The Canterville Ghost

“Right in front of him he saw, in the wan moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles…”



The Canterville Ghost was Oscar Wilde’s first published work. A genial whimsy, it takes place in an English country house, Canterville Chase, which for centuries had been said to be haunted. 


When Mr. Otis, a rich American, moves into the house with his wife and children, Lord Canterville feels he should warn them about Sir Simon, the resident ghost. 


However, when the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville creeps out of an English castle's walls to startle the Otis family, they aren’t afraid of him at all, and no matter how hard Sir Simon tries, they simply refuse to be frightened! 



The Canterville Ghost is a charming and fantastic tale, and Oscar Wilde toys with the supernatural in his delightfully impertinent way. 


OSCAR WILDE (1854–1900) was an Irish poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, and short story writer. He is best known for Salomé, The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, De Profundis, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and The Picture of Dorian Gray.