Mr. McCaslin by Peter S. Beagle

Cerberus without three heads.

LeVar Burton has a strong track record when it comes to selecting engaging short stories for his podcast, and I would certainly place Mr. McCaslin by Peter S. Beagle into that category. Set in 1950s New York, the story is steeped in nostalgia, feeling almost semi-autobiographical as it paints a poignant coming-of-age tale infused with Irish folklore, the supernatural, and a touch of magical realism.

The young narrator and his friends form an unexpected bond with the titular Mr. McCaslin, an elderly resident of their apartment building, who approaches them with a peculiar request: he needs their help to stave off a dog from the underworld—an entity that has haunted his family for generations as an omen of impending death. The stakes are deceptively simple: he isn’t asking for a miracle, just a few more days to settle his affairs, particularly to write a final letter to his estranged daughter. This small but deeply human request adds an emotional weight to the story, making it as much about regret and reconciliation as it is about supernatural encounters.

The presence of the spectral hound heightens the tension while reinforcing the story’s themes of fate, inevitability and the loss of childhood. Yet, the children's involvement introduces an element of innocence and defiance against forces beyond their understanding. Beagle effectvely balances the eerie and the heartfelt, capturing the way childhood wonder often blurs the line between myth and reality. The contrast between youthful idealism and the sobering weight of mortality is beautifully executed, making the story both haunting and emotionally resonant.

Prior to this story, my only exposure to Peter S. Beagle’s work was The Last Unicorn, widely regarded as a classic of children’s literature. Mr. McCaslin further cements his reputation as a gifted writer, seamlessly blending the fantastical with the the deeply personal.