The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was a renowned Irish playwright, poet, and author known for his exceptional wit, flamboyant style, and profound contributions to late 19th-century literature. Born in Dublin, Wilde attended Oxford University and soon established himself as a prominent figure in London's literary and social circles. His works, including "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest," are celebrated for their clever dialogue, social satire, and exploration of the human condition. Wilde's unique blend of comedy, satire, and poignant commentary on Victorian society made him one of the most influential figures of his time. Unfortunately, his career took a tragic turn when he was convicted of "gross indecency" for his homosexuality, leading to his imprisonment and eventual death in Paris.
"The Canterville Ghost" is a classic novella penned by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1887. This humorous and haunting tale tells the story of the Otis family, Americans who move into Canterville Chase, a grand old English manor said to be haunted by Sir Simon, a ghost from centuries past. The novella is an exemplary demonstration of Wilde's wit and comedic genius, as he contrasts American pragmatism with British aristocracy and tradition. Wilde's sharp observations and clever humor in "The Canterville Ghost" provide a refreshing take on the traditional ghost story genre, injecting it with a delightful blend of satire and hilarity.
Published during Wilde's literary peak, the novella garnered critical acclaim for its innovation and wit, positioning it as a unique departure from the conventional ghost stories of its era. Its humorous exploration of the clash between the Old World and the New World captivated readers. While it did not receive as much attention as some of Wilde's other works, "The Canterville Ghost" remains a cherished piece of literature and a testament to his enduring influence on the literary world.
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[@merlapittman5034]

Oscar Wilde was a marvelous writer. I must confess that The Importance of Being Ernest and The Picture of Dorian Grey are my favorites, but The Cantorville Ghost is very good. Thank you!

[@ScottishLeo]

YES YES!!! Ernest for fun, Dorian for horror 💚❤️💚

[@colinellesmere]

I read this as an abridged book in Chinese. Just realised it was Oscar Wilde. What a writer.

[@ClassicGhost]

I am very impressed that you read the Canterville ghost in Chinese

[@MaggieatPlay]

Yay! One of my favorites...both Oscar Wilde and "The Canterville Ghost". Thank you, Tony! Great narration.

[@lesleykaygosson315]

Classic Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classic Author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Classic & Perfect Narration ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤

[@suzannemoodhe927]

What an incredible reading - what a fantastic story- thank you for the laughs and all the voices you did - you are a treasure ❤

[@ClassicGhost]

You are so welcome

[@Aiko2-26-9]

I love this story, so funny, so creepy, so heartwarming. And, Tony, you are the perfect one to read it.

[@Story-Voracious66]

I was only thinking of Oscar Wilde the other day, when Stephen Frye launched his audiobook of ghost stories, then "Ta daa!", you magic up "The Canterville Ghost" for us! Thank you. It is such a charming story and so graciously delivered. 👱🏻‍♀️👻☠️👍

[@ClassicGhost]

+April Wakefield Like magic

[@Story-Voracious66]

☺️

[@leebennett1821]

Really you where thinking of Oscar Wilde on a different note I find myself think about the Roman Empire quite often I don't how this relates but I thought I would mention it

[@TheMrCougarful]

What an amazing tale! I was grinning the entire time. A delight.

[@emnorfolk5559]

My first and forever favourite ghost story... Thank you, loved the "voices", reminded me of my lovely dad reading to me xxx

[@ClassicGhost]

+Em Norfolk That’s how I started - as a dad doing the voices when reading stories to his daughters . They’re grown up now and I don’t know if they listen

[@donaldmccleary9015]

This is a great story and narration! I chuckled a lot. Those twins.... Their practical jokes are hilarious! This is a cheery ghost story. I like it. Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you like them! Those pesky kids !!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Yup. It is so good that I listened to it 2.5 times. Lol!

[@MartiWilliams-r2z]

Love everything from Wild.. Your narration makes him even more entertaining. Thanks so very much. You're the very best, Tony. Much needed and appreciated.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks again!

[@vickiereed643]

Tony, you have the most excellent reading voice I have ever heard! Thank you for sharing your gifts!

[@thurayya8905]

I love the way you read this, with the rolling "r"s and overly dramatic manner when describing the studies and poses of the ghost, as well as the serious delivery and understatement of the jokes. Wilde reminded me of Mark Twain in places, which may have been intentional as they were both very popular; after all, he was writing of Americans in a satirical manner.

[@ClassicGhost]

Very over the top in parts but that’s why ai liked doing it

[@daviddring2365]

Love listening to Mr Wilde ..... such poetry!

[@ClassicGhost]

It really is!

[@suzannemoodhe927]

Today it is dark and gloomy outside and i feel lonely so i put this on 😌. Thanks Tony! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ClassicGhost]

I’m always here :)

[@susanmcgill7048]

As an old and retired textbook order clerk. I ordered this as required reading for many college classes. I must admit im quite sad id not attended college, i missed much. But now im seeing importance of this story 😊😊😊😊😊

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s a deservedly loved story. I prefer Dorian Gray though :)

[@KristinChoruby]

I liked this one--funny and surprisingly heartwarming.

[@debra333]

Ah, my favorite! Excellent job, dear Tony. ❤

[@aileenburke4667]

This is by far the best audiobook I’ve listened to. Oscar Wilde, this story, this reader- it’s perfection. 🤌👏

[@09purpledyer]

Thank you very much!! Your narration is fabulous. You narrate so wide array of stories. Something for everyone. I once complained about a story you read and your answer made much sense. So glad you do this service for all who wish to hear.

[@ClassicGhost]

I am too sensitive though :)

[@minaozhogin]

I love the story! Oscar Wilde is by far my favourite author. And, I have to say, your reading is terrific! The intonations you make are perfect, will definitely check out more of your videos!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you 🙏

[@DragonsEyeTours]

Fabulous. Thank you so much. Just love this story. So good.

[@veganleigh4817]

I've always loved The Canterville Ghost. Thank you for the wonderful narration!

[@ClassicGhost]

My pleasure!

[@gerardkiff2026]

What a great reading. Thank you so much. Would love to hear more comedy from you !

[@ClassicGhost]

Have you heard my Humorous Ghost Stories compilation on here ?

[@martiwilliams4592]

Love this. Thank you,again, Tony. Masterful as always.

[@erinmikulice5980]

So great! Thank you!

[@ClassicGhost]

You're so welcome!

[@darkdaughter5472]

Wonderful atmospheric narration thank you

[@galeocean4182]

Awwww!!! what a treat!

[@roxyabrooks864]

Thanks so much! I just subscribed to your podcasts, too! Just wonderful! 🎃

[@ClassicGhost]

Welcome aboard!

[@roxyabrooks864]

@@ClassicGhost Thank you! 🎃🖤🎃

[@faithlynn2083]

the “HELLO” at 1:05 made me dying laughing

[@hollywebster6844]

Marvelous! Thank you!

[@crazy4277]

I love this, thank you! ❤

[@roxanavasilakis9435]

Thank you so much dear Tony 🌷

[@lzeph]

Delightful story, wonderfully narrated.

[@cynthiapate9138]

Thank you for excellent reading of a wonderful ghost story.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for listening

[@joanieann6179]

I quite enjoyed that story! Thank you Tony! ❤❤

[@franken-pattern]

I'm the 1,000th "thumbs up" on this post! HECK YEAH 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you, Mr. Walker, for all of the wonderful hours of magical stories, told by a master storyteller! Yay!

[@ClassicGhost]

You rock!

[@karensutherland9142]

Love your channel love this story.

[@mariameere5807]

Thank you so much! I ❤this story and all your work Tony and I have a bit of time to catch up on the episodes I missed so a binge session is in order! 😅 Blessings angel! ♥️✨👑✨♥️

[@lucamallory]

This is such a great narration and a beautiful and hilarious story to begin with. Thank you so much for reading it! Truly an incredible story.

[@glitterphx2490]

Quite lovely, thank you

[@along5925]

Oh, I love The Canterville Ghost! I've heard a number of renditions, but I've been waiting for yours. Tony, it is far and away the best of all of them! I feel the same way about your reading of Alice in Wonderland...there are many good ones out there, but I definitely prefer yours. Thanks so much for this; I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@ClassicGhost]

So nice if you to say such lovely things. No one listens to my Alice hardly and I so loved doing it

[@KristinChoruby]

@@ClassicGhost I didn't know you did a reading of Alice in Wonderland! I'll have to find it and give it a listen soon.

[@ClassicGhost]

It was such fun

[@martiwilliams4592]

Captivating, enchanting also this time around with your accents and vivid. narration. Would love to hear you do LADY WINDERMERE` S FAN playing aa the parts. You, of couse, must set limits, but many would find it an amusing experience. Thanks fo much again, again for all of your hard work for us.

[@soundsilence2604]

Thank you for this one! ❤️

[@ClassicGhost]

You're so welcome!

[@mikelheron20]

I've never been convinced that oiling chains would make them less noisy.

[@ClassicGhost]

fair point

[@dawnmitchell5374]

such a great listen..thank you!!!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nancycardenas2724]

Excellent 😊❤

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks 😄

[@PippaAT]

Reminds me a little of "How Fear Departed The Long Gallery."

[@ClassicGhost]

I see that.

[@lorihogue5015]

I'm in a historical theatre company. My partners in crime recreate the court of Queen Elizabeth I. As actors, we study British accents. I've gotten to the point where I can recognize many regional accents. Pretty good for an American. I'm really enjoying your American accent, although I personally prefer British accents. The majority of my ancestors come from Old Blighty, so it must be a genetic thang 😜

[@ClassicGhost]

The Court of Queen Elizabeth sounds fun. I hope you have Dr John Dee represented :)

[@lorihogue5015]

@@ClassicGhost I'd love that but right now we don't have an actor portraying him. Fascinating character.

[@LadyEng]

Lovely ❤❤❤❤

[@applewagon253]

Hahahaha this was bizarre and fun!

[@tracibrown6431]

Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you, Traci

[@evelanpatton]

Dramatic entrance! Sounds like Diamonda Galas & John Paul Jones album…

[@ClassicGhost]

+Evelan Patton Diamanda Galas. She’s a scary listen

[@jodywho6696]

I remember the movie. But the stars ? Charles Laugton ? The little girl ,The Secret Garden. Thank you for the telling. ✨

[@tbone75063]

This has to be 1 of the funniest ghost stories you’ve read

[@ropeburnsrussell]

You hired Lurch for the intro!

[@marywilde7378]

6am. Construction of English is so good

[@roxanavasilakis9435]

Needed a good laugh 🎉

[@toscadonna]

Those pesky Americans! How dare they not take the Canterville Ghost seriously and be appropriately mortified.😂

[@Story-Voracious66]

Hooray! 😁

[@mikedavidson1970]

Yesss💪

[@kathymcguire8287]

Usually unless I really have a specific thought about a subject I don't comment. However I do place emoj's to help with the algorithm. ❤😮😮😮❤

[@canman5060]

J S Bach - Toccata in D minor BWV 565.

[@smithintern-tainment7868]

Holy crap this is like a precursor to some of the horror comedy films I’ve seen. I love that it’s mostly from the ghosts perspective too. Great story and great narration. I will say that I was really digging it until the part where Virginia and the ghost met. It got kinda cheesy at that point. Still great job narrating though.

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewbeale6072]

'He rose from his seat with a faint cry of joy, and taking her hand bent over it with old-fashioned grace and kissed it. His fingers were as cold as ice, and his lips burned like fire, but Virginia did not falter, as he led her across the dusky room. On the faded green tapestry were broidered little huntsmen. They blew their tasselled horns and with their tiny hands waved to her to go back. "Go back! little Virginia," they cried, "go ​back!" but the ghost clutched her hand more tightly, and she shut her eyes against them. Horrible animals with lizard tails and goggle eyes blinked at her from the carven chimneypiece, and murmured, "Beware! little Virginia, beware! we may never see you again," but the Ghost glided on more swiftly, and Virginia did not listen. When they reached the end of the room he stopped, and muttered some words she could not understand. She opened her eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist, and a great black cavern in front of her. A bitter cold wind swept round them, and she felt something pulling at her dress. "Quick, quick," ​cried the Ghost, "or it will be too late," and in a moment the wainscoting had closed behind them, and the Tapestry Chamber was empty.' Even amid the satire and broad comedy, Wilde manages to work in a few sincerely chilling moments.

[@ClassicGhost]

And I think some lovely descriptions

[@THEPAGEBURNER1979]

O hell yes Good Times 😂

[@jacobmetz3267]

The intro music is Toccata and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach

[@noahhecker6672]

If this was made into a short film, I would have it be that the Ghost would be played by either Charlie Chaplin or Alice Cooper

[@lilblindbandit]

21:00

[@melindalemmon2149]

Who is the reader

[@ClassicGhost]

Me, Tony Walker

[@melindalemmon2149]

@ClassicGhost Excellent Sir.

[@tripleAplay7]

Oscar Wildes talent goes without saying - thanks for uploading! The American accents are pretty awful though…

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you liked it. I’ve commented on the purpose of the american accents elsewhere

[@sjmarham]

Hmm. How odd. No audio on phone, but other vids of yours play fine. And also on pc. How strange. Maybe my phone is haunted

[@ClassicGhost]

i think it’s their processing just catching up. i have audio on my phone now

[@johnnyblaze4546]

Try closing and restarting the app. Mine did the same

[@TheMrCougarful]

Um no audio?

[@ClassicGhost]

I think it hasn’t finished processing

[@TheMrCougarful]

​@@ClassicGhostYeah, I came back and it's working fine. Who knew?

[@ClassicGhost]

The first 20 mins or so after upload (i now know) it’s silent! 🤫

[@zajournals]

I understand the synopsis states there is humor in this story but I failed to hear any. Nevertheless I enjoyed it.

[@wdobni]

stilted and affected .... probably similar to Wilde

[@ClassicGhost]

That was what I was aiming for. I’m not Jacob Rees-Mogg in real life

[@chouloudemusilin]

The cover looked a little like a hezbollah dream woman😉

[@ClassicGhost]

wow! imagine :)

[@popevimtoripkeefhappysackXXX]

Tony that Whitehaven Bodysnatcher last Halloween was stellar - I still think about that every time I drive up Inkerman Terrace ! Strangely I hadnt been to Haven for about 4 years and since spend nearly every weekend there as my mum is very poorly up there. Are we in for similar this year ?

[@ClassicGhost]

Doing a show at The Beacon Sunday 29th . I love the houses on Inkerman Terrace

[@popevimtoripkeefhappysackXXX]

@@ClassicGhost i dont know modern day Haven at all - what’s The Beacon Tony ?

[@JennyLane8666]

I cannot believe I didn't know this story. It was so lovely, so funny and sad and oh! Thank you Tony! Your reading will always be the only way I'll ever think of it.

[@popevimtoripkeefhappysackXXX]

Is that you on the Joanna at the start Tony ?

[@ClassicGhost]

Oh yes. The pipe organ in our bedroom. Annoys Sheila something rotten but the dogs like it .

[@popevimtoripkeefhappysackXXX]

@@ClassicGhost good for keeping crows off the garden too I imagine.

[@ClassicGhost]

@@popevimtoripkeefhappysackXXX Yes, but I encourage the ravens l.