The Canterville ghost by Oscar Wilde

This was first published in 1887. I found it to be really funny and enjoyed it immensely.

The story begins when Hiram B. Otis and his family move into Canterville Chase, despite warnings from Lord Canterville that the house is haunted. The family includes Mr. and Mrs. Otis, their son Washington, their daughter Virginia, and twin boys. In the beginning, not one member of the Otis family believes in ghosts, but soon they hear and see him. But nothing the ghost does scares the Otises. He thinks of his haunting senarios as if they were characters to act in a play. for instance he plays The Headless Earl, The Strangled Babe, andThe Blood-Sucker of Bexley Moor, all of which have been successful of scaring people in the past. However it doesn't work with this family. For example upon hearing the clanking noises in the hallway, Mr. Otis gives the ghost Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator to oil his chains. The twins play tricks on him and upset him badly. The story is funny and the ending is warm and sweet.

This is a short book, a novella, and is worth a try if you haven't already read it. 4