Kerfol
Written by Edith Wharton
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“Kerfol” is a horror genre, supernatural, ghost story, short story that was published in 1916. It was written by Edith Newbold Wharton (born Edith N. Jones) and lived from 1862 to 1937 and was born in New York City. Yes, she’s a New Yorker. She was born into a wealthy family that made their money in real estate and her stories are a good look into the aristocratic life and culture of the day. Here’s a fun fact. According to online sources the expression “Keeping up with the Jones’s” referred to her family, as in they were a family to emulate. Edith Wharton is a great writer who has written over 40 books and her stories are well worth the read.

Kerfol Goodreads webpage

“Kerfol” is the retelling of events at the estate in Brittany called Kerfol (which means ‘Mad House’ in Breton). It’s the story of Anne de Barrigan who is accused of murdering her husband, a Mr. Yves de Cornault, but who claims that it was the ghosts of the dog he killed that did it. Yves de Cornault is a hard working man who seeks a wife that can fit into his world of money, status, aristocracy and privilege. He is also a man with a narrow view of the world. He is controlling and lives in a society that will support him regardless of his misdeeds toward his wife. In this story he would be the villain. Yes, his is a sexist society. The France and Europe of today his greatly changed though. As in nearly any society with status Yves is able to keep his wife isolated and do the things he does to her without any repercussions from society. You have to expect that people around town would only shrug their shoulders at hearing stories of the things going on in Kerfol between Yves and Anna and automatically take his side in any marital conflict. Yes. That is status at its worst. But the sad ending of the story of Yves and Anna’s marriage according to Anna is hard to believe until the narrator steps in and tells what she saw at Kerfol. This is a strange ghost story indeed.

This is a story that is a reflection of the times and place it takes place in. Europe in the early 1900s, late 1800s is a male dominated society. The laws, customs, mentality of people is slanted in favor of males, as opposed to today which is the complete opposite case. That means that most people with money and who control the resources of society are men. And the marriage contract is, for the most part, slanted in favor of men. Anne de Barrigan lives a very lonely life of forced isolation in the large mansion with its vast grounds and the customs of society that prevent her from entertaining certain guests. Now you can argue that she knew the contract she was stepping into and what her life would be like. This however does not excuse the controlling acts of Yves. When he killed every dog she took as a pet he clearly crossed that line into villainy. Another thing about Yves that makes him less than likeable is how he holds a grudge. Yves is a very cruel and vengeful person. Denying Anne social contact even with pet dogs is torture. In his mind she will pay for the rest of her life for her transgressions and this is wrong. Looking at things objectively Anne was driven insane. And what the ghost dogs did or did not do is up for question. Anne’s story just might be the whole truth.

This is a unique ghost story that is also a social commentary. A marriage where one person holds the power and a society that encourages it is not a good place, no matter how beautiful its lawns and manor are, whether you are a man or a woman. Just take a look at the marriage laws in the West today. For her sake, I wish Anne would have packed her bags and left Kerfol Manor and never looked back. I also wish that Yves would have done some self introspection and steered more toward having healthy relationships and not torturing his lonely wife. That means investing his time into making a good marriage and not turn to cruelty. Sadly for him though he had to worry about his reputation in town and divorce might not have been a feasible option. Either way, they both should have worked things out and imprisoning ones wife is not a solution to happiness.

I really loved the imagination of this story. It’s a ghost story, a story of insanity, murder, supernatural murder, revenge. These elements fit so neatly into the story making it an unexpected treat. If you like a good ghost story that is not predictable and takes place over a hundred years ago across the pond then definitely read the tale by Edith Wharton. She is a true master. This story is short but good. Enjoy.

John Ink2Quill

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