A classic ghost story by the master of the genre, M. R. James, set in the author's native Suffolk in the aftermath of the "witch-finding" mania of the 17th century. Sir Matthew Fell inherits Castringham Hall in 1735 and has ambitious plans to improve it; but his ancestor's involvement in a notorious local witch trial 45 years earlier casts a long shadow... The story starts at 00:01:10 This is one of a series of the ghost stories of M. R. James I've narrated for this channel; you can hear the others on this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o.html Or for a selection of Victorian ghost stories by various authors, including Charles Dickens, Amelia Edwards, Edith Nesbit, H. G. Wells, and many more: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv.html
So glad for this! I'm in PA in the US and it is of course a key swing state! Hoping for all our sakes on either the side of the Atlantic that we can finally put this orange nightmare finally to rest. But a break from the tension is much appreciated!
Thanks for this great presentation. I read this story in an old Alfred Hitchcock Presents short story collection titled 12 Stories for Late at Night. Every story in it is wonderful, particularly the ultra-creepy "The Cocoon" by John B.L. Goodwin. I still have that old paperback that I bought at a dingy used book store in San Diego in 1970. I've reread it until it is nearly in tatters.
You Might like to listen to my reading of The Cocoon by John B. L. Goodwin, at 60 Great Ghost Storied read by H. Washington Sawyer. th-cam.com/video/4sBXBNzeKW8/w-d-xo.html
That's what I needed, a Simon Stanhope fix. Thank you Simon. We are all getting older, but you still manage it with grace. A great story is always a wonderful treat. Happy halloween.
Your rendition is just so classy. Goes down in history with one of the best readings next to Christopher Lee and Michael Hordern. Both bringing their own style to the tale. Personally though. Your renditions I feel are considered the most faithful and honors James work by bringing out that classical Victorian style. I love the historical background in this one. That and “Stalls” for me offers a tale that feels like it really did happen. I believe in the supernatural to an extent. I feel Monty understood things that most people didn’t. Historical places really do have an aura about them. Do not disturb and leave them be.
This long-expected story was no less of a Hallowe'en treat than the surprise "Man-Size in Marble". And because I've had the day off work, due to a typhoon here in Taiwan, I've been able to listen to it on the afternoon of All Hallows' Eve itself.
And mine made it difficult to click on (and sit with) that thumbnail, even though I knew the story and what I was in for! Never mind, it’s only a picture…..(shudder)…
You have an excellent talent for story-telling and narration, and you seem to favor stories of the supernatural, wonderful. So far you are the only such individual who I've chosen to subscribe to because of your eloquent talent. When I was a child, I adored Cyril Ritchard for his Riverside recordings of Alice in Wonderland and Looking Glass in which he both read and sung. I haven't found anybody of his caliber since then, until I stumbled across your channel. I recently watched Tractate Middoth and Mezzotint on Amazon (free of charge as of this moment), I loved them. Both you and the films have really opened my eyes and ears to the wonderful world of M.R. James. Thank you so much.
Gostie and goulies and long legged beasties and things that go bump in the night 💀happy Halloween Simon looking forward to the dark days of November with you
I realize your Forte I'd bite-sized readings & their absolutely wonderful. I'm not privy to other reading venues that deal with larger volumes . My point is to be you would be excellent in reading " The Alienist". Thanks ever much.
Thank you again for the wonderful videos! I am still currently listening to Victorian Stories For The dark Season. Here in America we celebrate Holloween ( You folks call it Holloween 3 Season Of The Witch or something) and plan to listen to this story.
Simon. One of The ads they're promoting on your channel is a vulgar calendar. Please put some boundaries on ads on your channel if you can. I have put in my ad complaint over and over and I'm ready just to avoid the channel. ☹️
A classic ghost story by the master of the genre, M. R. James, set in the author's native Suffolk in the aftermath of the "witch-finding" mania of the 17th century. Sir Matthew Fell inherits Castringham Hall in 1735 and has ambitious plans to improve it; but his ancestor's involvement in a notorious local witch trial 45 years earlier casts a long shadow... The story starts at 00:01:10
This is one of a series of the ghost stories of M. R. James I've narrated for this channel; you can hear the others on this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o.html
Or for a selection of Victorian ghost stories by various authors, including Charles Dickens, Amelia Edwards, Edith Nesbit, H. G. Wells, and many more: th-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv.html
Winter is drawing in and these stories are just long enough to stay awake until the end before sleep gets the better of me. Much appreciated.
Just this minute finished listening to A Warning To The Curious.
Then, low and behold... 🤗
Thank you Simon! So nice to see your notification! I hope you’re well…. Great choice! ❤❤❤
I've read and heard this story about 100 times..and I'm still excited to hear your version!
One of my favourites as well.
Cheers Simon, Happy Halloween! This is my favorite story of his. It’s just so creepy and moody.
Simon how’s the tour going. Is good to hear Sir Master Narrator Simon Stanhope bless us with another Masterpiece
Excellent read!
How patient the tree was.
Thanks. James (M R) is one of my go to writers and the Ash Tree one of my favourites. Now I need The Residence At Whitmister, peeeeeeeeeease.
Thank you for another lovely story telling to keep me company. 😊 Insomnia isn't so bad after all.
So glad for this! I'm in PA in the US and it is of course a key swing state! Hoping for all our sakes on either the side of the Atlantic that we can finally put this orange nightmare finally to rest. But a break from the tension is much appreciated!
Tragically, however...
From sweet blue Connecticut 💙
Fantastic! Thank you Simon 👻
🎉 Simon, you are the best of the best narrators. You choice of stories are excellent
A lovely eerie autumn rain has just begun to fall - perfect ambiance for your welcome audio gift 🙏🏽🍂🌧️
I agree.
Just subscribed! My 15 & 13 year old kids also enjoy your channel to listen to before bed! Sending gratitude from Georgia USA!
Thanks for this great presentation. I read this story in an old Alfred Hitchcock Presents short story collection titled 12 Stories for Late at Night. Every story in it is wonderful, particularly the ultra-creepy "The Cocoon" by John B.L. Goodwin. I still have that old paperback that I bought at a dingy used book store in San Diego in 1970. I've reread it until it is nearly in tatters.
The authors are smiling down from heaven from hearing about your love of their stories and of your tattered book!🙂
You Might like to listen to my reading of The Cocoon by John B. L. Goodwin, at 60 Great Ghost Storied read by H. Washington Sawyer. th-cam.com/video/4sBXBNzeKW8/w-d-xo.html
Showing my support for this channel. 🎉🎉🎉
Lovely for Halloween. Just got time to listen before I dash off for my volunteer shift at the Shakespeare Globe theatre in London. More ghost stories
Thanks Simon, this one really gave me chills.
An absolute classic! Listened to this on 31st October as it started to get dark which made it even more spooky!
That's what I needed, a Simon Stanhope fix.
Thank you Simon. We are all getting older, but you still manage it with grace. A great story is always a wonderful treat. Happy halloween.
Your rendition is just so classy. Goes down in history with one of the best readings next to Christopher Lee and Michael Hordern. Both bringing their own style to the tale.
Personally though. Your renditions I feel are considered the most faithful and honors James work by bringing out that classical Victorian style.
I love the historical background in this one. That and “Stalls” for me offers a tale that feels like it really did happen.
I believe in the supernatural to an extent. I feel Monty understood things that most people didn’t.
Historical places really do have an aura about them. Do not disturb and leave them be.
This long-expected story was no less of a Hallowe'en treat than the surprise "Man-Size in Marble". And because I've had the day off work, due to a typhoon here in Taiwan, I've been able to listen to it on the afternoon of All Hallows' Eve itself.
Woo~ooo~ooo! 👻😱 Hurrah! Happy Halloween 🎃 to all! Wonderful Simon. Thank you ❤
Thank you, Simon. A Halloween treat! I'm saving it as a reward for finishing my fall yard shut down.
A great reading, thank you
Thank you! I love M.R. James' work.❤❤🎉🎉😊😊
Thanks for introducing me to M.R.James. I'm eating all the Halloween candy.
This is without a doubt the best chanel! Thank you sir 🙏 God bless
Hello, Simon! So good to find a new post by you. What a “treat” for Hallowe’en! I do hope the tour is going well!
Oooooh!!! Another great Christmas story!
Thank you, Simon ❤
Another great story from M R James. Monty’s arachnophobia was certainly showing in this one!
And mine made it difficult to click on (and sit with) that thumbnail, even though I knew the story and what I was in for! Never mind, it’s only a picture…..(shudder)…
Thank you so much Simon for another treat to listen to 🍂🎃
Thanks
You have an excellent talent for story-telling and narration, and you seem to favor stories of the supernatural, wonderful.
So far you are the only such individual who I've chosen to subscribe to because of your eloquent talent.
When I was a child, I adored Cyril Ritchard for his Riverside recordings of Alice in Wonderland and Looking Glass in which he both read and sung. I haven't found anybody of his caliber since then, until I stumbled across your channel.
I recently watched Tractate Middoth and Mezzotint on Amazon (free of charge as of this moment), I loved them.
Both you and the films have really opened my eyes and ears to the wonderful world of M.R. James. Thank you so much.
Thankyou very much as always Simon
Ooooh-how exciting!
Can't wait to listen later.
I'm 100% sure that I'll be putting a positive comment on! 😍
Ooo, yeah! Nice opening music too.
Sir Simon, thank you 😮
You rock the Charles Dickens look.
Please, more Saki!!
Gostie and goulies and long legged beasties and things that go bump in the night 💀happy Halloween Simon looking forward to the dark days of November with you
Creepy story, this one clearly in the realm of horror. 😨
I realize your Forte I'd bite-sized readings & their absolutely wonderful. I'm not privy to other reading venues that deal with larger volumes . My point is to be you would be excellent in reading " The Alienist". Thanks ever much.
Many Thanks from Australia 👍
Great story!
You’re a great combination!
Thank you!
Thanks!
Simon is adorable! 🤩
❤Thank you!
I hear that music and hit like 👍
Love that beard, Simon!
(Swoooooooon...😁)
With my great fear of spiders …. 👻
Mine too 😱😅
Me no like nasty juicy spiders !!!
I would have preferred a picture of a tree!
Complete
Is the opening picture by Atkinson Grimshaw?
❤️❤️❤️🙂
Thank you again for the wonderful videos! I am still currently listening to Victorian Stories For The dark Season. Here in America we celebrate Holloween ( You folks call it Holloween 3 Season Of The Witch or something) and plan to listen to this story.
Simon. One of The ads they're promoting on your channel is a vulgar calendar. Please put some boundaries on ads on your channel if you can. I have put in my ad complaint over and over and I'm ready just to avoid the channel. ☹️
Oh no! Thank fully that ad didn't appear on my yt.
How horrid for you 🫤
Thanks