The Time of the Ghost

A disembodied ghost awakens with no memory of her identity or death, drawn to a boarding school in the English countryside. She discovers she may be one of four sisters who lived at the school where their parents worked as teachers. The four Melford sisters - Imogen, Cart, Fenella, and Sally - grew up largely unsupervised at the school while their busy parents focused on their teaching duties. The ghost observes the past lives of these sisters as she tries to determine which one she is and prevent the accident that led to her current state. The story operates across two time periods, with the ghost moving between past and present to uncover the truth about her identity and fate. A dark force from the sisters' childhood games threatens both timelines. The Time of the Ghost explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the impact of childhood neglect through a supernatural lens that bridges past and present.

Readers say this ghost story has a darker tone than Jones's other books, with themes of neglect and emotional abuse. Many found the complex narrative structure challenging but rewarding, with the ghost's confused perspective adding to the mystery. Readers appreciated: - The realistic portrayal of sisterhood dynamics - The blend of supernatural elements with family drama - The gradual reveal of information - The atmospheric British boarding school setting Common criticisms: - Confusing timeline and point-of-view shifts - Difficult to follow which sister is which - More serious themes may not suit younger readers - Less humor than typical Jones books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) One reader noted: "The narrative confusion mirrors the ghost's own disorientation perfectly." Another mentioned: "This book demands a second reading to fully grasp all the subtle details and connections."

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman The story follows a living boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard, creating a mirror effect to Time of the Ghost by showing the supernatural world from the living side while exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Archer's Goon by Diana Wynne Jones Seven magical siblings impact a family's life through time manipulation and power struggles, echoing the sister dynamics and supernatural elements in Time of the Ghost.

The Ghost in the Mirror by John Bellairs, Brad Strickland A young protagonist works with a ghost to prevent past events from causing present catastrophes, weaving between time periods at a boarding school setting.

The Ghost Squad by Sophie Green A girl discovers she exists between life and death and must solve the mystery of her state while moving between past and present to save others.

Gallows Hill by Lois Duncan The protagonist uncovers connections to past lives and a supernatural threat while exploring family histories and dark childhood memories.

🌟 The novel was partly inspired by Diana Wynne Jones's own childhood experiences growing up in a boarding school run by her parents. 🌟 Unlike traditional ghost stories, this book features a spirit who exists simultaneously in the past and present, creating a unique narrative structure that plays with time. 🌟 The four sisters in the story are based on Diana Wynne Jones and her two sisters, with the fourth character being a composite of various other people from her life. 🌟 The book tackles the serious subject of parental neglect, a theme that was rarely addressed in children's literature when it was published in 1981. 🌟 Diana Wynne Jones wrote this novel during a period when she was bedridden due to a severe illness, which some critics suggest influenced the disembodied perspective of the narrator.