Olveston Historic Home
A Generous Bequest in Dunedin, New Zealand.13 total reviews
Comment from Carla Trinklein
I wondered how one could make a story about a tourist site interesting...leave it to you to figure it out! A ghost telling the story of what the place was like when she lived there...that's a unique perspective! I love touring old houses. You made me feel that I was there. I live in a town that was originally settled by wealthy Jewish families, and the mansions they built remain. Some are now used as bed and breakfasts, and I've toured several. I wish I were handy...I'd love to refurbish one. Great job on this entry!
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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I wondered how one could make a story about a tourist site interesting...leave it to you to figure it out! A ghost telling the story of what the place was like when she lived there...that's a unique perspective! I love touring old houses. You made me feel that I was there. I live in a town that was originally settled by wealthy Jewish families, and the mansions they built remain. Some are now used as bed and breakfasts, and I've toured several. I wish I were handy...I'd love to refurbish one. Great job on this entry!
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thanks, Carla. sorry so brief.
Comment from zanya
A superb tale in the Tourist Site contest bringing the life of the gentry of former times to life with an 'insider's ' gaze at the goings-on in the Big House
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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A superb tale in the Tourist Site contest bringing the life of the gentry of former times to life with an 'insider's ' gaze at the goings-on in the Big House
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thank you so much for this wonderful review. I could have taken you through more of Olveston's rooms - the bedrooms and servant's quarters - but there is so much to tell that I ran over the required length and had to do a hard edit as it was!
Comment from JudyE
A novel way of imparting information about a tourist attraction without the descriptions becoming at all boring. By telling us about the place through the eyes of the maid, the interest is sustained. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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A novel way of imparting information about a tourist attraction without the descriptions becoming at all boring. By telling us about the place through the eyes of the maid, the interest is sustained. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thanks Judy... too many facts can indeed become ho hum, so i aimed to make it chatty. I work as a tour guide at Olveston, so I try to keep it lively for visitors... I haven't had to resort to being a ghost before though.
Comment from juliaSjames
Great hook to have a ghost as the tour guide. And she did a thorough job. I like the blend of artefacts with historical figures and modern day visitors.
No mention of the bedrooms though.
I wonder if there's anything peculiar to New Zealand in or around the mansion? That would be worth mentioning.
Good luck in the contest
Blessings Julia
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Great hook to have a ghost as the tour guide. And she did a thorough job. I like the blend of artefacts with historical figures and modern day visitors.
No mention of the bedrooms though.
I wonder if there's anything peculiar to New Zealand in or around the mansion? That would be worth mentioning.
Good luck in the contest
Blessings Julia
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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I ran seriously over the word limit when I wrote the first draft, so the bedrooms got the axe. They could make a story in themselves. Actually, I could have another Olveston series... I could describe one of their dinner parties... a day in the life of a servant... the new technology the architect designed in the house... one of Dorothy's outdoor adventures... a day in the life of a present-day tour guide etc etc.
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I only stayed in a mansion once, well twice. For negotiations. We were working nearly all the time so I couldn't explore much. But it was a gorgeous experience. One of the older members of our delegation got into his huge clawfooted tub easily enough. But then couldn't get out. The poor man was quite shaken when he finally made it.
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Oh no! Death by bathtub. He must have been rather portly and unathletic. Olveston has a clawfooted tub too.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Sounds delightful. I love the elegance of those days gone by, and I've often wished I could have lived back then, as a wealthy family member, not a servant, of course. I wouldn't get bored, for I'd have the required visitors and needlepoint and other crafts to keep me busy. :)
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Sounds delightful. I love the elegance of those days gone by, and I've often wished I could have lived back then, as a wealthy family member, not a servant, of course. I wouldn't get bored, for I'd have the required visitors and needlepoint and other crafts to keep me busy. :)
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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You would fit right in to Olveston's style and grace.
Thanks for your review.
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
I see you chose to give the tour in first person rather than narrative too. Great minds think alike :)! I enjoyed the tour. I have bee to several similar houses here - most I visited were Civil War homes. I've done many ghost tours and overnights in them as well. This manor seems like a place I would enjoy visiting. Good luck in the voting and thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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I see you chose to give the tour in first person rather than narrative too. Great minds think alike :)! I enjoyed the tour. I have bee to several similar houses here - most I visited were Civil War homes. I've done many ghost tours and overnights in them as well. This manor seems like a place I would enjoy visiting. Good luck in the voting and thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your review. I took ages to craft this story because I wrote far too much and had to prune out a lot of detail. I got carried away... I work there and know the place really well. I had to dump all the references to the bedrooms and servants' quarters and others...
I would like to see those USA Civil War homes.. gone with the wind.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Now THIS is so cleverly done!! I got to have a tour, but it was done in such a conspiratorial way --with a ghost as my tour guide, no less!!-- that I felt part of the behind-the-scenes, and not a tourist! That kept it so interesting and fun! And all your descriptions were so thorough and intimate that I get the feeling SOMEONE may already be a tour guide here!! (I know you can't be 'Cor,' since you didn't use big words!) Anyway, this was another LisaMay classic --memorable, smart, informative and fun. xo
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Now THIS is so cleverly done!! I got to have a tour, but it was done in such a conspiratorial way --with a ghost as my tour guide, no less!!-- that I felt part of the behind-the-scenes, and not a tourist! That kept it so interesting and fun! And all your descriptions were so thorough and intimate that I get the feeling SOMEONE may already be a tour guide here!! (I know you can't be 'Cor,' since you didn't use big words!) Anyway, this was another LisaMay classic --memorable, smart, informative and fun. xo
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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I had to invent a ghost for the sake of the story. There is a faded tapestry in the Billiard Room and I have wondered if there might be a story behind how it faded, so I invented one. It's possible.
Thanks for your super supportive comments.
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Definitely plausible!
Comment from djsaxon
A terrific take on the contest mandate, using the charming Annie to guide us through the house. Great narrative flow (as always) and an assured use of the pen. There is a wonderful warmth to the write. DJ
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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A terrific take on the contest mandate, using the charming Annie to guide us through the house. Great narrative flow (as always) and an assured use of the pen. There is a wonderful warmth to the write. DJ
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Thanks for these comments dj ... I work at that historic home, so I know a lot of its details.
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I'm almost jealous. My favourite TV series ever is DOWNTON ABBEY.
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I like watching it too. I see that a movie has been made now.
Comment from Colin John
Ha ha Lisa , a spooky story and love ghost story's , you done s good job here and it read beautifully thanks for sharing kind regards colin xx
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Ha ha Lisa , a spooky story and love ghost story's , you done s good job here and it read beautifully thanks for sharing kind regards colin xx
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Thanks for reviewing this story, Colin. Have you ever seen a ghost?
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Hi Lisa , I cannot say I have but there maybe one sitting next to me now lol.
Sorry don't believe in something that is just impossible. But you never know . Kind regards Colin
Comment from kahpot
Wow! if I had a sixth star I would most definitely give it to you, this story and guide through this magnificent mansion, is absorbing, very descriptive, and made me the reader think I was a tourist ( I now want to be) the detail in this work is exceptional, very well written, bet wishes for your contest****kahpot
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Wow! if I had a sixth star I would most definitely give it to you, this story and guide through this magnificent mansion, is absorbing, very descriptive, and made me the reader think I was a tourist ( I now want to be) the detail in this work is exceptional, very well written, bet wishes for your contest****kahpot
Comment Written 06-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 06-Jul-2019
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Super review! Thank you very much. I work at the historic home so I know a lot of detail. When I wrote the first draft of this story I had written far too many words and had to do a major edit to cut it down to the contest requirement.
