Customer Reviews

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We may never know what happened in Marseilles, (you have to read BLOOD AND SWASH), since Captain Gregg is too much of a gentleman beneath his barnacled exterior to kiss and tell. We feel that the highlights of the novel are definitely his private conversations (verbal and emotional sparring) with Lucia, as he fondly calls her. Demure and petite Lucy Muir seeks refuge from her domineering sisters-in-law after she becomes a respectable widow with two young children. Formerly under the thumb of her lacklustre husband or her pushy in-laws, gentle Lucy has never been allowed to enjoy a lifestyle of her own choosing.

Amazingly she finds the inner strength to break free of the restrictive Muir cage with all its gilt-edged obligations. She flees to a modest seaside village where she is immediately charmed by Gull Cottage. Ridiculously low rent and a reputation for being haunted she considers attractions! She surprises everyone (including the nervous realtor) by taking up permanent residence with her chiildren and a faithful cook.

But the local ghost legend is well-founded; in fact she meets the crusty sea captain whose portrait fascinates her that first night when she attempts to light the stove. Fighting to retain her newfound independence, she refuses to be frightened off. Why does she keep that old telescope in her (His) bedroom? How can a quiet, unassuming young widow tame a gruff and crusty old tar? Keeping the secret from her children, Lucy enters a unique relationship with this earthbound spirit, which becomes the focal point of their private existence. They help each other over the decades, proving that astral planes need not prevent maturing romance. Quite different from the movie, with more commentary on Life Beyond, but the story charms us still. I tenderly recommend this book for romantics of all ages!

I've read plenty of recent paranormal romances, but none come close to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I read a so-so ghost romance last year, and it made me yearn to read this book again.

Maybe this book rises above those others because it sets its ghostly element in a realistic setting populated with believable people. Sure, the captain is a crusy sailor, but there's a real person there, even if he is a ghost. Mrs. Muir holds her own, too -- none but the strong could endure that household.

The book surpasses both the movie and the TV show. If you saw the movie, set aside your memories of it and read the book. (For one thing, the movie ruined the ending!)

Anne M. Marble Reviewer, All About Romance

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a wonderfully sentimental and imaginative portrait of what originality can accomplish. R.A. Dick did a fantastic job of composing a story with levity and hope in what could have been a very depressing tale. The reader is also given multiple opportunities to sympathize with some characters, while abhorring the natures of others. The most brilliant aspect of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is the way in which the story of Mrs. Muir, a lonely, passive widow who simply wants much deserved independence, is a truly universal tale. All of us, at some point in our lives, have yearned for freedom from our oppressions, no matter how great or small they may be. Personally, I found myself supporting Mrs. Muir as she "grew a back bone" and began to lash out at those things which bothered her. Throughout this novel, we see something which seemingly many characters of today's novels lack: growth. As for the lovable Captain Gregg, we see him evolve, also. In the beginning of the story, the seaman is not well received by Mrs. Muir nor the reader. However, as time progresses, Captain Gregg becomes compatible to Mrs. Muir and readers find themselves hoping that by some twist of fate, Mrs. Muir and Captain Gregg will find a way to be together for eternity. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a novel to be enjoyed by hopeless romantics and cynics alike. This novel, through humor, sadness, originality, a universal theme(though steeped in an unconventional story) and well-crafted characters with depth, gives everyone hope that our problems will be solved with some degree of success in due time.

Since the 1960s I have read The Ghost And Mrs. Muir well
over ten times and, having stumbled across the admiring reviews
herein, will start reading it again tomorrow. It is a wondrous
amalgam of fantasy and reality, of the yearning for romance and
the painful gaining of maturity. I am a fifty-five year old male
upset to usually find Leslie's novel categorized as "romance" fiction.
Her world followed Jane Austen's by over two hundred
years, but Leslie's novel has much of the wit and merit of Emma
or Pride and Prejudice.

Whether the author's name is Josephine Leslie or her pen name "R. A. Dick", this story of a young widow and the ghost of a gruff sea captain who haunts the house where she now lives combines comedy, romance, pathos, religious philosophy, and just a touch of ghost story in equal proportions to create a story that you will want to read over and over again! The basis for a smash motion picture starring Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney and a hit television series starring Hope Lange and Edward Mulhare, Ms. Leslie's work has all the elements to be a classic.

I searched for this book for many years, having fallen in love with the story after watching Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney portray Daniel Gregg and Lucy Muir. After many disappointments, I finally found a newly published edition. It is a wonderful story. Lucy is a recently widowed woman who overcomes all of the barriers placed upon her gender by society. With the help of the ghost (a sea captain), she becomes strong and resourceful. When she falls in love with a mortal man, Captain Gregg sacrifices his happiness so that she may be free to marry. After a few twists and turns, the tale concludes in a romantic and happy ending. I recommend this story.

This book spawned both a feature movie (Rex Harrison played the dashing Captain)and a television show in the 70's. Finally, after many years of wanting to read the book, I found it on Amazon.com. It was well worth the wait!!

Although the romance is tame by today's standards, it is a sweet love story about a young widow (Lucy) who finds a ghostly companion (Capt Gregg) in a sea-side cottage.

They begin as friends and as the years pass, grow to love each other, but both know it is a hopeless relationship.

The Captain helps Lucy maintain her freedom from a domineering mother-in-law, by helping her write a book about his life. It's rousing success! However, because of the book Lucy meets another man--a living man, and the Captain begins to realize that he must allow Lucy to fall in love and get on with her life.

The romance proves to be a disaster for Lucy, and the Captain, feeling responsible, fades out of her life--but not forever...

After you read the book--go rent the movie. This is one story I wish they would update and do a remake!

I first read this book about 15 years ago, and fell totally in love with it. It may be considered too syrupy for some by today's standards, but the story of Mrs. Muir, the Captain and Gull Cottage has the kind of everlasting love that lingers in the memory long after the book is closed. I have searched for many years for a copy of my own, and was thrilled to find it here at Amazon. The movie was okay, but the book, as usual, surpasses it.

This story never fails to transport me to another time & place. Begin reading and you'll practically feel the air turn salty and hear the gentle lapping of waves on the shore outside your window. I'm not big on romance stories, but I make an exception for the Ghost & Mrs. Muir. This edition - library bound - is really beautifully made, too. This book was a joy to read & re-read.

I really enjoyed this book, and have read it twice already. It's a very touching love story. A widow moves into and old Sea Captain's house and she is confronted my his ghost. It is a very beautiful and tender love story. Captain Daniel Gregg is a real commanding as well as romantic ghost. Lucy Muir, the young widow grows to love him instead of fear him. I sincerly think it is one of the best love stories ever written.

This is a must read. It's a decent romance story, at the same time full of passion. There's never a dull moment and it is alwsy each page, captivating, romantic, and interesting.