Ghosts

A group of travelers arrive on a small Irish island after their boat runs aground, discovering a house occupied by Professor Kreutznaer, his assistant, and a mysterious figure known as "Little God." Their unexpected arrival disrupts the isolation of the house's inhabitants and sets in motion a complex narrative about perception, memory, and guilt. The story connects to Banville's previous novel, The Book of Evidence, through the character of Freddie Montgomery (Little God), who grapples with his past actions and recent release from prison. At the center of the narrative stands a fictional painting called The Golden World, which becomes a focal point for the characters' interactions and revelations. The novel moves between present events on the island and deeper explorations of art, reality, and personal history. Multiple storylines intersect as connections between the characters emerge, particularly regarding Professor Kreutznaer's relationship with the painting and one traveler's involvement in art forgery. Through its non-linear structure and focus on art, memory, and perception, Ghosts examines how past actions haunt the present and questions the reliability of human observation and understanding.

Readers appreciate Banville's lyrical prose style and atmospheric descriptions of the Irish seaside setting. Many note his skill at creating a brooding, mysterious tone throughout the novel. The psychological elements and exploration of memory receive positive mentions. Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing and minimal plot development. Several readers found the narrative meandering and overly introspective. Some struggled to connect with or care about the main character. Reviews frequently mention confusion about what is real versus imagined. "Beautiful writing but not much happens," notes one Amazon reviewer. "The prose is stunning but I kept waiting for the story to start," writes another. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (90+ ratings) The most frequent complaint is that the literary style overshadows storytelling, while admirers value the novel specifically for its poetic language and mood over conventional plot.

The Sea by John Banville A grieving man returns to an Irish seaside town, exploring memory and loss through intricate observations that mirror Ghosts' preoccupation with perception and past trauma.

If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor The novel follows multiple characters in a single neighborhood, weaving their stories through precise observations that create a meditation on connection and memory similar to Banville's approach.

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti This tale of orphans and art thieves in 19th century New England explores themes of identity and deception that parallel the art forgery elements in Ghosts.

Transit by Rachel Cusk Through conversations with various characters, the narrator creates a narrative about perception and reality that echoes Ghosts' examination of human observation.

Atonement by Ian McEwan The story centers on a character's attempt to reconcile with past actions through art, connecting to Ghosts' themes of guilt and artistic expression.

🔷 John Banville originally wrote poetry before turning to novels, and his poetic sensibility is evident in the lyrical prose style of "Ghosts" 🔷 The novel's fictional painting "The Golden World" draws inspiration from real Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, particularly the works of Johannes Vermeer 🔷 The character Professor Kreutznaer's name is a reference to Robinson Crusoe's original German surname, linking to themes of isolation and shipwreck 🔷 This book won the Guinness Peat Aviation Book Award in 1993, adding to Banville's impressive collection of literary accolades 🔷 The triptych format of Banville's novels ("The Book of Evidence," "Ghosts," and "Athena") mirrors the structure of traditional religious artworks, reflecting the book's deep engagement with art history