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Synopsis
Introduced by John Updike and published in America for the first time, The Haunted Major recounts a golf match of epic proportions between adversaries. In this uproarious tale about human conceit and the supernatural, Major the Honorable John William Wentworth Gore, an English gentleman of sublime self-esteem, challenges crack golfer Jim Lindsay to a game for the chance to propose marriage to Mrs. Gunter, a beautiful American millionairess. Although "Jacky" Core, the narrator, alleges to be a marvelously accomplished sportsman, he has never set foot on a fairway and has only seven days to learn to pitch, putt, and drive the course like a veteran.
To prepare for the match, which is to take place on the fictitious St. Magnus links in Scotland (based on the Old Course at St. Andrews), Gore secretly hires a coach and transforms his hotel room into a golf studio, outfitted with turf, a moveable hillock, a bunker, and specially padded walls to absorb drives. Gore is set to win or lose like a gentleman when the revengeful ghost of a Scottish cardinal with some odd-shaped clubs materializes, adding an otherworldly twist to the story.
This new edition, with John Updike's spirited introduction and Harry Furniss's humorous original illustrations, fixes The Haunted Major in the uppermost tier of sports classics.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
ROBERT MARSHALL (1863-1910) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended the universities at St. Andrews and Edinburgh and then joined the Duke of Wellington's cavalry regiment, attaining the rank of captain. After his retirement in 1898, he made a name for himself as a playwright and novelist, publishing The Alabaster Staircase, The Lady of Leeds, and Shades of Night, among other works.
Reviews
Originally published in England in 1902 but only now released in the U.S., this delightful novel offers a pleasing mix of Victorian-era class arrogance, spooky supernatural thrills and love of the maddening game of golf. Marshall (1863-1910) was a Scottish playwright and novelist with a sharp eye for character, color, satire and the stunning twist of plot. The haunted major is Major the Honorable John William Wentworth Gore. Known as Jacky to his elite class of stuffed-shirt Englishmen, he's a pompous fop who proclaims himself to be "the finest sportsman living." Smitten with an American millionairess, Katherine Gunter, whom he earnestly admits is desirable as much for her money as for her beauty, Jacky unwisely challenges golf champion Jim Lindsay to a match. Jacky's wager: whoever wins the match in Scotland at the ancient royal course of St. Magnus will get first crack at proposing marriage to Katherine. But Jacky has greatly exaggerated his golf expertiseAin fact, he's a novice golferAand has only one week to prepare. His imperious training methods are comically bizarre and utterly worthless, and his worries take on new weight when he is approached by a cackling old ghost, the spirit of Cardinal Smeaton, a golf-loving Scottish prelate with a bewitched set of golf clubs for Jacky to use. The day of the match is a surprise for everyone, even the ghost, and the outcome is charmingly unexpected and satisfying. With plenty of hooks, slices, worm-burners, flying divots and whiffs, this brief novel vividly explores and satirizes the humorous mysteries of golf and golfers. The 11 whimsical original illustrations by Harry Furniss and the introduction by Updike grace the presentation.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
This 1902 novel by a little-known Scots writer (18631910) makes a first US appearance in a new edition garnished with the lively original illustrations (by artist Harry Furniss) and an appreciative send-off by John Updike, who in his introduction calls it a curious amalgam of religious history, Edwardian foppery, and golfing madness.'' Just so, for this tale of spiritual possession and social comeuppance feels much like a lost work by P.G. Wodehousewho expressed admiration for Marshall's odd little masterpiece. The narrator and principal character is Major (of Hussars) John Gore, a supremely egotistical fellow and a self-renowned sportsman. When the widower Gore resolves to marry, handsome Katherine Clavering Gunter is discovered to be an ``ardent golfer''and, furthermore, the apparent cynosure of the annoyingly keen eye of championship golfer Jim Lindsay. Our hero thus subdues his contempt for a ``sport'' that offers no physical risk (and which he has never played) and challenges the affable Lindsay to a match whose prize will be the unobstructed path to Mrs. Gunter's hand. Gore's expertise at manly games like polo proves irrelevant (as his exasperated caddy observes, ``Ye'll no hae a hoarse to help ye at goalf''), and all seems lost . . . until the ghost of a Scots prelate, Cardinal Smeaton, offers supernatural aidthe unassuming Lindsay being, as the Cardinal confides, a descendant ``o` ane of my maist determined foes.'' The great match at St. Magnus is described in suitably mock-heroic accents; Gore vacillates suspensefully between employing the Cardinal's ``bewitched clubs'' and his own minimal skills; and the story concludes ridiculously well for all concerned, leading to an ingenious (triple) surprise ending. A most enjoyable rediscovery in the ``sporting'' tradition that extends back to the pre-Dickensian Jorrock's Jaunts and Jollities. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
There is probably no golfer worth his or her salt who has not read this 1902 novel. The plot follows two menAone an ace, the other a noviceAwho use a game of golf to decide which of them will ask for a certain lady's hand in marriage. Along with the full text, this includes 11 illustrations and a new introduction by John Updike, himself an avid golfer.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherEcco
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0880016698
- ISBN 13 9780880016698
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages192
- Rating
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