At the Ghost Hour; The House of the Unbelieving Thomas

by Paul Heyse

It is averred that the souls of the dead, when they leave their bodies, do not pass directly to heaven or hell; but, according to the Romish belief, into purgatory, there to await the day of judgment and the resurrection of the body; or, according to the Protestant confession, into an intermediate state, where they bide in a condition of uncertain expectancy, like that of earthly travelers in a way station. In this supernal region there prevails a certain monotony of existence unrelieved even by the arrival of newly-released souls who, for the most part, bear upon their pallid features the sorrowful trace of a reluctant parting.

It is true that spirits of the higher order, those who while yet upon earth were raised above the sordid misery of life, and who viewed all occurrences in the light of eternity, soon find their way about in the gray twilight of this aerial realm, angeland enjoy meeting a kindred soul now and then among the noiseless throng of disembodied spirits, and holding converse with those whom they had come to revere for their virtuous deeds during their earthly life. So that here, where perfect equality and universal brotherhood are generally supposed to hold sway, there is a line of distinction between the great and small, to which no one offers the least objection. For, as no outward advantage is attached to the greater prestige which the nobler souls enjoy, no one finds cause for envy in the exalted intercourse with which, their hours are filled; while the great majority long ardently for the coarser pleasures of their past life.

Genres: Nobel Prize

Nook

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Paul Johann Ludwig von Heyse (15 March 1830 – 2 April 1914) was a distinguished German writer and translator. A member of two important literary societies, the Tunnel über der Spree in Berlin and Die Krokodile in Munich, he wrote novels, poetry, 177 short stories, and about sixty dramas. The sum of Heyse's many and varied productions made him a dominant figure among German men of letters.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1910 "as a tribute to the consummate artistry, permeated with idealism, which he has demonstrated during his long productive career as a lyric poet, dramatist, novelist and writer of world-renowned short stories."

Reviews

[Old Man JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old woman, who people believe to be a witch, and her beautiful young daughter move into an old haunted house. Circumstances lead to a romance between the daughter and a young man with a little assistance from a couple of ghosts. This is a short novella told in very lyrical prose by Paul Heyse.

[Coleman Wigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great reading this book. How I do love Ghost stories anyway. This one has an ending I think you will much enjoy.

[ROLLAND Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous ghost story that will appeal to the fans of Oscar Wilde's Canterville Ghost.
There is no element of horror here, which makes it a safe read, even for children (let's say, 10 would be a good target age).

Interesting reflection about well-to-do people who accuse their poor neighbours of being witches, but summon spirits themselves... in order to gossip!

This novella was an excellent palate cleanser in between two more intense reads.
I had an excellent time.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written novella by a Nobel laureate in Literature. The first I have read of Heyse.