A ghost in my house

“Let us, then, be introduced to the actors in a placid way; let us see them going about their ordinary business, undisturbed by forebodings, pleased with surroundings; and into this calm environment ominous thing put out its head, unobtrusively at first, then more insistently, until it holds stage.”Montague Rhodes James, introduction Ghosts Marvels My father had an extensive repertoire of fragmentary songs he'd sing me when I was young. He took great delight these ditties, most which he made up himself, despite not being gifted any particular musical talent. only discovered origin meaning one my favourites, delivered as putting bed, years later older brother Chris explained that making sure you weren't left stranded dark leaving torch on unnecessarily. In case, mere mention ghosts hooked in, though Dad no obvious interest or belief supernatural far can remember. “Waste batteries one, two, three.All spookies come tea.” Perhaps it's wonder something whimsical boy – description given adolescent, occult-dabbling Lord Saul James's short story The Residence Whitminster—fascinated “spookies” from early age. I've idea weird, supernatural, born, but already present 1978 summer holiday Wales where, aged 4, asked Caernarfon Castle guide if place ghost. This piece family lore told back and, although half-picture incident now, I'm how much memory is illusory invented... (I cannot recall guide's answer—and none haunted Britain books bookshelves make place's spectral associations, web there are references castle's floating lady, said hover along corridors interfere electrical equipment). Many excellent, recently published titles exist phenomenon (and public's ever-changing attitudes amount them), appearance social purpose has morphed over time (see, for example, Roger Clarke's 2012 A Natural History Susan Owens's 2017 Ghost: Cultural History). own narrative non-fiction book Ghostland: Search Haunted Country does have focus cultural folkloric territory, function fictional works—particularly eerie stories several Victorian Edwardian writers, British television adaptations same source material (such BBC's Ghost Story Christmas strand 1970s), various feature-length horror films. But heart, Ghostland survey shadows past, exploring ideas loss context fondness fictitious form. work written aftermath brother's death, struggling rawness bereavement disconnection sense self (by surviving close member, sole remaining conspirator whom could reminisce childhood memories). Given all this, question inherent within what, exactly, literary ghost does? And some odd comfort tales otherworldly forces might help terms our grief? It worth pointing what often referred do necessarily contain we traditionally think ghost: say, kind physical manifestation dead. Take acknowledged masters form, Montague James. Victorian-born son Suffolk rector, James became noted medievalist went hold office Provost both King's College, Cambridge Eton's famous public school (both himself attended). Although traditional narratives spirits coming haunt those who wronged caused earthly demise (for Martin's Close, shade murdered girl fixated after her death murderer she life), many finest stalked demons straight illuminated manuscripts Biblical apocrypha Middle Ages so familiar his scholarship. terrors rooted tangible—a toothed mouth appearing beneath protagonist's pillow; awful, damp, yet leather-like, suffocating guardian elemental—unlike ambiguous, possibly psychological horrors Turn Screw, ghostly masterpiece near-contemporary namesake, Henry What vast majority share, however, even publication they were earlier age, like man himself. His protagonists middle-aged academics engaged lonely pursuit form arcane knowledge. few also involve literal unearthing past (alongside unintentional unleashing malign), two tales, Oh, Whistle, I'll Come You, Lad Warning Curious. setting thought helped constitute successful tale, wrote: “For slight haze distance desirable. ‘Thirty ago,' ‘Not long before war,' very proper openings.” That evocation dimly remembered quality other 20th century practitioners Walter de la Mare's anthologised Seaton's Aunt. narrator, named Withers, begins taking public-school youth, recalling strangeness unpopular classmate, Seaton, visit pair together house eponymous aunt during half-term. Like good deal work, easy tale decode—which author wants it. At end story, understand definitively scant: Seaton longer world—though readers wiser manner demise. sort life-stealing succubus, simply joyless domineering old woman. denouement takes narrator's present, recollection provides story's dramatic thrust power: humans formative incidents, continued replaying seemingly brings further elucidation closure. act remembering offers comfort, irrespective whether transaction will entail unavoidable confrontation unpalatable? frisson stems Proustian way works transport first encountered them. Viewing BBC adaptation Lost Hearts again instance, am vividly mind 21-year-old returning home pub late Eve 1994, stumbling lounge alone house, watched film's terrifying, razor-nailed revenants materialise TV front me, reigniting love things supernatural. As children, read (or consume screen) fantastic, believe non-realist, imaginative pieces ones tend leave powerful lasting impression. Within genre Christian theology proposes presence existence beyond grave—though than result page place-bound phantom rather angel-filled Heaven Hieronymus Bosch-like vision Hell. answer beliefs coy, regardless scepticism view share: “I prepared consider evidence accept satisfies me.” Unlike religious views atheistic. Yet, non-believers, implicit acceptance hereafter outside scientific understanding laws nature) beguiling allure? Because telling myself current plane is, contemplation such matters reminds never hear voices faces lost loved (at least, nothing increasingly sporadic dreams). Ensconced landscape feel willing aside logical give possibilities. So, reading Rudyard Kipling's They (a heartbreaking elegy author's infant daughter), find grip ethereal small hand denouement. though, fleeting, euphoria experienced narrator soon realises brief reconciliation departed daughter Sussex ended, must contemplate life point onwards absence final: “Then knew. known day looked across lawn high window.” lay dying 2014, appetite insatiable. too, enjoyed read—though another anthology lent him underwhelmed. Certainly, collection wasn't good, now clumsier subject matter too bone. Yes, kinds largely been intention, would it, “of inspiring pleasing terror reader”, inherently reconcile ourselves ultimate endings. Stephen King, extended meditation works, Danse Macabre, posits scary movies extension, stories) life—and appeal chiefly viewers feels abstract far-off concept; truth little surprise did urge... reminded, Ray Bradbury's children's novella Halloween Tree, introduces mortality young tells ghosts, certainly capable keeping awake night, memories. For continuing Chris's final defiance. An attempt cling still held onto—and deeper-seated remembrances faded both, time, share. It's defiance persisted, continues draw dark. https://edwardparnell.com/