Margaret Oliphant’s "The Wizard’s Son" is a novel of mystery, the supernatural, and inheritance, focusing on the psychological state of its young protagonist. The story follows Walter Methven, a poor and discontented Scottish youth whose life is dramatically altered by the death of a distant relative, Lord Erradeen. To his astonishment, Walter discovers he is the sole heir to the title and the vast, gloomy estate of Loch Houran. However, this inheritance comes with a dark and terrifying burden. He learns that his lineage is cursed, and that a malevolent ancestral spirit, a "wizard" or supernatural being, has controlled the lords of Loch Houran for generations, compelling them to act upon its dark suggestions and corrupt ambitions. Walter soon feels the presence of this entity, which seeks to dominate his will and lead him into sin and despair. He is torn between the temptation of the power offered and his own innate morality. He finds support in a virtuous young woman, Oona Forrester, who lives on a nearby island with her mother, and who represents a force of goodness and light against the ancient evil. Margaret Oliphant masterfully blends a Gothic ghost story with a deep psychological study of a man grappling with his own potential for corruption, making it a compelling tale about the struggle for one’s soul against a predestined and malevolent fate.

Table of Contents:

• The Wizard's Son. Part 1

• The Wizard's Son. Part 2

• The Wizard's Son. Part 3

• The Wizard's Son. Part 4