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 an mp3 (or another format of your choice) 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)
I met Mr Ruskin Bond in India . I asked him which author I need to read to get real horror . He said you are too young but still buy MR James “ warning to Curious and other stories “ it was 20 years ago . Now I cherish that book . The bookstore was “ the Bookworm store “ in Dehradoon India .
I've listened to this story three times now. It gets better & better on each hearing! Absolutely love your narration Simon🥰 Thank you so very much for all your hard work. xx
@BitesizedAudio and listening once again! Every time I listen to this great story, I always hear bits I missed. To be honest, Simon, I could sit & listen to you reading a newspaper & be very content!Here's to many, many more years of Bitesized Audio.
You are most welcome! I think it may have been you who first requested it, about a year ago? Although your username is not showing up for me, so apologies if I've misattributed! Glad to know you enjoyed it anyway
Thank you so much, Mr Stanhope, for selecting and uploading this story. I have loved M. R. James since my teens for his elegant vocabulary, his scene-setting, his scholarship, and his humour - even though the terror of his hauntings/demonic attacks meant that I had to sleep with the lights on afterwards! Your precise delivery captures his literary virtues entirely, not to mention the social nuances and personal quirks of his characters. Have you considered, I wonder, reading any of Walter de la Mare's supernatural stories? I would love to hear 'All Hallows' as you would read it!
Thanks for your comments Katy. I'd love to read some Walter de la Mare, although the copyright status of his work is a little complicated, which is why I've not tackled him yet... he died in 1956, so technically all his work is still under copyright in the UK for another five years. However his pre-1925 works should be in the public domain in the US, in which case it >may< be OK for RUclips... but as I'm a UK-based artist it's not completely clear which rules take precedence. I'm not sure of the original date of 'All Hallows' - I'm away from home at the moment and don't have my usual references to hand, but I'll look into it a little further when I'm back ... if it's before 1926 and if I can iron out the US/UK legal contradictions, I'll gladly add it to my list. Apologies for the long-winded explanation, it's only that I'm wary of incurring copyright strikes and/or losing my monetization status, as I've seen happen to other channels. For this channel, I've stayed away so far from the borderline copyright cases like de la Mare (H. Russell Wakefield is another) for these reasons. At some point I'll probably apply to their respective estates for permission, but I've not done that yet as I've quite a long list of definitively public domain material to work through! Thanks for the suggestion anyway, much appreciated.... I'll post again when I know more. Best wishes
Classic James,; self mocking, enjoying himself, showing off, chucking in a few painfully lame jokes, social satire, going on rather too long knowing that we know he’ll spring the surprise, he’s having fun. And read like this? You did him and his intentions perfect justice! He’d approve!
…..The more times I’ve read this story, the cleverer I find it-and the clearer its meaning becomes……One of my favourite James’ stories, I feel that he put more into individual characterization in “Humpreys” than he had into any of his previous short stories…. Another feature that makes Humphreys stand out from other James’ tales is his liberal use of humour : nearly all of the characters possess eccentricities (some, such as dear Mr. Cooper, almost to the point of caricature)….A really good short story-and an exceptional rendering of it!
Thanks GradKat. Funnily enough, like Mr Humphreys, I don't think I've ever actually been in one before... not that I can recall anyway. Unless my subconscious has blocked out the memory!
'Creeped out by mazes', absolutely yes, after reading this story in my teens! When as an adult I came to read the entirely harmless and charming Percy the Park Keeper story, 'The Secret Path', to my young children, I found it sinister! This was of course entirely due to association of ideas with 'Mr Humphreys' and his maze.
Thank you, Simon. Your narration is so enjoyable, it is not just the spooky stories, but it is a real glimpse into the past. As though events were just now happening, instead of 100+ years ago. You can see life back then.
@@jackiewhite4204 See, you even used the word pall. I do the same thing, use words from these videos that are not really used anymore, these recordings linger in my subconscious and I start talking like 1890.
I love the joke where Cooper unwittingly calls Humphreys a fool when he uses the "angels fearing to tread" reference...one of the little James gems, the type he inserts in his stories that add to the humor so well
What a beautiful rendition! Thank u so much. I had recently watched the BBC adaptation from some years ago. Yours, even though it is just audio, is much more captivating.
Thank you! I'm not sure I've seen the BBC version... There was a very short (15 minute) film made in the 70s which I have seen, of course it was necessarily rather filleted!
This was a great story, it was so well written. Part of it is just the english nature of it but the way all of the wording and the phrasing really draws you into the story is unique. Also Simon you did a fantastic job as always. I recently tried reading a little bit of something for a video like a voice over, and it's much harder than it seems, you make it sound effortless.
‘Candles, or soap or a child’s penny picture book …’ An effortless tale, beautifully narrated. As ever, a real pleasure to while away the odd hour listening to your seamless narration. Good show - very, very professional.
Such a story, it latched itself firmly upon my mind and wouldn't let go. I believe this is my favorite of all of his tales, although I suspect I've said that about nearly every one I've experienced at some point.
Thanks William. I must say, this story has risen up my personal rankings of James's stories since I revisited it to read for the channel! Glad you enjoyed it
@The Last Sausage Thank you! This is one of the stories I'm planning on including in my ghost story compilation audiobook, which I hope will be out in October (ish)
@@BitesizedAudio Well it frightened the cat enough for him to go into hiding ! Still , the plants 🪴 had a good watering…. 🤗 The story was very much enjoyed, thanks to your good self. Best wishes to you, dear Simon 🌹
I listened from the comfort of my bubble bath. I'll just leave that mental picture there. I never cease to marvel at your vocal talents. I hope one day to write something worthy of them. ❤
What an image, thank you for that Bob! I appreciate your kind comments as always. And I've enjoyed the examples of your writing that I've heard. If you did ever have any ideas for a potential collaboration, do feel free to contact me privately via my email (on the 'About' tab).
This is one of his odd ones that can take a while to fully understand the story, blink and you miss it. AS a fan of M.R. James always good to read and of course hear a well read story. Save this one for latter.
This particular bite size audiobook I enjoyed more than could try to Express the right words. As you continuously read on you also at times fall into a different expression by using your emotions within the letters. If you were sitting on a stage and reading out of a book I would be there every night or almost every night So I must tell you in the same seat of that theater as if there was a a play that I could never get tired of.... So basically you have me as a lifetime member of the community that Gathers to listen to your adventures that you find between the words See you in the next adventure that you find on paper
I call it insane claustrophobia 🙂 I had a quiet, private little freak out when my daughter was 5 and we took her to a pumpkin patch that had a corn maze hehe.
@@SueCooke since I wrote this message I was listening to an audiobook that was a mystery and character in it had a breakdown in a maze, I swear I had a sympathy breakdown as well, I'm going to start demanding they put a 'trigger warning ' on stories with mazes😂
@@shaelynp7630 that is a fantastic idea lol😆 I'm sure I would die a thousand deaths if anything like that happened to me!! ***HEALTH WARNING*** MAZES MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ANXIETY TO YOU IF YOU'RE IN ONE OR NOT!!😂😂
This was just what I needed today! Somedays when I need comforting there is nothing better than something old and English and a good story to escape the mundane usually does the trick! I really enjoyed this story and I’ve Become v familiar with this author who I had never heard of a few years ago! That sounds unbelievable to me now.... thank you!
You're welcome Maria. I've no idea whether you're receiving my replies to you, or perhaps you're unable to reply to my replies, but glad to know you're still enjoying listening anyway!
@@BitesizedAudio oh thank you so much I am I just didn’t want to bother you! Before it wasn’t because you didn’t reply it was because I left a comment and it had disappeared!! Thank you 🙏 I realise you must be a busy man, I just didn’t want to bother you!
I don't think James is easy to read, at all. He's very economical, and the humor is very understated (one finds when one listens - not so evident when you read!). That said, this is the BEST READING I've ever heard. Thank you so much, I was beginning to lose hope and avoid James narrations on principle. An artistic feat, indeed!
@blixten2928 That's extremely kind of you to say, thank you. I enjoy reading him now, although I think when I first discovered him I found him a little hard to get into. I've recently released a compilation of the James stories I've narrated so far, so I do hope you find some others you enjoy
my greatest dream is to inherit some old huge estate from an unknown uncle...library, suits of armor, paintings, gardens and a maze? just so jealous, haunted or not,,, would prefer haunted anyway!
My goodness! We are snowed in and I was looking for a good story to listen to while my boy and I did puzzles by the fire. What an unexpected treat. I chose for the author I knew. Will hit subscribe for the narrator. An excellent reading. Thank you for the generous gift. You have a real talent for this. Suddenly, I felt I was back listening to Mystery Radio with my grandfather doing puzzles at his cabin.
❤️ I am excited to introduce you to some of my home clients. I am curious if there is a way to help you financially. Buy something or give to your efforts. This is quality content. I was shocked to learn that you are the creator not just uploading a professionally done audiobook. You deserve recognition and money for your hard work.
@theConquerersMama Appreciate you asking, thank you! There are a couple of ways depending on what suits you best. I have a "Buy Me A Coffee" account where you can make one-off, ad hoc contributions, at this link: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio Alternatively, you can become a channel member on RUclips, for a regular payment at various levels, starting at $1 per month, and in return for which you can get various benefits such as advance preview access to new stories and insider news updates. That's available via the Join button underneath any of the videos, or at this link: ruclips.net/user/BitesizedAudioClassicsjoin I also have a few readings available on Audible, if you're a member and have a credit or two to spare: any Audible purchases and reviews all help to support me and "spread the word". The easiest way to find them is by searching my name as narrator (Simon Stanhope). I hope to release more on Audible in the future. Best wishes, and thanks again for listening
I enjoy listening to Audio books when i am painting. Very entertaining. There are plenty of Ghost Stories here that I've not read before, As well as my favourites... Especially the Ghost Stories of M.R. James & Charles Dickens. Very well read. Ideal for the Victorian era stories. Perfect for the coming 'Christmas Spirits' Happy Halloween !!!!
I must have listened to this 65 times before I noticed the significance of the line where Mr H first goes into the maze and briefly wonders if he hears Mr Cooper coming. Total eek once you hear the reading from the old library book and put it together.
Just picked up my collected ghost stories by M R James bought cheap in one of those shops selling wordsworth classics and similar years ago. I do know them off by heart but still re read.
Nicely read, and an interesting little tale. But, in our 21st Century perspective; find a person like Mr. Humphries a bit 'flighty' but find that in some of James's tales, the central character is just too much a 'babe-in-the-woods' in dealing with their particular issues of mystery at hand. A good series.
Yet another very entertaining story I’ve discovered through you,thank you so much for your excellent narrations of some of the best stories I’ve ever heard.✊♥️
Be sure to let us know when your audiobooks come for sale on audible or wherever! Maybe you could do a #short with the basic info? I know your YT fans will like to support your endeavor!
Thanks @grimtt, appreciated. Actually I do have a couple of individual short stories available already, I just wanted to test how the submission and production process works - a new recording of 'Hunted Down' by Charles Dickens, and a couple of others are also in the pipeline. (There's also an older release available of Conan Doyle stories, which I did post about on the community tab a year or so ago.) Now I know how it all works, I'm busy planning the ghost stories anthology, with a view to releasing it towards the end of summer, in time for traditional ghost story season in October (still selecting the stories... but it looks like there'll be around 15 on this initial release). I'll certainly post an update about it when I have definite news on the final contents and release date! In the meantime, if you'd like to listen to Hunted Down, you should be able to access it at this link: www.audible.com/pd/Hunted-Down-Audiobook/B091DCJFF9 It's only recently gone online, so hasn't got any ratings yet... and I've no idea how many people have purchased it, if any (I won't get that info for quite a while). If you'd like to rate or review, that would be lovely, but don't feel obliged of course! Many thanks and best wishes
Oh thank you so much. Yes, I only recently discovered this when I was chatting to someone who has an iPad, and I believe iPhones have the same limitation. And also it seems channel memberships aren't available to iPad users either, which is a shame. I hope YT are able to fix these things in the near future!
Interesting observation, thank you Eric. Although of course in the case of Magnus the padlock falling let something horrible out, whereas in this case it lets Mr. Humphreys in... Count M is on my list of stories to record at some point in the future
Hey Simon, as you are highly precise in your pronunciations, I came across your pronunciation of valetudinarian in this story. It sounds like you mispronounced it, but I could be wrong. Really enjoy your work, my friend!
You're quite right, I did mispronounce it - deliberately, speaking as the character Mr. Cooper, who is prone to malapropisms! There are a few words in this story which Cooper pronounces in a rather idiosyncratic fashion, as indicated by M. R. James in his spelling and punctuation... Good spot, though! Thanks for listening, and for your kind comments
Hi Julie, I have heard that iPhone (and iPad) users are unable to see the Join button, for some reason... I'm not sure if this link might work as an alternative: ruclips.net/channel/UCwLSA3pDeSve120Pu9NaNywjoin Do let me know if so! Thanks so much for asking, I appreciate your support! Best wishes
Hello Julie, I put a glossary in the video description with a (rough) translation. Here it is: Penetrans ad interiora mortis: Penetrating to the interior of death Princeps tenebrarum: The Prince of Darkness Quid multa?: Need I say more? Secretum meum mihi et filiis domus meae: My secret for me and the sons of my house Umbra mortis: The shadow of death Vallis filiorum Hinnom: Valley of the Sons of Hinnom at Gehenna Dolebat se dolere non posse: this one is effectively translated by James in the preceding line: sorry that he could not feel sorry
Hello Billy - yes, that's a fairly accurate translation I think. There's quite a bit of Latin in this story, so I've put a glossary of the various terms in the video description in case that's useful for future reference. Thanks for listening
You're most welcome Linda, glad to know it was useful. Some MRJ stories seem to have footnotes and some don't, but I think even the ones which do tend to have been added by subsequent editors. The text I read for this story didn't have notes, but there was so much Latin I thought it would be helpful to add them in the description (I'd had to look them all up myself anyway!)
TS 11:22 what is that word here? Can anyone spell it for me? .. & again at TS 11:28 & it is mentioned in a Holmes movie... said no participation in anything is what it means; but, how to spell it; a word I'm not familiar with & Thank You
Ah yes, it's confusing because M. R. James mis-spells the word to indicate that Mr. Cooper mispronounces it (as he mispronounces several other words in this story). I had at least one previous comment pointing out I'd mispronounced them, so I had to point out in reply that it is the character in the story who is making the error! Anyway... in this particular case the word is "valetudinarian", meaning a hypochondriac
@@BitesizedAudio Oh My Gosh Thank You *Simon* this has been driving me crazy for a while now. B/c I had no idea how to spell it & it is an old word it failed to Google
Yes indeed. That's Mr. Cooper's mistake, not mine, I would stress! M. R. James gives him a number of idiosyncratic pronunciations throughout the story... Glad you're enjoying it
Just on 9 minutes in and still just the "waffling on", not yet near the *meat* of the story! Other writers of ghost stories would get to the heart of their story in much less time than this, and their stories are all the more entertaining for this fact. But M.R. James waffles on seemingly incessantly with inanities that the listener is well and truly bored senseless before the story had reached the so-called "interesting bit". I'm giving this one the flick-pass, as I will with any other M.R. James stories. They are, as he is, *dull as dishwater!*
Isn't it absolutely wonderful ! You never have to read or listen to any M.R. James story again. Or Sheridan Le Fanu or E.F. Benson or Mrs Oliphant, or Kipling or Charles Dickens. Or any of the other classic Victorian/Edwardian writers who still delight many of us. But the great thing is- if you don't like them- there is no law that says you have to listen.
@@olwens1368 I was referring only to M.R. James and how he takes ages to get to the "meat" of his story, when a number of other writers, like H.P. Lovecraft and such, will get to the heart of the story quickly and not drag the reader/listener through near-interminable *waffle*. Those other writers, highlighted in the *Horrorbabble* podcasts can be far more entertaining than "waffling" M.R. James.
@Neil Forbes I'm sensing you're not a James fan! Appreciate that you managed to get through nine minutes in, as I recall you've expressed similar feelings about previous MRJ readings I've done. Luckily I have recorded a range of different authors for the channel (40+ at the last count, with more to come) so I hope you find some others you enjoy more
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 an mp3 (or another format of your choice) 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)
I met Mr Ruskin Bond in India . I asked him which author I need to read to get real horror . He said you are too young but still buy MR James “ warning to Curious and other stories “ it was 20 years ago . Now I cherish that book . The bookstore was “ the Bookworm store “ in Dehradoon India .
What an interesting person to meet. Thanks for sharing
What a great story and a cool moment in your life:)
Lucky, lucky you. What a memory! And what good advice.
Was this this the bookstore on Rajpur Road? I lived in DD for 8 months years ago.
Wow. That sounds like the intro to an Edwardian horror story itself.
One of the best ghost story writers read by one of the best narrators, brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you!
Without doubt Simon, you have the most amazing voice to narrate M R James stories.
Extremely kind of you to say so, thank you Roy - and thanks for listening
Like many listeners I'm painting, sewing and simply listening of an evening, cozied up, shoes off.
I've listened to this story three times now. It gets better & better on each hearing! Absolutely love your narration Simon🥰 Thank you so very much for all your hard work. xx
Thank you Sue, very kind of you!
@BitesizedAudio and listening once again! Every time I listen to this great story, I always hear bits I missed. To be honest, Simon, I could sit & listen to you reading a newspaper & be very content!Here's to many, many more years of Bitesized Audio.
I love how the end isn’t overly explained and leaves the reader without all the answers. Great voice!
Thank you, Simon. This reading is an incredibly generous gift to us. I will treasure it for years to come.
You are most welcome! I think it may have been you who first requested it, about a year ago? Although your username is not showing up for me, so apologies if I've misattributed! Glad to know you enjoyed it anyway
Beautifully put. I love the way this commenter expresses their gratitude + I second it. Hi from Oz 👇💜🙃
Thank you, Simon! A wonderful, favourite author and your splendid reading - please continue to aMAZE us! (Sorry, couldn’t help it!)
Thank you so much, Mr Stanhope, for selecting and uploading this story. I have loved M. R. James since my teens for his elegant vocabulary, his scene-setting, his scholarship, and his humour - even though the terror of his hauntings/demonic attacks meant that I had to sleep with the lights on afterwards! Your precise delivery captures his literary virtues entirely, not to mention the social nuances and personal quirks of his characters.
Have you considered, I wonder, reading any of Walter de la Mare's supernatural stories? I would love to hear 'All Hallows' as you would read it!
Thanks for your comments Katy. I'd love to read some Walter de la Mare, although the copyright status of his work is a little complicated, which is why I've not tackled him yet... he died in 1956, so technically all his work is still under copyright in the UK for another five years. However his pre-1925 works should be in the public domain in the US, in which case it >may< be OK for RUclips... but as I'm a UK-based artist it's not completely clear which rules take precedence. I'm not sure of the original date of 'All Hallows' - I'm away from home at the moment and don't have my usual references to hand, but I'll look into it a little further when I'm back ... if it's before 1926 and if I can iron out the US/UK legal contradictions, I'll gladly add it to my list.
Apologies for the long-winded explanation, it's only that I'm wary of incurring copyright strikes and/or losing my monetization status, as I've seen happen to other channels. For this channel, I've stayed away so far from the borderline copyright cases like de la Mare (H. Russell Wakefield is another) for these reasons. At some point I'll probably apply to their respective estates for permission, but I've not done that yet as I've quite a long list of definitively public domain material to work through! Thanks for the suggestion anyway, much appreciated.... I'll post again when I know more. Best wishes
Classic James,; self mocking, enjoying himself, showing off, chucking in a few painfully lame jokes, social satire, going on rather too long knowing that we know he’ll spring the surprise, he’s having fun. And read like this? You did him and his intentions perfect justice! He’d approve!
Appreciated, thanks Hugh
You understand nothing of his work.
…..The more times I’ve read this story, the cleverer I find it-and the clearer its meaning becomes……One of my favourite James’ stories, I feel that he put more into individual characterization in “Humpreys” than he had into any of his previous short stories….
Another feature that makes Humphreys stand out from other James’ tales is his liberal use of humour : nearly all of the characters possess eccentricities (some, such as dear Mr. Cooper, almost to the point of caricature)….A really good short story-and an exceptional rendering of it!
I am scared of mazes, I got lost in one once when I was little. So this one
really hit home. Thank you, you are brilliant.
Great! Nothing beats a well read M R James story. I’ve always been creeped out by mazes!!
Thanks GradKat. Funnily enough, like Mr Humphreys, I don't think I've ever actually been in one before... not that I can recall anyway. Unless my subconscious has blocked out the memory!
'Creeped out by mazes', absolutely yes, after reading this story in my teens! When as an adult I came to read the entirely harmless and charming Percy the Park Keeper story, 'The Secret Path', to my young children, I found it sinister! This was of course entirely due to association of ideas with 'Mr Humphreys' and his maze.
Thank you, Simon. Your narration is so enjoyable, it is not just the spooky stories, but it is a real glimpse into the past. As though events were just now happening, instead of 100+ years ago. You can see life back then.
Thank you Sara, what a lovely comment. Best wishes
Hear, hear! I've been reading these stories for about 60 years now and they never pall. Thank you Simon, and best wishes from Australia.
@@jackiewhite4204 See, you even used the word pall. I do the same thing, use words from these videos that are not really used anymore, these recordings linger in my subconscious and I start talking like 1890.
I love the joke where Cooper unwittingly calls Humphreys a fool when he uses the "angels fearing to tread" reference...one of the little James gems, the type he inserts in his stories that add to the humor so well
Indeed so! Thanks Bobby
Another Wonderful story to enjoy for ears to come . Thank You so very much for sharing your wonderful voice and ability to bring a tale to life .
How wonderful. Another great story to snuggle up during this long winter night. Bless you and M R James.
Thanks Liz, best wishes to you!
What a beautiful rendition! Thank u so much. I had recently watched the BBC adaptation from some years ago. Yours, even though it is just audio, is much more captivating.
Thank you! I'm not sure I've seen the BBC version... There was a very short (15 minute) film made in the 70s which I have seen, of course it was necessarily rather filleted!
This was a great story, it was so well written. Part of it is just the english nature of it but the way all of the wording and the phrasing really draws you into the story is unique. Also Simon you did a fantastic job as always. I recently tried reading a little bit of something for a video like a voice over, and it's much harder than it seems, you make it sound effortless.
One my favorite MRJ stories. Wonderfull narration of one his longer works. Thank you for such reading.
Glad you enjoyed it! I think this one is actually James's longest story.... so far as I'm aware, but perhaps someone can confirm (or set me right!)
@@BitesizedAudio - There's the Five Jars, but that is more of a whimsical fantasy story for children than a Ghost story.
JOY! Also extra bonus points for the latin. Thank you sir!
Yes, there's a quite a bit of Latin peppered throughout this one, so I thought the glossary might be useful! Thanks Bored Warlock
Your reading extraordinary. You actually make sense of the classical language. Thank you so much
I've been listening to you all day! I can't get enough 💖
So excited to listen to this! Thank you so much. You have the perfect voice 💖
Thank you Sara, very kind!
I find mazes a bit frightening. Even more so after this story! Excellent reading.
M.R. James stories are marvellous, this one of his best. Thank you Simon
‘Candles, or soap or a child’s penny picture book …’
An effortless tale, beautifully narrated.
As ever, a real pleasure to while away the odd hour listening to your seamless narration. Good show - very, very professional.
Thank you, much appreciated!
Such a story, it latched itself firmly upon my mind and wouldn't let go. I believe this is my favorite of all of his tales, although I suspect I've said that about nearly every one I've experienced at some point.
Thanks William. I must say, this story has risen up my personal rankings of James's stories since I revisited it to read for the channel! Glad you enjoyed it
This is about the fifth time Ive listened to this story, I absolutely love it, it just gets better and better, so beautifully read by Simon😀🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
@The Last Sausage Thank you! This is one of the stories I'm planning on including in my ghost story compilation audiobook, which I hope will be out in October (ish)
My Evening is going to be just Perfect, no matter what the weather decides to give us ⚡️☔️
Thank you so much Simon 🌹❤️
You're most welcome as always Christine. I hope the weather wasn't too awful!
@@BitesizedAudio
Well it frightened the cat enough for him to go into hiding ! Still , the plants 🪴 had a good watering….
🤗 The story was very much enjoyed, thanks to your good self. Best wishes to you, dear Simon 🌹
YES YES YES! Dancing with joy to see you have recorded this story!
How wonderful, thank you!
Thank you Simon🙏🏾
Your readings are a great distraction from the present day🙌🏾🙌🏾🥰
Glad to help!
Excellent as usual, and your reading is a perfect complement to the material.
Thank you, appreciated
@@BitesizedAudio
Are you the reader sir?
I listened from the comfort of my bubble bath. I'll just leave that mental picture there. I never cease to marvel at your vocal talents. I hope one day to write something worthy of them. ❤
What an image, thank you for that Bob!
I appreciate your kind comments as always. And I've enjoyed the examples of your writing that I've heard. If you did ever have any ideas for a potential collaboration, do feel free to contact me privately via my email (on the 'About' tab).
@@BitesizedAudio it will have to be very special to be worthy of your time and talent. ❤
I do so enjoy these stories.
Thank you for making it possible. Very appreciative of your channel.🌹
Glad you enjoy them, thanks Nancy
@@BitesizedAudio
Very welcome.
Back to listen some more.
Goodnight 🥀
@12:03 am
One of my favourites and wonderfully read, thank you! 😊X
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Kella!
Lovely story and your voice makes it so wonderful.thanks and have blessed day .🥰📚
Thank you! You too!
This is one of his odd ones that can take a while to fully understand the story, blink and you miss it. AS a fan of M.R. James always good to read and of course hear a well read story. Save this one for latter.
Yes, there's a lot going on in this one. Thanks Space Hound
This particular bite size audiobook I enjoyed more than could try to Express the right words.
As you continuously read on you also at times fall into a different expression by using your emotions within the letters.
If you were sitting on a stage and reading out of a book I would be there every night or almost every night
So I must tell you in the same seat of that theater as if there was a a play that I could never get tired of....
So basically you have me as a lifetime member of the community that Gathers to listen to your adventures that you find between the words
See you in the next adventure that you find on paper
Thank you now I will have a new story to as I go to sleep thank you for sharing your gift
I hope you sleep well, don't have nightmares!
Thank you another excellent reading, M.R James is my favorite ghost story author :D
Thanks for listening Berf
Thankyou for telling us the stories.
Interesting story - there is something otherworldly about mazes.
I call it insane claustrophobia 🙂 I had a quiet, private little freak out when my daughter was 5 and we took her to a pumpkin patch that had a corn maze hehe.
Same here! I would completely freak out being in a maze😆xx
@@SueCooke since I wrote this message I was listening to an audiobook that was a mystery and character in it had a breakdown in a maze, I swear I had a sympathy breakdown as well, I'm going to start demanding they put a 'trigger warning ' on stories with mazes😂
@@shaelynp7630 that is a fantastic idea lol😆 I'm sure I would die a thousand deaths if anything like that happened to me!!
***HEALTH WARNING***
MAZES MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ANXIETY TO YOU IF YOU'RE IN ONE OR NOT!!😂😂
@@SueCooke yes that's exactly what it should say😂!!
Amazing as ever Simon. Loved it! M.R. James is one of my favorite writers next to Poe. Speaking of... any Poe readings in the future.🤞🏻😊
Thanks Shannon. I do indeed have some Poe on my list... hopefully later this year!
@@BitesizedAudio Lovely 😊
@@BitesizedAudio Murder in the Rue Morgue; or Cask of Amontillado. The latter is one of my favorites. Thanks Simon.
This was just what I needed today! Somedays when I need comforting there is nothing better than something old and English and a good story to escape the mundane usually does the trick! I really enjoyed this story and I’ve Become v familiar with this author who I had never heard of a few years ago! That sounds unbelievable to me now.... thank you!
You're welcome Maria. I've no idea whether you're receiving my replies to you, or perhaps you're unable to reply to my replies, but glad to know you're still enjoying listening anyway!
@@BitesizedAudio oh thank you so much I am I just didn’t want to bother you! Before it wasn’t because you didn’t reply it was because I left a comment and it had disappeared!! Thank you 🙏 I realise you must be a busy man, I just didn’t want to bother you!
Just got in comuting from London and I can do my usual chillin but now I have a glass of wine..🍷Thank you always🌿🌿
Thank you, dear Simon!
You're welcome Natalya, thanks for your support
I don't think James is easy to read, at all. He's very economical, and the humor is very understated (one finds when one listens - not so evident when you read!). That said, this is the BEST READING I've ever heard. Thank you so much, I was beginning to lose hope and avoid James narrations on principle. An artistic feat, indeed!
@blixten2928 That's extremely kind of you to say, thank you. I enjoy reading him now, although I think when I first discovered him I found him a little hard to get into. I've recently released a compilation of the James stories I've narrated so far, so I do hope you find some others you enjoy
@@BitesizedAudio I am sure I will, thanks!! Interesting that you found James less attractive at first. Did you prefer Gothic horror, perhaps?
my greatest dream is to inherit some old huge estate from an unknown uncle...library, suits of armor, paintings, gardens and a maze? just so jealous, haunted or not,,, would prefer haunted anyway!
This is a cracking performance. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you Renee, very kind of you!
MR James! Great stuff, well narrated.
Thank you! I appreciate all your comments, very kind of you
@@BitesizedAudio my pleasure, just getting caught up on what I meant to comment on before.
My goodness! We are snowed in and I was looking for a good story to listen to while my boy and I did puzzles by the fire. What an unexpected treat. I chose for the author I knew. Will hit subscribe for the narrator. An excellent reading. Thank you for the generous gift.
You have a real talent for this.
Suddenly, I felt I was back listening to Mystery Radio with my grandfather doing puzzles at his cabin.
Thanks so much for subscribing, and for your kind comments. I hope you enjoy some of the other stories on the channel; more to come. Best wishes
❤️
I am excited to introduce you to some of my home clients.
I am curious if there is a way to help you financially. Buy something or give to your efforts. This is quality content. I was shocked to learn that you are the creator not just uploading a professionally done audiobook. You deserve recognition and money for your hard work.
@theConquerersMama Appreciate you asking, thank you! There are a couple of ways depending on what suits you best. I have a "Buy Me A Coffee" account where you can make one-off, ad hoc contributions, at this link: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio
Alternatively, you can become a channel member on RUclips, for a regular payment at various levels, starting at $1 per month, and in return for which you can get various benefits such as advance preview access to new stories and insider news updates. That's available via the Join button underneath any of the videos, or at this link:
ruclips.net/user/BitesizedAudioClassicsjoin
I also have a few readings available on Audible, if you're a member and have a credit or two to spare: any Audible purchases and reviews all help to support me and "spread the word". The easiest way to find them is by searching my name as narrator (Simon Stanhope). I hope to release more on Audible in the future.
Best wishes, and thanks again for listening
Very well narrated! I love these ghost stories!
Thanks for listening!
James was a master of the craft.
Indeed. Thanks Thomas
It is a great pleasure and a privilege to listen to your superb readings.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you
I enjoy listening to Audio books when i am painting.
Very entertaining.
There are plenty of Ghost Stories here that I've not read before,
As well as my favourites...
Especially the Ghost Stories of M.R. James & Charles Dickens.
Very well read.
Ideal for the Victorian era stories.
Perfect for the coming 'Christmas Spirits'
Happy Halloween !!!!
Thank you Andrew. Same to you
Ripping yarn!
I must have listened to this 65 times before I noticed the significance of the line where Mr H first goes into the maze and briefly wonders if he hears Mr Cooper coming. Total eek once you hear the reading from the old library book and put it together.
Good spot! Gosh, 65 listens is impressive... thanks for your support!
Just picked up my collected ghost stories by M R James bought cheap in one of those shops selling wordsworth classics and similar years ago. I do know them off by heart but still re read.
Thank you Simon, for such an interesting story! Your narration is perfect. 💞
Excellent story and as always, brilliantly narrated.
Thank you!
As captivating as ever! 😊
Thanks Graham
@@BitesizedAudio you're welcome!
Nicely read, and an interesting little tale. But, in our 21st Century perspective; find a person like Mr. Humphries a bit 'flighty' but find that in some of James's tales, the central character is just too much a 'babe-in-the-woods' in dealing with their particular issues of mystery at hand. A good series.
Yet another very entertaining story I’ve discovered through you,thank you so much for your excellent narrations of some of the best stories I’ve ever heard.✊♥️
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Julie
Love me some M.R. James!!!!!!!!
Excellent, thanks for listening Douglas
Be sure to let us know when your audiobooks come for sale on audible or wherever! Maybe you could do a #short with the basic info? I know your YT fans will like to support your endeavor!
Thanks @grimtt, appreciated. Actually I do have a couple of individual short stories available already, I just wanted to test how the submission and production process works - a new recording of 'Hunted Down' by Charles Dickens, and a couple of others are also in the pipeline. (There's also an older release available of Conan Doyle stories, which I did post about on the community tab a year or so ago.) Now I know how it all works, I'm busy planning the ghost stories anthology, with a view to releasing it towards the end of summer, in time for traditional ghost story season in October (still selecting the stories... but it looks like there'll be around 15 on this initial release). I'll certainly post an update about it when I have definite news on the final contents and release date!
In the meantime, if you'd like to listen to Hunted Down, you should be able to access it at this link: www.audible.com/pd/Hunted-Down-Audiobook/B091DCJFF9
It's only recently gone online, so hasn't got any ratings yet... and I've no idea how many people have purchased it, if any (I won't get that info for quite a while). If you'd like to rate or review, that would be lovely, but don't feel obliged of course! Many thanks and best wishes
@@BitesizedAudio sure thing! Thanks for the link, I use an ipad which doesn’t support community yet so the link is helpful! Will R&R as well 👍🤩
Oh thank you so much. Yes, I only recently discovered this when I was chatting to someone who has an iPad, and I believe iPhones have the same limitation. And also it seems channel memberships aren't available to iPad users either, which is a shame. I hope YT are able to fix these things in the near future!
👍👍👍👍👍😲🎤📖📙...TY *Bitesized Audio Classics* & *Mr. Stanhope*
Wonderful performance!
Excellent... Thank you!
Thanks KiKi!
Thank you. Again.
Creepy
Just finished reading this tale, it was particularly creepy!
Liked and subbed. Best wishes from Northern Ireland x Sharon
Thank you Sharon, appreciated!
Interesting, how locks fall off to allow entry to the victims of the hauntings in James. The tomb of Count Magus springs to mind.
Interesting observation, thank you Eric. Although of course in the case of Magnus the padlock falling let something horrible out, whereas in this case it lets Mr. Humphreys in... Count M is on my list of stories to record at some point in the future
@@BitesizedAudio Look forward to it!
I’ve never liked mazes I think it’s a bit like claustrophobia & I’m a wimp. Many thanks x
I can understand that I think, especially a neglected and overgrown one like this! Thanks Lynda
Very nice!
Thank you Mary!
Hey Simon, as you are highly precise in your pronunciations, I came across your pronunciation of valetudinarian in this story. It sounds like you mispronounced it, but I could be wrong. Really enjoy your work, my friend!
You're quite right, I did mispronounce it - deliberately, speaking as the character Mr. Cooper, who is prone to malapropisms! There are a few words in this story which Cooper pronounces in a rather idiosyncratic fashion, as indicated by M. R. James in his spelling and punctuation... Good spot, though! Thanks for listening, and for your kind comments
Lol, I suppose I would know that if I read the story! I so appreciate you sharing your gifts with the world. Happy new year!
Such diction, such elocution. Call Andrew Neil at GBN and read the news. Oust their demotic speakers.
Listening from the ukwales❤
London Calling... Thank-you... ..
He'll yea
I guess I really missed something..... I didn't understand the ending
I'm glad I'm not alone.
I watch on my I phone, theirs no join button here?
I know I’m probably being incredibly stupid! But how do I go about joining?✊🌹
Hi Julie, I have heard that iPhone (and iPad) users are unable to see the Join button, for some reason... I'm not sure if this link might work as an alternative: ruclips.net/channel/UCwLSA3pDeSve120Pu9NaNywjoin
Do let me know if so! Thanks so much for asking, I appreciate your support! Best wishes
But what does the Latin mean? Haven’t read much Dante apart from Inferno???
Mortise is bout as far as I got???
Hello Julie, I put a glossary in the video description with a (rough) translation. Here it is:
Penetrans ad interiora mortis: Penetrating to the interior of death
Princeps tenebrarum: The Prince of Darkness
Quid multa?: Need I say more?
Secretum meum mihi et filiis domus meae: My secret for me and the sons of my house
Umbra mortis: The shadow of death
Vallis filiorum Hinnom: Valley of the Sons of Hinnom at Gehenna
Dolebat se dolere non posse: this one is effectively translated by James in the preceding line: sorry that he could not feel sorry
"PENETRANS AD INTERIORA MORTIS," mean "penetrating into the interior places of death"?
Hello Billy - yes, that's a fairly accurate translation I think. There's quite a bit of Latin in this story, so I've put a glossary of the various terms in the video description in case that's useful for future reference. Thanks for listening
Thank you for your glossary of Latin translations..... MRJ was a little snobbish not including them in the story
You're most welcome Linda, glad to know it was useful. Some MRJ stories seem to have footnotes and some don't, but I think even the ones which do tend to have been added by subsequent editors. The text I read for this story didn't have notes, but there was so much Latin I thought it would be helpful to add them in the description (I'd had to look them all up myself anyway!)
TS 11:22 what is that word here? Can anyone spell it for me? .. & again at TS 11:28 & it is mentioned in a Holmes movie... said no participation in anything is what it means; but, how to spell it; a word I'm not familiar with & Thank You
Ah yes, it's confusing because M. R. James mis-spells the word to indicate that Mr. Cooper mispronounces it (as he mispronounces several other words in this story). I had at least one previous comment pointing out I'd mispronounced them, so I had to point out in reply that it is the character in the story who is making the error! Anyway... in this particular case the word is "valetudinarian", meaning a hypochondriac
@@BitesizedAudio Oh My Gosh Thank You *Simon* this has been driving me crazy for a while now. B/c I had no idea how to spell it & it is an old word it failed to Google
Now it Googled fine since I have the proper spelling thanks to you *Simon* kind of you to take the time to inform me
💙📚🎙💙
tube ?
Ll
Um… valetudinarian. Not valeNtudinarian. Sorry, bit of a pedant.Enjoying the story though.
Yes indeed. That's Mr. Cooper's mistake, not mine, I would stress! M. R. James gives him a number of idiosyncratic pronunciations throughout the story... Glad you're enjoying it
Ah ha! I thought you were too clever for such an error! Shame on me for doubting you 😔
A boring and bloated story.
Just on 9 minutes in and still just the "waffling on", not yet near the *meat* of the story! Other writers of ghost stories would get to the heart of their story in much less time than this, and their stories are all the more entertaining for this fact. But M.R. James waffles on seemingly incessantly with inanities that the listener is well and truly bored senseless before the story had reached the so-called "interesting bit". I'm giving this one the flick-pass, as I will with any other M.R. James stories. They are, as he is, *dull as dishwater!*
What other writers?
Isn't it absolutely wonderful ! You never have to read or listen to any M.R. James story again. Or Sheridan Le Fanu or E.F. Benson or Mrs Oliphant, or Kipling or Charles Dickens. Or any of the other classic Victorian/Edwardian writers who still delight many of us. But the great thing is- if you don't like them- there is no law that says you have to listen.
@@olwens1368 I was referring only to M.R. James and how he takes ages to get to the "meat" of his story, when a number of other writers, like H.P. Lovecraft and such, will get to the heart of the story quickly and not drag the reader/listener through near-interminable *waffle*. Those other writers, highlighted in the *Horrorbabble* podcasts can be far more entertaining than "waffling" M.R. James.
@@michaelfearon4793 Have a listen to *Horrorbabble* and you'll hear them.
@Neil Forbes I'm sensing you're not a James fan! Appreciate that you managed to get through nine minutes in, as I recall you've expressed similar feelings about previous MRJ readings I've done. Luckily I have recorded a range of different authors for the channel (40+ at the last count, with more to come) so I hope you find some others you enjoy more