Image via Wikipedia Oscar Wilde has written some of the most charming short fiction I have ever read. I refer, of course, to the small collection of short fiction, The Prince, and Other Tales. I decided to go on a downloading rampage at Gutenberg.org in regards to Wilde's works. The first to be read was "The Canterville Ghost," which was an interesting interpretation at horror which contained humour, irony, with a touch of romantic notion towards the end. It is freely available at Gutenberg.org.An American family takes over an estate which is known to be haunted. Unlike previous inhabitants, however, when the ghost does make itself known, the family reacts contrary to those of previous tenants. Rather than run away screaming, or dying in some expression of terror, the family instead becomes amused by it.
Image via WikipediaTwo young boys in fact make a sport out of torturing the spirit. They trip him up, play unkind tricks upon him, etc. Eventually, the ghost is out of his wits with depression and fear of the family. All except the very young girl, Virginia.The spirit had committed a terrible act of killing his wife. To avenge the death, her two brothers chained him up too far from water and food to sustain him, so that he dies for want of either.
Virginia helps lead him to a path of forgiveness, discovers his bones, and helps bury him in the churchyard, thus ending the curse of the ghost.
The story is quite charming, and well worth the hour or so it takes to read.
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