About this episode
In E.F. Benson's "The Chippendale Mirror," an antique looking glass becomes the focal point of a chilling supernatural mystery. As night falls, the mirror's surface darkens, offering glimpses of something beyond our world. A cat's eerie fascination with the glass hints at unseen forces at work. When the boundary between past and present blurs, what consequences await those who peer too deeply into the ornate frame? Our discussion delves into the intriguing parallels and departures between E.F. Benson's "The Chippendale Mirror" and classic Golden Age detective fiction. We explore how Benson weaves supernatural elements into a framework reminiscent of traditional mystery stories, creating a unique hybrid that challenges reader expectations. Additionally, we examine the significant role of Cyrus the cat in this tale, using it as a springboard to investigate the broader literary trope of cats as supernatural sensors in fiction. From their keen perception of the unseen to their symbolic resonance, we uncover why felines have long been favored as mystical intermediaries in ghostly narratives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices