The Canterville Ghost

By: Oscar Wilde

Narrated by: Rupert Degas

Length: 1 hr and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

A terrifying ghost is haunting the ancient mansion of Canterville Chase, complete with creaking floorboards, clanking chains and gruesome disguises  - but the new occupants seem strangely undisturbed by his presence. Deftly contrasting the conventional gothic ghost story with the pragmatism of the modern world, Wilde creates a gently comic fable of the conflict between old and new. Rupert Degas's hilarious reading brings the absurdity and theatricality of the story to life.

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©2009 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks

Family ghost story

A charming story read beautifully by Rupert Degas. Oscar Wilde turns the traditional ghost story on its head

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

a favorite

i read this long ago as a kid, it is in fact one of the earliest things i can remember reading and it stuck with me but it took many years for me to find it again. this is a great story, funny, touching, very visual. it is a story i always recommend to others, (after i re-discovered it years ago) and it is in my list of best short stories.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Spirited Romp

Lord Canterville is driven from his ancestral home by the family ghost. The American family that purchases Canterville Chase take a more pragmatic approach. Sir Simon, the resident haunt, is offered lubricating oil so his chains won't clank so loudly. A patent cleaner is applied to remove the centuries-old bloodstains on the floor. Sir Simon is startled by a ghost (he's never seen one before), but gathers his courage to meet the newcomer, only to discover it's a bed sheet artfully arranged by the twins to taunt him.

Game on, as Sir Simon determines to teach this frightful family the fear and respect he deserves. Who will be victorious in the battle for Canterville Chase? The delightful narration leads you through this charming, spirited romp, as Sir Simon ventures to overcome and return every disarming prank the family can muster.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

fantastic

a great short story. lots of fun and frankly hilarious content. it gets a bit more serious eventually but is still a fantastic story.

Not of Wilde's usual caliber

This period piece by Wilde was not as enjoyable to listen to as were "The Importance of Being Earnest" or "An Ideal Husband" both of which were literary treats. This play merely seems to dramatize Americans' lack of appreciation for all that is British without being either funny or enlightening. I'm not partial to the favorable portraiture of Americans but the characters in this play were one-dimensional and not engaging, and I couldn't suspend disbelief in the premise of the story. I tried, but I couldn't listen to more than 30 minutes. Instead, I'd highly recommend the two plays previously mentioned.

0 of 3 people found this review helpful

enjoyed the play so bought the book.

If you could sum up The Canterville Ghost in three words, what would they be?

charming short story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

liked them all, including the ghost.

Which character – as performed by Rupert Degas – was your favourite?

he did a good job of performing all the characters which made it a good listening experience.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

already seen it as a play on tv many years ago in black and white.

Any additional comments?

enjoyed the story with its little bits of humour. as it is just over an hour long can be listened to in one sitting. remembered the blood on the carpet senario from the play.
its the shortest book I have listened to.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fabulous classic

I never get tired of this story and loved this performance. Great story and narration. Ideal for on a walk or journey.

Lovely story

I have loved this story since I was a child, and loved hearing it again. Very good narrator!