Book Review: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

written by R.A. Dick

192 pages // published in 1945 // adult fiction // literary classic



My Review...




"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is a classic piece of literature -- perhaps not as well known as it should be.

Yes, it's about a ghost.

Yes, this ghost haunts a house.

Not in a spooky way, though, but in a delightful way -- or once you get to know him, it's not really a spooky idea at all.

Captain Gregg was a nautical man at heart and lived by the sea. Gull Cottage was his home on land, and he doesn't like it when people try to stay in "his" house. That is, until widowed Mrs. Muir wheedles her way in the door and truly doesn't mind co-occupying the place with a ghost. Her only request is that he doesn't scare her children.

I was led to this book after watching the talented Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney play the title characters on screen. The movie is so perfectly charming, after all, and no one could have fit the role of Captain Gregg better than Mr. Harrison (in my humble opinion). Getting to enjoy this piece of literature was a breeze. I have to say, I probably would have never picked up this book about a ghost unless I had seen the movie first to understand it better.



Cons: The only thing I can label as a con is that the Captain sometimes, shall we say, has a sailor's mouth -- just a little bit.

This is a great book -- you should certainly read it -- but you cannot afford to miss out on seeing the movie either!

"God bless my soul, if you set your ship on a certain course you stick to it; you'd never get anywhere if you navigated backwards half the time." (Captain Gregg's wisdom)

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