by Oscar Wilde
First published 1888
Lord Arthur Savile discovers a palm reader's prophecy that he must commit murder before he can marry. He sets out to fulfill this grim destiny, believing it his moral duty to complete the crime before his wedding day. Meanwhile, an American family moves into Canterville Chase, where they encounter Sir Simon, a ghost who has haunted the estate for centuries. The ghost expects to terrify his new residents, but the practical Americans treat his supernatural antics as mere inconvenience. Across these tales, Wilde presents characters caught between duty and desire, tradition and progress. A nightingale sacrifices herself to create a red rose for young love. A happy prince statue gives away his gold and jewels to help the poor. A poor artist discovers unexpected generosity from a wealthy patron. Each story examines how people navigate moral choices when society's expectations clash with personal conscience. Wilde's characters face moments where kindness demands sacrifice and love requires difficult decisions.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, classic-literature, 20th-century, ghost-stories, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, thought-provoking
Tropes: duty-vs-desire, tradition-vs-progress
Setting: Canterville Chase
Period: 19th-Century
316 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books