As it happened, this one didn't get to come out in the normal 'Premier' mode, where we can watch it together. It was not complete at the time I normally upload, so I have to work right through the night, up to eight o'clock in the morning my time, to have it released at 9.30 in the morning! I am really, really looking forward to going to bed now, and also getting some of those 💤💤💤
Do you know, it is the only story of hers that I know. I guess I should break away from these particular ones that I cherish and go and seek out more. Can you name other tales of hers that are worth exploring? I have loved this one for a very long time, since when I first read it as a teen.
Your help and support made his one much easier to deal with, considering it was so ridiculously late to press. There is some irony in that too, as the central character is also pressured over getting work "to bed" in time.
Love all the different voices for each character and the sound effects that are contextually appropriate, even the way you stay back from the mic when a character "calls back" to Rose is great. Such quality! Keep it up 🎉 Also, could you expand a bit upon what you believe this story to be about? It may just be that I'm not paying enough attention but its hard for me to understand what the Colgates even.......are, exactly. I get the impression that the husband is like some creepy necromancer who steals souls and puts them into puppets or turns them into weird fetus things. But Mrs. Colgate is a mystery, like why would her "dragging" footsteps be the final words of the story, when the story seems to be climaxing? Its a great little tale, though, much enjoged it. I'm just a dunce 😅
Firstly, thank you very much for your kind opinion on the work involved in the piece. I struggled to get this one out on time, as I felt it needed a very believable, dynamic space for the listen to feel they were a part of, so I am over-joyed at the fact that you appreciated it. As to interpretation of the piece; one of the reasons I like this story so much and have watched to do it for a few years now, is *because* of the fact it gives space for the reader to insert their own feelings as to what is going on. However, I am very much on the same line as you in terms of what we do interpret. That which we know is 1) the different observers of the Colegates all seem to see and perceive them in different ways. 2) Where they go, death abounds (the Vet's son, the admiral being distressed to the extent he felt "hastened to his grace" and of course, the eventual fate of poor Bob. 3) The use of alcohol seems to be more for the containment of the strange, embryonic creatures Rose saw in the birdcage and that the double meaning of 'spirit' in this sense seems to be deliberately blurred. For myself, I see the Colegates as actually malevolent; carelessly manipulating the diabolical whilst putting on a charade of being 'sweet old people'. Thus, I find the ending not simply displaying the shock of Mrs Colegate coping with her husband's death, but that her slow dragging steps are harbingers of further despair or corruption.
Thank you very much for saying so. I just adore the creepiness of the story and have put off doing it for years - as I did not feel that is was one that I had the skill to tackle. However, the constant learning experience of this channel has made it something to strive for. I am very happy that you enjoyed it and that you were so kind for taking the time to let me know. Thank you.
It must have been a challenging one to read because the two lodgers are such odd characters. Their combination of eccentricity and horribleness reminded me a bit of the types of villain one encounters in the works of Roald Dahl, with a touch of the occult child predator from M.R. James's "Lost Hearts" and the eponymous character from George RR Martin's "The Pear-Shaped Man." Creepy, indeed.
Once again, sorry I'm late. (SPOILERS TO FOLLOW, SCROLL BACK UP IF YOU'RE NOT DONE.) This story has to have been written by someone who dealt with troublesome lodgers in their past; there's a odd familiarity to it all; half buried memories of erstwhile people that fate decreed must be endured and dealt with. Indeed a great deal of the horror in this story seems to stem from an unrelenting onslaught of very mundane circumstances; from a dead husband to a despicable employer. (I'd have found her a ludicrously unrealistic character once... not any more though) to a brace of wretched diseases befalling the brace of unfortunate children and thus to the odd and ultimately fatal necessity of having a brace of strangers care for her ailing children. It might be just me, but any hint of supernatural malificence seemed to take a back seat. Your voices were particularly salient this time; Mr. Colgate was a striking character, to be sure, from the eccentric old fellow one moment to the shrill malefactor in the next. Of particular impact however was Rose's last line, especially haunting considering the context and marvellously acted. The background sinister ambience also works to great effect once again; not letting even the calmest moments be free of gloom. Nice, nice and thrice nice Chinese rabbit indeed...
Thank you, my friend. I am worked really hard on the soundscape for this one. All in all, it was very difficult to put together, with all of the different characters. Originally, when I used to work with Brenden, I used to do the different characters at the same time, just jumping from one to the other as needed. Now, I have to record them individually in different channels, which is a nuisance when their lines of dialogue are all a short sentence. However, even though I had to essentially abandon it to be able to launch it in time, I am still pretty happy. I have had reverence for this story for four decades almost, so it just had to be done right. Even so, there are few problems with it, that I would like to discuss in more length, when this story comes up for review in my retrospective series on Patreon.
I remember when you read this. Quite disturbing. Did you by chance add some background noise to the reading? I hear a faint dissonance behind the narration in the track from 5 to 9 minutes in. If you meant to cause unease, you were successful.
Yes, there is actually quite a bit of things going on in the background, including the foley of the characters moving. Thank you, because I really wanted to capture the wonderful strangeness of this great little story. I have loved his tale for decades and never thought I had the means to do it justice. The last few years of training on this channel, as well as the people who have supported it along the way, have made it possible for me to manifest (in a small way) these tales I care for, and write my own.
Great production Huw! I loved the subtle soundscape and viscous voices. You made my favourite creepy story even creepier. You're great with the accents! I kept seeing Matt Lucas as Desmond. This is my second listen. My comment yesterday somehow got lost, so it was a great excuse to listen again to make sure you got a thank you from me. This story is disturbing and nostalgic in so many ways. 🏺🌪
Matt Lucas! What an amazing casting in the mind. Yes, he would be great - if he could play it straight(1) and not in a wacky fashion. Thank you very much for coming along to listen (twice!) and for your thoughts on it. I would like to know more about how you first encountered it, as to the nostalgia you mentioned. (1) I suddenly recognised the problem with using that performance term, in the content of that gentleman!
I first encountered the story on Tony Walker's channel, and it immediately struck a few chords with me. It seems to be set in a time very close to that of my own childhood, although in a very different place. But I was often sick as a kid and my Mum was on her own to raise my brother and I. I remember having a deep suspicion of strangers and to this day a loathing of alcoholics; a childhood insecurity carried over I guess. The characters are very real to me. I also, about 20 years ago, lived in a house by a very old graveyard. My bedroom overlooked some headstones across the road. That house could tell some tales I'm sure. It had some bad juju! I'll write the story of that experience down someday, but it was a very mad, sad time. These stories need some distance. Thanks Huw.
Sorry I missed this I had to work ... I still work full time so ... 😑 & then I'm so tried I fall asleep💤💤💤
As it happened, this one didn't get to come out in the normal 'Premier' mode, where we can watch it together. It was not complete at the time I normally upload, so I have to work right through the night, up to eight o'clock in the morning my time, to have it released at 9.30 in the morning! I am really, really looking forward to going to bed now, and also getting some of those 💤💤💤
Even if I hated the story, ( I enjoyed it actually). The narrator sold it. Subbed etc
Joan Aiken is a quality writer. Thank you for the excellent narration. It makes such a difference when you do the characters voices so differently. A+
Do you know, it is the only story of hers that I know. I guess I should break away from these particular ones that I cherish and go and seek out more. Can you name other tales of hers that are worth exploring? I have loved this one for a very long time, since when I first read it as a teen.
Fantastic!
Your help and support made his one much easier to deal with, considering it was so ridiculously late to press. There is some irony in that too, as the central character is also pressured over getting work "to bed" in time.
I have a little SC book copy of: *Wolves of Willoughby Chase*
Oooooh! She wrote a children's book! I must read that now!
So well done! Thank you! 😱
I am very happy when I manage to create something that you can enjoy. Your presence through all of these tales over the years has been a delight.
Love all the different voices for each character and the sound effects that are contextually appropriate, even the way you stay back from the mic when a character "calls back" to Rose is great. Such quality! Keep it up 🎉
Also, could you expand a bit upon what you believe this story to be about? It may just be that I'm not paying enough attention but its hard for me to understand what the Colgates even.......are, exactly. I get the impression that the husband is like some creepy necromancer who steals souls and puts them into puppets or turns them into weird fetus things. But Mrs. Colgate is a mystery, like why would her "dragging" footsteps be the final words of the story, when the story seems to be climaxing? Its a great little tale, though, much enjoged it. I'm just a dunce 😅
Firstly, thank you very much for your kind opinion on the work involved in the piece. I struggled to get this one out on time, as I felt it needed a very believable, dynamic space for the listen to feel they were a part of, so I am over-joyed at the fact that you appreciated it.
As to interpretation of the piece; one of the reasons I like this story so much and have watched to do it for a few years now, is *because* of the fact it gives space for the reader to insert their own feelings as to what is going on. However, I am very much on the same line as you in terms of what we do interpret. That which we know is 1) the different observers of the Colegates all seem to see and perceive them in different ways. 2) Where they go, death abounds (the Vet's son, the admiral being distressed to the extent he felt "hastened to his grace" and of course, the eventual fate of poor Bob. 3) The use of alcohol seems to be more for the containment of the strange, embryonic creatures Rose saw in the birdcage and that the double meaning of 'spirit' in this sense seems to be deliberately blurred.
For myself, I see the Colegates as actually malevolent; carelessly manipulating the diabolical whilst putting on a charade of being 'sweet old people'. Thus, I find the ending not simply displaying the shock of Mrs Colegate coping with her husband's death, but that her slow dragging steps are harbingers of further despair or corruption.
Excellent reading. I really enjoyed this one.
Thank you very much for saying so. I just adore the creepiness of the story and have put off doing it for years - as I did not feel that is was one that I had the skill to tackle. However, the constant learning experience of this channel has made it something to strive for. I am very happy that you enjoyed it and that you were so kind for taking the time to let me know. Thank you.
It must have been a challenging one to read because the two lodgers are such odd characters. Their combination of eccentricity and horribleness reminded me a bit of the types of villain one encounters in the works of Roald Dahl, with a touch of the occult child predator from M.R. James's "Lost Hearts" and the eponymous character from George RR Martin's "The Pear-Shaped Man." Creepy, indeed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm all for the stars!
Once again, sorry I'm late. (SPOILERS TO FOLLOW, SCROLL BACK UP IF YOU'RE NOT DONE.)
This story has to have been written by someone who dealt with troublesome lodgers in their past; there's a odd familiarity to it all; half buried memories of erstwhile people that fate decreed must be endured and dealt with. Indeed a great deal of the horror in this story seems to stem from an unrelenting onslaught of very mundane circumstances; from a dead husband to a despicable employer. (I'd have found her a ludicrously unrealistic character once... not any more though) to a brace of wretched diseases befalling the brace of unfortunate children and thus to the odd and ultimately fatal necessity of having a brace of strangers care for her ailing children. It might be just me, but any hint of supernatural malificence seemed to take a back seat.
Your voices were particularly salient this time; Mr. Colgate was a striking character, to be sure, from the eccentric old fellow one moment to the shrill malefactor in the next. Of particular impact however was Rose's last line, especially haunting considering the context and marvellously acted. The background sinister ambience also works to great effect once again; not letting even the calmest moments be free of gloom.
Nice, nice and thrice nice
Chinese rabbit indeed...
Thank you, my friend. I am worked really hard on the soundscape for this one. All in all, it was very difficult to put together, with all of the different characters. Originally, when I used to work with Brenden, I used to do the different characters at the same time, just jumping from one to the other as needed. Now, I have to record them individually in different channels, which is a nuisance when their lines of dialogue are all a short sentence.
However, even though I had to essentially abandon it to be able to launch it in time, I am still pretty happy. I have had reverence for this story for four decades almost, so it just had to be done right. Even so, there are few problems with it, that I would like to discuss in more length, when this story comes up for review in my retrospective series on Patreon.
I remember when you read this. Quite disturbing. Did you by chance add some background noise to the reading? I hear a faint dissonance behind the narration in the track from 5 to 9 minutes in. If you meant to cause unease, you were successful.
Yes, there is actually quite a bit of things going on in the background, including the foley of the characters moving. Thank you, because I really wanted to capture the wonderful strangeness of this great little story. I have loved his tale for decades and never thought I had the means to do it justice. The last few years of training on this channel, as well as the people who have supported it along the way, have made it possible for me to manifest (in a small way) these tales I care for, and write my own.
To the person who pushed the dislike button, would you be able to explain further what you did not like about this story or its presentation?
Great production Huw!
I loved the subtle soundscape and viscous voices. You made my favourite creepy story even creepier.
You're great with the accents!
I kept seeing Matt Lucas as Desmond.
This is my second listen. My comment yesterday somehow got lost, so it was a great excuse to listen again to make sure you got a thank you from me.
This story is disturbing and nostalgic in so many ways.
🏺🌪
Matt Lucas! What an amazing casting in the mind. Yes, he would be great - if he could play it straight(1) and not in a wacky fashion.
Thank you very much for coming along to listen (twice!) and for your thoughts on it. I would like to know more about how you first encountered it, as to the nostalgia you mentioned.
(1) I suddenly recognised the problem with using that performance term, in the content of that gentleman!
I first encountered the story on Tony Walker's channel, and it immediately struck a few chords with me.
It seems to be set in a time very close to that of my own childhood, although in a very different place.
But I was often sick as a kid and my Mum was on her own to raise my brother and I.
I remember having a deep suspicion of strangers and to this day a loathing of alcoholics; a childhood insecurity carried over I guess.
The characters are very real to me.
I also, about 20 years ago, lived in a house by a very old graveyard. My bedroom overlooked some headstones across the road.
That house could tell some tales I'm sure. It had some bad juju!
I'll write the story of that experience down someday, but it was a very mad, sad time. These stories need some distance.
Thanks Huw.
p.s. I'm not so "woke" that I picked that up.
But if anyone ever makes this into a Netflix series or Hammer film; he's the guy!