Six Degrees of Separation October 2020 – The Ghost Edition

Posted October 5, 2020 by elzaread in 6 Degrees of separation / 22 Comments

Welcome to our third edition of Six Degrees of Separation. Once again, we are a couple of days late for this monthly feature, but every month I am closing the gap a bit more. We apologize profoundly to our host, Books are my Favorite and Best

On the first Saturday of every month, a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six other books to form a chain. Books can be linked in obvious ways, for example: same authors, same era or genre, or books with similar themes or settings. Or you might choose to link them in more personal ways: books you read in the same holiday, books given to you by a particular friend or books that remind you of a particular time in your life. The choices are endless here!  

This month’s chain is set of with The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

I’ve always loved books and reading, but what really got the reading juices flowing like a river, was when I discovered C.J. Langenhoven’s ghost stories. Unfortunately, they are not available in English, so unless you speak Afrikaans, you won’t be able to join in my excitement. Ever since then, I love a good ghost story. Not too weird or too paranormal. Just a nice chill down the spine. 

The set of for this month’s Six Degrees, is one that fits the criteria perfectly. So where to link up? With the ghosts of course!

1st Degree: The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde Old houses with creaky staircases and ghosts who do not want the new living, breathing, inhabitants there. Perfect for the first chain. This poor ghost really was tired of playing ghost and just couldn’t get that darn family to leave. I do feel sorry for him. Mister Wilde at his best. 

2nd Degree:  The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen Another old house with a creaky staircase. But this ghost doesn’t want his living, breathing inhabitant to leave. Oh no. It appears that certain pleasures go beyond the grave. 

3rd Degree: Red Lily by Nora Roberts Yet again, another century old mansion with a ghost. The Harper Bride appears in all three novels of the In the garden trilogy, but in this one we find out her story. (You can’t be a ghost for no reason you know). The reason why I chose her, is because the tables are turned from our set of book, The turn of the screw. Now the ghosts are human and the governess is a ghost. 

4th Degree: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling Now how did I get to this one? Moaning Myrtle of course. There is something terrifyingly scary about children’s ghosts. Or am I the only one who think so? But some of them are just sad. Take Myrtle for instance. I think she is the saddest character in the whole series. 
5th Degree: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders The saddest ghost child of them all. And we finally have a change of setting as well. No more century old mansions or school dormitories, we are finally at the lesser spotted ghost’s natural habitat – the cemetery.  
6th Degree: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman A graveyard is a synonym for a cemetery. Nobody and his ghost friends are some of my favorite characters in literature. I wish there were books, but then again – if you are dead you are dead. You might become a ghost, but your story still ends right there. 
And that’s our friendly neighborhood ghosts for today. Although I thoroughly enjoyed all these books, I don’t necessarily come face to face with one of them. Never seen a ghost, just had that creepy feeling down your spine every now and then. At old century old mansions and old school dormitories.  
What about you? Ever met a ghost somewhere else than between the pages of a book?
If you are joining Six degrees, remember to add your link.
Wishing you all a lovely Ghostober! 
Lots of Love,

Mareli 

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22 responses to “Six Degrees of Separation October 2020 – The Ghost Edition

  1. I watched the movie The Canterville Ghost starring Patrick Stewart. It was a bit cheesy but effects back then just can't compare to today! I do like Oscar Wilde so I should actually read it instead. I loved The Graveyard Book but I love most things Neil Gaiman writes. And Moaning Myrtle is a sad character. I tried listening to Lincoln in the Bardo and gave up pretty quickly. I didn't understand what the heck was going on but didn't care to keep up the effort. I know I'm in the minority though! You've created a great ghostly chain!

    • Hi there Jen! Thank you!

      I've also listened to Lincoln in the Bardo and also think I should have rather read the book. I think it's the strange chapters that threw us with the audio version.

      I didn't even know there was an adaptation for The Canterville Ghost. You should read it yes! It's really good. Nice and short!

      I'm also a big Neil Gaiman fan! Aaaah Kindred Spirits here. (No pun intended with this post)

  2. Sounds like it's time for someone to get cracking and translate C.J. Langenhoven's ghost stories into English. You've got a really ghostly trail here. Thanks.

    • I wish someone wants to! They are some of the best ghost stories I've ever read. All settings in South Africa of course, but that makes it even more enticing.

      Thanks for visiting!

  3. I love your ghostly theme! I've read Lincoln in the Bardo and didn't really get on with the writing style, but I did think it was interesting and unusual. I enjoyed The Canterville Ghost, though!

    • I call all stories with chill down the spine "ghost stories". Don't know why, just been doing it since I was young! You just don't know with The turn of the screw. Is it or is it not….

  4. I'm not a huge fan of ghost stories, but I did love Lincoln in the Bardo. And Neil Gaiman is always good value. This is a really nicely done chain!

    • Thank you Margaret! I also enjoyed Lincoln in the Bardo. I listened to it on audio and think I should have rather read it in physical form.