Reviews - Ghosts | The StoryGraph

276 reviews for:

Ghosts

Henrik Ibsen

3.72 AVERAGE

mmaja's review against another edition

3.25

informative reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

rouennee's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

possiblymaybesophie's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A really fascinating play, layered with complexity. It was not well-received at the time of its release due to its discussion of ‘taboo’ topics, making it all the more interesting to look at from a contemporary perspective.

While none of the characters are even remotely likeable Ibsen does an excellent job of teasing out their various, deeply human, flaws and their history as the play unfolds. He questions the upholding of outdated traditions and gives voice to a woman trapped in them. I find the ending particularly horrifying and moving.

proffy's review against another edition

4.0

Ghosts takes place over one night at a mansion in Norway. The majority of the story is unveiled in a conversation between the protagonist, Mrs. Alving, and a pastor from a nearby town, Manders. The two are building an orphanage to honor the late Captain Alving, a man Manders believed to have been an honorable man, but who in fact was a scoundrel and a drunk. The history of Alving mirrors and highlights the present predicaments of two others in the play: Engstrand, a carpenter for the orphanage, and Oswald, Captain and Mrs. Alving's son.

The metaphor of ghosts is entirely appropriate as the remnants of the past have a dire effect on the present situation. The truth of the past and the lies told about it are a constant presence in Mrs. Alving's life, and she is overcome by these ghosts daily...as we are all influenced and haunted by our past and our ancestors...except maybe a bit more extreme due to the nature of the Captain's errr...illness.

I chose this play for my Introduction to Literature class for two reasons: one, I had never read it and that is almost a necessity for me in teaching (I really like something new); and two, the critical reaction to the play was one of horror. The play was described as "one of the filthiest things ever written in Scandinavia", "an open drain: a loathsome sore unbandaged", and "unutterably offensive". I just had to find out why. Turns out, there isn't anything a modern reader would find obscene, maybe a bit dirty, but not exactly obscene. And that is perfect for teaching the historical perspective and ideology, so I'm excited.

Thematically, the play stretched the minds of its contemporary audience, promoting joie de vivre and independent thinking while criticizing traditional morays and values. I can't wait to see what my students make of it.