Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Mickelsson's Ghosts

Save:
Find on Amazon

John Gardner's novel Mickelsson's Ghosts follows the protagonist, Peter J. Mickelsson, a flawed philosophy professor facing a multitude of personal and professional challenges. Mickelsson's life spirals into disorder as he grapples with failed relationships, financial ruin, and haunted thoughts. Seeking solace, he purchases a haunted farmhouse in Pennsylvania, where he confronts his inner demons while attempting to renovate the decaying property. The narrative delves into Mickelsson's existential struggles, his haunted psyche, and his futile attempts to escape the ghosts of his past.

Gardner weaves a rich tapestry of philosophical musings, psychological turmoil, and existential crises in Mickelsson's Ghosts. Through Mickelsson's flawed character, the novel explores themes of passion, reason, chaos, and redemption. The writing style immerses the reader in Mickelsson's inner dialogue and external challenges, presenting a compelling portrait of a man on the brink of self-destruction.

Characters:

The characters are deeply flawed, with the main character being a bright yet troubled professor facing existential challenges and complex relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by whimsical inner dialogue and a surreal, bleak tone, effectively reflecting the protagonist's psychological turmoil.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a philosophy professor whose life is filled with chaos as he attempts to renovate a haunted house, confronting financial and emotional turmoil along the way.

Setting:

The setting of a decaying farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania adds to the atmosphere, mirroring the protagonist's turmoil.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and gradual, focusing on character development and building tension as the story unfolds.

Notes:

The main character, Professor Mickelsson, is a brilliant philosopher but struggles with practical life problems.
Mickelsson buys a haunted, dilapidated house in rural Pennsylvania despite his financial issues.
The author, John Gardner, was born in Batavia, New York, in 1933 and was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1982.
Gardner is well-known for his novel 'Grendel', a retelling of the Beowulf myth from the monster's perspective.
Nietzsche's philosophy influences the themes in 'Mickelsson's Ghosts', with numerous quotes throughout the book.
Mickelsson experiences psychotic episodes and suffers from depression and financial ruin after a bitter divorce.
The story blends elements of mystery, existentialism, and psychological drama.
Mickelsson is portrayed as a flawed but charming character, making it easy for readers to sympathize with him.
The book has multiple tension lines but focuses on the protagonist's thoughts and beliefs rather than typical plot resolutions.
Some readers felt the ending was too neat compared to the messy nature of real life.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental illness, financial distress, and complicated romantic entanglements.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance, particularly seen through Mickelsson's interactions with various women, albeit in a complicated and flawed manner.

From The Publisher:

Gardner's final novel: a delicate tapestry of literary genres that create a wonderfully mysterious and ambitious narrative As Peter Mickelsson's brilliant career as a professor at Brown University winds down, he suffers from alcoholism and is on the brink of divorce. Seeking a new start, Mickelsson moves to an old farmhouse in the Pennsylvania countryside to take a position at Bingham University. But when mysterious supernatural events begin to occur, it becomes clear that these new surroundings will not provide a refuge for this troubled man, but rather prompt an introspective look into the ultimate value of his life's work. With distinctive style and linguistic mastery, author John Gardner weaves together a string of extraordinary plots that culminate in an unforgettable conclusion. This ebook features a new illustrated biography of John Gardner, including original letters, rare photos, and never-before-seen documents from the Gardner family and the University of Rochester Archives.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.