“THE INEXPERIENCED GHOST” by H.G. WELLS #WeirdDarkness

IN THIS EPISODE: It’s #ThrillerThursday when I bring you stories of fiction – and tonight I have a classic from H.G. Wells entitled “The Inexperienced Ghost”. It’s a short story that blends humor with the supernatural. It was first published in 1902 in the collection “Twelve Stories and a Dream.” The story centers around a man named Clayton who, during a gathering with friends at a London club, tells them an unusual tale about his recent encounter with a ghost. This ghost, however, is unlike typical spectral beings; it is inexperienced and rather inept at haunting. Clayton explains that he encountered the ghost at a house and discovered that it was struggling to perform its ghostly duties. The ghost, which had died only recently, was still getting accustomed to its new existence and was having trouble with the basic mechanics of haunting, such as passing through walls. Clayton, with a mix of curiosity and amusement, decides to help the ghost by giving it advice on how to properly haunt. But things begin to twist in the story, but I’ll refrain from spoilers so those of you who’ve not yet heard the story can enjoy it all the more. “The Inexperienced Ghost” is notable for its witty dialogue, playful exploration of ghostly themes, and its blend of the humorous with the eerie. Wells uses the story to subtly critique the conventions of ghost stories while also providing a unique take on the concept of the afterlife and what it might be like for those unaccustomed to it.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“The Inexperienced Ghost” by H.G. Wells, from the book “Alfred Hitchcock Presents: My Favorites In Suspense”: https://amzn.to/4crM3TM
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library.
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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Originally aired: August 15, 2024

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