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The Open Door
Charlotte Riddell (1832-1906) who also wrote under the pseudonym F. G. Tafford, was one of the most popular and influential writers of the Victorian period. She was born Charlotte Eliza Lawson Cowan in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Ireland. The author of 56 books, novels and short stories, she was also part owner and editor of the St. James's Magazine, one of the most prestigious literary magazines of the 1860s. She was also the author of many ghost stories, publishing under the name of Mrs. J. H. Riddell. Her husband died in 1880 and Charlotte lived a lonely life thereafter until her she died from cancer in Ashford, Kent, England on 24 September 1906. Amongst her works are: The Moors and the Fens (1858), City and Suburb (1861), George Geith of Fen Court (1864), Above Suspicion (1876), Berna Boyle (1882), Mitre Court (1885) and The Head of the Firm (1892).
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1882
About the author
Charlotte Riddell
148 books43 followersSee J.H. Riddell
Charlotte Riddell aka Mrs J.H. Riddell was a one of the most popular and influential writers of the Victorian period. The author of 56 books, novels and short stories, she was also part owner and editor of the St. James's Magazine, one of the most prestigious literary magazines of the 1860s.
(from Wikipedia)
Charlotte Riddell aka Mrs J.H. Riddell was a one of the most popular and influential writers of the Victorian period. The author of 56 books, novels and short stories, she was also part owner and editor of the St. James's Magazine, one of the most prestigious literary magazines of the 1860s.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 12, 2019
I like Charlotte Riddell's writing style - it's easy and relaxed, her protagonists are usually likeable young men in the few stories I've read, and there's some humour. None of the ones I've read are at all scary, so she's definitely at the cosy end of horror.
Sadly this one disappointed me a bit. The premise is good - a mansion in which there's a door which won't stay shut. Even if you bolt it, as soon as you turn your back it opens again. Our protagonist, young Phil, offers to stay in the house and lay the ghost. At first he's doing it for the offered reward but he gradually begins to feel loyal to the owner and it becomes a kind of personal challenge.
But after a long, long, long build-up it all ends in a frantic rush and I had to read the last couple of pages twice to try to understand what had happened. And I feel an awful lot was left unexplained - not in an ambiguous The Turn of the Screw way, just in a sloppy well, that's done, kind of thing. Given that it was already overlong I feel she could have gone the extra mile and given us a couple of paragraphs tying things up a bit more satisfactorily.
So it's OK, entertaining enough, but not an unmissable classic.
Sadly this one disappointed me a bit. The premise is good - a mansion in which there's a door which won't stay shut. Even if you bolt it, as soon as you turn your back it opens again. Our protagonist, young Phil, offers to stay in the house and lay the ghost. At first he's doing it for the offered reward but he gradually begins to feel loyal to the owner and it becomes a kind of personal challenge.
But after a long, long, long build-up it all ends in a frantic rush and I had to read the last couple of pages twice to try to understand what had happened. And I feel an awful lot was left unexplained - not in an ambiguous The Turn of the Screw way, just in a sloppy well, that's done, kind of thing. Given that it was already overlong I feel she could have gone the extra mile and given us a couple of paragraphs tying things up a bit more satisfactorily.
So it's OK, entertaining enough, but not an unmissable classic.
September 1, 2023
I listened to this as part of the Classic Tales of Horror - 500+ Stories. It was very entertaining 2023
October 28, 2020
Primeiro conto da antologia Vitorianas Macabras. Adorei, é um mistério muito gostoso e fácil de ler. Espero que os outros contos dessa antologia sejam tão bons quanto.
December 23, 2022
I wasn't sure that I liked this at first, but it turned out to be an interesting and enjoyable tale. The protagonist wasn't especially likeable at the start, but I was certainly rooting for him by the end. This ghostly tale mixes the supernatural with elements that are distinctly human. A haunted house, a missing will, and even a specter! Well worth the read.
September 29, 2021
There is the ambience of an old manor house with a mystery; a door that refuses to stay closed until a murder is solved. It is more of a mystery story than a spooky ghost story. The protagonist immediately wins us over with his unfair circumstances and his forthright nature, not to mention his determination. The story flows smoothly and never bogs down or becomes uninteresting. There is no amazing reveal at the end, but it is a satisfactory denouement. Also available in youtube.
January 31, 2024
A classical Victorian ghost story, but with a dash of good humor.
The protagonist was this young, naive but kind hearted man, who needed some extra money. So he went on to solve a little ghost problem in an old mansion. As the title implies, one of the doors has a little problem with keeping itself shut.
I like to listen to these kind of stories on long car rides and this one was definitely entertaining.
The protagonist was this young, naive but kind hearted man, who needed some extra money. So he went on to solve a little ghost problem in an old mansion. As the title implies, one of the doors has a little problem with keeping itself shut.
I like to listen to these kind of stories on long car rides and this one was definitely entertaining.
June 23, 2021
I wish I enjoyed this more. It has a lot of potential but did not fully deliver on a more intense atmosphere that I was hoping for. It was also slightly anticlimactic, as I felt there was not a great build up to the confrontation the narrator had. It was only a bit eerie but I enjoyed the narrator.
1.8/5
1.8/5
October 12, 2020
There's nothing more refreshing than a supernatural mystery told from the perspective of a skeptical narrator. With a simple main character and what seems to be a simple mystery to be solved, this short story leads its reader to believe everything is just a superstition from the local people in the village... Until it's not.
I'd give it 5 stars, but it would have been awesome if the author had deepened the storytelling. This work had potential to be a full novel instead of the delicious short story that it is.
I'd give it 5 stars, but it would have been awesome if the author had deepened the storytelling. This work had potential to be a full novel instead of the delicious short story that it is.
December 10, 2022
A recently discharged young man, in need of cash, accepts the challenge to discover why a door in a manor won’t stay closed. He goes to stay in this manor, discovering it does indeed open on its own, unless he tries to keep it open, then it is shut. He must try to figure out exactly what is happening, before it is too late. It’s a ghostly tale that contains more than just ghostly happenings. Entertaining and just scary enough, it is a classic.
August 26, 2021
The Open Door is a strange ghost story, it is not scary like many other stories but instead indulges in more eeriness and mood-setting. The story starts off very comical with Edlyd the ghost-hunter. Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend reading it
December 6, 2020
Such a fun, witty, engaging ghostly tale.
October 2, 2021
A fine adventure of a young clerk.
December 14, 2021
Interesting read but is there ghost. It's makes you think of lots of questions.
September 8, 2022
Would have been a bit better if the pacing was more balanced. It was too slow at the beginning then too quick and rushed in the very end..
October 11, 2022
2.5 stars
October 5, 2023
Not my type of story for sure.
February 1, 2024
Super start and really modern sounding could have been set in this 21st century...but end disappointed me ,as others say too quick and unclear to me at first hearing.....
May 21, 2024
Quite a good story with an interesting ending.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews