The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral | A Ghost Story by M. R. James | A Bitesized Audio Production

[@R.ion64]

I always loved this one. The idea of coming across an old mystery in forgotten personal papers in a library!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I like that aspect too! Thanks Ross

[@Boogie_the_cat]

I love M.R. James and your narration is so soothing for me to listen to before bed. I have anxiety, and your reading style is a balm for my ears to help me unwind.

[@BitesizedAudio]

So glad to know that, thank you Kitty

[@CR-dr8ok]

I know your name is Simon from all the comments. Thank you . I hope you know how much we love your work. Such an amazing legacy. 💕💕💕❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you C Ramsey! Yes indeed, I put my name in the video descriptions normally, and there's a bit more about me on the About page of the channel. Really appreciate your kind words.

[@HerrCrankzy]

This is such a an atmospheric one. "There is no kitchen cat" used to spook me do death and still gives the characteristic pleasant chill thanks to you. Much the same with all the other perfect emphasis at the most terrifying sentences. Exquisite phrasing: It's almost (to misquote an old, old silent film) a veritable symphony of terror. I was unaware the story still had so much power to fright. Masterfully done Sir, thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for your kind words HerrCrankzy, very much appreciated - glad you enjoyed it. It is certainly amongst my personal favourite James stories too. Best wishes to you

[@natalya6091]

What an eloquent language.Agreed.

[@suitov]

"There is no kitchen cat" was a perfect line and delivered with just the right pause to make it hit. The fear was very well voice acted, too!

[@jackiehamilton2738]

That quote refers to "Nosferatu", 1922.

[@jhb1493]

I love the stories of M R James, and it's so hard to find good performances of them - either readings or on film. I have a real love of the stories recorded by Michael Hordern - he didn't do enough of them, and the recording quality is not great on those which you can find online, but there is something about his voice and characterization that makes it very hard to connect with other versions - EXCEPT yours. You also have a voice which carries the story, and you put life and energy into the different characters. Like Hordern, I feel like I am sitting in front of a fire on a dark, cold night hearing a beloved Uncle or Grandfather tell spooky stories!

[@BitesizedAudio]

What a lovely comment JH B, thank you! I'm very flattered to be bracketed with Michael Hordern, as I too am fond of his recordings (though I'm not sure I've heard all of them), and his wonderful, inimitable voice was so familiar on television and film when I was growing up. Thanks so much for your kind feedback, I'm delighted you enjoy the stories - I still have your request on my list for next year!

[@boredwarlock5216]

YES So GLAD you chose another M.R. James story!!! You're the best

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Bored Warlock!

[@chimera8421]

Thanks Simon, another winner! x

[@sandy_says]

Yesssss! Finally here😁 thank you for another gem❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

You’re most welcome!

[@sugarfalls1]

"But how unsearchable are the workings of providence!" I love that! How true indeed! M.R. James is my kinda guy!!

[@GradKat]

Great story, beautifully read as usual. One of James’s best, I think. Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks GradKat, appreciate your kind comments - glad to know you enjoyed it!

[@KiKiabout]

Love... Thank you!

[@chimera8421]

Listening to this, with a glass of wine and doodling! The doodles turned out to be cats!! Surprise!!😹

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hmmm, what on earth could have inspired that...?? Thanks Barbara, appreciate your kind comments

[@susannem3526]

❤

[@TheCuttingBureau]

Haha -- huzzah!

[@jackiewhite4204]

I love Dr. James's sly humour .

[@bobbeyderbrain]

Deep, deep joy as always. What an utter treat. ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Bob

[@craigthomas2455]

Stanley Unwin used to say "deep joy" a lot !! Just wondered if you knew that ? 😀

[@justinamarina6741]

Thank you for these great ghost stories; always intrigued.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad you like them, thanks Justina

[@exileinderby51]

Thank you, that is one of my favourite M R James stories. So atmospheric and so well read.

[@BitesizedAudio]

@exileinderby51 Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@Gribbo9999]

Across the intervening century and more, so well crafted and so well read. Thank you Mssrs. James & Stanhope. More please!

[@BenKellyMusic92]

Oh Simon mate.. phenomenal delivery! You are the undisputed no.1 narrator for M.R James, nobody does it better! 😎👌🏽 Tell you what, if it's not on the cards yet, at some point you need to go for "Wailing Well." That'll chill everybody down to the tailbone! 👻🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind of you to say so, thanks Benjamin! I certainly have many more M. R. James stories on my list for the future. With regard to 'Wailing Well' there are potential copyright issues as, along with a few other late James stories, it's actually still under copyright in the USA... even though it's public domain in the UK... I need to investigate further what the implications are with regard to KZbin in that situation, as there are several stories by various authors I'd like to read which have the same status, copyright-wise. But I'll look into it further. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@BenKellyMusic92]

@@BitesizedAudio oh yes, Mistress Copyright exerts herself once again! 🤦🏻‍♂️ of course in America it enters public domain 95 years after the death of the author as averse to 70 here in the UK. It can't be too far off, either way.

[@gaylereid8264]

Simon's voice is exceedingly dignified. I can't help remembering,b/c i'm like that, the resemblance between Simon's & Edward Everett Horton's voice doing Fractured Fairytales🤣❤️on Rocky & Bullwinkle Show!!!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Gayle. I didn't see Rocky and Bullwinkle I'm afraid (a few other commenters have mentioned it though...) but I do remember Edward Everett Horton from the Astaire and Rogers films!

[@gaylereid8264]

PatriotOne 4Ever Well yes❣️ I can hear the music, the voices (Marjory Main's voice for the witch), the animation was hilarious!! It really was for adults but i L❤️VED it, too!

[@gaylereid8264]

Simon...Coming from England, i can only imagine what you'd imagine what type of show "Rocky & Bullwinkle" was about!!! LOL Bullwinkle was a moose w/a very funny voice, Rocky was a flying squirrel. Animation, adult themes but really humorous, no politics. Except for Boris Badinov & Natasha Goodinov. Fractured Fairytales was a part of the show where well known fairytales are treated in an adult way & the ending always comes crashing down into reality, never happily ever after!! Please Google. ;^D ❣️

[@donnajmax]

Yes! I was racking my brain as to whom the voice belonged of which i was reminded.

[@sugarfalls1]

I am so grateful that you have on closed captions especially when you come to the word Episcopacy! lol Thank you for another great bite sized read or listen! Always love your narration, Mr. Stanhope!! These always make me feel like I'm listening to you while sitting next to a fireplace on a winter evening. I just love that!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, I'm glad they are useful!

[@elizabethhughesjovanovic]

This was beautiful! Thank you a thousand times!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome Elizabeth, thanks for listening and taking the time to comment

[@maryrichards8086]

Thank you Simon:). 👍👍👍

[@DrewSohl]

As always a great tale,and a amazing voice.🐯

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you James! I appreciate your kind words, glad you enjoyed it

[@vincentconti-jb3hd]

The Brazilian cat was very enjoyable.... A proper reading greatly increased the entertainment. Especially in this type of story,..... hoping this is not a spoiler. Another brilliant tale by the master. Thank you!

[@eileenferrari1816]

Happy new year and more lovely Ghost story’s for the new year .keep safe and thank you for keeping me entertained .bless you .👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks eileen, happy new year to you too. Yes indeed, I've lots more stories on my to-do list...

[@spacehound3355]

Another gem from my favourite author, looking forward with hope you will do his big one 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Great work, looking forward to the next treat.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Space Hound. Yes indeed, I hope to record several more James stories and "Oh Whistle" is certainly high on my list

[@spacehound3355]

@@BitesizedAudio Great to hear, looking forward to hearing it some time in the future.

[@molossergirl2]

All I can say, is 'delicious!' Thank you, these renditions keep me returning. You are a master of story telling, so thank you.

[@ChristopherStump]

Another excellent story. Simon, your voice lends such an amazing amount of depth to these already wonderful stories. It genuinely makes my day when I get notifications from you about a new release.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Christopher, so glad to know that! I very much appreciate your support

[@irenabevans3411]

Certainly worth the wait , thoroughly enjoyed your narration, evil recognizing evil , even in hallowed spheres, makes you think ! ,as beauty is only skin deep, so the comparison of evil can have just as thin a veneer

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed! Thanks Irena

[@irenabevans3411]

@@BitesizedAudio Your most welcome

[@mijiyoon5575]

This is supplemental as the movie is one of my favorites...loved this so much...Thank You on this cold cold day w/a winter storm blowing through our area...the storm that has been in the news all week...that's the one

[@GladysLindner]

Sir, you are the perfect narrator for these audios. 😊

[@sandy_says]

The gentleman's magazine sounds like a very naughty magazine; a possible predecessor to Playboy.😂

[@richstrange6170]

Delightful Simon. A plum of a story read by a peach of a reader.

[@natalya6091]

Nice to meet youagain, dear Simon. Wishing you well.Enjoy your Sunday.Have a great fantastic week. Hello from Moscow Russia.🇷🇺

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you! You too!

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

An excellent, clear, reading. Many thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for listening

[@jturtle5318]

Excellent!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@johnga911]

Another great one. Guess I was due for a reread/listen! Thank you! Aside: Have you ever read Fr. R.H. Benson's "Mirror of Shalott"?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it John. I've read some but not all of the stories in that collection, I do have R. H. Benson on my to-do list so I'll take a look at it. Thank you!

[@daygoncornhole2395]

Simon is a master wordsmith and anyone who says else is a liar 🙂!!! And such eloquent language and perfect narration

[@daygoncornhole2395]

I can't thank you enough for all the stories I am nearly blind so I deeply appreciate your voice and whoever disliked this video needs to face the firing squad 😠😠

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks so much for your kind words and support Daygon! I'm very glad to know you enjoy the stories. As for the recent spate of dislikes etc, I suppose that's to be expected as the audience grows and more people listen. Can't please everyone! I do appreciate all the positive feedback from the majority of commenters anyway

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

As always a wonderful story superbly read and thus a joy to listen to. Thank you so much , I normally would not offer an opinion on your choices as I am always delighted with them ,however listening to you rendering of James it put me in mind of the story he wrote for his great friend's daughter "The Five Jars" which although a children's story is wonderful. Its way too long , but perhaps as a serial , its content its could be divided and perhaps it might even enhance the story, building the anticipation ! This is just a thought !!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you! An interesting suggestion, I'll give it some thought!

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

@@BitesizedAudio It was only a fleeting thought. You are the Boss its your Channel and your taste is impeccable so all your many fans will be happy no matter what you decide . We are just so lucky to have your great retelling of these wonderful old stories , especially at this time with yet another Lock down .. Stay safe RNK

[@kalihensley-garrison6282]

Ahh... Perfect! I have just enough time before heading into work to listen. Thank you for all you do for your channel. I appreciate it very much. 😏

[@davidekstrand8544]

This is my favorite story from James. I’m surprised John Newland didn’t make this into an episode for his show, One Stop Beyond.

[@galinda6504]

Your reading of this extremely grisely story was mesmerizing.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, appreciated

[@Kit-vb5rm]

Mr Stanhope. I salute you sir. You have the perfect voice for the stories which you choose to read. I have enjoyed M R James for many years and I find them most helpful when I am having problems sleeping. But I must repeat myself and say again, I do find your readings very interesting and restful I must add also that your voice fits itself perfectly to the classical ghost story. Well done and thank you. Christopher Garrett .

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback Mr Garrett. Best wishes to you

[@davidlindsey436]

Marvelous reading of this gem of a story. Thank you!

[@robertmusacchio9409]

Just discovered your series of ghost stories, wisely chosen, wonderfully narrated and great to draw by ! Please keep coming with these timeless frightening tales.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Robert, appreciated! More stories coming soon...

[@ZEBULON181]

Great work! Thank you.

[@pianobusker]

Brilliant pronunciation,richly re-enacted,very enjoyable and if the two Sirs were alive Sir Michael Hordern & Sir Christopher Lee I am sure they would endorse you 100% I have good word from the other side that this has indeed been found to be true! Sir Simon Stanhope! (:

[@BitesizedAudio]

High praise indeed, thank you!

[@GreggoryThorpe]

Great video. Can't wait to see the progress

[@foofy3406]

awesome story!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Foof y!

[@Vintagevanessa99]

really enjoyable as always thankyou

[@shannondore]

Just wonderful! I'm a new subscriber and love your readings. You have a lovely voice. I'm a huge M.R. James fan and really enjoyed this. I hope you someday do "Ash Tree" and "Whistle and I'll come to you" (My favorite).

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Shannon for your lovely comments, so glad to know you enjoyed this one. I certainly plan to do more M. R. James in the future, and those two are both high on the list! Best wishes

[@lyndaa7560]

Very good & oh so moreish, thank-you xx

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome Lynda - and thanks so much for the coffee earlier, I really appreciate your kind support

[@manuelluisnavarro7701]

So beautifully told.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

Scary stuff

[@benhuether5474]

If it wasn’t for M. R. James we wouldn’t have stories like The Conjuring, Insidious, The Ring, The Grudge, The Fog, Poltergeist, The Shining, The Amityville Horror, The Haunting of Hill House, and countless other ghost stories by multiple authors from around the world.

[@suburbanbanshee]

Nobody has mentioned that this is basically James doing a Trollope fanfic, as many of his great novels were set in his fictional Barchestershire. After James, the 30''s author Angela Thirkell also set many novels in her own modern Barchestershire, taking Trollope as its history.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I've read a couple of Trollope's Barchester novels but a long time ago and I'm not sure how much history and detail James takes from them, but I had assumed that it was where he took the inspiration for the name. I'm not familiar with Angela Thirkell, I must look her up. Thanks for listening, and taking the time to comment

[@rattyrachel4316]

Thank you, Simon! Any time of year is the perfect time for the master of horror M. R. James and you! No glass of wine, not even a cup of hot tea - just a chilled protein drink before bed. Still, cheers and best wishes...(Cats can be mischievous; I don’t trust ‘em, and I have one!) 🐭

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thanks Rachel! Some more M. R. James coming soon(ish) I hope...

[@rattyrachel4316]

Bitesized Audio Classics 🤗

[@hellodave1168]

I'm wondering if Mr. James thought, and rethought the ending.

[@nickybaker1338]

2nd, or possibly 3rd time listening. Somehow I don't get any less enthiastic- quite the opposite in fact. I always hear something new; perhaps a turn of phrase; the nuance of a conversatio, n, or maybe details of the surrounding environment-a house, a garden or maybe the scenery. Not to mention the characters-the description of manner, behaviour & demeanor. Fab! 🤩😊

[@eileenferrari1816]

I will have to listen again to them all again lol .

[@carolynlewis9008]

Best narrator ever!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Carolyn, very kind of you to say so! Also, I see you've just joined as a channel member - thank so much for your support. Best wishes

[@scottmiller2591]

For Lovecraft, it was the sea. For MR James, it was cloth.

[@WadeWeigle]

Yeah, that was a creepy one. You do very good ghostly whispers. I’ve never liked cats, and like them even less now. Thank you for sharing this.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, this is one of my personal favourites of M.R. James, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@natalya6091]

Dear Simon...10:54...does " breakfast - room mean dining room or living room? Awaiting your soonest reply.

[@R.ion64]

It's a less formal dining room /sitting room. (in my house anyway!)

[@natalya6091]

@@R.ion64 Ross, thanks!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hello Natalya, yes, as Ross says, it's a room where you might eat your everyday / family meals, as opposed to a formal dining room where you might eat in the evening (perhaps with guests). Historically, anyway.... I don't imagine many people have a formal dining room in their house these days!

[@natalya6091]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you very much dear Simon.

[@sugarfalls1]

The level of the author's vocabulary is far above most peoples these days! I wonder how many of you listening to this are looking up the words like "pile", like me, which definitely doesn't mean a pile of leaves in this instance. M.R. James is reading at a level of vocabulary most people are definitely not up to these days! I am looking up lot of words in the dictionary! As usual, I am learning much as well as listening intently!

[@jackiehamilton2738]

The meaning is still perfectly clear to many educated modern readers, including myself.

[@sugarfalls1]

You have a very scary whisper! lol Aaaah!!! Au secours!!

[@daygoncornhole2395]

The word ejaculations always brings a smile on my face 😂🙂

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Oh dear ...

[@daygoncornhole2395]

@@Offshoreorganbuilder what I can't be amused by a word ?🤣🤣 Such as ejaculated or gayly for those words have a different meaning now than then as I am sure you are aware 🙂 am not trying to start a fight or anything like that but I just want you to realize that I am a millennial who grew up with different meaning of those words 🙂

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@@daygoncornhole2395 Yes, I understand your meaning and I agree with you about the change which has happened. It's just that it was such an obvious remark to have made. (Anyway, no *gentleman* would have made such a comment (!))

[@daygoncornhole2395]

@@Offshoreorganbuilder I'm no gentleman 🤣🤣 I'm just a sob that is what I am

[@_LilacRoses]

This is interesting... can someone please explain the line ' there is no kitchen cat'? It made me feel uneasy but I'm not sure why.. thanks.

[@danegagnon]

As opposed to the denial of a cat being there at all, we can infer from this statement that he's investigated the matter and knows for a fact that there is no such kitchen cat. Simply put, he's acknowledging that he's seeing a large animal, but he also knows that it shouldn't be possible. This adds to the suspense and layering of anxiety and dread as the story progresses. I understand why you've asked this question, because I asked myself the same thing. I felt creeped out, but wondered if I was actually justified in feeling that way. That line is chilling and that was James's intent. Happy listening/reading! :)

[@_LilacRoses]

@@danegagnon Thank you for that explanation.. :) had me looking around my empty bedroom with a strange chill dancing up my spine.

[@cgarby]

These MR James stories have been a boon to me. Not feeling well and have been binging on them. Thx

[@natalya6091]

Frier of orders gray 18 40 would you please explain the meaning of this expression

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hello Natalya, it's not actually an expression in English; the reference is to the Grey Friars, which was/is a religious order, also known as Franciscans - he's describing the carved figure as wearing a monk-like robe

[@natalya6091]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you dear Simon!

[@suburbanbanshee]

@@natalya6091 There's also a song/poem by William Shield that might be being referenced: "I am the Friar of Orders gray, And down in the valley I take my way, I pull not blackberry, haw, nor hip, Good store of venison does fill my scrip; My long bead roll I merrily chant, Where-ever I walk no money I want...." It's a somewhat anticlerical/anti-Catholic poem, but in a sort of Robin Hood way.

[@natalya6091]

@@suburbanbanshee Hello Dear Friend...unfortunately don't know your name...Hello from Moscow Russia.Thank you very much for you friendly attention to my question!

[@natalya6091]

@@suburbanbanshee Love stories about Robin Good. Enjoy your week.

[@nonatie8514]

First story by this author that I found to be boring. I've listened to most of his writings and thos is the first one that I have felt this way about. I'm very disappointed myself and hope everyone else is satisfied with it as I am surprised that I found it to be so.. superb narration as always by this gentleman Thank you .

[@sugarfalls1]

"It might have been augured"....augur - definition 2 merriam-webster - One held to foretell events by Omens! Ha! How about them apples!! Not to be confused with AUGER which is a tool for gardening! That's AUGUR not AUGER, folks! How about it!!

[@pikehead1]

candles lit

[@justine_holloway]

I am trying to post a comment on this and it always seems to disappear?? not sure what's going on

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hello Jade, I received a notification of a comment from you which looks like it hasn't appeared here, for some reason. Very odd. Anyway, I appreciate your kind feedback - thank you!

[@lindaloe]

Creepy😮!!

[@raymondgerman6671]

Can we have gentlemen magazines anymore? Good story.

[@sugarfalls1]

Hoary vault? What's that? Oh, an ancient - vault, I'm guessing gray stone vaulted cathedral ceiling. Did anybody else catch that? God bless the closed captions! As you can see, Simon, I am paying attention to your every word! lol

[@SBCBears]

Hmmm... Mr Peabody and Sherman come to mind.

[@pikehead1]

the dark season is upon us .....

[@sugarfalls1]

"His interest in the venerable and awful pile - definition - (a long slender column usually of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete driven into the ground to carry a vertical load I love merriam-webster.com! lol

[@BitesizedAudio]

Interesting, although that's actually not the meaning of "pile" as used in this context. It's a slightly old fashioned term for a large building - see "noun (2)" definitions in the Webster entry. You may also be interested in the use of the word "awful" in this sentence, as it's not at all the commonly understood sense of the word in modern English (i.e. unpleasant or nasty), but rather it's using it in its original sense as it would have been understood in the 19th century, but which is now quite archaic: inspiring awe or wonder. In modern usage most people would probably use the (related) word "awesome" in this context. The development of the English language is endlessly fascinating!

[@sugarfalls1]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you so much for explaining that to me! Full of awe - makes perfect sense! Makes a lot more sense than awe some - if you're in awe, it's not just a little, it's a lot! lol www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pile This is where I found my pile definition. I am so glad I posted this because I would've had no idea that's what it actually meant, so thank you for educating me! Oh, I see it, a large group of buildings! Makes so much more sense than what I was thinking! lol Silly me ;P Again, much appreciated! You are a gem! Stay warm and enjoy your coffee!!

[@sugarfalls1]

I hope you read en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Oh,_Whistle,_and_I%27ll_Come_to_You,_My_Lad%27 by the same author. Sounds super scary!! I'm looking at the author's wikipedia page. The pictures on his biography are uber creepy!! But I am loving it! lol

[@BitesizedAudio]

It's on my list! Thanks sugarfalls1

[@sugarfalls1]

@@BitesizedAudio Much appreciated, Simon! I hope it includes a scary whisper or two! lol

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

Yikes.

[@williamhagen2792]

Narrator Stanhope is a fine voice actor, M R James is not a favorite.

[@wendywardashley]

All his stories are the same !!!

[@LanceBoyle-o5e]

The narration is too matter-of-fact.

[@neilforbes416]

Typical M.R. James waffling on nauseatingly for seemingly ages before getting to the *meat* of the story.

[@pharaohanakaris]

Nobody is asking you to like it Neil

[@neilforbes416]

@@pharaohanakaris It's *NOT* a matter of liking or disliking. It's a matter of getting to the point of a story without dragging it out with "waffle".