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The Canterville Ghost
There has been a ghost in the house for three hundred years, and Lord Canterville's family have had enough of it. So Lord Canterville sells his grand old house to an American family. Mr Hiram B. Otis is happy to buy the house and the ghost - because of course Americans don't believe in ghosts. The Canterville ghost has great plans to frighten the life out of the Otis family. But Americans don't frighten easily - especially not two noisy little boys - and the poor ghost has a few surprises waiting for him.
56 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 1887
64 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
John Escott
249 books117 followersJohn Escott started by writing children's books and comic scripts, but now writes and adapts books for students of all ages. He especially enjoys writing crime and mystery thrillers, and is a member of the British Crime Writers Association.
With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.
With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 6, 2018
This is a Graded readers version of The Canterville Ghost for language learners. I chose this story to make the lesson plans for my thesis. It’s a really engaging read, spooky but not scary, has many humorous elements but also deep and thoughtful ideas.
An American family moves to an English castle, despite the fact they are warned that their new home is haunted by the ghost of a dead nobleman, Lord Canterville. Not that they don’t believe it, but they accept it as a curiosity, and try to include the ghost into their noisy and happy family.
Though Lord Canterville was not a good man- he killed his wife-, by the end of the story he finds his peace.
An American family moves to an English castle, despite the fact they are warned that their new home is haunted by the ghost of a dead nobleman, Lord Canterville. Not that they don’t believe it, but they accept it as a curiosity, and try to include the ghost into their noisy and happy family.
Though Lord Canterville was not a good man- he killed his wife-, by the end of the story he finds his peace.
September 15, 2017
جميلة وممتعة ومعبرة سوف أقرأها في أقرب فرصة باللغة العربية
June 11, 2015
"The Canterville Ghost" is not a horror book as it said on the cover but it does have something to do with ghosts.
When Mr. Otis and his family (Americans) bought a house in England, Mr. Otis was warned by the owner of the house that there is the ghost of Lord Canterville for 300 years. Lord Canterville was the founder of the house then. But Mr. Otis said he and his family were not afraid of ghosts so they bought it.
The Otis family saw that there was a blood stain on the floor of the house so the cleaned it. But every time they clean it, it appears back in the morning. Then there are also ghostly noises so there surely is a ghost. But everytime the ghost tried to scare them the twins, the youngest boys of the family, play tricks on him so he was really angry.
It's more of a comedy book than a horror book. So what do u think will the ghost so to the Otis family? And what will the Otis family do about it?
When Mr. Otis and his family (Americans) bought a house in England, Mr. Otis was warned by the owner of the house that there is the ghost of Lord Canterville for 300 years. Lord Canterville was the founder of the house then. But Mr. Otis said he and his family were not afraid of ghosts so they bought it.
The Otis family saw that there was a blood stain on the floor of the house so the cleaned it. But every time they clean it, it appears back in the morning. Then there are also ghostly noises so there surely is a ghost. But everytime the ghost tried to scare them the twins, the youngest boys of the family, play tricks on him so he was really angry.
It's more of a comedy book than a horror book. So what do u think will the ghost so to the Otis family? And what will the Otis family do about it?
April 27, 2015
The book " The Centerville Ghost" was written by John Escott.
The ghost in this book are very kind. When I before choose this book, I thought this book is horror book, but it's not. The ghost are not scary, he is very kind. So this book is not fun to me.
The ghost in this book are very kind. When I before choose this book, I thought this book is horror book, but it's not. The ghost are not scary, he is very kind. So this book is not fun to me.
November 6, 2021
A 1 hour and 20 minute unabridged audiobook.
What an interesting take on a ghost story. Instead of being focused on the ghosts effect on the family, it was focused on the family's effect on the ghost. I liked it.
What an interesting take on a ghost story. Instead of being focused on the ghosts effect on the family, it was focused on the family's effect on the ghost. I liked it.
June 4, 2021
At first it felt stupid but the ending was kinda sweet
February 16, 2022
no big deal
November 16, 2017
The book is about a man who lives in an old house in Great Britain. A ghost has been living in the house for three hundred years. The man has enough of this and he decides to sell his house. He sells his house to an American family. He also told the family about the ghost. But because Americans don’t believe in spirits, they decided to buy it. The family consists of a mum and dad, a son, a daughter and the twins. Two noisy little boys that are very happy to live in a house with a ghost. Once the family arrived at Canterville Chase, an old woman in a black dress was standing in the doorway of the house, waiting to meet them. The mother saw a red stain in the library. It was a bloodstain. The cleaning lady told them the whole story of the stain. But strangely enough, the blood stain never went away. The first nights went smoothly until the ghost had come up with a plan to scare them because that was his job. But one night the father suddenly came face to face with the spirit. He was not afraid and he just went back to sleep. The spirit didn’t like this because he wanted to frighten them. So happened in the house of all strange things. The twins played games with the ghost, and the ghost also held games with them. But time and time again the ghost didn’t succeed in frightening them. But one day daughter Virginia went to her room to put on a new t-shirt. In her room she saw the ghost sitting beside her window. She decided to talk quietly with the ghost. He told her that he is actually very unhappy and that he regrets everything he has ever done. The ghost showed her a secret space where all things happened. But to find out, you must read the book yourself.
The font of the book is good, so the book reads smoothly. It’s not too big but still very readable. It’s nice that there are images in the book. This makes the book clearer if you do not understand everything equally well. It’s a tool to better understand the book. The book is also exciting written, which is nice to read. Because you are therefore curious as a reader. You want to know what is going to happen. The book is also very thin. So you read the book in one go and that makes it much clearer. Because you can peruse and then everything is still fresh in your memory. The subject of the book is also interesting, I found. The English was certainly not too difficult. Even if you can't English well, this is clearly written. The sad thing about the book is that the book has an open end. This is less my thing. But it is only a small thing. I think there is a clear message behind the book. Namely that you do not always have to be afraid of ghosts because ghosts can also be good.
I would certainly recommend the book to people who have a little more trouble with English and who love an exciting genre. The book may be too easy for people who speak English, but perfect for people with some problems. The book is also recommended for people who do not like thick books and who love a short and concise story. The book is definitely recommended to improve your English. By reading this kind of books, you learn English in a fun way. By reading this book, you learn that not all English books are boring and difficult.
The font of the book is good, so the book reads smoothly. It’s not too big but still very readable. It’s nice that there are images in the book. This makes the book clearer if you do not understand everything equally well. It’s a tool to better understand the book. The book is also exciting written, which is nice to read. Because you are therefore curious as a reader. You want to know what is going to happen. The book is also very thin. So you read the book in one go and that makes it much clearer. Because you can peruse and then everything is still fresh in your memory. The subject of the book is also interesting, I found. The English was certainly not too difficult. Even if you can't English well, this is clearly written. The sad thing about the book is that the book has an open end. This is less my thing. But it is only a small thing. I think there is a clear message behind the book. Namely that you do not always have to be afraid of ghosts because ghosts can also be good.
I would certainly recommend the book to people who have a little more trouble with English and who love an exciting genre. The book may be too easy for people who speak English, but perfect for people with some problems. The book is also recommended for people who do not like thick books and who love a short and concise story. The book is definitely recommended to improve your English. By reading this kind of books, you learn English in a fun way. By reading this book, you learn that not all English books are boring and difficult.
May 28, 2017
The canterville Ghost goes about a Ghost that lives in a chase. The family Otis bought this house from An other family. They told them there lives a Ghost, but the Otis family does not believe in Ghost. The Ghost does not like People in his house, he tried to make the family scared. So they would live the house and he can live in peace . But the Little brothers were pulled the Ghost with jokes. The result was that the Ghost was very unhappy and does not Came out his room for a long time.One day, Virgina ( the daughter of the family) find him in his room and saw that he was very unhappy. She feels so sorry about the jokes from her brothers. And if you want to now how the book ends, you should read this book by yourself.
I like this book because it was easy to read. Normaly i does not like reading but now i could not stop reading. This book is good to read for People who could read English very wel.I also like the pictures. Normaly i do not like books because it's very boring. But in this book some thing happened on every page, so you would not stop reading.It was Nice that is was a short story, so you could read it in one time. If you like mystery, you really have to read this book.
I like this book because it was easy to read. Normaly i does not like reading but now i could not stop reading. This book is good to read for People who could read English very wel.I also like the pictures. Normaly i do not like books because it's very boring. But in this book some thing happened on every page, so you would not stop reading.It was Nice that is was a short story, so you could read it in one time. If you like mystery, you really have to read this book.
May 11, 2017
This book goes about a ghost that lives at the chanterville chase. The family Otis bought this castle. And they knew there was a ghost, but they weren’t afraid of him. The ghost tried to make the family scared so that they were going to leave the castle. But the little brothers in the family were bullying the ghost with jokes. This maked the ghost so sad that he stayed in his room for a very long time. On a moment Virgina (the youngest daughter of the family) found the ghost and she sees that he was unhappy. She feels so sorry for him and if you wanna know what happend then you have to read this book by yourself.
I liked this book because normaly I don’t like reading for some reason I find that very boring.But in this book there happend so much things on one page and that makes the book so interesting. I also like the drawings in this book, they are very funny. It’s nice that it is a short story you can read this book in one or two hours. So if you like mystery and exciting books is this book a really recommend for you.
I liked this book because normaly I don’t like reading for some reason I find that very boring.But in this book there happend so much things on one page and that makes the book so interesting. I also like the drawings in this book, they are very funny. It’s nice that it is a short story you can read this book in one or two hours. So if you like mystery and exciting books is this book a really recommend for you.
October 27, 2016
There lives a ghost at Canterville Chase. The American Otis family buys the house , including the ghost. Mr. and Mrs Otis have four children: son Washington, a pretty lovely daughter Virginia and the twins.
Their housekeeper, Mrs. Umney explains them that Sir Simon De Canterville murdered his wife in the library in 1575. He lived for another nine years but then suddenly disappeared.The Otis family isn’t afraid of the ghost and they aren’t frightened by his tricks. For this reason the ghost feels unhappy. He was for three hundred years the most famous ghost in the country. The American family plays tricks on him, except Virginia. She feels sorry for him and helps him to find peace. As reward Virginia receives a box of jewels. At the end of the story, Virginia is married and it’s clear that something profound happened between Virginia and the ghost, but what stays a secret.
I liked the story a lot because it really takes you away. The story is told through the eyes of the ghost, sir Simon . After a while, you feel sorry for him and want to help him. The Canterville ghost is easy to read, it only takes a few hours because of the simple sentences. It was a very funny story and rather humorous because they make jokes , but it’s also a story of surprises and contrasts. Instead of being afraid they play tricks on the ghost and terrorize him. It was also nice that it’s a short story and that there were pictures.
I think the story would even have been better if some exiting things would have happened. I didn’t like the fact that the persons were presented very typical , like the boys are bad and the girl is good.
Their housekeeper, Mrs. Umney explains them that Sir Simon De Canterville murdered his wife in the library in 1575. He lived for another nine years but then suddenly disappeared.The Otis family isn’t afraid of the ghost and they aren’t frightened by his tricks. For this reason the ghost feels unhappy. He was for three hundred years the most famous ghost in the country. The American family plays tricks on him, except Virginia. She feels sorry for him and helps him to find peace. As reward Virginia receives a box of jewels. At the end of the story, Virginia is married and it’s clear that something profound happened between Virginia and the ghost, but what stays a secret.
I liked the story a lot because it really takes you away. The story is told through the eyes of the ghost, sir Simon . After a while, you feel sorry for him and want to help him. The Canterville ghost is easy to read, it only takes a few hours because of the simple sentences. It was a very funny story and rather humorous because they make jokes , but it’s also a story of surprises and contrasts. Instead of being afraid they play tricks on the ghost and terrorize him. It was also nice that it’s a short story and that there were pictures.
I think the story would even have been better if some exiting things would have happened. I didn’t like the fact that the persons were presented very typical , like the boys are bad and the girl is good.
May 1, 2015
There was a famous ghost in the Canterville house. Sir Simon de Canterville. Everybody was afraid of him. The Duchess of Bolton was ill ever since the ghost placed his cold skeleton hands on her shoulders. Four housekeepers ran away from the the house, screaming.
Lord Augustus shot himself when he saw a skeleton sitting in his armchair. Pretty Lady Stutfield never spoke again after the ghost held her long white neck.
But when the Otis family moved in, they were not afraid Instead the young Otis Twins played tricks to the ghost. The ghost was angry and has great plans to frighten the Otis Family.
It has touching ending.
Lord Augustus shot himself when he saw a skeleton sitting in his armchair. Pretty Lady Stutfield never spoke again after the ghost held her long white neck.
But when the Otis family moved in, they were not afraid Instead the young Otis Twins played tricks to the ghost. The ghost was angry and has great plans to frighten the Otis Family.
It has touching ending.
June 24, 2015
1. Oxford level 2
2. 6/23=80
3. ghost, bloodstain, family, trick, death, peace, jewels
4. a. 'But I am a ghost, I must walk about at night, shake my chains, and go "Oooooh!" and "Aaaaagh!" through keyholes. That's my job.'
b. This passage was very interesting, because I didn't know that the ghost have a job! Also, I understood the meaning of the photograph of the cover from this passage.
5. At first, I wondered why Mr. Hiram B. Otis is not afraid of the ghost. If I were his family, I would oppose living in this house. Also, I liked the scene which the twins play a trick on the ghost. I'm afraid of the ghost, but I could enjoy to read this book.
2. 6/23=80
3. ghost, bloodstain, family, trick, death, peace, jewels
4. a. 'But I am a ghost, I must walk about at night, shake my chains, and go "Oooooh!" and "Aaaaagh!" through keyholes. That's my job.'
b. This passage was very interesting, because I didn't know that the ghost have a job! Also, I understood the meaning of the photograph of the cover from this passage.
5. At first, I wondered why Mr. Hiram B. Otis is not afraid of the ghost. If I were his family, I would oppose living in this house. Also, I liked the scene which the twins play a trick on the ghost. I'm afraid of the ghost, but I could enjoy to read this book.
Read
June 19, 2021According to me, when I first read the title of the book i thought I might be a scary ghost story like others
But when I actually read the book I found it intresting and not at all scary. I like the way the author Oscar pragmatically moulded the story into horror-comic. I basically like the ending of the story it was quite touching, before the death of Simon the ghost he has a friend who'll pray for his peace. This story is funny, imaginative and so easy to read I recommend young readers as well as adults to read this book at least once.
Maybe some of us do not believe in ghosts but there is something around us which we can't see.
But when I actually read the book I found it intresting and not at all scary. I like the way the author Oscar pragmatically moulded the story into horror-comic. I basically like the ending of the story it was quite touching, before the death of Simon the ghost he has a friend who'll pray for his peace. This story is funny, imaginative and so easy to read I recommend young readers as well as adults to read this book at least once.
Maybe some of us do not believe in ghosts but there is something around us which we can't see.
March 11, 2021
Awesome fictional book! After reading the name of the book I thought that the story might be horror. But Oscar moulded the story from horror to comedy. It's really interesting to read.
I liked the way a spooky name can end up being funny and imaginative story. The language of the book is quite good for all ages as well as the beginners.
The ending of the story is quite touching. The little Virginia grew up and was married to the Duke.
I loved the humorous scenes of the story where the ghost was frustrated by the behavior of the Otis family.
I liked the way a spooky name can end up being funny and imaginative story. The language of the book is quite good for all ages as well as the beginners.
The ending of the story is quite touching. The little Virginia grew up and was married to the Duke.
I loved the humorous scenes of the story where the ghost was frustrated by the behavior of the Otis family.
January 15, 2014
Oxford reader Level2
Time 85minutes
ghost-frighten-Americans-trick-brothers-secret-death
Q.Do you believe the ghost?
A.No, I don't, because I've never seen it.
This book is very easy so, I enjoyed the book. The ghost in this book was very kind. I want to become friend! This book is not scary. I recommend it.
Time 85minutes
ghost-frighten-Americans-trick-brothers-secret-death
Q.Do you believe the ghost?
A.No, I don't, because I've never seen it.
This book is very easy so, I enjoyed the book. The ghost in this book was very kind. I want to become friend! This book is not scary. I recommend it.
March 20, 2016
this is not the original version but it was ok, it is for my writing class so...
I have to read the original version.
I have to read the original version.
July 27, 2018
Cantervillské strašidlo ★★★★★
Sfinga bez záhady ★★★☆☆
Neobyčejný model ★★★★☆
Zločin Artura Savilla ★★★★★
Obraz Doriana Graye ★★★★☆
4,2 ★★★★☆
Sfinga bez záhady ★★★☆☆
Neobyčejný model ★★★★☆
Zločin Artura Savilla ★★★★★
Obraz Doriana Graye ★★★★☆
4,2 ★★★★☆
August 12, 2025
Hacía rato quería leer algo de Oscar Wilde, tenía este libro por ahí en mi biblioteca y hoy decidí que era buen día para lectura de una sentada.
Obviamente es una adaptación del original, pero me pareció muy buena. Es una historia super cómica para pasar el rato ya que es muy gracioso y por momentos tierno ver como el fantasma no logra asustar a la moderna familia Otis.
Como es un libro de aprendizaje el inglés es muy sencillo y se deja leer, de verdad es un libro de una sentada.
Me saco risas y me conmovió mucho el desenlace de la historia.
Espero poder leer el cuento original pronto.
Obviamente es una adaptación del original, pero me pareció muy buena. Es una historia super cómica para pasar el rato ya que es muy gracioso y por momentos tierno ver como el fantasma no logra asustar a la moderna familia Otis.
Como es un libro de aprendizaje el inglés es muy sencillo y se deja leer, de verdad es un libro de una sentada.
Me saco risas y me conmovió mucho el desenlace de la historia.
Espero poder leer el cuento original pronto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
Hmmm...I remember that loved this book so much as a kid. I am not sure if it just doesn't hold up well or if I don't care for this particular adaptation. I found a super cheap copy of the novella online and it will be here later this week, I will read it and see how I feel then. There was one line that felt so much like Wilde and made me giggle. "American people are really no different from English people - but they do, of course, speak a different language".
May 20, 2017
kisah ini langsung terasa menarik di bagian awal dengan sentuhan humor yang cukup menggelitik. masuk ke bagian inti cerita kita juga takkan menemukan horor yang mungkin sudah terbayang begitu melihat ilustrasi di bagian muka buku. hingga pada bagian akhir, kita baru akan memahami kisah utuh yang ingin disajikan oleh sang penulis. jadi, bacalah buku ini hingga usai!
December 7, 2022
Oscar Wilde was a wonderful storyteller, whether writing or speaking, and his day he was famous for clever and amusing conversations
The canteville ghost not horrffic story. In summary It's consist of humor, compassion, sympathy, forgiveness.
The canteville ghost not horrffic story. In summary It's consist of humor, compassion, sympathy, forgiveness.
January 19, 2020
I LOVE this book, the author is funny when he describes things, I really enjoyed reading it
November 7, 2020
Funny short ghost tale.
February 13, 2021
Nothing exceptional.
April 2, 2021
“you can open the door to death for me, for love is always with you and love is stronger than death is.”
April 7, 2021
Very funny Novel but ending becomes sorrowful. But reading it was adventurous.
November 2, 2022
Very funny.
December 16, 2022
Big fan of Wilde. I expected something great and was pleased to find this cute story even better and even wittier than I had even hoped.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews