated collection features over 750 of his biting comments.

Paperback, 44 pages

Published November 1st 1996 by NorthSouth (first published 1887)

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May 13, 2012 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, classics, 1800s, humor-and-satire, ghosts, audiobook, classics-european, short-fiction, literature

The original Wilde Thing does it again...

Seriously...how does one not love on Oscar Wilde when he's throwing down the snarky...in this case, and in proper British fashion, against cocky, adolescent-cultured Americans and their starched-lip, tradition-trapped English cousins?

A bounty of clever from start to finish, Wilde's tale is charming, engaging and pitch-perfect.

For a story less than 30 pages long, Wilde accomplishes so much, using scalpel-like precision in both his language and his plotti...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Paquita Maria Sanchez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature

Americans are brash, tacky, shallow, pompous, and they really, really like to talk about products and shop for products and use products. Odd theme for a scary tale, right? Well, it so happens that it fits quite nicely in the ghost story format. And this is not the only time this has happened.

You may not realize it, but I assure you that you already know the general plot and tone of this story: Biiiiiig city Americans (New Yorkers, in fact) move into a somewhat worn-down but charming estate in t...more Americans are brash, tacky, shallow, pompous, and they really, really like to talk about products and shop for products and use products. Odd theme for a scary tale, right? Well, it so happens that it fits quite nicely in the ghost story format. And this is not the only time this has happened.

You may not realize it, but I assure you that you already know the general plot and tone of this story: Biiiiiig city Americans (New Yorkers, in fact) move into a somewhat worn-down but charming estate in the English countryside which is haunted by a guy ~~and his wife~~ who murdered his wife, and all kinds of darkly humorous shenanigans ensue as this ghost attempts to chase the stubborn, pretentious New Yorkers from his home (in a town called Winter River? No, wait, it's England...okay, I’m confused). Twisting and distorting his body in graphically violent ways, wearing any number of "spooky" costumes, moaning and groaning throughout the house at night, and attempting to fake his own gory death in front of one of the children (I am not making this up) are all to no avail, and only add to the ghost’s frustration at his inability to frighten the unwelcome guests.

Initially, the family doesn’t buy the whole “ghost” business, anyhow. However, once they come face-to-face with the most meagerly unexplainable phenomena, they quickly assume the stance of “oh, yes, ghosts, naturally” and barely bat an eyelash from then on. Rather than feeling fear or fascination, they quickly disregard the ghost as nothing more than a pest, and try to offer him American products like fancy oils to make his chains stop rattling and special cleaners to remove the blood that he is constantly re-staining the floor with. The youngest children find great pleasure in torturing him in numerous ways that slowly eat away at his self-confidence. The interplay of an increasingly impotent and indignant ghost with not one, but two Macaulay Culkin-esque* beast-children constantly tormenting it with Home Alone and Dennis the Menace-like tricks and traps, and the vain, materialistic parents constantly shoving their modernity down his throat are where the comedic tone of this "horror" story really work best. Fortunately for this sad bastard spirit, the family contains an open-minded and kind-hearted teenage daughter (yes, seriously) who understands the ghost in ways that her family never could, and therefore wants to help him out. This is where the plot veers off from Burton, and this is where I must leave you. To maintain an aura of mystery around this story, let's just say that she gets an A on the big math test and note that I am probably lying.

The story is well-written, well-paced, and just plain fun to read. Though my rating may be a wee-bit high, it is only because I am trying to avoid the "judging a work for how good that author can be rather than for the story's own merit" effect. Dorian Gray is one of my favorite books of all time, and I am afraid that if I gauge my rating of this short on that masterpiece of a novel, I would have to knock it down far too low for what it deserves as a stand-alone story largely designed for children. So, yeah. How about we just say 3.666 stars and call it even?

*Interesting but useless observation: same mom. Huh.

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Nov 01, 2012 Milica Chotra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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: (view spoiler)...more 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: (view spoiler) - 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: (view spoiler)[

"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."

*

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.

*

"Well, really," said the Ghost, rather meekly, "what was I to do? It is avery 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."

"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."

*

"...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." (hide spoiler)]

[Read this review on my blog](less)

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Feb 04, 2011 ~☆ Alice☆~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I give this book 5 stars because it is so funny! I didn't expect it to be so amusing. What a great sense of humor Oscar Wilde has. I will have to look for some more books by him. This book wasn't dry and he didn't require a thousand pages to tell the story......also good.

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Mar 15, 2013 Doris rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Such a fun tale..good chuckles. I can't understand why I have waited so long to read it. I'm finding another Oscar Wilde book soon.

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Jun 11, 2012 H3dakota rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Oscar Wilde's humor & awesome storytelling! I just wish this story was longer, I loved it so much. Leave it to the brash Americans to depress a centuries old ghost! LOL

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Mar 08, 2009 Cherise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-paranormal, favorites

For 300 years Sir Simon has successfully haunted and spooked everyone and anyone residing in his ancestral home, Canterville Chase, then the Otis family from America comes along and suddenly scaring isn’t coming so easily for Simon anymore.

I was in love with this story in the 7th grade and I had read and reread it a zillion times during junior high and high school. I had recently purchased a copy of the book as it has been many, many years since I have visited Canterville Chase. Last night was s...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Azza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel, translated, favorites

رواية قصيرة جميلة لاوسكار وايلد. عناصر الامتاع والجاذبية فيها كثيرة، اولهااسلوب وايلد الساخر النقدي الجذابء حتى وقتنا هذا رغم كتابته في النصف الثاني من ق 19. ويترتب على هذا، العنصر الثاني للجاذبية، وهو الكتابة رغم بساطتها نسبياً فإنه عمق الكاتب يسمح بالتعرف على القضايا التي كانت مثارة في وقته وكيف دار الجدل حولها، وكيف فكر معاصريه. وهو ما عكسته هذه الرواية على نحو ممتع بالفعل .

عكست الرواية التناقض في اسلوب المعيشة والتفكير ورؤية العالم بين العالم الجديد والعالم القديم، أو أوربا وأمريكا الفتية حي...more رواية قصيرة جميلة لاوسكار وايلد. عناصر الامتاع والجاذبية فيها كثيرة، اولهااسلوب وايلد الساخر النقدي الجذابء حتى وقتنا هذا رغم كتابته في النصف الثاني من ق 19. ويترتب على هذا، العنصر الثاني للجاذبية، وهو الكتابة رغم بساطتها نسبياً فإنه عمق الكاتب يسمح بالتعرف على القضايا التي كانت مثارة في وقته وكيف دار الجدل حولها، وكيف فكر معاصريه. وهو ما عكسته هذه الرواية على نحو ممتع بالفعل .

عكست الرواية التناقض في اسلوب المعيشة والتفكير ورؤية العالم بين العالم الجديد والعالم القديم، أو أوربا وأمريكا الفتية حينها. نشاهد التعارض بين الارستقراطية بما تحمله من محافظة وتقاليد قديمة وايمان في الماوراء، والاساطير. والعقل الامريكي الذي لا يؤمن إلا بما هو مادي وموضوعي. ولكن انحياز الكاتب للعالم الجديد لم يعفي هذا العالم من بعض سخريته أيضا، فنجد إشارات لان هذا النمط من التفكير لا يخلو من سطحية أو ضيق افق، وأحياناً من الروح

ولا يفوتنا منذ البداية ولع، بله وله، الدوق الانجليزي الشاب بأبنه الوزير المفوض الأميركي شديدة الجمال والبراءة والطهر، كرمز للانسانية الخالصة، رغم ما يصلنا من ضيق افق انحياز هذا الوزير لحزبه الديقراطي الذي يرى فيه تجسيدا لمبادئ الجمهوريةالديمقراطية الخالدة. وينتهي الصراع النتاتح عن هذا التناقض نهاية سعيدة، بانقاذ الفتاة، روح الإنسانية الخالصة، للشبح، او العالم العتيق المعذب، الذي كان خلاصه في ان يرقد بسلام في قبره، وهو ماحققته له الفتاة.

وكانت النهاية السعيدة أيضاً بزواج الشابين، رغم امتعاض الأهل. وانتقال مجوهرات عائلة كانترفيلد العريقة النفيثة للعروس الدقة الأمريكية. تلك المجوهرات التي تقدر زوجة الوزير، من الجانب الأمريكي، كم هي جميلة وباهظة. وذلك رغم استياء الاب الذي يخشى أن تجعل هذه المجوهرات ابنته مولعة بالشكل وتنسى روح بساطة الجمهورية الخالدة. ولكن الفتاة لم تنس ان تحصل على اكليل الزهور الابيض ليلة عرسها، رمزا للفتاة الامريكية الصالحة. وهكذاطمئن الكاتب وطمئننا على المستقبل السعيد المرهون بتزاوج الثقافيتن والعالمين.

تعريب لويس عوض مدهشاً بالطبع. بل يعد درساً مفيدا وممتعاً وثمينا لكل من يود تعلم الترجمة. واستخدام كلمة تعريب كان منتشرة في النصف الاول من القرن العشرين للإفادة بان ما يتم ليس ترجمة مجردة للكلمات والعبارات ولكن نقل اسلوب الكاتب ومزاجه وثقافته، ومضمون ماكتب، وروح عصر باللغة العربية. وابدع د. لويس عوض في هذا ايما ابداع. فنقل الاسلوب الساخر بصورة حية جداً، وكأننا نقرأ لوايلد بشخصه. ففي المواضع التي سخر وايلد فيها من الشبح وثقافته العتيقة بوضع كلمات قديمة من العصور الوسطى على لسانه، استخدم الدكتور لويس عربية قديمة من زمن مضى، وقتها بالطبع.

وفي النهايةألاحظ شبهها بين وايلد ودكتور لويس عوض ليس في الروح الساخرة الحديثة، حينها، فقط، ولكن في ان كليهما كان اسهامه اكبر بكثير مما ناله من تعرف واسع للقراء. ورغم التقدير الهائل للكاتبين في الثقافة العربية، إلا ان هذا التقدير لا يعبر عنه إلا عندما يتم ذكر اسميهما لاي مناسبة، ولا يتعدى ذلك لمحاولات معاصرة للتعريف بالكاتبين ونشر اعمالهما وتحليلهاونقده، وترجمتها بالانسبة للأول، أو على الأقل هذا في حدود عملي، ومطالعتي لقوائم التي يتضمنها موقع جودريدز(less)

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Jan 18, 2013 Batgrl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ghost-and-gothicish-stories, classics, gutenberg-and-other-free-ebooks, favorites-i-do-reread, read-for-class

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...more 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.(less)

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Dec 15, 2012 Kasey Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, humor, doesnt-pass-bechdel, ghosts

A family of loud, obnoxious, Ugly Americans are pitted against a dramatic, sensitive, and effete British ghost in a delightfully funny haunting. The Otis family purchases Canterville Chase, disregarding the warning of its spectral inhabitant. However, soon they can no longer ignore this ghostly vestige of the Old Country who roams the halls of their mansion at night.

This was an easy read, rich with humor and sentimentality.

Words Below
(view spoiler)...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, gothic-fiction, short-story, supernatural

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST was Oscar Wilde's first published story in 1887. Wilde cleverly places an American family with commercial and practical notions in an English Country House anchored with Gothic lore and traditions. He turns the macabre into humor by turning the tables on the haunting of Canterville Chase.

Mr. and Mrs. Otis have bought the centuries old home from Lord Canterville himself. He felt it his duty to mention the fact that the house was haunted. Mr. Otis replies, "My Lord, I will ta...more THE CANTERVILLE GHOST was Oscar Wilde's first published story in 1887. Wilde cleverly places an American family with commercial and practical notions in an English Country House anchored with Gothic lore and traditions. He turns the macabre into humor by turning the tables on the haunting of Canterville Chase.

Mr. and Mrs. Otis have bought the centuries old home from Lord Canterville himself. He felt it his duty to mention the fact that the house was haunted. Mr. Otis replies, "My Lord, I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation. I come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can buy and if there was such a thing as a ghost in Europe, we'd have it at home in a very short while."

Everything else is there in the estate to warrant a supernatural presence. There is wainscotting, creaking floorboards, clanking chains, armor in the hallway, and a library paneled with black oak and a re-appearing blood stain on the floor by the fireplace. Oh, and there are apparitions in the darkest of night through the corridors. Some evenings the family sees a headless form, other moonless nights, the ghost appears to be strangled, covered with blood, or a skeleton.

So how will the modern American family, minus ancient prophecies, react to living with an unwanted being intent on their removal? The twin boys called Stars and Stripes place wire traps at the head of the stairs and plummet Sir Simon, the ghost, with peas shooters. He is drenched by the oldest boy named Washington (named in a fit of patriotism!) who riggs buckets of water to fall just as the ghost exits a doorway.

When confronted with the blood stain in the library, Washington responds with Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent. And the remedy for the clanking chains, Mr. Otis offers Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator to foster the family's peaceful sleep.

Only one of the Otis' takes Sir Simon seriously, and she is the lovely, sensitive, fifteen year old daughter, Virginia. Their recognition of eachother's caring self will finally enable Sir Simon to leave this dimension after three hundred years of sleepless nights and murderous regrets. She will accompany him to his rest in the Garden of Death and bid him farewell.

Virginia is well compensated for her attention to his suffering. Years later as a newlywed, she will tell her husband that Sir Simon taught her what Life is, what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.

This is a surprising place that the reader finds herself in...laughing at the American's disregard for English tradition, embarrassed by the hubris of their spirit, and rooting for the protagonist who just happens to be a ghost. Highly Recommended!

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Oct 10, 2012 Wanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: 2012, ebooks, fiction-and-literature, mystery-thriller

Hallowe'en 2012.

"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 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."

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

"Yes, Death. Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with t...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

One of those wonderful stories I must revisit from time to time. Just so endearing and funny!

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Jul 03, 2012 El rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: late19th-centurylit

Why, yes, Mr. Wilde - you did just charm the pants off of me, thank you for asking!

This little story is about the Otis family, Americans who move from the bustle of New York to live at Canterville Chase, an old country house in England. They're warned from the beginning that the house is haunted, but you know those New York types, all hard and skeptical and full of vim and vinegar. The family encounters the ghost pretty early on, and quite hilariously try different ways of dealing with him, almo...more Why, yes, Mr. Wilde - you did just charm the pants off of me, thank you for asking!

This little story is about the Otis family, Americans who move from the bustle of New York to live at Canterville Chase, an old country house in England. They're warned from the beginning that the house is haunted, but you know those New York types, all hard and skeptical and full of vim and vinegar. The family encounters the ghost pretty early on, and quite hilariously try different ways of dealing with him, almost all of which involve some sort of different product. (Whatcha sayin', Oscar my man? That Americans are totally driven by material things? Nothing like a little product placement in one's late-19th century literature!)

The only one in the family to take the ghost seriously is the family's 15-year-old daughter, Virginia, who actually takes time to talk with the ghost and to get to know his story. I mean, really, sometimes a guy just has to vent a little, get things off his chest.

This is a fun story, no doubt about it. I'm not sure if it means anything, but I found myself picking up on a lot of alliteration in this one, and I'm wondering how much of that was intentional: "Canterville Chase"; "presentation of physical phenomena"; "Red Ruben"; "Gaunt Gideon"; "Pinkerton's Paragon [Detergent]"; "Dumb Daniel, or the Suicide's Skeleton"; "Martin the Maniac, or the Masked Mystery"; "monstrous as a madman"; "bald and burnished"; "swathed with its silent snows"; "some scroll of shame it seemed"; "calendar of crime"; and of course, the twin Otis boys, referred to as "Stars and Stripes" (and hellllo American commentary!).

I have a feeling Wilde had barrels of fun writing this one.

Also worth mentioning, if you have the chance, check out the 1944 movie version starring Charles Laughton and Margaret O'Brien. Good stuff, that.

I can't comment on the 1986 version with Alyssa Milano. Or the 1995 version with Patrick Stewart and Neve Campbell. All I can say in response to either of those is W.T.F.?(less)

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May 30, 2012 Ania rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: children (if you skip the wife murderin' part)

Shelves: ireland, short-stories

This book was somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me. I liked it but not enough to commit to a 3. It was an entertaining read but it simply lacked any depth. In a way it's quite different from An Ideal Husband which I read recently. Although both stories carry the lightness and total lack of seriousness, The Canterville Ghost was much more bearable and toned down on Wilde's famous witticisms which were so annoying in An Ideal Husband. Still the play had dialogue that came positively alive while...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Alberto rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cuentos, escritores-favoritos, obligados, por-el-gusto

EL FANTASMA DE CANTERVILLE
Oscar Wilde aborda y nos seduce con su particular estilo para denotar el materialismo de la época. Y qué mejor manera de hacerlo que a través de los maestros del materialismo: los Norte-Americanos (Lo menciono por si había duda). En esta sutil y hasta simpática historia, la familia Otis decide comprar una Mansión desoyendo las advertencias de Lord Canterville, su anterior dueño, avisando con la ética que caracterizaba a aquella época, sobre la presencia del fantasma de...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Keri Payton added it · review of another edition

Shelves: ghosts, novella

In the English countryside, Canterville Chase has been haunted by the ghost Sir. Simon of Canterville, ever since he was punished for the murder of his wife. Sir. Simon has terrified each of the house's residents for years but now he faces a family, the likes of which he has never encountered - Americans.

A short novel about a ghost? Haunting? Not my area. I don't read horror. Wait, it's written by Oscar Wilde? Yes please.

Everything I have read by Oscar Wilde (and I still have a way to go) has be...more

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Dec 12, 2011 Deb Atwood rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ghost-novels

The Canterville Ghost is gently satirical. From Wilde we expect no less. In this novelette, cultures bump (clash is too strong as all is oh-so-civilized) when the nouveau riche American Otis family buys an old English estate. The English family, headed by Lord Canterville, has fled to escape a ghost that has haunted the mansion for centuries.

With delightful hyperbole, Wilde depicts no nonsense Yankee practicality. The Americans don’t believe in ghosts, and even when facing the recalcitrant ghost...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Chris Wilt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childhood-books

The Canterville Ghost is an unusual ghost story. It begins in an old English country house, Canterville Chase, which is said to be haunted. When Mr Otis a wealthy American moves into the house with his wife and children, Lord Canterville warns them about Sir Simon, the house's resident ghost. But they ignore him, as the Otis family aren't afraid of phantoms or things that go bump in the night, no matter how hard the ghost tries.
I would describe this novel by Oscar Wilde as a humorous, Gothic gho...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Soledad rated it 3 of 5 stars

"Hace trescientos años que no duermo -dijo el anciano tristemente, haciendo que Virginia abriese mucho sus hermosos ojos azules, llenos de asombro- Hace trescientos años que no duermo, así es que me siento cansadísimo.

Virginia adoptó un grave continente, y sus finos labios se movieron como pétalos de rosa.

Se acercó y arrodillándose el lado del fantasma, contempló su rostro envejecido y arrugado.

-Pobrecito fantasma -profirió a media voz- ¿y no hay ningún sitio donde pueda usted dormir?

-Allá lejos...more

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May 31, 2011 Nickolas Gardynyr rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really don’t care for or get in the middle of the iPhone vs Android war of the phone geeks feud that constantly rages on around me, but I will say that the iPhone my work has provided for me free has given me great opportunities to read free books that I can download and can read with great ease when travelling, waiting, or just plain being sneaky at work. Although I do have the complete works of Oscar Wilde in a large bound volume, I read The Canterville Ghost as one of these free books I hav...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Vulpecula Borealis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my first ever exploration into the world created by Oscar Wilde. While I held my head in shame at this fact my eyes looked down at the text in front of me, grew wider, then a little wider still. I became childlike in excitement and fascination at my new discovery. Since finishing this book I’m now half way through my next Oscar Wilde experience, and am in danger of becoming a serious fan – and I’m not easily impressed!

The narration style is omniscient, far removed from the fashions of t...more

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Nov 24, 2010 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literary-classic, ghosts, kindle-freebie-cheap

Oscar Wilde is the omniscient narrator in this frequently humorous and ultimately touching tale of a gauche American family who purchases Canterville Chase, the ancestral home of the late Sir Simon, who, in 1575, murdered his wife, then met his own vengeful and mysterious demise nine years later.

For three centuries, Sir Simon had succeeded in haunting the site of his death, until the Otis family intrudes upon his ghostly existence and undermines his efforts by tormenting him with practical jokes...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Stela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone with a sense of humour

Shelves: gothic-and-urban-gothic, reviews

When a three-century-old ghost meets some witty American kids – you have “Home Alone” all over again. When England meets America – you feel like re-reading “Le bourgeois gentillhomme”. In a word, when gothic meets savvy – eerie becomes comedy.
And this brilliant short story is just this: a tender polemic about cultural differences (English haunted-house mythology versus American down-to-earth vision of life) and a gentle parody of some celebrated Romantic themes and motives: the haunted spirit, t...more When a three-century-old ghost meets some witty American kids – you have “Home Alone” all over again. When England meets America – you feel like re-reading “Le bourgeois gentillhomme”. In a word, when gothic meets savvy – eerie becomes comedy.
And this brilliant short story is just this: a tender polemic about cultural differences (English haunted-house mythology versus American down-to-earth vision of life) and a gentle parody of some celebrated Romantic themes and motives: the haunted spirit, the purity of the soul, punishment and redemption, etc.
With no satirical intentions, no acerb irony, no maliciousness whatsoever, the main characteristic of the style is lighthearted humor, obtained by using some smart techniques:
- the frustrated expectations (the contrast between what you think it will happen and what it really happens): Washington Otis, the eldest son of the American family “had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent dancer”; all ghost’s apparitions are examples of this technique.

- the prosaic reaction in front of a scary event: faced with a blood-stain that “has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed”, Washington Otis is confident that “Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time”; Mr Otis, woken up by the awful noise of the ghost’s chains, offers him the Rising Sun Lubricator; Mrs. Otis, hearing the ghost’s hair-raising laugh, diagnoses him with indigestion and offers him a bottle of Dr. Dobell’s tincture.

- the reinterpretation of some cultural stereotypes and prejudices: “the old country is so overpopulated that they have not enough decent weather for everybody.”; « we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language ».
In this respect, the following excerpt is magnificent: « The subjects discussed, as I have since learned from Mr. Otis, were merely such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class, such as the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Davenport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress; the difficulty of obtaining green corn, buckwheat cakes, and hominy, even in the best English houses; the importance of Boston in the development of the worldsoul; the advantages of the baggage check system in railway travelling; and the sweetness of the New York accent as compared to the London drawl. »

- the humanization of the ghost, who falls and rubs his hurting knees, is scared of a fake ghost the twins put in his way, steals Virginia’s colours to paint the blood-stain, and finally is so afraid of the American family that he hides in his rooms in despair.

- the lack of discernment between trivial matters and serious ones : while frantically searching Virginia, her father, realizing the young duke who accompanies him is hatless, stops to buy him a hat.

Overall, “The Canterville Ghost”, generously funny, is a little jewel that will always make your day.
(less)

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Sep 09, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic, favorites, ghost-story, gothic-fiction, historical-fiction, irish-literature, victorian-literature

In Canterville Chase there is a misunderstood, unsuccessful ghost, who used to be very successful, until an American family, Otis, moved in. The Americans are portrayed in a peculiar manner. They have a fancy for materialim and American super products, and know nothing about the English etiquette. Wilde emphasized differences in culture by creating special characters and then pitting the "unsophisticated tastes" of the patriotic Americans - patriotic as their children are named Washington and Vi...more In Canterville Chase there is a misunderstood, unsuccessful ghost, who used to be very successful, until an American family, Otis, moved in. The Americans are portrayed in a peculiar manner. They have a fancy for materialim and American super products, and know nothing about the English etiquette. Wilde emphasized differences in culture by creating special characters and then pitting the "unsophisticated tastes" of the patriotic Americans - patriotic as their children are named Washington and Virginia - against the Brittish esteem of traditions.

Spoiler's alert!

Thereby, the family haven’t got a clue how to behave when seeing a ghost, nor that it’s not very polite to insult him. The Ghost tries many different approaches, but is sinking deeper and deeper into despair. It all starts when Mr Otis is tired of the noise the Ghost is making - trying to scare them with rustling chains - and declares: ”I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator”.

The self-centred Americans don’t respect him at all, despite all his effords to frighten them, and the fact that he's not able to fulfill his duty makes him depressed. He can't understand their behavior, and, in fact, he ends up being the one fleeing from them.
”There was evidently no time to be lost, so, hastily adopting the Fourth Dimension of Space as a means of escape, he vanished through the wainscoting, and the house became quiet quiet.”

My favorite parts were the ones with the blood-stain. It is hilarious, and referred to many times.
”For some days after this he was extremely ill, and hardly stirred out of his room at all, except to keep the blood-stain in proper repair.”

”For five days he kept to his room, and at last made up his mind to give up the point of the blood-stain on the library floor. It the Otis family did not want it, they clearly did not deserve it. They were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence, and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena.”

”'...who ever heard of emerald-green blood?'
'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 was 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.'”

What is it with Oscar Wilde that so captures me? I ask myself. Well, first and foremost, his books have an exceptional wit. Second, Wilde had a scary, extraordinary ability to reveal people’s inner nature, that is a fact, evident in masterpieces like "Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Nightingale and the Rose". Third, Wilde often turned things around, and offered new perspectives. In this piece of work, Wilde’s main protagonist isn't one of the family, often adopted by other authors of ghost stories, but the Ghost itself. Wilde concentrated on his feelings, fears and despair, and the story takes a different turn than you might have thought. It’s not entirely a satire, it's also deeply insightful and moving. The story, as I see it, is really about forgiveness and moving on, something that, interestingly, is examined through a ghost.

The ending, where Virginia must weep for him for his sins, because he have no tears, and pray for him for his soul, because he have no faith, was beautiful.(less)

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Mar 08, 2012 أحمد سعيد البراجه rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

ما عفريت إلا ابن آدم ،،،

ربما لو كان "أوسكار وايلد" قد سمع بهذا المثل المصري لإكتفى به بديلاً عن رواياته ،،
شبح كانترفيل ،، الشبح الذي عاش ثلاثة قرون بث فيهم الرعب في قلوب ساكني قصر كانترفيل ،،
ولكن هذا الشبح يذوق الويلات على يد أسرة أمريكية سكنت القصر ،،
فلأول مرة يواجه الشبح من لا يخافه ،، بل تعدى الأمر إلى السخرية منه ،،
وتنعكس الآية ،، فيخاف الشبح من أفراد الأسرة ،،

طبعة دار الهلال مزودة بمقدمة تقارب حجم الرواية ،، كتبها د.ماهر شفيق فريد ويعرض فيها ملخصاً عن المؤلف ، حياته وأسلوبه ،، ومدرسته التي...more

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May 30, 2011 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book. I was giggling the whole time...well most of the time. (I am a chicken, and should never read anything with the word 'ghost' in the title at midnight, alone in my living room.) I loved how the Ghost chose his characters and costumes with such care. I think my favorite line of the whole book was "He selected Friday, the 17th of August, for his appearance, and spent most of that day in looking over his wardrobe, ultimately deciding in favour of a large slouched hat with a red fe...more

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Mar 28, 2010 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, ghost-story, review

Review from Badelynge
No tour through the literary landscape of The Ghost Story would be complete without Oscar Wilde's clever little tale The Canterville Ghost. He turns the whole concept on its head with the ancient titular ghost, who has spent several centuries not paying for the sins of his life by blithely terrifying the old house's residents and visitors to death and insanity, being driven to his own wits end by the American family who bring their own blithe modernity to bear in dealing wit...more

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May 03, 2013 Chahrazad rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am partial to everything Wilde writes. I've been a big fan ever since I read The Importance of Being Earnest.

As usual, Wilde's poignant wit doesn't fail to engage the reader. He knows how to avoid being redundant.
The Canterville Ghost is different from other stories I read, in the sense that it is a comparison between the British nobility and the American so-called bourgeoisie.

As I am neither American nor British, I was able to draw the embedded differences so much noticed in the 19th century....more

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Jun 18, 2011 Jycel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

Debería darme vergüenza no haberlo leído antes, pero nunca cayó en mis manos, y... pues eso. Ahora con el kindle, todo es tan fácil...

Me encanta la humanización que Wilde quiere hacer del fantasma, aportándole sentimientos que un fantasma "supuestamente" no debería tener, o al menos, no deberían tener la importancia que el personaje del fantasma les da. A sensu contrario, está genial la satirización de la que está dotada la familia que se instala en la casa de Canterville, y su "relación con el...more

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About Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, and a plentitude of aphorisms, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being E...more

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“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 tomorrow. To forget time, to forgive life, to be at peace.” — 2,940 people liked it

“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.” — 584 people liked it

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