Theme: Classic Ghost Story
Books: The Open Window by Saki [H. H. Munro] and 'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad'
Both published by Everyman's Pocket Classics in 2008 and edited by Peter Washington. ISBN: 9781841596013. The stories are 4 and 23 pages long respectively.
Genre: classics, ghost stories, short stories, thriller, horror
Synopsis
The Open Window tells the story Frampton Nuttel whom visits Sappleton House by order of his sister, to rest his nerves. The young Vera is hostess to Nuttel as her aunt prepares the evening meal in the kitchen. It is upon this meeting that Nuttel learns from Vera of a family tragedy; one day, three generations of men from the family went missing on the moors. Her aunt leaves the front window open in case they 'decide' to return.
'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Professor Parkins, when discussing his upcoming mini-break to Barnstow, is recommended by friends to visit the Templar's Preceptory along the nearby beach. Accompanied by his a peer Mr. Rodgers, Parkins checks in at the Gorge Inn at a room over-looking the sea. When finished golfing, Parkins visits the Preceptory unexpectedly when he falls down a dune into the marshes and the Preceptory itself. When there he finds a box containing an old whistle. Walking back to the Inn, he notices a figure running in vain trying to catch up with him. Uncomfortable he decides to ignore it. At closer inspection later in the evening, he notices the whistle has strange marking. Checking if it still works, he blows twice into the device and unforeseen calls the figure to him.
Overall Review
It's hard to contemplate an adult short story being told in just 4 pages. Yet, the plot is so daring clever and almost invariably creepy. The author, Saki, often likes to portray practical jokes in his work. The Open Window perfectly demonstrates how it is easy to misinterpret jokes as reality rather than fiction. Yet, as a reader we fall victim, alongside Nuttel to the mischievous Vera and her well told tale. However, I prefer taking the plot at face value. I have not divulged the full extent of the story but trust me, if you do believe what you read, the hairs on the back of your head will be standing on end.
The lack of writing is by no means deters from the story; it manages to pack a punch and surely that is a mark of excellence in story telling. What I do think is that it's suited brilliantly to campsite fires and night in with friends. It is meant to be read out loud.
'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad' is probably one of the most well-known and most-loved ghost stories in literature. It is just the right mix of tension and horror and is one that probably will never be topped. The underlying point of the story is to not mess with the spiritual world and take those that do not belong to you as you will always get your comeuppance.
The long figure running after Parkins is just the start of this affair that inevitable turns increasingly sour. I cannot think of a more frightening image than that of someone running after you especially when you know any contact is not going to end well. What's more you are never given the true identity of the figure - it seems to have form as a person running across the sand and yet also appears shapeless in the hotel room and has to materialise itself in bed linen. An unnameable and invisible enemy that creeps up on you in the night. OK, now I'm scaring myself.
It's hard to judge such classics. Are there any criticisms of insights of further value. Probably not. The stories have not been adapted nor re-published time after time for no reason. These are simply ones which, like the best tales, will pass down to new generations.
What's your favourite ghost story? Does a 'classic' novel equal perfection? Next weeks review theme is January Author of the Month - Suzanne Collins Book One in the Hunger Games Trilogy.
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