The Shop of Ghosts by G.K. Chesterton
The Shop of Ghosts is a collection of short stories by G.K. Chesterton. The book includes tales about ghosts and other supernatural beings, as well as stories that explore themes such as morality, religion, and philosophy. Some of the most notable stories in the collection include "The Ghost of Gideon Wince," "The Shop of Ghosts," and "The Flying Stars." The book is considered a classic of English literature and has been widely praised for its imaginative storytelling and insightful commentary on human nature.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1904 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire · 1,970 words
First lines
Nearly all the best and most precious things in the universe you can get for a halfpenny. I make an exception, of course, of the sun, the moon, the earth, people, stars, thunderstorms, and such trifles. You can get them for nothing. Also I make an exception of another thing, which I am not allowed to mention in this paper, and of which the lowest price is a penny halfpenny. But the general principle will be at once apparent. In the street behind me, for instance, you can now get a ride on an electric tram for a halfpenny. To be on an electric tram is to be on a flying castle in a fairy tale. You can get quite a large number of brightly coloured sweets for a halfpenny. Also you can get the chance of reading this article for a halfpenny; along, of course, with other and irrelevant matter.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shop of Ghosts is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Satire, Literary Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 1,970 words
- Structure: 1 section, 35 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Shop of Ghosts by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- Selecting A Ghost The Ghosts Of Goresthorpe Grange by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Curse Of The Catafalques by F. Anstey
- The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bat by Stephen Vincent Benet
- H P by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Ghost Walker by Edgar Wallace
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves fantastical elements such as Father Christmas and historical literary figures appearing in a toy shop, blending reality with fantasy.
- Allegory — The story uses symbolic characters and events to convey deeper meanings about tradition, modernity, and the passage of time.
- Satire — The text critiques modern society and its values through the juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary elements.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style and thematic exploration of existential and philosophical questions align with literary fiction.
Tags
mystery · supernatural · ghosts · detective · suspense · fantasy · adventure · paranormal · whodunit · intrigue · sci-fi · literary