The Ghost Stories of M. R. James | A Bitesized Audio Anthology

[@BitesizedAudio]

Story timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:32 Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad (1903) 00:55:06 The Treasure of Abbot Thomas (1904) 01:45:58 The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral (1910) 02:31:59 Mr. Humphreys and His Inheritance (1911) 03:42:37 A View from a Hill (1925) 04:33:20 A Warning to the Curious (1925) (Story teasers and more details in the video description)

[@mayaturnnow9110]

Q

[@samsum3738]

The best reading i have ever heard . Very professional and very enjoyable .

[@javedsultan4830]

Excellent reading Mr Stanhope

[@bobbymarcum772]

Possle forth, i double. The Whistle and I'll Come To You story is perhaps his most memorable if one uses characters and their development as a standard. Mr James is underrated for the familiarity which we are fortunate to share with his characters, and perhaps in that story more than anywhere else it strikes me the knowability of his characters form a stark contrast to the vague, shadowy nature of the ghouls he dreams up.

[@johnbowles5399]

M.R. James ghost stories are amongst the finest ever written, and your narration is superb. Thank you for this.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks John, appreciated

[@cathydoyle8804]

You couldn't put it better, agree with you 💯

[@JohnHindes-c6l]

Classic British tales from a gifted english author and perfectly narrated by Mr Stanhope what a treat thank you so much.

[@amethyst42]

M.R. James, over 100 years in the future, I am wholeheartedly appreciative of your sparing us a description of a golf game.

[@garywait3231]

My favorite ghost story writer read by my favorite reader. I have read James' wonderful stories again and again myself -- sometimes aloud to the delight of friends. Now it is a treat to have Simon Stanhope read them to me!

[@elizabethmerriman531]

I cannot express in words my appreciation for you and the work you put forth for our enjoyment. Sublime in every sense. Superb!

[@sacellum2377]

Absolutely superb! Such a treat to hear these lovely old tales read by someone with perfect English diction. A rarity, with the current apparent preference for every kind of distortion of our language in the mainstream media. Please keep this marvellous work!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, appreciated

[@bencarney221]

Language evolves over time get used to it. You go to the United Kingdom people have like seven different accents and use a bunch of different words for different things. Go to Wales and you can't understand a f****** thing they're saying. I just don't understand how you can take a video about Victorian ghost stories and somehow make it political. It's really sad.😢

[@amandalee215]

Thank you this is my evening sorted

[@Frenchblue8]

Ah.. I love this comment. I'm wondering if you remember what Friday nights used to mean, LOL it must be something exciting going on or it was no good, haha! Now I wouldn't go within 50 ft of a party of the kind I used to love so much and I would much prefer to spend the evening with Simon and his stories! Think I'll join you if that's all right 👍

[@janetcw9808]

@@Frenchblue8 Same here 👩🏼‍🦯🛌🏼🥘📻🤣🤣👍🏻

[@reneelascala5050]

And we must force ourselves to look away from politics, though briefly. Or we’ll all run mad.

[@Frenchblue8]

@@reneelascala5050 Oh hell you are so right! whether it's the UK or the US or Italy, Russia, Iran... Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.. at the very least. . I am OUT of there!! For my own sanity..

[@NancyDrewe]

We are all so grateful for the work you do bringing us these tales. Thank you so much. M.R. James is a fave and you’ve chosen the stories well.

[@reneelascala5050]

Aye, Simon. You are ideally suited to MR James’ work. Dickens as well. Likely Edith Wharton too, and Hawthorne.

[@ClareNewtonartist]

Z see

[@garyhughes1664]

M.R. James’s ghost stories are simply the best and this list contains three of my all time favourites: ‘Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad’; ‘A View from a Hill’; ‘A Warning to the Curious’. The only one missing is ‘Casting the Runes’. Not only a classic story, but also a classic movie (Night of the Demon, 1957), starring Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins. I only wish there were many more writers who could write and tell a tale like James. I know there were contemporaries of James, and even today there are emulators of his work. But no one ever seems to just get it right. Great readings as per usual. Thx.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Gary. I hope to get around to recording 'Casting the Runes' at some point. I find it hard to choose my absolute favourite James story, I waver between 'Whistle' and 'Warning to the Curious'

[@prince.mushroom]

The short film with Michael Hordern (directed by Jonathan Miller) is an ingenious gem, powerfully creepy, pure theater craft and acting skill. Quite unlike the story though! kzbin.info/www/bejne/earXo3qKadeHjqc

[@saxophone.4513]

Simons voice and delivery is superb.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@janislohman8125]

Brilliant reading , I've stopped watching tv and am hooked on audio books now thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@lizpride9960]

Ooooh, Mr Stanhope! Those whispered voices in The Stalls...... Utterly chilling..... Truly very creepy indeed-sudden goose bumps!!! What a master story teller you are....... Thank you for the gift of these performances. X

[@Guts_Punch_Balls_Throwup]

No one expresses my feelings better than Ruth Rendell: "There are some authors one wishes one had never read in order to have the joy of reading them for the first time. For me, M R James is one of these."

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, I've heard that Rendell quotation before. I feel something similar about Sherlock Holmes as well, I think. The memory of first discovering those stories when I was about 9 or 10, it's always stayed with me

[@Charlie-f4q4o]

No your rong

[@robertingham6123]

So glad you have uploaded these stories as I am laid up in bed. And fed up with tv 👍

[@izzylewis3998]

I can’t get enough of all these thank you and keep up providing the most excellent stories

[@Lemma01]

Well chosen, Simon. While I suspect I know every word, you have a unique interpretation always worth hearing. Many thanks.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Kind of you to say so, thank you

[@mspacephal3925]

Most excellent stories for this time of year and read by the best!! Thanks !! ❤❤❤🎉🎉😊

[@wholeness5871]

I am because of we. You are the BEST!? After you've introduced M.R. James to my I've purchased a few books & cannot get enough of the genius- now I can follow along as you narrate- thank you, again & again!!

[@djmedina530]

No one reads them better. I enjoy listening very much. Thank you! 📚

[@katewilson9626]

Absolutely wonderful, thankyou.

[@shannondore]

Oh! Fantastic! M.R. James is one of my favorite writers. Thanks Simon for the time stamps, now I can comeback and listen to my favorites over again. I'll be back on Sunday to listen to all of it.

[@januzzell8631]

Ahhh - just in time - thank you - my absolute FAVOURITE ghost story author - delicious

[@suspendeddisbelief401]

I've heard and read these stories many times. However, your narration had me fully absorbed and enjoying them once more. Excellent reading! Thank you.

[@angeladawn2343]

These have quickly become an evening favorite!

[@taliabee8661]

Ooh, with this collection you are spoiling us, sir! 😀🖤

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

I really enjoy your introductions and profiles of the authors.

[@michaelfearon4793]

Even before I listen to this I know it's going to be superb.

[@jodywho6696]

I'm watching them all. Enjoy them all. My sincere thanks✨🇺🇸✨😊✨💙✨💃✨

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@mjclark641]

Wonderfully read. I have felt a bit poorly over Christmas and have listened to these a few times while drifting to sleep.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Sorry to hear you've been unwell, but glad if I was of any help! I hope you feel better now

[@pariscribe5245]

Horror Babble and others have done some of the same readings as yourself, as you probably know . But as usual you are the best ! No doubt at all ! So thanks again !

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind of you to say, thank you! I do try to cover a good range of less well-known stories and authors, but James is much requested. Of course, we all bring different things to our individual readings, even with the same text

[@dixienormouse1441]

You deserve more views. Bring much joy to people

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@thomasswafford250]

James is one of my favorites.

[@brendangilmore4297]

An early Christmas prezzie from Simon - over 5 hours of M. R. James - what could be nicer! :)

[@judemorales4U]

My new all time favorite channel❤ Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful, thank you Jude!

[@Thicketworks]

Thank you, Simon. What a treat!

[@stewartlancaster6155]

only 2 days ago I was wondering why you had not done an M.R.J playlist ! thanks for this sublime offering.

[@diegoherrera1422]

In keeping with the old English tradition I'll be listening to these. Merry Christmas everyone

[@adellajones9887]

I didn't really like short stories until I found your KZbin channel. I never heard of most of the authors that you have introduced....M.R. James being one of those authors. I love these stories and enjoy finding the works of "new" authors. Thank you so much.

[@RockyRacoon123]

You introduced me to M. R. James & I’m so very happy! This is awesome! 5 hrs! Should last me a couple of nights! Thanks also for the time stamps. I appreciate your hard work, you bring joy to many! ❤ Happy Halloween!🎃

[@exileinderby51]

M R James is my favourite author of ghost stories, thank you for narrating them so well.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

M.R. James is a favorite of mine. Nice 'rock block' of stories to relax with while walking my cat (she walks me, actually).

[@john-qy2tk]

Thank you for putting a picture of the voice and everything else.

[@chrishack7467]

Brilliant as always! Please keep up the amazing work!

[@cr3237]

Thank you very much for another multiple upload. Making recovery at home much more fun!!

[@katyvdb5993]

A wonderful compendium of the best ghost story writer by the best narrator...Simon, I'm running out of new ways of expressing my enjoyment of and admiration for your channel!

[@RachelElizabeth79]

So appreciative of the beautiful work you do telling these stories. You bring a cozy spirit to chilly days on my delivery route.

[@zachfoster1847]

I am a recent fan of M. R. James and your voice will forever be linked to his ghost stories, even when I read them from the collection of stories I recently ordered. Thank you for what you do and please keep them coming!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for subscribing Zach, glad to know you enjoy them!

[@MichelleMm-sw2fi]

Who is on the way of speaking that's the interest of a good professor

[@MichelleMm-sw2fi]

It's like you can't mess with your table home setting trillions of people figure of speech and they want to get to the nitty-gritty of an outfit

[@MichelleMm-sw2fi]

Or buy something someone's there and crossing the street with an old friend of a family from figurative speech that way not be transforming and then the others make a hole environment of the family with no environment while the other ones are home steady work 3 days home 4 days but they tend to make us three ghost story that sometimes it doesn't pay to even help this is today's not 10% is back writing you know poetry I was told by a professor is an everyday you can't depend so much but depending is great because you know there's a home phrase talk phrase not going for a ticket that they can fly you know they do that it's kind of terrible because they're making fun of already then what is even given a try to study intelligence

[@firecracker187]

Simon. You are terrific

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@AmandaS18]

Thank you Simon! Brilliant 🎃❤️

[@jodywho6696]

I love this. Enjoy thoroughly. Thank you so much✨🇺🇸✨💙✨😊✨

[@hollywebster6844]

I'm so happy I finally clicked on one of your videos! You've been popping up in my recommendations, but I hesitated to give you a listen. There are some unskilled narrators and I had run into a slew of them. You, however, are quite skilled in the art of narration. Your pace is slow enough to allow the text to be relished, yet you don't drag. Your enunciation is clear without being clipped. I look forward to listening to many stories from you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you so much for your comment Holly, and for giving me a try! I appreciate your feedback. More stories to come, and I hope you enjoy some of my other uploads in the meantime

[@donnasmall2172]

Amazing, thank you so much

[@reneelascala5050]

V strong work, Simon.

[@johnnyrockabilly4962]

M r James awesome author. Cheers for he stories very well narration

[@corneliuscondron8677]

Superb narrative superbly narrated

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Cornelius, much appreciated

[@JD-cw4qg]

cant tell you how pleased I am that you've done this anthology Simon, thank you so much. M R James truly is the absolute best of the best and this is awesome

[@mariansadowski2878]

Thanks!

[@piddlywiddly5214]

love this channel!! Thank you

[@ichbifeuertrunk]

Precious.

[@phubblewubbphubblewubb]

Simon, thank you so much for such a gift, your English narration skills are much appreciated.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for subscribing, and for your kind comments

[@nancynickerson4341]

What a treat to listen to all of these tales again! Thank you Simon.

[@TheRedDevil-1968]

You portrayed "Parkins" vocally perfectly in this. Arrogant, over self-assured, over confidant just as James wrote him in the original story.

[@eddiemunster2196]

I am listening to this whole thing in the past at least, 5 to 7 different times. And what I'm about to say I mean normally I don't say it like this but I mean it vigorously ; Well, Mr.. Simon Stanhope,,, You are more than a quite unique storyteller. And I really enjoyed when you began to do a video of your face as your speaking. It made it all that more real, When you're telling a story you put so much emotion suspense or even a tad of fright to keep the listener on the edge of your seat. Now just speaking for myself that's the effect that I get when I listen to so many of your wonderful stories You video yourself for millions of people, to enjoy, you and your personality for everyone and rememder... Another thing, With some of my family : I have niece and nephews all the way up to the age of 27 and my oldest nephew Anthony I told him about you at least 3 years ago my niece Brianna and my youngest nephew Mikey they listened to your stories frequently. As Anthony, Listens to many and many of your great stories. Now when the time comes ; with my nephew's son he will do justice the same as I did with Anthony by passing it on and keeping the tradition going ! Well with that said I have 5 hrs : 20 :38 minutes to get started on once again, Simon, Thank You, Again !!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, Eddie, for your very kind comments. Best wishes to you and your family

[@hanjomorren2678]

Wow, especially "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad", somehow yor voice and the work of M.R.James, are made for each other.

[@paulacnote]

Looking for the new one. Will have to relax to this already listened and enjoyed..

[@davidbarron4118]

Thank you for posting simply wonderful to hear I remember listening to the late Michael hording reading James ghost s and I must say your reading is up there with this

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's extremely kind of you to say, thank you David!

[@davidbarron4118]

@@BitesizedAudio no thank you since I was a child I have always loved gothic fiction, Victorian and edwardian ghost stories I also love algernon blackwood, machen & all the early 20th century masters please continue to post these wonderful stories they all deserve to be much better known even the less familiar authors & stories all are worthy of rediscovery by modern audiences 🥰👍

[@highlandjournalart654]

Wonderful, thank you x

[@kenmakozume4478]

Thank you so much for the amazing content

[@nickybaker1338]

Thank you! When I listen, I'm able to conjure up a vivid picture of the surroundings & the actions- even the expressions on the character's faces. In short, wonderful 🤗

[@naeemapatel5259]

Thank you so much tomorrow at the beach I'll enjoy listening and I might see a seal or two if I watch the waves attentively blessings and kind regards from Cape Town 🌺

[@susansherlock6934]

Don't dig up any whistles!

[@mariameere5807]

Fantastic job as per usual Simon they (your performance’s here on this amazing channel have been a comfort and distraction for me lately as I have been going through a family bereavement and I was too depressed to always leave a comment in the beginning as I wasn’t my self at all!) Thank you so much 😊 you really are a perfectionist Simon aren’t you!?! Enjoy your weekend!🫶 🕊🤍🕊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Maria, lovely to have you back. Best wishes to you and your family

[@mymexicosharon]

Thank you so much.

[@judithl.morton9178]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@judithl.morton9178]

You have the best stories of all. I truly enjoy listening to you. They are suspenseful scary intriguing, thoughtful. Intelligent Stories I have listened to so far on these channels. I truly truly enjoyed this channel.😊 And I don't get tired of them or roll my eye. Thank you for what you do. 🎉😊

[@JulieLevinge]

Definitely the very best narration of MR James stories ever.✊👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks so much Julie, very kind of you!

[@graememccarthy8963]

Finding these wonderful old stories read so well has become a joy in my life that I look forward every evening Thank you for all your hard work

[@BitesizedAudio]

Appreciated, thank you Graeme

[@TheHappyhorus]

Thank you so much for the great entertainment sir.

[@stephenrose1343]

I think you grasp the character of the self regarding, unworldly academic very well. I have read and enjoyed these stories many times and know all the adaptations. Your readings stand up very well

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you

[@stephenrose1343]

@@BitesizedAudio You communicate the humour in MR James,it is so easy to miss that. Sir Michael Horden gets it, so does Mark Gatiss. Thank you for your gift and the pleasure you bring.

[@jackalina91]

Excellent I was just wondering what to listen to! It’s 7am here in Oz! ♥️♥️♥️♥️😎🇦🇺✌️😊

[@janetcw9808]

Good morning to you, and goodnight from me in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿xxx

[@BitesizedAudio]

Good morning! I'm about to go to bed....

[@melissam9656]

Love the piano interlude ❤ eerily tragic

[@JohnHindes-c6l]

First class stories with first class narration well done MrStanhope 👏 more power to your elbow!

[@mariamcgee4462]

Thank you for this excellent set of stories. You read them beautifully.

[@adrianogonzalez3066]

I’m a new English speaker, it’s he speaking in a Irish accent? I love spooky stories and hunted tales that’s what’ve brought me here

[@BitesizedAudio]

I don't have an Irish accent, although I do attempt one in some stories (not any of the ones in this compilation though). Glad to know you enjoy the stories, thanks for listening!

[@samsum3738]

An excellent reading . Crisp and clear .

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@crazyyoda8721]

Thank you Simon

[@blorac9869]

TYVM!

[@stevebarber8501]

Well done sir.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, much appreciated

[@jamc9459]

Aloha from Kapakalua, Maui....its actually a cold night (relativity, recollections may vary)....I'm bundled up & listening to these, and have hot tea.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Aloha and thank you for listening! All best wishes

[@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.

[@catherinedoyle1194]

Thnk you for bringing happiness to so many people with your reading my favourite ghost stories 🎉

[@marisadallavalle393]

Thank you!

[@KiKiabout]

Yesss! Thank You!

[@Frenchblue8]

Oh this is lovely, Simon, thank you so much! Quick question, any chance we'll be seeing more of Polly and the Old Man in the Corner and /or Loveday Brook anytime soon?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I hope to return to both before too long. Actually I was hoping to do a Loveday story in September, but events overtook me... perhaps next month?

[@Aurora-fn6bp]

New sub, love your channel.

[@saxophone.4513]

Another great story.

[@ripleypipe]

Your convincing narration of 'Oh, Whistle, & I'll Come to You, My Lad' rivals Sir Michael Horden's version, thank you Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

I'm extremely flattered, thank you!

[@67kneil]

Beautiful

[@dranimations7902]

Great!

[@ritawing1064]

Oh how I love M.R.James.