“The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

This relatively short, but charming, story of an old English Ghost trying hard to scare an American family is full of warm irony, refreshing humour and strong belief that a kind heart can make true miracles.

The story begins when an American Minister buys Canterville Chase, an old dwelling of an aristocratic English family. Everyone knows that the place is haunted, but common-sense Americans don’t care much. At first they don’t believe in the Ghost; once they meet him face to face, they have to admit he exists, but, to his utter indignation, treat him as an ordinary being, and the youngest children of the family – naughty twin brothers – keep harassing and hurting him.

Having tried everything – even walking around headless – and all in vain, Sir Simon de Canterville finally gives up. Then one evening he meets Miss Virginia Otis, the only daughter of the American family, and after exchanging a few ironic remarks (mainly related to cultural differences) they become friends. Being kind-hearted and pure, young Virginia helps the Ghost to find his way to the Garden of Death where his unhappy spirit finally finds its rest. An old prophecy is fulfiled.

After that even Virginia’s very practical father finds in his heart some respect for Sir Simon. They find his skeleton in a secret room and bury it, strictly observing the custom. Thus, after several centuries of scaring generations of noblemen out of their minds, ends Sir Simon’s existence as a Ghost.

Written in Oscar Wilde’s charming, translucent and fragrant English, “The Canterville Ghost” has the air of a Christmas story and seems particularly fit for reading during the holiday season. Though it talks about the importance of being kind and of helping each other and reminds us that even the severest sins can be forgiven, it doesn’t sound either like a lecture or a sermon. Far from it. Oscar Wilde never preached. Rather, it sounds like a fairy tale and is sure to bring a few smiles to the reader’s face, even if that reader is a person of the gloomiest disposition (which I’m certainly not).

And even though Sir Simon’s reasons for stabbing his wife to death were totally sexist, I’m glad his spirit has found peace.

I’m hoping that the readers of my blog are having a peaceful holiday season.