The Haunted Major

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 expertise--in fact, he's a novice golfer--and 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. (Apr.)