“The Canterville Ghost” Materializes at Edgewater Branch Library

“The Canterville Ghost” and the cast of characters in the haunting short story by Oscar Wilde appeared on October 20 in the form of master storyteller Megan Wells. She mesmerized the audience with her dramatic interpretation of the story, bringing the characters to life with drama and a range of voices in a theatre-like experience.

"The Canterville Ghost" was the first of Wilde's stories to be published, appearing in two parts on February 23 and March 2, 1887. The story is about an American family who moved to a castle haunted by the ghost of a dead English nobleman, who killed his wife and was then walled in and starved to death by his wife's brothers. The story ends well after one of the children in the family takes a frightening journey with the ghost to pray for the forgiveness of his sins.

During National Friends of the Library Week, our Friends’ group recognized Oscar Wilde’s 168th anniversary of his birthday on October 16. The Edgewater Branch also showed The Picture of Dorian Gray, a 1945 film adapted from one of his novels.

Following her performance, Megan Wells acknowledged Friends of the Edgewater Library for its support and contribution to the library. She said libraries are community centers where people can go to learn, experience, spark the imagination, and meet new people.

For more about Oscar WIlde and his works, check out these links.