A BOOK OF GHOSTS AND GOBLINS

by Ruth Mannings-Sanders ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1969

Not Garner's portentous presences (p. 680, J-274) but sheer tingling entertainment in twenty-one tales drawn, as is Mrs. Manning-Sanders' won't, from a wide area and retold with her customary knack for catching and holding attention. Impending disaster is prolonged and barely averted (as per the reluctant bride delaying ""The Goblins at the Bath House""); a rhythmic refrain tightens the tension (""Patata, patata, patata, go faster, go faster, go faster"" beat the hoofs of the horse as ""Golden Hair"" is carried to the City of the Dead); cracked mirrors, gnawing rats, ragged carpetsand a host of ominous or otherwise images generate atmosphere (these apropos of the plucky boy who holds a light steady for a rich man's ghost so he can finish reading the Bible and go to his rest). Though the themes are familiar, the circumstances and the particulars are unhackneyed -- like the faithful servant, Hans, who plays along with his master's ghost but can't slip through keyholes (""Hans, Hans, I fear you are not dead""). A roguish gallery for reading and especially for telling.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION