The Canterville Ghost, a humorous short story written by Oscar Wilde, features the experiences of the Otis family that moves into an old English country house named Canterville Chase. Summary Of The Book The Canterville Ghost is a popular short story written by Oscar Wilde. It highlights the interesting contrasts between British and American cultures, by narrating the events that occur when a certain American family moves to England. The story is set in Canterville Chase, an ancient English house that has all the requisite signs of appearing haunted. An American family of six, the Otis family, moves into the house despite being warned that the house is haunted. None of the members of the Otis family believe in the presence of the ghost. However, they keep finding the increasing evidence of the ghost's presence. Despite that, the Otises refuse to believe that the house is haunted. From clanking chains to strange apparitions to bloodstains that keep reappearing, they take everything in their stride. They go about their life as usual, not frightened in the least. Only Virginia, the daughter of the Otis family, believes that the ghost exists. The narrator of the story is none other than Sir Simon, the ghost himself. He is characterized by a colorful personality and complex emotions. His regular talks with Virginia about matters of life and death reveal the complexity of his feelings. Placing the British and American cultures side by side, the book parodies conventional ghost stories and provides a satirical perspective on the American way of life. The Canterville Ghost first appeared in The Court And Society Review magazine in February 1887. It has been adapted for film, theatre, and music. This particular edition is a 2010 reprint by Pigeon Books. About Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde was an Irish writer, playwright, and poet. His written works include The Picture Of Dorian Gray, An Ideal Husband, The Soul Of Man Under Socialism, House Of Pomegranates, Lady Windermere's Fan, and The Ballad Of Reading Gaol. Wilde was born as Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland. He studied at Trinity College in Dublin and later at Magdalen College, Oxford, England. In a shocking twist of fate, Wilde went on to face bankruptcy and prison, both taking a severe toll on his health and spirit. He succumbed to cerebral meningitis on November 30, 1900. Numerous biographies based on Wilde's life have been written since his death.