The Shadow in the Corner | A Ghost Story by Mary Elizabeth Braddon | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ค. 2024
- A new recording of a classic public domain text from 1879. Narrated/performed by me, Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me:
* Monthly support on Patreon: / bitesizedaudio
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* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
00:00:00 Introduction & brief author biography, written and read by Simon Stanhope
00:01:20 The Story begins
00:58:58 Credits and thanks
About the story: Michael Bascom, scientist and scholar, considers himself superior to the local legends of ghosts haunting his ancestral home, Wildheath Grange. But when his elderly servants ask him to employ a new maid, he finds himself obliged to investigate.
About the author: Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835-1915) was born in London. She was privately educated, although her childhood was disrupted by her parents' separation when she was five years old. Her older brother Edward emigrated aged 16, and later became Premier of Tasmania. She worked as an actress in her early 20s, and was successful enough to support her mother and herself, before turning to writing fiction. She had an early success with 'Lady Audley's Secret' (1862), one of the best known of the "sensation novels" which were hugely popular in the mid-Victorian era and she is most closely associated with that genre. It's the work for which she is best remembered today and has never been out of print. In addition, she also wrote a number of supernatural short stories, the best known of which include 'The Cold Embrace' and At Chrighton Abbey'.
Braddon married John Maxwell (1824-1895), a publisher and property developer, in 1874, although they were in a relationship and living together for more than a decade prior to this. At the time they met in 1860, he had a wife who was confined to a mental asylum in Ireland. Braddon and Maxwell had six children together, including Fanny Margaret Maxwell, Gerald Melbourne Maxwell (who became an actor) and William Babington Maxwell, a successful novelist and playwright. The family lived in Richmond, Surrey, where a number of the streets are named after characters in her fiction (thanks to her property developer husband).
At one stage, Braddon also served as editor or Temple Bar magazine, and 'The Shadow in the Corner' was first published in 'Temple Bar' in 1879.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021/22. - บันเทิง
If you enjoyed this story, you may like to visit my Bandcamp page where you can listen for free to my narrations of many more classic stories. You can also purchase and download a high quality audio file of this or any of my other recordings: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com
Listener support on Bandcamp helps me to keep producing new content like this. I also have a Patreon page: www.patreon.com/bitesizedaudio
Or for occasional one-off support, you can Buy Me a Coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio
Thanks for listening.
Simon Stanhope (narrator)
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction & brief author biography, written and read by Simon Stanhope
00:01:20 The Story begins
00:58:58 Credits and thanks
I know you are just one person and appreciate all the work that goes into bringing us the level of quality of these stories but they just cant come fast enough for me.
Kindly watch the video below if you haven't. We may not get anymore stories. The care and quality we appreciate are being threatened by this platform. I humbly ask for your help in saving this channel however you can.
That is if you aren't aware. No malice meant.
How well said!
This isn't just reading, this is acting, really good acting.
If there was an awards show for best audio stories (The Audis?), Simon should win several categories and the Best Overall award.
So please to hear you voice again and your unique interpretations of these stories. TH-cam take note!
That's a great new intro. It's like you've walked out on stage, introduced yourself, and started with a prologue. Congratulations on the revamp.
I'm real mad that TH-cam is refusing to see the obvious value you bring to these stories. So happy to listen again
Yay, Simon! Love the intro 😍 👌
I knew you'd never give up for your fans. I personally guite enjoy learning about the authors, and what their world was like when they wrote these stories; it's a lost art, the classic ghost story, in my opinion, and the way you bring them into our world is a gift. Thank you, Simon, from the bottom of my heart ❤
Yes. The return of Simon Stanhope. Voice suited for Masterpiece Theater. Looks of matinee idol. Build of a footballer. Intrepid interpreter of horror and mystery stories. This story not only terrifies me but tears out my heart.
What a comment Jared, I'm blushing! I wish I had the fitness levels of a footballer, but I can work on it... Yes, this story packs quite a punch
@ Jared Couldn't be worded better. This story affects me the same way.
He’s back- the greatest narrator on YT. Excellent.
I was so surprised to see what you look like! I pictured a different person narrating every time. Keep using your gift, it was meant to be shared. 😃
Thanks Carolyn. Yes, that was one of the reasons I didn't particularly want to put my face on everything, let the audience's imagination visualise their own idea of me, theatre of the mind and all that. Oh well
@@BitesizedAudio You look great! I just love ya!
Thank you for continuing to post your work in spite of TH-cam being run by philistines.
👏👏👏
Who?
English countryside..and a large manor house with an eerie wind blowing through the country side..and listening to this audio is a perfect recipe for a good Summer evening story time !...England is the most beautiful country in the world...large spaces.
Large estates... magnificent stately houses..preserved just as gold..oh man! It's a fairy tale land!
Yes! This channel is a very good find to show it’s history as well as being entertaining!
Thank you for the stories, and enjoy your 'coffees'!
Thanks so much for your support Felicity
A WHOLE HOUR! What a treat! Thank You so much!
I listen to you every night at bedtime. Your narration is wonderful and I look forward to hearing you. It helps me release the day. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for sharing another delight for your band of eager ghostoholics.
I love the author biography!!!!!! Nice addition!!!
Wonderful! Excellent production. Thank you.
I really hope your channel woes are solved, I love the content.
What a wonderful story. Thank you Simon.
Yaaaay. There is a huge storm right now where I live. Perfect timing.
Wow where do u live??
@@prasadpushkar3191 Bahía Blanca, Argentina. There is rain and wind storm. 90 kmh wind.
@@LadyEng oh wow! Stay safe and enjoy the audio :)
@@prasadpushkar3191 Thank you
My favourite voice actor and narrator on TH-cam , a channel that has helped me get many a nights sleep through very difficult time. I prefer no music but it’s not a bother to me , it’s gentle enough to blend in. The intro is interesting. I’d definitely be interested in paying a subscription if you have to change platforms after all this TH-cam nonsense.
Thank you, appreciated. Yes, adding music isn't my preference really but it's useful sometimes, e.g. to separate the introduction from the main story. I certainly aim to keep it gentle and classical in style, rather than anything to horror-themed or jarring. Thanks for your supportive comments, I'll keep everyone posted on developments...
I absolutely appreciate your distinguished and quintessentially English voice. There is no channel I enjoy more than yours. Thank you so much.
I agree-I haven't found another story narration channel worth listening to 😊
Excellent to have you back!!
❤
I did enjoy the short Info about the story and author.
Good to hear YT is taking your appeal seriously. 🤞
Another excellent reading thank you so much
You're welcome, thanks Robert
2 minutes into the video and I have to say that I LOVE that wonderful introduction! It really adds to a richer experience to listening to the story.
Your book choices and readings bring great joy to me and I'm sure joy to other listeners. Thank you very much.
Welcome back, Simon!! So glad your readings will still be available.
I love the history of the story and the storyteller. What an excellent addition to a classic tale. So looking forward to listening. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Magnificent return to form, Simon! A first rate choice of story, and I love your updated format. Godspeed sir!
Actually, love the new format- helpful information for students.
Thanks Justin, good to know, thanks for the feedback
I wish you hadn't had to change your format because of TH-cam rules. You are easily the best reader of these stories on TH-cam. Absolutely perfect, and I love them all. I don't know if you're done any W. Somerset Maugham yet, but "The Man from Glasgow" would be a good one.
It's all about control. Don't put your head above the barrier, it will get shot off.
Yes, it's called prairie dog stuck his head up. Poor prairie dog.
Wasn't really an earth shattering change. Just hopefully something to appease the ignorance of TH-cam.
@Dr Blood's Video Vault Thanks for your kind words. I'd like to do some W. Somerset Maugham, I've enjoyed reading quite a few of his stories in the past, but unfortunately he's very much not in the public domain: he's under copyright in the UK until 2036 as far as I'm aware (there was some dispute about his estate with family members I recall, but his rights are now held by a writers' benevolent fund). Some of his early works might be technically public domain in the USA, but as I'm UK-based, and given recent events, I really don't want to try it. I appreciate the suggestion though.
@@BitesizedAudio I deeply appreciate your efforts to bring light to some lesser-known authors. It's like having a friend at the library!
This channel just keeps getting better. Thanks and much love Simon! 🎩
You continue to fill our lives with bliss. Thank you.
What a lovely comment, thank you
Simon, hearing your marvellous voice introduce this story and then begin to read it with your virtuosic aplomb turns out to be a fine way to present each work. Hearing your voice is always a greatly anticipated treat in our house and the new format just adds to our delight!
Ecstatic to hear you again, Simon. I truly do love the way you manage to get us through our troubles. Thank you Sir. God bless you.
This, and Shalken, (wrong spelling, forgive me), are genuinely heartbreaking.
Simon's renditions, whether you like the story, or not, are unique.
He's mentioned the channel as being a 'life-saver', or some such, during Lockdown. I hope he realises that HE has been a life-saver for some of us.
Hello Simon! Lovely to hear you once again. I could listen to your voice forever. Thank you for doing what you do! ❤
Great story! I love this one - thank you!
Simon, thank you for your superb reading of 'The Shadow in the Corner', a tale of silent suffering, neglectfully read as a young girl's sulking protest and the ghastly outcome of that ignorance.
Enjoyed the background/intro, but best, as always, is your reading & interpretation of the story!! Hope it reverses the recent decision & finds another position for that reviewer!
Your introduction is what brought me here to *re~listen* to this scary & creepy story that is well written w/ an economy of words making it truly nightmarish *THX Simon* always a fine narration 👍👍👍👍👍 I luv the author bios & the painting/photographs of said writers
I know you were forced to make changes to the format, but I like them. The music and addition of spoken biographical details is classy, and classic. Please, keep up the good work.
You're back! This is wonderful news. I will look forward to listening to this later 😊
I messaged you via your website Simon - trying to help.
An hour of ghost story? Just what I needed this evening, thank you.
Good to see you're back Simon. I was so afraid that one of my favourite channels was going to disappear forever... and what a storming return. I've always been a fan of M E Braddon, she was in a way one of the pulp novel authors of her day and her supernatural stories are crackingly good. She deserves to be remembered more than she is. More please!
I love the new opening! Your work is such high quality. I thank you.
Appreciated, thanks Eliza
What a bittersweet mixture of fear, pathos, regret and hope. So beautifully written. Like a Bronte miniature.
What a treat! A whole HOUR!
Thank You
Thank you so much, Simon!
Ooh I like the new format! And the story is so grim! Well done Simon! You are the master of bringing the past back to life! ❤️
Thanks Gina. Yes, it's a dark one this...
Hi Simon, thank you so much for this wonderful story! Really enjoyed this. Best wishes! 🇬🇧
Thank you - your readings of these stories have been a highlight and a Godsend during the pandemic.
That description of the kitchen "like a cathedral " is so evocative of those East Anglian Manor houses. Even in the building of the sense of menace, Mary Braddon still has room for humour (the description of the non-cleaning of his study, and the jealousy of the servants who feared her marrying their master).
My younger brother was married at Audley End in Essex - I enjoyed that connection enormously.
Outstanding narration as always and a great story to listen to this evening. Many sincere thanks!
Yay, you’re back! Wonderful job, cheers 🥂
I’ve just discovered your channel and am really enjoying it. I thought this story had something special about it. The characters were really well drawn and there was sweet sad quality that’s unusual for this genre. I’m going to check out the author.
You read it very beautifully. Thank you 💚📚🕯
Thanks Francesca, so glad to know that. Thank you for your lovely feedback. She's certainly worth seeking out, and I hope to read some more of her stories in the future
Simon!!!!! Dam I missed you I'm so happy your back. It's a dam shame LUBTUBE was trying to insult your work. Who ever did the review on you should find a new job!!!. This video should smash your reviews and likes. More people should take this lesson seriously and stand up for there self and other's. It's bad enough LUBTUBE is centering freedom of speech by taking down people's videos because they don't believe it it's politically correct. Thanks for your hard and awesome work.
They didn't go after him for political correctness. It was out of some young persons ignorance of what good content is.
@@timd4524I was unaware of any trouble on Simon's channel-I was awol for a while - I'm glad that I didn't know, because I would have been very sad ❤
Thank you very much Simon, what a treat to find a new performance from you!
Sooo incredibly happy to see this after a hard day of work 😁 thank you thank you thank you 😊❤️
A spooky public domain short story from the Victorian Era, with an excellent performance by Bitesized Audio Classics! Though I have listened to this one before, and though your performance should secure it regardless, here's hoping the extra bits help your case. 💙
Wow I have just listened to another of your stories and now I find this in my notifications! I love synchronicity! Also I love the new way that you introduce the work! Absolutely fabulous! Thank you so much for all you have done! You are truly amazing! I have had a sense of déjà vu listening to this! I wish I knew what déjà vu was, I understand what it is, but I mean why did we have it!?!
Thanks Maria. I've got a strange feeling that you've posted that comment about déjà vu before, but I can't put my finger on it...
@@BitesizedAudio maybe you are experiencing déjà vu! Lol, No I think you’re right, but that was with a different book with a different story, it feels like a memory so slightly stronger than a déjà vu. Maybe I have lived this life before, maybe I made a mistake and I came back to have another go at it! When I had my near death experience, I remember asking about my friend who committed suicide and I asked what happened to her and they told me that people who commit suicide come back and relive their lives! Maybe when I came back because it was the addiction that I died from and I died many times from overdoses (My boyfriend injected me while I was asleep and I woke up an addict) and I had hated drugs with a passion and he could sense that I was going to leave him, so, like a vampire (the perfect analogy) he made me an addict too but I left him and became a £500 an hour as an escort and did lap dancing and I think I’ve been in every room of the Dorchester and the Savoy et cetera I was just 16! At 24 I died and it was serious my mother came over Ireland on a plane and my dad came from New York and there was relatives from everywhere around the world because my mum is the youngest of 12! The feeling of dying was better than any drug ever had and ever since and I have been seeking and finding spiritual enlightenment, but we are never awakened.... just awakening because we never stop learning and we learn through our mistakes so there is no hell!!! How did we learn to walk? Exactly by falling down a lot!!! Religion uses hell like parents use Santa Claus to control children! My ego died (most of it) with me so that is why I’m sharing this story- what others think about us is none of our business. I was born into a wealthy home but it was so dysfunctional..... abuse by dad but he got sober for 35years and sent us all to therapy....there is no judgment ever from non physicals vantage point and we all have a unique perspective and the gift of free will and angels or light beings or inner beings & spirit guides- we are adored beyond expression and very worthy beings and we are literally physical extensions of source energy- The energy that creates worlds and the universe, we just have to choose often with intent to tap in or tune into it.... You can tell when you’re not in sync with the universe! Our sixth sense is emotions! The better we feel the closer we are to who we are & what we want And I was the kind of person that had to see it and feel it and touch it and smell it to believe it! And I was lucky enough for that to happen, it was my destiny and I learned the powerful truth of the imagination.... if you use it you can create anything you want and it’s happening all day anyway... so think on purpose! It takes practice but by making peace with the present moment we are on the right path! And finally we must meditate to charge ourselves so we are in the right place at the right time and intuition is increased..... everything is limitless except for pain! That’s why Einstein Posed the very clever question; is this a friendly universe!?!
It’s always darkest before the Dawn! It’s no coincidence that the Sun is just the right distance away to ripen our tomatoes without burning us alive!!!! Love and light Simon! Divine love and light and blessings galore!
I'm very impressed with the added information in the new format. Knowledge is no weight to carry. I hope it's enough for TH-cam!
Thanks Mark. Fingers crossed....
Hi Simon! I was so glad to see you back and hear your great rendition of this story, which I've heard before. The new format is nice. Always a pleasure to see a new offering from you. ☺
Bravo! I really enjoy the new enhancements. Keep up the splendid work. I just supported you on Patreon. Long live Bitesized Audio!
Thank you Simon! Sending positive thoughts that everything is going to work out for you with the channel, it's essential listening for fans of perfectly narrated vintage fiction - and I very much appreciate the addition of a spoken intro to the author and story!
Glad to know that, thank you Binkie
The wealth of knowledge and commitment to craft are deeply appreciated. Thank you!
Your intro' is the perfect length for an informative contextualisation without being boring or self indulgent. Well judged! And thanks again. Brilliant Braddon!
I cannot wait to find more of this author's work. Starting with the novel that Simon recommended. I cried the last 10 minutes of the story
My daily dose of a fine intellectual story!! Thank you Simon! Always a pleasure!!
Very glad to see you back so soon. I hope the little tweaks help...
Love the introduction- thank you 😊
You have introduced me to so many authors I have never heard off and would bave been forgotten if it was not for you.
Skeggs was to blame. He refused to follow his master's orders, due to jealousy. If he had just moved the girl to the floor below, she probably would have been just fine. Excellent reading.
His pointless petty cruelty destroyed a young life.
A lot of children with psychic abilitys are put down by their parents in just the same way. "There is nothing. It was just a bad dream!" Some have to suffer throu all their childhood not only by what they sense but by the total lonelyness it puts them in, when you can not tell a soul.
Yeahhhhh, you are back! Thank you for the upload!
Delighted to see this in my notifications! Absolutely superb rendition, as always. You have such a unique ability to bring these wonderful old stories to life.
I teach this story in a course on Victorian gothic/ghost/sensation literature. It is creepy but so very moving. I feel such sympathy for poor Maria and for Anthony Bascom as well. Even for Daniel, whose life is blighted and who did try to help in a passive way. Those hateful Skeggs!
A beautifully written piece and exquisitely performed. Fascinating too, to hear how your voice has matured over the years. I've been listening to your earlier work. Always impressive but you grow into your art. Nobody does it better. Nobody at all IMHO. ❤
Hooray for Simon! He fought the beast and won.
Not yet, I haven't, unfortunately. Still fighting...
@@BitesizedAudio - When you don't quit, you win. Cheers to you.
Such a sad and unusual story. The room is haunted by feelings of utmost desperation. And such unkindness and jealousy on the part of the caretaker that led to such an unnecessary tragedy. Such poignancy in your reading.
Had not before heard of Mrs. Brandon until this evening when I discovered her short story in your presentation. What a fine story told in such an engaging entertaining manner. I am now subscribed and anticipate many enjoyable evenings of listening to and appreciating your excellent vocal talent.
We appreciate your work on this channel so much, I’d much rather listen to your narration than read the story myself.
You’ve gradually built up a really terrific channel, sad that U Tube( not known for its taste) fails to see how valuable your channel is!✊♥️
Hello you! Just settling down for bedtime with Simon as I call it. Tad early 😀👻x
The added introduction should certainly bring your readings inline with other channels I enjoy. Tony Walker’s Classic ghost stories puts the author’s bios at the end of the reading, which might be more to the liking of other channel members if they want to get right into the story. I myself always enjoy hearing about the authors however the presenter chooses, be it at the beginning, end, or just in the description. I look forward to having this kerfuffle resolved as soon as possible. You are much too good a reader to be lost. Good luck, and as always, thank you.
Thanks Nancy. To be completely honest, I did wonder if any reviewer would necessarily bother listening through to the end, so it would be better to put my own content up front (after all I've long identified myself as the reader at the end of the stories, but whoever demonetized the channel obviously didn't hear that...) I noticed that HorrorBabble do something similar, where there's a short (30-60 seconds) intro to the author and/or the story, so I took that as a good model, keeping it relatively brief. I do enjoy the research and writing the biogs, but I'd prefer to keep the more detailed info in the description I think, not least because my voice is usually tired by the time I finish recording a story! Anyway, just seeing what works at this stage...
I'm so glad you're back! The small format change isn't a detriment, and you are SO good at this. Thank you for persisting!
Bravo!! Love your readings of ghost stories. Thank you, once more, for a bite-sized bit of escapism from the mad world.
Thank you for this newest addition to your works. The introduction and background of the writer definitely bring an added value to the recording. I hope there is an endless repository somewhere for you to continue to find these pieces to bring us. Have a wonderful weekend!
Oh yeah!!! Thank you for not giving up!! You have fans out here!
Thank you Simon for your wonderful performance. It is sad the individuals at You tube do not know the difference between a simple reading a dramatic performance, where the voice actor can bring the characters to life, as you have done here so well. My congratulations. I was hoping the story would end with Maria finding a place "in her master's heart", but that was not to be. Again a wonderful Victorian story with a "blunderbuss", a horse called Dobbin, and someone looking through a keyhole! Wonderful to have another story from you. I was concerned that your last performance would be your last performance. Hopefully, your channel will not go the way of Maria!
You broke my heart with this story- so well-told, I was truly caught up in the characters. The ending caught me completely off-guard. Well told! Many Thanks!
Thanks Simon . Terrific as always. Hoping your problems with You Tube will soon be solved.
I appreciate all of your work more than I can express. You are honestly my favorite channel. Thank you so much Simon.
What a difference a bit of compassion can make in a humans life...
thank God you are still here! thank you for this!
This channel is my new favorite.
Kind of you to say, thank you!
I am here in New Mexico. It is 2023 in January . Thank you for your art.
I like the integration of notes about the author and story. I hope this satisfies as food for the fickle YT gods!
You have come out of your corner beautifully with this one! Quite a lot of thoughtful content packed in there, and even a touch of Dickens for fun, I think. Thank you!!
Very atmospheric ally spoken. I felt like I was there in the old mansion. Sad story though. Poor Mariah.
One of my favourite authors - Lady Audley's Secret is fantastic.