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Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Quiller-Couch, Arthur (1863–1944).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories" by Arthur Quiller-Couch is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. The stories explore themes of revenants—individuals who return from past lives, either in spirit or as memories—delving into the emotional and psychological impacts of their returns. Each story offers a unique perspective on life, death, and the haunting legacy of memories, inviting readers into a realm where the past collides with the present. The opening portion introduces the first tale, "Oceanus," where the narrator reflects on personal grief after the death of his brother, Harry. Struggling to find meaning in his loss, he experiences apathy and confusion, pondering the nature of God and life's inherent cruelty. This dark contemplation leads him to a supernatural encounter where he meets what he perceives as Harry's spirit on horseback, prompting a reflective conversation about life, death, and the human condition. As they embark on a ride through an unfamiliar landscape that becomes increasingly eerie, the narrator grapples with feelings of joy and apprehension, establishing a tone of tension between hope and despair that sets the stage for the stories to unfold.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts: A Book of Stories
  • Author credits: Quiller-Couch, Arthur (1863–1944)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Short Stories

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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