posted on 07 Mar 2022

An American Ghost by Chester Aaron

Chester Aaron (1923 – 2019) was a prolific American author who wrote fiction for adults and teenage readers and this title, published by Puffin Books in 1973, is aimed at the latter demographic – but could be read with pleasure by adults too.

Set in the mid-19th century in pioneer country, Albie lives with his parents on the edges of a big river that has a history of flooding. Left alone to look after the homestead, Albie isn’t too concerned when the rain starts falling……..and falling and falling. As he sleeps and the rain drums down on the roof, the riverbank gives way and the homestead is swept away down the raging torrent.

Despite the terrible damage done by the destructive force of the water, the house stays afloat and Albie is able to scavenge enough food and other bits and pieces to survive and at first all seems like he might be able to see this through. But then he discovers he’s not alone.

As the house crashes into a huge tree and the branches skewer through the clapboards, he discovers that he now shares his precarious accommodation with a cougar who had taken refuge from the flood in the tree. He’s sharing his house with an American Ghost – the colloquial name for the cougar.

The animal is initially trapped behind the branches and cannot find its way out to get at Albie but the cougar’s desperation for food drives it to begin crunching its way through the branches and Albie’s end seems only a matter of time. Albie discovers that the cougar is in fact a mother with young to care for and, seemingly against all logic, the boy saves the life of the cougar and tries to help it nurture the cubs. As a result a strange bond of trust develops between the two and they seem to be yoked together in a single mission to survive.

When suddenly an old steam paddle boat appears on the river, Albie thinks a rescue party has finally arrived. But has it?

Albie has to discover that the greatest threats are often not those that come from the natural world but from the cruel and corrupt world of men. Will the young boy and his American Ghost find salvation despite the worst things wicked men can do or will greed and corruption prevail?

This is an old-fashioned adventure story that’s written with verve and pace – it’s almost the definition of a page-turner. This isn’t great literature but its top-notch storytelling.

This title appears to be out of print at the moment in the UK but you can pick these older Puffin copies up on the second hand market for well under £10.

Terry Potter

March 2022