The New Pass | A Ghost Story by Amelia B. Edwards | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Two English travellers crossing the Swiss Alps are directed to see the new pass constructed by a local engineer, an impressive feat of engineering. But a strange encounter on the mountain leads them to suspect all may not be well...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards (1831-1892) was a prolific journalist, traveller and Egyptologist, as well as a hugely popular English novelist of the Victorian era. Born in London she was well educated at home by her Irish mother, and showed early promise as a writer as well as demonstrating skill in several other areas, including painting and musical composition. She devoted herself to writing professionally from the early 1850s, producing novels including 'My Brother's Wife' (1855) and 'Barbara's History' (1864). She also travelled widely, in particular with her companion Lucy Renshawe, and published several travelogues, including 'A Thousand Miles up the Nile' (1877), which is still widely read and admired today. Aside from her travel writing she is best remembered today for her many short stories with ghostly, supernatural and mysterious themes, many of which were contributed anonymously to literary magazines. Charles Dickens regularly invited her to compose seasonal tales for his annual Christmas numbers of 'All the Year Round' between 1860 and 1866, including probably her best known and most reprinted story, 'The Phantom Coach' (1864). It's unclear why she didn't contribute any stories to the publication between 1867 and 1870 - it's possible Dickens rejected her 1866 story 'The Four-fifteen Express' as too long, so she took it elsewhere - but his son, Charles Dickens junior, invited her to return after Dickens's death in 1870.
The first verifiable publication of 'The New Pass' was in Volume II of a three volume collection 'Monsieur Maurice and Other Tales', published by Edwards in 1873. Like her earlier ghost stories 'In the Confessional' and 'The Story of Salome', this tale benefits from her personal experiences of European travel and walking tours with Lucy Renshawe.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021.
A deceptively simple story - beautifully and evocatively written and expertly narrated.
You’ve outdone yourself with this one.
Just excellent.
Captivating thrillingly well told tale ! I was gripped with suspense at the slowly lurking ominous realization of the warning from beyond. I felt I was there hiding behind a rock observing. Your skills of retelling old tales brings them to life. Thank you for another gem.
Kind of you to say so, thank you Victoria!
Thank you! Excellent story and reading!
Spellbound from begining to end , beautifully read as always
On rare occasion, a word is worth a thousand pictures.
"...over the precipice and thence to fall in multitudinous wavy folds and wreathes of prismatic mist..."
Also, the transition between accents isn't lost on me, Simon. Thank you for bringing these stories to life! God bless you. I pray you know Him in Jesus Christ, who saves. Greatest story ever told-- and every word of it true!
So descriptive! Excellent! Always a pleasure to listen!
Thank you Gina, appreciated!
What a treat. Such a descriptive story! I was there, in the Alps with them as you read. Wonderful.
Thank you so very much I get to hear your talented voice as I fall asleep tonight
Just what I needed thanks. The wife is in the E.R . I needed this stress relief!!!!
Bite size stress management!!
Prayers go up. Good luck. 🙏🏼
@@h.calvert3165 Thanks means a lot. Hope all is well.
So sorry to hear that PB, I do hope your wife is OK. All best wishes to you both
@@BitesizedAudio thanks she is doing well
I hope all is well for your wife by time you read this...prayers!
Love... Thank you for your art... Much appreciated!
Thanks KiKi!
Thank you very much - most enjoyable!
Glad to know you enjoyed it, thank you Susan
Very entertaining!
Yet again such a wonderful gem of a story (and from an author you introduced me to (almost, if the Phantom Coach be of her pen - which it is as we can listen on this channel, that was the only story I had read as it much used in compilations of ghost stories). I like the way the alpine village /hotel scene is so beautifully described and the whole pace of the story and the author's obvious familiarity with the setting of the story - always a huge plus. Your reading as ever supreme, your voice just perfect for the inducing chills if you don't mind me putting it like that.
I am looking forward to listening to you audiobook (remiss of me to only have ordered it this late but it's here now) and to any other treats you may have for us in this leadup to Christmas. Best Wishes to you and as always a huge Thank You.
Glad you enjoyed it HerrCrankzy, and thank you so much for ordering the Audible book - very much appreciated!
I dont know why I thought of this story tonight, but I did and I couldn't remember the name. I thought it was perhaps something by Mary Shelley. I looked online for it and here I found it. Thanks for posting.
You read (or do I mean performed 😂) this story much better than Magpie audio. You share so much emotion and pathos. Excellent.
No one is a Victorian era ghost story every has a name like Norm Smith!
I am thinking that Simon sounds like Simon Moore - who played Jasper in Brideshead Revisited in the 1981 production?
Thank you Mick, I'm very flattered - the wonderful Stephen Moore, sadly no longer with us.
Very good, seems to be a very arrogant young man at the end though, many thanks xx
Yes indeed, I had the same thought, he doesn't seem to be very humbled by his experiences!
Missing 411 1890 edition
Danke Bitesized Audio
Gern geschehen!
@@BitesizedAudio Das Gute ich spechen sie Duetche
Gott Mit Uns
Isn't it somewhere in the Bible that men will see with their eyes, hear with their ears, experience first hand, and yet still will not believe? The man was educated, a lawyer, and willfully ignorant - which is my definition of stupid.
Simon I think the way you read these stories is so perfect for the genre. I’ve only read MR James before, so a whole new world has opened up, all in your wonderful voice! Thanks so much, I’m really enjoying it!
Very entertaining!
Thanks for listening
When my son was about 11 years old he entered a Jaycee Relay Race. He’d never ran track before and didn’t know everybody wore shorts. He came in jeans, to everyone’s amusement. He ran the last leg for his team - and came away the fastest runner of the day, and made up considerable distance to win. This video made me think of that day. How I wish I had been able to see it, instead of only hear and read about it. I was a single mom and had to work. My son was an amazing athlete. ❤️
Your boy must have run his heart out, just to prove that blue jeans wouldn't hold him back! Great kid, and great mom!
Love Amelia B. Edwards! Though a ghost story, the descriptions of the mountain pass stirred up some nostalgia of various travels and hikes.. especially Clouds Rest in the Yosemite high country, Whistler in Canada and various places in Europe.
Travel and exploration are some of life's great joys. Be sure to make those memories when you can. Make it a priority.
Wise words, thank you Jack!
Now you tell me! 😭🤣
What a beautifully written tale. Echoes of Dickens's The Signalman. Make sure you take a good packed lunch with you before starting this trek. Exemplary rendition by Simon as always.
Thank you S C. Yes indeed, I thought there was a distinct echo of 'The Signalman' too...
Wonderful! I loved the descriptions of the water - Edwards wrote so beautifully. A great story!
Yes indeed, her descriptive writing is quite wonderful. Thanks GradKat
I get home from work - tired - knowing I don’t have a good book to read - thinking that there’s not much on my RUclips feed that will interest me much - and - lo and behold - a new offering from my favorite channel!
Thank you - you made my night.
Glad to help! Thank you Chris
You did - thanks again.
Wonderful story and reading. As with most of your releases, I'll probably listen to it again tomorrow or the day after, just to enjoy it again.
Appreciated, thanks for your support Scout
Up to your usual ,flawless standard Simon.
Thank you so much .
You're welcome! Thanks Bill
I enjoyed it greatly, and especially nice was some of the marvelous use of interesting words, some of the kind not often seen, or heard, other than in stories written by those to whom vocabulary is an entertaining art form. Big words used judiciously can add another texture to a tale, and this author was very good at it, unlike others who clumsily shove them in willy nilly to try and impress the reader, unintentionally ruining the proper flow of their own story.
84 views in 21 minutes? That's more than I get in a year! 😂 Not that I begrudge you, cher Simon. You are the maestro of maestros. I'm in work at the mo but cannot wait to wrap my ears around this. ❤
Absolutely amazing! Isn’t this one of the authors that you told me you were going to read another story from?! I can’t quite remember but she is fantastic! As are you my friend! Blessings and many, many thank yous 🙏💎
She is indeed! Thanks Maria
@@BitesizedAudio I’ve Just woken up and I was looking for a meditation To listen to, and came across your comment.....being half American, Half Irish ☘️ but have living in London most of my life, (I love it!!! and I’ve lived everywhere, practically every major city in the world,) so I was fascinated to read that her mother was Irish, because I’ve lost my accents Sufficiently, for somebody to tell me that outside most establishments, it was written- no blacks, dogs or Irish!!! (It was only a few years ago, my hearing it) I was very shocked because in Ireland, there is a class division also, e.g My mother came from a respectable family, My father did not, but he was “new money,” it was more of an arranged marriage! Thankfully this tradition died out just after my mom’s marriage. I left Ireland When it hadn’t changed in so many year’s & now it looks more like LA! Successful Americans having moved back, having left in the 80s! I just wanted to give you credit for the extra detail and attention to detail that goes in to making the channel PERFECT 😍! Returning sleep 💤🙏😇 Take care Simon!
Simon, you really are a master story teller! Thank you!
Kind of you to say so, thank you Felene. And glad to have you back as a channel member! Did you manage to find out what had caused the glitch?
@@BitesizedAudio thank you for the reply 😊 no I did not, but I kept checking until one day it allowed me to sign up once again. Your channel is part of my everyday life and I sincerely appreciate all you provide for us. I asked this before but any plans for Christmas this year? 🎅🏻🎁🎄
Wow, terrific story! Your reading really puts us there in the thoughts and pace of the characters. So evocative and cinematic. I felt like I could smell the mountain air.
What a lovely comment, thank you!
I forgot I had this saved. I'm a bit under the weather and getting to just lie here and listen to your soothing lovely voice and such a wonderful ghost story was just what I needed. Thank! Simon as always.😊
Sorry to hear you've been unwell. I do hope you feel better soon. All best wishes
I feel curiously chilly and damp. Good one!
Thanks Earthcat!
I don't know about you, maestro, but I've no sympathy with that bloke. He ought to listen to Bitesized Audio Classics - then he wouldn't be so sceptical!! ❤
Quite so, Bob, I certainly agree... I thought he was one of the least appealing first person narrator characters I've read. Usually I manage to find some level of sympathy for them even when their actions are a little foolish, but in this case I couldn't help feeling he brought it on himself!
Fantastic!
Everyone of your postings are 1st rate interesting and enthralling plays/stories! Thank you so much for all your postings👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍😊.
You're most welcome Chris, thanks for listening and commenting, glad to know you enjoy them
How beautifully written! Thank you, perfect listening on such a grey, cold day. Felt like I was there.
@Gumblina1 Wonderful! Yes, her descriptive writing is very evocative...
The ending was surprising considering everything that happened to this person.
Yes indeed, rather a stubborn and unsympathetic character, I think
Hello Simon, A spellbinding story. I was so emersed in it i virtually entered the gallery pass with the foolhardy barrister, to see how he would escape death by the skin of his teeth.
As always splendidly narrated and beautifully written engrossing story by Amelia B. Edwards. Thank you. Xxx
Really enjoyed this selection, thank you! Any plans for Christmas stories this year? I can always listen to last year’s again but new ones to look forward to would be a treat!
Thanks Felene. I'm certainly planning some more ghost stories in the run up to Christmas, including some with a seasonal theme, although I don't think I'll manage anything on the scale of 'A Christmas Carol' this year due to pressure of other commitments. But watch this space! And check out the members' posts on the Community tab as I'll post an update there as soon as I've got a clear plan... sorry to be a bit vague, sometimes I have to change my plans at short notice when things crop up so I don't want to trail specific stories too early!
Captivating--I am now (almost) a believer with your elegant presentation! Thank you!
I'm so glad I'm going back and looking for stories I missed or do not recognize right away!
SPLENDID READING OF A VERY FINE, EXCITING STORY. THANK YOU.
I love Ms. Edwards' descriptive story! And your German accent was so much fun to listen to, Simon! Well done! (liked & subscribed)
Danke schön!
I didn't know about Amelia Edward's until I started listening to B.Audio, then Simon's narration of her stories had me hooked. I admire the writer as much as I do the narrator. Simon, you are so talented! I have been reading about you, and the various roles you have played ( plus the audio clips of course) I am honored to have found you first at RUclips 💯💫✌
Well, thank you! I rate Amelia B. Edwards very highly too. Thanks for your support @gohboy56, it's truly appreciated
All I can say is thank you from my heart. You have introduced me to another level of auditory excitement, even when I replay them time and time again! Happy in Texas
Wonderful! Thanks Elizabeth
Happy days cool story
39:32 ..."and how his brother came back to life to save us from utter destruction."
32 mirror 23, W ❤
Thank you BOTH,
John & John (Joe)
(x one million!)
for saving us all from utter destruction.
You have undoubtedly got an expressive delicate voice, which I do wish sometimes to hear all my readings from it.
However, I have noticed that most of your narrations are but ghost stories. I suppose all of us would also enjoy stories of other genres narrated by you. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for your kind words. Actually, only about half of the stories I've done for the channel are ghost stories ... I've done a similar number of detective stories and general mystery / thriller / suspense type stories - I've collected most of them together in playlists, which you can view here: ruclips.net/user/BitesizedAudioClassicsplaylists - you may be interested in the 'Rivals of Sherlock Holmes' and 'Short Mystery and Suspense' playlists in particular. Of course, there's quite a lot of overlap between the two genres - many authors wrote both detective stories and ghost stories in equal number. And some of the stories I've done (e.g. 'The Ghost at Massingham Mansions' and 'The Ghost of Fountain Lane' quite recently) sound like they are ghost stories, but in fact aren't, they're detective mysteries. I do try to keep a rough balance between the various types of story I cover, although I'm certainly more focussed on ghost stories just at the moment, as the period from Halloween through to Christmas is very much peak ghost story season. I've got a lot more stories in other genres in the pipeline, so do stay tuned for those!
What a great combination: You and Amelia...hahaha and all of us. Thanks for the trip.
Thanks @Lacquerisma, glad you enjoyed it. Also, I see you've recently joined as a channel member, thanks so much for your support. Do check out the community tab and/or the membership tab for updates and previews, plus there's a members' only story to listen to. All best wishes
Another superb tale by this impressive author read so beautifully. Thank you Simon.
Enjoyed. Subscribed. Thank you! ❤
Thanks for subscribing
He was so sad about his brother never seeing the alps...but his brother was there. And all his brother was looking at was him. He didn't want to see the alps, the mountains, the beauty. All he wanted was to see his brother home safe.
That's was a lovely narration accent and all. Such breathtaking scenery. His unbelief sounds so hollow after what he witnessed. A guardian angel rather than a ghost may be.
Another impeccable choice. 😊
Thanks Graham, appreciated!
Amelia B Edwards: the Agatha Christie of ghost stories. She derives her vivid descriptions of the countryside from real-life experience, just as Mrs Christie did in "Murder In Mesopotamia and "Death on the Nile", amongst others. Her descriptions are more evocative, though.
Yes indeed. Actually Edwards wrote detective and mystery stories as well as ghost stories (plus of course some of her ghost stories have crime and mystery elements, such as the Four-fifteen Express), so she has some claim to be the original "Queen of Crime" some 50 years before Christie. I have some of her non-ghost stories on my list to record next year. Thanks as always Tony
When you know, you don't have to believe amymore. Great Story. Great narration. You have a new follower. Greetings from Germany!
Wonderful, thank you so much for subscribing! Best wishes from the UK
This is my favourite type of ghost story! You see I am absolutely fascinated by the paranormal! That’s why I love these stories because I don’t really like to be scared as in scared out of my mind! I just love the paranormal! So if you ever get time and can recommend similar stories like this which I read books about.... Hundreds of people write in with their true life accounts Of been given a warning from either a deceased loved one or a guardian angel that if they had not heeded, would have met their demise! Don’t worry and ignore this if you’re too busy! Actually I can find them for myself, I will re-listen to this great authors other works!
Hello Maria. I hope you enjoy reading / listening to Amelia's other stories. In terms of other stories where a warning from the dead steers the living away from danger, the greatest example must surely be 'A Christmas Carol', one of my favourite stories of all time. It's easy to forget it's a ghost story, because of course it's so much more! I really enjoyed recording my version of it last Christmas, I can't believe it's almost that time of year again... ruclips.net/video/jZk9vpJkeNA/видео.html
I could not agree more!! 🎉
So very good. Thank you.
Great story well read
👍
💕💕💕
I would have loved to have known Mrs. Edwards! What a erudite and experienced woman she must have been.
Yes indeed. Thanks for listening, and taking the time to comment
Wonderful narration, as always. I wonder: how did *all* of these 19th century authors come to agree that a proper ghost story *must* begin with "I know you're not going to believe this, but..."?
I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. It sounded so real. Was it truly a warning from a beloved dead brother? Or a hiker suffering from altitude sickness and heat exhaustion?
You must decide.
Yes I've listened to this Bitesize audiobook as I have done to many many more in the past.
My opinion of this particular audiobook I did not enjoy as much as I've enjoyed others in the past. If I have
upset the reader of this audiobook I do apologize.
As I have listened I really did not absorb the element of this being a ghost story....
But I will move on to another bite size audiobook hopefully I will find one with a strong ghost presents.
See you in the,
Next Bite size audiobook classics
Narrator may say he doesn't believe in ghosts, but they obviously believe in him.
Good point! Lovely to hear from you Ramey Zamora, I hope you're keeping well
@@BitesizedAudio I am living long & prospering, Mr S, thank you.
What a great comment!!!🎉
👍👍👍👍👍😲🤔another good one
Thanks Miji
“…and loose full half a day?!” at app. 28 mins strikes me as funny
Really top notch.
Thank you!
Uh! How infuriating that he refuses to believe in ghosts after that! Lol.
Really great. Thanks for sharing this.
Doyle said "show, don't tell".
I'm not into ghost stories but I do enjoy your voice 🙂.
Thank you Judi, kind of you to say so! I do try to maintain a good balance between ghost stories and detective or general mystery and suspense stories, so I hope you find lots of the latter you enjoy!
The pause you give at the moment the protagonist sees the water rise is chilling, perfectly executed, superb. Much thanks master Simon! 🎩
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your very generous support! Best wishes
Marvelous as always. I saved this for an after dinner treat. Amelia Edwards was certainly good at ramping up the tension! And your reading was, as always, perfection. Thank you, thank you.