
A playful collection that drifts between the ordinary and the uncanny, this volume opens with a tender dedication to the fleeting joys of childhood, then slips into a witty, rhymed dialogue with a shy little ghost. The verses blend gentle nostalgia with Carroll’s characteristic word‑play, inviting listeners to linger over the curious etiquette of specters and the quiet humor of a late‑night encounter.
In the opening canto, a weary homeowner meets a trembling phantom who explains the strange hierarchy of hauntings, offering “Maxims of Behaviour” in a cadence that feels both absurd and oddly comforting. The poem’s rhythm and the ghost’s polite complaints create a whimsical scene that feels like a midnight tea party for the imagination.
Throughout the collection, the poet’s light‑hearted tone and imaginative illustrations conjure a world where the supernatural is both polite and mischievous, making it a delightful listen for anyone who enjoys clever rhyme, gentle satire, and a touch of magical absurdity.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (69K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
1996-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1832–1898
Best known for the Alice books, this shy Oxford mathematician turned logic, wordplay, and dreamlike nonsense into some of the most beloved stories in English. Writing as Lewis Carroll, he created a world where language bends, puzzles sparkle, and childhood feels wonderfully strange.
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