The basis for Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s cinematic romance starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. Burdened by debt after her husband’s death, Lucy Muir insists on moving into the very cheap Gull Cottage in the quaint seaside village of Whitecliff, despite multiple warnings that the house is haunted. Upon discovering the rumors to be true, the young widow ends up forming a special companionship … companionship with the ghost of handsome former sea captain Daniel Gregg. Through the struggles of supporting her children, seeking out romance from the wrong places, and working to publish the captain’s story as a book, Blood and Swash, Lucy finds in her secret relationship with Captain Gregg a comfort and blossoming love she never could have predicted.
Originally published in 1945, made into a movie in 1947, and later adapted into a television sitcom in 1968, this romantic tale explores how love can develop without boundaries, both in this life and beyond.
With a new foreword by Adriana Trigiani.
Vintage Movie Classics spotlights classic films that have stood the test of time, now rediscovered through the publication of the novels on which they were based.
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Great characters. They are likeable funny headstrong in their own ways. Like set not in modern times. Roles of men & women true to time/era written in. Different from modern ghost stories. Funny in places and sad in others. Reminds you of a great love story without all the modern romance books with the detailed sex scenes that take away from the tenderness of love & sacrifice.
Loved the movie and it was pretty much true to the book.
Saw the movie & it was great, the book is also. I only wished it was longer!
Not quite as good as the Movie but fun to read anyway. Remember the TV show?
I picked this up because I’ve watched the film version and wanted to see how close the screen-writer stayed with the story. They cut out one whole character, which I didn’t like anyway. They added a couple of other story elements that really didn’t add much to the plot. So all in all I liked both the only thing I liked better about the movie is that you get to see the story visually, and I liked Rex Harrison.
Our book club decided to read a classic as a change of pace this month. So glad we did! This is a sweet story that resonates today despite the time and place. It is a story of family, friendship, love, and independence. How many times have I felt “trapped” by responsibilities and the desire to please others? Have I had conflicting emotions of pride and disappointment in my children? Have I wished for and dreamed of an escape? Have I had a secret ghost helping me along my way? Well, no on that last one, but that is what makes this book so nice to read – the combination of reality and fantasy. I definitely recommend this book! Now to go watch the movie…