The Man with the Nose | Rhoda Broughton | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2020
- A newlywed couple on their honeymoon find themselves pursued across Europe by an elusive and sinister figure with a striking, and rather frightening, appearance...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Rhoda Broughton (1840-1920) was born in Denbigh, North Wales, the daughter of a clergyman. She was the niece of J. Sheridan Le Fanu, the celebrated Irish author of gothic and ghost stories, and he encouraged her early in her writing career, publishing some of her early works in his 'Dublin University Magazine', and introducing her to the influential London publisher Richard Bentley, for whom she went on to write 14 novels. Her early style gained her a reputation for sensationalism, which made her hugely popular with contemporary audiences, although after the turn of the 20th century her work began to fall into relative obscurity as literary fashions and tastes changed. During the course of her writing career she contributed several ghost stories to popular periodicals, of which the best remembered today is probably 'The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth' (1868), notable for its epistolary form.
'The Man with the Nose' was first published in the October 1872 edition of 'Temple Bar' magazine.
The title card shows a detail from 'L'Inhumation précipitée' ('The Premature Burial', 1854), by the Belgian artist Antoine Wiertz (1806-1865), depicting a cholera victim emerging from his coffin after being mistakenly buried alive. This is the painting described at the start of chapter II, when the narrator and his wife visit the Wiertz Museum in Brussels.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2020. - บันเทิง
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Another impeccable reading of a story I haven't heard before-thoroughly enjoying this!!
You are the master of narration and pure joy to listen to Simon. Many thanks as always.
Thank you Catharine, very kind!
The anxiety of 'little Elizabeth' was contagious, in a way. Knowing something would happen, not if, but when! A lovely reading, making it all the more plausible!
Thanks for introducing me to an author I didn't know about and thanks for the 'L'Inhumation précipitée' title card. I didn't think I was going to enjoy the story nearly as much (very much rather than just quite a bit, I guess) but then I trust your choice of material implicitly and the delivery is as ever superb. Still in lock-down hereabouts so I literally consider this channel a lifesaver and can't thank you enough.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, and glad to know these stories are of some help/relief in these difficult times. I still have your story requests in mind! Best wishes to you HerrCrankzy, hoping the lock-down eases soon.
Another wonderful reading! I know it is the style of Victorian stories but I sure wish someone would endeavour to write a concluding half to them.
Funny and creepy! Excellent reading, as always. And I appreciate your scholarly presentation, the Wiertz painting and interesting notes.
Excellent, glad they're of interest! Thanks for your comment
Great story. Author Rhoda gives me a bit of a chill. Very severe photo..
I have a cousin who spent three days in London and is now an Anglophile. He affects this kind of accent. It’s been hard on his wife.
😁
From where of our former colonies does he hail?
@@lordeden2732 😀 From the isle of Manhattan, the scene of many 1776 atrocities. We still hold a grudge, by the way.
Thank you for introducing me to all this awesome author!! And many more 😉😉
You're most welcome!
Excellent! A perfect reading of one of my favourite stories. Thank you!
Really glad you enjoyed it, thanks GradKat
This was so scary ... in the best way... listened to in the dark! 🌚 (and indeed the painting / video image is terrifying!)
Thanks Missy, glad you enjoyed it!
I love these so much. Thank you for just being you.
How kind - thank you! Best wishes, thanks for listening
First of all, let me leave my obligatory like and drop a comment. Now that that's out of the way, time to listen.
Thanks Eric, that's kind of you - comments and likes much appreciated!
Yet another Gem and another perfect Sunday evening Many many thanks RNK
Excellent, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks Bob
As always, a superb reading, and a story that is new to me! I don’t know where you find them, but I am happy that you do. My only comment on the story is why didn’t Elizabeth just go with him to see his uncle (besides the obvious answer: because then there would be no story). Thank you!
Thanks Nancy. Good question... I suppose we could attribute it to his expectation that he'd only be with the uncle a day or two so didn't want to give up the hotel, and/or would travel quicker alone without all the luggage etc. But yes, it might have somewhat spoiled the story!
Bitesized Audio Classics They could have left the maid at the hotel, but that is neither here nor there. I also realized this story was very similar to The Face by E.F. Benson. Equally mysterious as to motivation of the ghost.
@@possumaintdead And similarities to Schalcken The Painter by Sheridan Le Fanu. A sort of supernatural abduction?
chris mayor A possibility I suppose. Or authors saying of another’s work, “yes, very nice, but I could do it better.”
Perhaps the Uncle did not want her?
Thank you!! I really love the older ones.
What a lovely surprise to find a new story. 👍
This sounds a real nostril hair raiser of a story. Can't wait to get into bed and hit play!
Thanks Greg, hope you sleep well!
These help me get to sleep too. No reflection on the story or narrator. It just relaxes me. Only problem is figuring when l fell asleep so l can hear the ending!😷😷😷😷😷😷😷😷🇨🇦
@@missg.5940 I do this too so it takes several nights to hear the whole story.
So I don't get it. What happened to the wife and why would this man with the nose take her?
As always, love your reading. Love the old stories, the way words are put together. I read books from the 1800s just for that. But, so many characters lack depth, breadth, humanity. These two are not stiff. They are relatable. And I’m sure you are the best to put them over. Great listen! 💛
Rhoda B is very good. I have read one other story by her in an anthology. Would love to hear more. Thank you.
Thanks Deborah. Her other short stories (the ones I know, anyway) often seem to have first person female narrator, so not very appropriate for my voice.... but will see what else I can find!
Bitesized Audio Classics I think you could narrate a female character... we could carry our imaginations that far if you decided to give it a go
As usual a fantastic reading of a come on what's happening next story, but the ending ! I was devastated. I bet I'm not alone in wanting a sequel .
Thanks Pilgrim, lovely to hear from you. Yes indeed, I think quite a few of the stories I've read could do with a sequel!
@@BitesizedAudio Hi there, you are probably right. I've only heard a fraction of the story's , there are many left for me to hear. This was , I think, the strangest cliffhanger so far. Many thanks for your consideration and hard work .
I get so much comfort from listening to your voice telling stories. Its glorious. Love the spooky stories before bed. Thank you 😊
Very kind of you, thanks mtmuller!
I see the idea behind this is that the Mesmerist found her and kidnapped her. The husband was a jerk not to listen to her.
I don't know why, but the first thing that came to my mind after reading the title of this story was,
"Oh, so this isn't Voldemort to be sure."
This is truly scary. But i have to say what it reminds me of... The frightening visage of the real doctors who in the centuries past during the plague wore huge long curved noses as protection... (I removed some of my reference to the story so as not to spoil anything.)
Of course this has its own loopholes but I'm just saying the man's nose immediately made me think of this.
Oh wow. Hooray. Can't wait to listen, as always. Thank you again so much.
Me too😁
You're most welcome!
Hoorah! In bed in dark loving this x
Love the banter between the couple in this. I am returning to your stories often my good sir.
Love the creepy atmosphere in this one!
Bravo as always Simon. Thank you so much. Xxxx
Love this story. Thanks so much.
Glad to know that Rusland55, appreciate your feedback
What a title. absolutely love your work!!! Can't sleep without listening to story read by you 👌
Thank you once again👍
Very well written story and amazing narration as always! Merry Christmas!
Superb story, most enjoyable to hear a new author in your narrations, keep up the good work, Thank You
Great choice. This gave my weekend a good start. I feel so much sympathy for the groom. 😥
Very enjoyable, another quality reading.
Thanks Shane, appreciate your kind comments
My goodness, can he come up with yet another phrase to “minimize” her?
Yes indeed. I wonder how much Rhoda enjoyed writing this - actually, in most if not all of the other stories of hers that I know she employs a female narrator, so it's interesting to read/hear her male narrative voice in this one
Exactly!!!! "My dear child". So offensive!!!!
A new Author & enthralling story, kept me riveted from start to finish, thank you
Love these stories thanks Simon
I constantly have to remind myself that the word gayly has meant a whole nother thing than today 😂😂
You must be very childish as well as homophobic.
@@cruisepaige childish yes I am guilty as charged😂😂 but hey the hell did you come up the conclusion that I am a homophobic ? Some of my best friends are gay
Daygon Cornhole “some of my best friends...” is as bad as “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
@@cruisepaige I don't understand you or your statements and honestly I don't care I don't to engage in this pointless argument anymore soooooooo yeah I'm out and I wish you all the best for you and your family have a wonderful day 😉
"Gaily."
Great reading. Had to laugh at the lady in her crinoline dress on the boat:)
Wonderful, thank you. New author on me. She never met an adverb she didn't like...
You're most welcome, thanks for listening. Yes, she does have a somewhat... distinctive style
You are so good!❤
What an odd mixture. Wonderfully lighthearted and delightful at the start - and then so annoyingly creepy and sad. Still, beautifully read as always.
Thank you for another superlative narration. Thank you for many hours of listening pleasure.
You're welcome Emma. Thanks for listening, glad to know you enjoy the stories
Thank you 😊
😮 thank you 😊
Very interesting twist! Voices as usual done to perfection!
Perfection. At last a work of art on a par with your excellent reading. Often your reading far excels what is being read; but here, the work rises to the level of your interpretation. An adult and thrilling event, on both sides.
Thank you, Peter, appreciated. It's interesting, this story seems to divide opinion, judging from the comments... quite a few regular listeners really don't seem to like it, with significant exceptions such as yourself. I'm intrigued by the resemblance to the much later E. F. Benson story 'The Face', as well as strong echoes of the much earlier Le Fanu story 'Schalken the Painter' (also on the channel, and also one which divides opinion). Of course, Rhoda Broughton was Le Fanu's niece, so she must have known that story well...
What a great story !
Your narration gives life
to the characters, they are
so to be enjoyed 👍
Thank you so much for your kind comments, and thanks for listening
Excellent👍👍👍 Thank you:)
Well his stubbornness and intentions to have his way destroyed her life entirely as well as his own happiness and has left him in his deserved loneliness and agony.. He will forever regret his on selfish desires and determined ways and will live in torment and regrets. He lived with her pleas of " Stay, stay , stay" forever ringing through his days and dreams forever as he should.
Awesome story and excellent, impeccable correctness are always the norm of your narrations with feelings so apparent for every emotion. Gives me total satisfaction and enjoyment . Thank you from Ga. The peach state. Blessings upon you.
I’m from South Alabama and have a decidedly slow Southern drawl. It’s hard to believe the range of accents in the world 😂
This is one of those that makes me wish for more.
I looked up Wiertz... they must be fascinating in person.
Yes, very interesting indeed. Although from what I could find when I looked him up, his museum doesn't seem to be very popular these days... it seems his reputation in some quarters anyway hasn't improved all that much from the low opinion expressed by our narrator!
Bitesized Audio Classics Just needs better marketing to their demographic.
K. Friedricks @Bitesized Audio Classics ... your comment got me thinking wouldn’t it be so fun to do a “Bitesized Audio Ghost Story Tour” covering some of the story sites in UK or EU having scary stories read out loud in the evenings!! Like a book club but way better. I used to manage tours for rock bands and I have a friend who is an opera expert who does opera tours organized by river carriage along the Danube ... 🤔 it would be SO COOL ... in the nerdiest possible way 🤓 !
Missy what an amazing idea. I’d sign up x
“The Young Witch” is disturbing.
That's terrifying 😱
I have heard the mention of Torquay (Taw-key) in some of these stories. I recall that it was also mentioned as a less than desirable place by John Cleese in "Fawlty Towers." Being from the US, I don't know if this place has some significance.
Yes, Torquay is a seaside resort on the Devon (south west England) coast. I've not actually visited myself, but I have stayed nearby and it's a beautiful part of the country. These places go in and out of fashion, it was very popular in Victorian and Edwardian times but I think in the 1970s when Fawlty Towers was conceived it was down on its luck... I'm sure it's come back up in the world since then! The birthplace of Agatha Christie, incidentally...
Excellent 👌💕
Second listening. V funny. Witty. And so frightening. Another play in the making I wish. ❤️ Rhoda rocks 😀
Really out done yourself here Simon!
@BEEREN & CO Thank you, much appreciated!
ughh men were so pig-headed and stubborn back then. even more than now... good for him
I absolutely love your voice...
Very kind of you to say so, thanks for listening!
Thanks
You're welcome
This guy's problem is just that, he is a terrible husband and a blithering idiot. "My wife has a stalker, I'll leave her alone for a few weeks. What could go wrong? Derrrrrr." Great read as usual Mr. Stanhope.
That story sounds as though it is likely to be the source for "The Face" by E. F, Benson. Thanks for the reading.
Yes, I think it is. I'd say it also owes a lot to a much earlier story, 'Schalken the Painter' by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (Rhoda Broughton's uncle), so somewhat of a recurring theme!
@@BitesizedAudio - Don't forget the 1st story of Charles Dickens short story "To be read at dusk." has a similar plot.
This made me kinda sad 😔😢 how frigthen she was and how he was so regretful for not staying with her nevertheless it spook me ❤
I very much enjoyed this story, so sad, I wonder where Elisabeth ended up?
Very puzzling xx
Listening from the ukwales ❤
Byron was drinking and had realize too late he was on the london greywater canal #121,
Maybe it’s just me but I think the wife left the husband because he was so paternalistic and condescending. No sorcery , involved just plain simple she married the wrong man.
It seems that he also married the wrong person as well. At times, the wife's comments and behaviour gave the impression of her being a bit of an insecure, clingy type, almost childish even. The sort who require constant affirmation of their spouse's love and affection. So it is not difficult to see why he would get annoyed and even impatient with her at times.
Not, I hope, too spoilerish to say, 90 years after Goethe' s "Erlkönig" and 25 years before Stoker's Dracula - what a hair-raising story, characteristically finely narrated - by yet another unfamiliar author!
I wonder if it was the mesmer..or was the dream a premonition? He clearly existed , when she was pleading for him not to go, he should have spared no expense to take her with him..but something tells me it would only delay the inevitable. Still, it wouldn't have hung as heavy on his soul as it does with him leaving her alone.
The manner of speech is strange but enjoying it very much.
Yes it is rather, isn't it? (Or perhaps I should say is not it?) It caused me a few stumbles during recording! Interesting that both main characters use the same formulation, it suggests it may have been Rhoda's own style rather than a specific character choice. Thanks for listening
@@BitesizedAudio It was excellent sir. Many times the male character qualifies what he says with an adverb - eg - 'he says...mockingly' - I'm not sure that modern writers would employ that level of adverb qualifier use but it fits perfectly here. I'll put a link on my Twitter feed for your stories - don't have many followers, so don't expect too much :) Will be listening to many more - thank you for doing these.
@redstrat1234 Thanks for your kind comments, and thank you also for spreading the word on Twitter - much appreciated. I'm on Twitter (@BitesizedAudio) but not very active at the moment, really need to take a proper look at it. Best wishes
Now he is wealthy and unhappy just as she predicted . He should have taken her with him .
I can't. It's too much 😢
I cant help wondering if men of this time period were really so odiously patronising as to call their wives “my child” every few minutes. Just as well I dont live in those times or I believe my husband would have a nose very similar to the one so often mentioned in this story, as a result of the juditious application of a frying pan! 😊
My mother and her contemporaries called the men.."the boys".. get over it!!!
@@vincentconti-jb3hd Really, mine wouldn’t have dreamed of doing that. I didn’t grow up around that kind of gaslighting behaviour so it’s odd to me.
dont worry about it dearie
Truly a living nightmare😨
So the story has no end, and thus no point
The end is quite clear and rather sad, he never finds his beloved wife. Not all stories have a neat happy ending.
'my dearest child' is grating on my nerves
Odd one. 👻
Were these books the penny dreadfuls that were written at the turn of the century? I had a great aunt named Rhoda! Not a name you'll hear anymore! One of those turn of the century names like Mabel, Cora, Edith and Ethel. I doubt any parent would name their kids any of those names now! Although our neighbors just named their third child, Hazel! lol I never thought that name would come back either! Well, then there's Amelia, Esther and Eloise! lol Who knew!
@sugarfalls1 I think the periodicals where these stories were first published would have considered themselves a cut above the penny dreadfuls, to be honest, though the idea is the same. Both were magazines which published short stories, but whereas the literary magazines such as 'All the Year Round' (founded by Dickens) would publish fiction by famous authors of the day, the penny dreadfuls tended to plagiarise or "rip off" the same material, e.g. simplified rewrites, or even send-ups, of Dickens stories. In fact, by the end of the 19th century new literary periodicals such as The Strand Magazine, Cassells, Temple Bar etc, were being published at a price which was affordable, and so caused the popularity of the penny dreadfuls to decline. A very interesting era in the development of literary fiction, I think!
@@BitesizedAudio Thank you for that detailed explanation! I never knew there were rip off versions for Dickens and the like. What percentage of working class people in big cities who were working in factories at this time were literate? Do you think they just couldn't afford to buy the magazines Dickens was published in and therefore, a penny dreadful was something that wasn't gonna break the bank? What class of people were buying these stories?
I can't answer your question about the percentage of literacy amongst factory workers et al at the time... I know the 1870s education acts made great leaps forward in that respect, but I don't have detailed knowledge/information to share on the issue I'm afraid! But yes you're right, the penny dreadfuls were certainly aimed at (and priced for) working class readers.
@@BitesizedAudio Thanks for your feedback! I really appreciate it!
@@BitesizedAudio Thank you so much for the added historical information along with these stories! I do so enjoy both history and literature, and love when I can learn more about the era in which whatever I am reading was written❣
Ahh,mysiongy
You read well, but even your talent couldn’t fix this story.
The writer was focused on the newly weds interactions and not on any actual story telling and scene setting. They made British people of the day seem very cold and snobbish though which is a shame.
The humorous part of this story is when you put Sesame street Burt in the place of the bride snatcher. Because the lack of details on him Burt fits the bill quite well. And actually Burt would make a very creepy kidnapper.
The author feel on her face when it came to writing a spooky story. She did well for writing about irritating snobs that you’d never like to meet.
Thank you for trying to polish this story though. You have dug up many creepy a tale, and the Father Brown stories are very clever. I suppose I’m just spoiled with them.
💙🎙📚💙
A cautionary tale for young husbands - pay proper and close attention to your new wife or someone else may still make off with her :-)
In this case that could be a lucky break.
I don’t understand why the husband doesn’t offer to bring his wife with him to visit his Uncle?…..I know that I expect too much from authors needing dramatic license-but I’m a logical person, and enjoy a story far more when it makes sense….
Damm a flea
😳😭poor little bride.....
🙏🏽🎩♥️🔝🇲🇽
Kept getting distracted by the man's continually calling his wife "child" (aaargh!!). Great story, otherwise.
I could tell almost immediately that this was a female writer. From a female perspective it certainly sounded like she didn't have a great liking for men. Definitely out his failings of feeling right out in the begining. Her own opinion for the fairer sex is paramount. Lol I wonder at all the photos of that time that not one man nor woman have a pleasant expression showing a very somber countenance. I wonder why that should be? Was it not the "thing " during that time to smile? Unfortunate as a number of both sexes had handsome faces.
Enjoyed these stories regardless of any looks or suspected personalities of which I could very possibly gleaned the wrong opinions of this lady. It certainly would not be the first time I guessed wrongly nor is likely to be the last unless i dont awake on the morrow. May their ghosts look kindly on me and not hold a trustdge.
Yes, an interesting question re the severe expressions in photographs of the era. I've read various explanations, and I think the most likely is the simplest, really: in those days, having your photograph taken was not a familiar, everyday occurrence, it was more akin to sitting to have your portrait painted, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event for some people. So they took it very seriously, and a toothy grin (perhaps with gaps in many cases, given the primitive state of Victorian dentistry!) might be felt to undermine the dignity of the occasion. Added to which, before the 1880s-90s the exposure took a very long time - you had to sit still for several minutes, otherwise the image would blur if you moved. Sitting completely still with a smile on your face doesn't feel very natural, and would be quite uncomfortable... So I think for all these reasons it probably wasn't the "done thing" to smile in posed photographs in the 19th century!
Weird ending. I think Rhoda could have done better overall.
The narration was great tho.
A story not to be sniffed at ! 🙄Sorry
Boom boom
I think he dodged a bullet. She was crazy from the start... take the money and run i say there are more fish in the sea.
not my cup o’tea at all! too upsetting :|
Oh dear, I'm sorry... glad to know you enjoyed some of the others though!
Bitesized Audio Classics hi - you shouldn’t be sorry. i just thought i’d mention it in case anyone else might feel the same. it’s fine if it means something to you. :) keep up your terrific readings :} 🌷🌱🌼
Its the whole idea of the story. I dont like gore, but these old ones don’t scare much.
Honestly I didn't like this story, nothing was explained. It is like the scene was set for a great tale that never got told. Who was the man, what happened? Why did it happen? It left too many questions and and the end scene being left unexplained was somewhat upsetting. In fact it had me thinking more of human traffickers rather then ghosts.
That said I have absolutely loved many of the stories read by Bitesized Audio Classics, his pronouciation and reading is second to none. Add to that, his microphone quality is excellent and that in itself is much appreciated, and he has a gift that keeps the listener riveted throughout any story. Loving listening to so many stories so far and still have quite a few to go, my favorite so far is 'The Upper Berth'.
Pleasantest? I'm surprised to see bad grammar from a story this age. Unless I'm wrong. Always thought it was more or most pleasant
Interesting question. According to my dictionary, "pleasantest" is the official superlative form, although "most pleasant" is used and accepted (probably more often nowadays, although that's only my guess - I agree with you, it does sound a little odd to my ears). Perhaps it was more familiar in the 19th century - it crops up in poetry of the era - check out 'The Swing' by Robert Louis Stevenson for example.
Aaannnd you learn something knew everyday. Thanks for that and also the great stories
It's a common enough word, or was a few years ago. In any case, 'grammar' requires more than one word.
L
Trying to thank $$$ you. Isn’t working. 😕
Well read and all that, but this is a terrible story, really badly hacked out, childish premises from the start and the author, if he must be thus called, can't even make up his mind what tense to use! Still, amusing enough, and inspiring for fellow authors, for if this drivel can get published then there is hope for us all.