The Withered Arm | Thomas Hardy | A Bitesized Audiobook

[@BitesizedAudio]

Rural superstitions, jealousy and betrayal, with a hint of witchcraft, combine in this tragic tale of a young wife and her husband's abandoned lover. An atypical incursion into the realms of gothic horror and the supernatural by one of the great late Victorian novelists. Chapter timestamps: 00:01:18 Map of Hardy's Wessex 00:01:34 I. A Lorn Milkmaid 00:07:08 II. The Young Wife 00:16:38 III. A Vision 00:26:57 IV. A Suggestion 00:36:29 V. Conjuror Trendle 00:43:19 VI. A Second Attempt 00:50:16 VII. A Ride 01:02:16 VIII. A Waterside Hermit 01:09:35 IX. A Rencounter Biographical notes and further information available in the video description. Thanks for listening

[@waningmooncancer9628]

You're a doll, Simon. Not only gifted and dedicated to thoroughly entertaining us with your voice and acting; but also a gentleman. You are so kind to give us replies to your well-deserved praise. Do take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. Have you been on stage of late? A well reviewed performance, perhaps? I certainly hope so!😁🙌👌👋👋👋👋👋👋

[@anaaropot]

One of your best stories ❤thank you !!!

[@drywaller12345]

Very good..thank you

[@cherylwee6548]

Thank you

[@Frenchblue8]

SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT OOhhhhh. Ah... I do see it coming I believe... Quite sad, really. And that's the song says, " There ain't no good guys, there ain't no bad guys" Sigh

[@angelachouinard4581]

Just came in from a long morning of yard work, Rain coming soon & my back is complaining. Dr. Simon has just the medicine, a cuppa, a lie down and a marvelous story being told in the best of form. Hardy is so descriptive and your voices so colorful I'm cured.

[@BitesizedAudio]

So glad to hear that! Thanks Angela, best wishes to you

[@marinaridgley3427]

Q¹q😊

[@marinaridgley3427]

😊😊😊

[@ednacrispin8825]

I quite agree. It was approx' 35°C here yesterday & I was settling down to choose an audiobook to listen to - so glad I found this wonderful narration by Simon of Thomas Hardy ( one of my favourite authors ) btw A relaxing hot bath with a couple of hands full of salt will do wonders for your back/muscles in general - please try

[@CarolWoodhouse-w2s]

Dr. Simon is indeed medicine! X

[@stewartlancaster6155]

After an awful week, I sat and listened to this with a glass or two of single malt, and all is now right with the world ! A thoroughly enjoyable story superbly written by Hardy, and narrated by a true pro, Thanks Simon

[@BitesizedAudio]

Sorry to hear you've had a bad week, but glad if this upload has made you feel better. Thanks so much for your support and kind comments

[@padminiramaswamy294]

Thomas Hardy doing what he does best--plumbing the depths of despair 😢

[@BitesizedAudio]

Quite so!

[@susangordon1157]

Excellent tale, a very nice choice Simon! I got so wrapped up in the wife's dilemma, I did not see the twist coming. It was thrilling to say the least! And as always, a perfectly exceptional performance by my all-time favorite narrator, Simon. ❤ Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Susan, much appreciated!

[@valeriekrueger91]

I remember seeing the tv adaption of this story in 1973 starring Billie Whitelaw as Rhoda and Edward Hardwicke ( who played Doctor Watson in the Sherlock Holmes series) as Farmer John Lodge. It is/was available on a dvd called Wessex Tales, together with about 5 other Hardy stories. Well worth watching. 😊

[@gregjones8412]

Great to see you take on Thomas Hardy! I hope there are many more to come.

[@BitesizedAudio]

I hope so too! I certainly have some more Hardy short stories on my list

[@chimera8421]

Agree.

[@Damezumari1]

You do this writer justice. I can think of no higher praise for your rendering and am subbed.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@Rossion64]

Looking forward to this. I love his poetry

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Ross, much appreciated!

[@spews1973]

Another great tale from a master of the written word delivered by a master of the spoken word.

[@patriciajrs46]

Tisty tosty. How delightful! British writers and Brit shows are so lyrical and interesting. American phrases just can't compete with British quips. Thank you, Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, it's an old dialect word for a nosegay of flowers, I believe

[@stephaniealeman8522]

What a lovely trip into Hardy’s Wessex 💚 like the light under a heap of rose petals 🥀

[@BitesizedAudio]

Oh yes, a lovely line. Thanks Stephanie, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@samkennedy5554]

Just about to lay my head on the pillow and enjoy this Simon 🤫

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for your support!

[@TheSonsofFalstaff]

Being Hardy I naturally did not expect a happy outcome but it was only when Gertrude was setting out on the path to the Hangman's house that it dawned on me who was to be hanged. God I hate Hardy. Brilliant but depressing as hell. Enjoyably read as usual Mr Stanhope.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thank you

[@TheSonsofFalstaff]

@@BitesizedAudio I recently chanced upon the church in Cornwall which Hardy was contracted to restore. It was here that he met his future wife. To my mind Hardy was undoubtedly a depressive. His reaction to the death of his wife is telling. Your undoubted talent is that you can make a 'Hardy tale' thoroughly enjoyable to someone who avoids negativity wherever possible. What a pity there aren't more of Allen Upward's Ghost Hunter tales. My favourites .Absorbing and uplifting. As ever I look forward to your next production.

[@8739PS]

Thank you so much for this. We studied the Withered Arm in English at school. It was the reason I first fell in love with Thomas Hardy's writing and is still my favourite of his short stories.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful! Do let me know if you have any other favourites...

[@henryneill721]

Very happy to hear you read Hardy! Fantastic stuff

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thanks Henry!

[@chrissythornhill]

Friday evening……and relaxation with your story to listen to. Thank you so much, Simon ❤️🙏🏼

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, thank you Christine

[@julielevinge266]

Another fabulous story, excellently narrated . Cheers Simon.✊♥️

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome as ever Julie

[@jdsteppenzyde]

Looking for inspiration this afternoon and…low and behold! A classic short by my favorite KZbin audio artist!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Janet!

[@cuthbert2546]

Hypnotic story. And your voice, Simon, is so very perfect to convey the slowly building sense of menace with undertones of sadness.

[@winsomemargaretpienaar608]

Thank you so much Simon. I fall asleep listening to your well articulated English. Please continue to produce literature so well read.

[@simoneclift3155]

Absolute perfection 😊. Your narrations are like a holiday for the soul. Thank you.

[@patricialamb3205]

E3333333eßßss see è see see

[@patricialamb3205]

😮

[@tzaph67]

Thanks Simon, I loved this. I’ve been a Hardy fan for close on 50 years but this story was new to me. Beautifully read as always - I don’t know if it’ll show up but I bought you a coffee as a thank you💚

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Francesca, my BMAC login was playing up for a few days and couldn't access it, but it seems to have resolved itself now and I can see that your coffee has been received: thank you kindly!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Excellent, Simon! Such a lot of work. I thought from the name that I might know the story, but I don't remember it, and I'm sure I would not forget it! Thank you so much. 👏👏👏

[@shannondore]

This was wonderful! I think this has to be one of my favorites that you've told so far. Very much enjoyed this one. Thank you Simon.💕😊

[@allysonlewis1576]

So glad I came across a Thomas hardy story. I’ve read all his books he was a literary genius born way before his time. He had such a natural way with him and his descriptions of the places he lived and visited came alive when you read them. Thank you so much.

[@peterchaloner2877]

A perfect reading. I listen at three-quarter speed so as to enjoy the timbre of Simon's voice for longer. Encountering any Hardy text is a gloomy pleasure. Spoiled Evangelical, atheistic, sceptical, in love with superstition and coincidences, Hardy creates prose that would be unbearable but for its beauty. The new wife's complexion was like light shining through a pile of rose petals, for example. Images like that one save the hearer from descending into a worse melancholy than the one that gripped poor Hardy. Well done, Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Peter. I've had a couple of listeners commenting previously that they listen to me speeded up, I think you're the first who's said you slow me down!

[@crikeypie3750]

Thank you so much for all of these stories; your deliverance is always a joy to listen to. I have listened to each story multiple times and will continue to do so, whether resting, relaxing or just doing chores around the house.

[@rayswoop4947]

That's crazy!! I was just reading Damnable Tales collection of folk horror and saw this title lol

[@Mrs.Karen_Walker]

algorithm works in mysterious ways

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very spooky!

[@rayswoop4947]

@@Mrs.Karen_Walker got that right, my episodes of this kind of thing has been very powerful lately.

[@rayswoop4947]

@@BitesizedAudio appreciate ur channel!!

[@andrewbeale6072]

I'm glad Hardy got recognition in that collection. I think his role in the development of folk horror often gets overlooked because he wasn't a 'genre' writer. I love how he works bits of West Country life into his stories--language, music, and in this case, folk magic. If I remember correctly, magic also plays a role in Return of the Native and, to a lesser extent, Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

[@macummings7818]

What fascinating depths by the cerebral and intense Thomas Hardy! I’m immediately back in college days and literature classes…

[@chimera8421]

Favourite author and favourite narrator, delightful.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Barbara, much appreciated!

[@tammyhanlon3057]

Rather racey for it's time!! Well done,Simon. Thank you very much.

[@anotherblonde]

A wicked husband beyond the pail, and an Ice Cream Maiden. So well narrated.

[@petercalderwood2876]

Perfect for a stormy night in the hills of southern Pennsylvania.

[@athenaathena1307]

Great performance.Many Thanks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😊

[@wendygillard2133]

Sad that the innocent person is often the person that pays the price for other people’s misdeeds.

[@philipinchina]

Cheerful stuff! A laugh in every line with Hardy.

[@khalidmerghani1277]

Thank you for adding well-punctuated subtitles to your videos. It's very beneficial for ESL learners.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that they help

[@MySerenity17]

Amazing story. Thank you for your talented narration.

[@emmanuelpower2439]

Beautifully read. Thank you.

[@shirleypearl2166]

Jolly good show Simon .Thank u 💜

[@MortishaCassavetes]

Oh how I love your channel! These stories are perfect for me as I love to read and listen to everything ghostly and mystery set in Victorian & Edwardian times. So glad you have brought these short stories to life again. Thanks so much for sharing these brilliant works with us all.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your very kind comments, glad to know you enjoy the stories

[@GradKat]

Very well narrated, Simon! I’m not particularly a Hardy fan, but this is a good tale.

[@cantonhag]

I've never cared much for the bleak Hardy tales; however, your narration of this tale of envy made for an enjoyable listen. And the rich countryside description made the inevitable dark crash ending worth sitting through ! Such a wonderful gift you have. Thank you for sharing it😊

[@susanotway7875]

A sad story. A macabre twist at the end. Beautifully read Simon. Thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Susan, appreciated

[@mrscpc1918]

What a masterpiece of writing and reading. Absolutely griped to the point of immobility. Jobs had to wait. Thankyou so much.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@SC-jh9qp]

I'm 57 and have never had a Night Hag experience. I almost feel deprived.

[@Gumblina1]

Look so forward to your posts. Thank you for all the work you do

[@CrowSkeleton]

Ha! I suppose it's a bit much to expect Hardy to put someone through an intriguing moral dilemma rather than have them dramatically die of...ah..concentrated disapproval, but I had my hopes. I'll give him that it's a proper tragedy, too, since all might have been avoided had the farmer been a decent fellow or the women drawn into his orbit been honest with each other. Comedy award goes to the 'Minister of Justice' insiting on his title whilst cheerfully hanging innocent folk (more than his job's worth to protest, I suppose), I did laugh. Thanks as ever for a tale well told, sir.

[@Captain-ln3vh]

Simon just has the right voice for narration.

[@rachels3434]

Yippee. ❤💐 Thank you again. The map is awesome. 😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you liked it! I do like studying maps, and it's interesting to compare that one to the "real" map of the area

[@MsJoybird1]

I love your channel! Thank you!

[@irenabevans3411]

Absolutely brilliant story, so descriptive you could visualise the countryside, shame those involved were not open with each other, then perhaps the ending wouldn't have been so tragic, beautifully read as ever Thank You Simon for another entertaining narration from the past

[@AndrewCarterBaker]

Learned a new word, "rencounter." If I had known the definition beforehand the twist may have been ruined for me. Excellent work as always Simon!

[@subhadradronamraju]

A story of hard reality. Of course narrated so nicely as ever!

[@lyndaa7560]

Thank-you very much Simon, it’s always the innocent that end up paying for the bad xx

[@AdamTurnbull-xd3nf]

never new hardy went into horror . very interesting good story.

[@oldishandwoke-ish1181]

Read "Barbara of the House of Grebe".

[@amg2u]

Chaced upon your channel to hear the Mary Elizabeth Braddon ghost story, which was wonderfully read and produced. But, this! Your narration and the many character's voices transport me to Hardy's mythical Wessex. I can almost smell the hay. Thank you for sharing your marvelous talent!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@clairegreenaway9653]

Thanks so much Simon !

[@timmahoney7079]

So good all around! Wonderful writing by Hardy and wonderful narrator's voice. Thanks!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Much appreciated, thank you

[@alisonaustin7299]

What an amazing story, brilliantly read. Thank you for your work

[@TheseGoToEleven.]

A brilliant reading of a brilliant author. Thank you.

[@joeharoutunian1805]

Outstanding presentation of a most intriguing story.

[@heatherhayes7947]

Love listening to your stories Simon. Love your voice.❤

[@catmomjewett]

I read Thomas Hardy as a young teenager. Bad idea! But, I did love his writing. Hardy and Bob Dylan. I was dark. Love hearing you read this. Thanks. 💛

[@catmomjewett]

Thanks!

[@ruthhase-gutierrez9830]

Even though I saw where this one was going, I kept hoping above hope that there would be a surprise happy ending.

[@josephineboyd1753]

Hello Simon, I am just about to listen to you narrating this story before I go to sleep which I know will be lovely ! Nighty night. 🌙 xx

[@jackalina91]

This was different. I’m sure that I have read some of T.H but I can’t remember what atm. I did enjoy this as always Simon! Thank you ♥️😎🇦🇺✌️

[@twothecat]

Thoroughly enjoyed this reading. Thank you!

[@lizday8140]

How did you KNOW it is my birthday today?! The big 50, too! Thanks, dear Simon!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Happy birthday Liz! 🎉🎂

[@lizday8140]

@@BitesizedAudio Thanks!

[@Linnet09]

Very well done. I now remember why I disliked Hardy years ago, because he's so depressing - but a brilliant author, all the same. This story is so well written - I could guess kind of where it was going, but some of the conclusion was still a surprise.

[@beverlyadams7205]

Thank you so much, Simon! What a great story!❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thanks Beverly

[@AndrewStruthers]

Excellent work by Hardy & yourself

[@missmyusername111]

Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.

[@SEARSJAMES]

☕☕☕☕👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍And thankyou Simon for this and all you do!!!!!!

[@mijiyoon5575]

Thank You *Simon* for the *Wessex* map

[@snippycutwell9878]

Now THAT was a really really good one! Thank you again Simon!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it! Thanks Snippy

[@timeaaraouzou710]

A true masterpiece beautifully read. Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it, thank you

[@swanneck2299]

Thank you so much. This was wonderful

[@noellealyagout1669]

Thank you so much ❤

[@evelanpatton]

I really appreciate the through, & interesting, authorship details!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that, Evelan, thank you

[@hermione9445]

Gosh ..what a sad and depressing tale ...Only made better by your wonderful narration .

[@deanwal1962]

I really enjoyed that. Thank you very much.

[@minvalara2765]

Excellent, thankyou.

[@chimera8421]

Thanks

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you 🙏

[@farhanatoerien3437]

I absolutely LOVE your channel and your work - it's so relaxing and refreshing to listen to after a long day. And on rainy afternoons. And during study breaks. And whilst baking. Thank you so much for your work and may Allah keep you well and going strong always :)

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's lovely to know, thank you! Best wishes to you

[@barbarahuff117]

Good one ! Thanks so very much.

[@androullashati4778]

Very good narration. Thank you

[@saidaismail7723]

Truly wonderful story

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for listening

[@bonnacon1610]

Do consider recording The Lost Stradivarius by J Meade Faulkner. There are some audio versions on YT but it needs the BSAC magic!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, it's somewhat longer than bite-sized as I recall, although I would like to tackle some longer pieces as and when I have time to do so... I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@suziq1963]

Goodnight Simon.. Time for slumber, and another great narration from you.. Cheers from me.. 😊💤💤🥂✌🏻...

[@itallia666]

Oh so well read! Mr Stanhope, Bard of the Classics. Im surprised id not heard this tale before, as i thought id read all of Thomas Hardys work, but believe i was confused into thinking i knew this work but upon hearing you read this today i know its a different tale with similar title ( one that was written by Sheridan LeFanu) Anywiggles, i enjoyed this piece very much, especially as im in the middle of reading *( in an actual Book! Haha) about strange cures & mysterious remedies used by Herbalists & Cunning women of the 16th & 17th c ! *Just a note, when Simon pronounced the word Notwithstanding, twice.. Im reminded of a recent book i particularly enjoyed by the well known author Louis De Bernieres ( author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin) called " NOTWITHSTANDING" Its a quaintly funny book, & not like anything this author has written before & or at least of what ive read. Its about a village ( in a Cotswoldly setting) in southern England, called Notwithstanding! The characters of which are eccentric, funny & endearing And id venture to say are based on characters that the author knew as a child in a village of similar construction. I had a wee smidgen of " getting into it" at first as it appears very simple & not the kind book i normally read, but Since It was highly recommended to me, i rallied on Im pleased i did, its a gentle story and beautifully written & the characters grow on you, creeping up on you, unawares Until you feel you really have known the characters in your own youth. Its a feelgood read & quite a tonic for the modern day blues With some genuine laugh out loud guffaws! Thank you Simon for your narrations of the highest magnitude! Regards 🇬🇧👧

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very interesting comments, thank you! I've read all (I think) of Thomas Hardy's novels, most of them in my teens and early 20s when I first discovered him, but only got around to reading his short stories within the last few years. I have more I'd like to cover on the channel at some point

[@mijiyoon5575]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ most excellent Thank You *Simon*

[@jacksonburnette762]

Quite entertaining. Well performed.

[@grannykiminalaska]

Oooohhhhh....ugh. great job 👏 👍

[@sugarfalls1]

I hate to ask you this, but did you tell this story before? The plot is so familiar to me so I wanted to ask. It's been awhile since I heard it so I forgot the ending. It was great to hear it again as I like listening to your stories more than once!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hello @sugarfalls1 ... No, I've not recorded this story before. I do occasionally re-release remastered versions of older uploads, but I would mention that in the video description, and it's not the case here, this is a new recording. I think there are probably other readings of it available on KZbin so perhaps you heard one of those. Glad to know you enjoyed it anyway!

[@sugarfalls1]

@@BitesizedAudio Thank you for your honesty! I probably did hear another person's reading of it. I most certainly did enjoy it! Yours is probably 1,000 times better than the other person (I have no idea whose) so thank you for doing this story also! I actually read Jude The Obscure and it was a fantastic novel. The movie version didn't follow the same storyline and I lost interest after a few minutes. Hardy is definitely one of the Masters.

[@rameyzamora1018]

Oh poor Gertrude. She deserved so much better. 😮

[@mngirl5437]

Ty for this great read ❤

[@helenswan705]

This must be weil known, but I have never heard it. Thank you