Mickelsson's Ghosts

Peter Mickelsson, a philosophy professor at Binghamton University, faces mounting personal crises including financial ruin and possible mental instability. Once a celebrated football player, he now struggles with alcoholism and increasingly erratic behavior. The professor purchases an old farmhouse in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, reportedly once owned by Mormon founder Joseph Smith. The property appears to harbor supernatural presences linked to its dark history, though the reality of these manifestations remains unclear. Mickelsson's life becomes entangled with various characters including fellow academics, local townspeople, and members of a religious sect. His relationships and actions grow more complex as he grapples with his deteriorating circumstances. The novel explores themes of rationality versus mysticism, the nature of reality and perception, and the intersection of past and present. Through Mickelsson's experiences, Gardner examines how ghosts - whether supernatural, psychological, or metaphorical - can haunt both individuals and communities.

Readers describe this as Gardner's most complex and challenging work. Many note the dense philosophical discussions and supernatural elements require close attention. Readers appreciate: - The rich descriptions of upstate New York settings - Deep character development of Mickelsson - Integration of philosophy with the narrative - The ghost story elements - The academic politics subplot Common criticisms: - Too long and meandering for some readers - Philosophy passages can be difficult to follow - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some find the supernatural elements jarring From review sites: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like being trapped in the mind of a brilliant but unstable professor" - Goodreads reviewer "The philosophical discussions feel natural rather than forced" - Amazon review "Beautiful writing but requires patience" - LibraryThing review

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🏛️ Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, actually lived in the Susquehanna Valley region of Pennsylvania during the 1820s, where parts of the Book of Mormon were reportedly translated. 📚 John Gardner tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 1982, just a year after completing "Mickelsson's Ghosts," which would be his final novel. 🎓 Like his protagonist, Gardner taught at Binghamton University (then SUNY Binghamton) and lived in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania. 👻 The novel draws inspiration from the rich folklore of Pennsylvania's haunted houses, particularly those in the isolated valleys of the Endless Mountains range. 🖋️ Gardner was known for challenging the postmodern literary movement of his time, advocating instead for what he called "moral fiction" - works that explored ethical questions and human values.