The Far Traveller

by Manning Coles

Book Overview

The Herr Graf was a familiar sight to the residents of the Rhineland village of Grauhugel. After all he'd been walking the halls of the local castle at night and occasionally nodding to the servants ever since he drowned some 86 years ago. No one was the least bit alarmed by the Graf's spectral walks. The castle's major domo found it all quite comforting. After all the young Graf had been quite popular while he was alive.When the actor hired to play...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0915230356
• ISBN13: 9780915230358
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Rue Morgue Press
• Length: 154 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Far Traveler

This is an A-One selection that I first read in 1958. I am partial to ghost stories and Manning Coles has to be the epitome of mystery and humor.

Silly episodic farce in the Topper vein

Manning Coles wrote four ghost novels, of which this is one, all of them short, fast reads full of floating wine glasses, bright but 1940's-ish dialog, and cinematic tricks of the good clean fun variety. A bit odd in print, perhaps, like listening to Edgar Bergen on the radio. The ghosts of German aristocracy come back (with permission) from the grave to help and haunt their living relatives, act out their own lives in a Hollywood wannabe film maker's period movie set in their own ancestral Rhineland castle, dashing the hopes of petty criminals and upsetting the local constabulary along the way.

Hurray, it's in print again! from another happy reader

I love this book and the other Manning Coles ghost stories that are finally back in print again. I've been collecting their spy books from second hand bookstores across the country for years, but the ghost stories have been impossible to find.This one is my favorite. These books are sweet and amusing. Don't miss them.

Hooray! It's in print again!

This book, and the other two Manning Coles ghost stories, were favorites in my family as long as I can remember. My parents had the original books, which got misplaced years ago, and my sisters and I have looked for them used with only occasional success. What a delight to see them again! For sheer fun, it's hard to beat these, and some of the scenes are priceless. Have fun!

How many charming books have you read lately?

I read this book as a child; I stole it from my parent's bookshelf and have re-read off and on since. And, no, it is not THAT kind of book. In post war Germany,a young American director is filming a movie about a long lost and reputedly charming Graf from the mid-Victorian era at said individual's castle. The lead playing the Graf falls down the stairs and is unable to perform when,lo and behold, a mysterious stranger and his faithful servant Franz Bagel arrive on the scene not only in the nick of time but are eerily perfect for the part of the Graf, or Highborn. When the butler and other servants snap to attention at the sight of this new Graf and the two strangers show an incredible familiarity with the details of Victorian life the producer and director wonder where did these two come from. Ghosts walk at night, suits of armour clank about, and a daring rapier fight wows the film crew. There is romance but no sex; this was written in the 1950s.This book is fluff, but it is entertaining fluff. The characters are likeable and amusing and it is a charming story of what love does to keep us alive. The style is a trifle dated but you willnot be disapointed. I am very happy to see this has been reprinted.