Mr. Tallent's Ghost

by Mary Webb

Mary Webb (1881-1927) was an English Romantic novelist, short story writer and poet whose work is set chiefly in Shropshire.

'Mr. Tallent's Ghost' is an amusing tale about an eccentric writer who likes to read his appalling and tedious novels aloud to his relatives...or indeed anyone who will listen. He persuades a lawyer to draw up a will devoting his entire fortune to funding the publication of his writing. Shortly after this, news of Mr. Tallent's death arrives.

The disinherited relations dispute the will vigorously, and soon after this, the ghost of Mr. Tallent begins to haunt the relatives and the executor. Worse still, the ghost is reading his dreadful novels to them aloud. One by one the relatives are consigned to mental institutions. The lawyer, who is also Mr. Tallent's executor, holds out longest...and then he makes an extraordinary discovery.

Genres: Horror

Unknown Binding

About the author

Mary Webb (1881-1927) was an English romantic novelist of the early 20th century, whose novels were set chiefly in the Shropshire countryside and among Shropshire characters and people which she knew and loved well. Although she was acclaimed by John Buchan and by Rebecca West, who hailed her as a genius, and won the Prix Femina of La Vie Heureuse for Precious Bane (1924), she won little respect from the general public. It was only after her death that the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, earned her posthumous success through his approbation, referring to her as a neglected genius at a Literary Fund dinner in 1928.

Her writing is notable for its descriptions of nature, and of the human heart. She had a deep sympathy for all her characters and was able to see good and truth in all of them. Among her most famous works are: The Golden Arrow (1916), Gone to Earth (1917), and Seven for a Secret (1922).

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator talks about a very boring reading of a manuscript he endures. The reader is Mr Tallent who is writing his masterpiece. When he dies things get complicated. Is there anything worth a penny he left in a deedbox? Great horror satire on a ghost who haunts with his incredibly boring readings. LOL. The twist at the end is very well done by the author. Really recommended unusual ghost tale!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very amusingly ingenious tale.

[Tilia]

I don't even now

[Abhilash · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice

[Favour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr Tallent the ultimate troll