Christmas at Thompson Hall | Anthony Trollope | A Bitesized Audiobook

[@BitesizedAudio]

A Christmas comedy of errors. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are trying to return from the south of France to spend the festive season at Mrs. Brown's old family home, Thompson Hall at Stratford-le-Bow. Mr. Brown's sore throat makes him a reluctant traveller, but Mrs. Brown will stop at nothing to make sure they reach their destination by Christmas morning... Chapter timestamps: 00:01:21 Chapter 1: Mrs. Brown's Success 00:23:48 Chapter 2: Mrs. Brown's Failure 00:39:15 Chapter 3: Mrs. Brown Attempts to Escape 00:57:43 Chapter 4: Mrs. Brown Does Escape 01:23:57 Chapter 5: Mrs. Brown at Thompson Hall

[@waningmooncancer9628]

Bless you, Simon Stanhope. You are supposed to be having a great time with friends and family; and here you are giving us another treat. Thank you, I do appreciate your remarkable talent and effort. ✝️🕊️🕊️🕊️✝️🎇 I'm going to enjoy every second of the wonderful story you've chosen. Thought it fair to tell you that I laughed my butt off 😂 When she was horrified by what she had done accidentally, I was thinking that it would be hilarious if the stranger was her soon to be brother in law......Then the giggles wouldn't stop. Felt sorry for ol' girl because I have some dyslexia. And she looked at the room number real hard to make sure it was right, too! Been there, done that 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 You and the story are absolutely GOLD 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@johnroche7541]

Hello Simon. This was a real gem from Anthony Trollope. It has been such a long time since I read it. It seems every Victorian writer had a ghost story in their canon of work. It was great that you attached those velvet vocal tones to Count Magnus. It is one of my all time favourites. I love the Scandinavian setting and you have done such a sterling job as usual. Coincidentally the BBC will be showing an adaptation of this story on Friday night 23rd December(BBC 2 at 10pm). Mark Gatis is the gentleman who has adapted the story and he is such an ardent M.R. James devotee. Also by the way it was great to put a face to those soft velvet vocal tones. Forgive me for being so forward but that distinctive vocal symphony voice of yours which sounds so experienced on lifes journey is attached to such a youthful countenance. Crikey you must be related to Dorian Gray! It is so satisfying that your channel has grown from strength to strength. Richly deserved. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am already looking forward to 2023 as with you at the helm of HMS Stanhope you will bring us on a voyage through the dark waters of mystery,horror,supernatural, and suspense until we safely arrive back on terra firma. One hope's. Wishing you continued success in all future endeavours. God Bless.

[@mrs.cracker4622]

Wishing you a blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year! Many thanks for all the wonderful stories you have shared with us Mr. Simon. I finished all my chores today listening to them.🙂

[@hermione9445]

Superb ..as always ..❤

[@lightmarker3146]

Dear Mr. Stanhope ; I loved your presentation ❤ New subscription here.

[@declutter-newbie]

What a light hearted & fun Christmas tale! ❤

[@susangordon1157]

Oh Simon! This is a story with which I was completely unfamiliar and then completely delighted with! What a lovely gift you have presented to your faithful listeners. I have received no better a gift than this! Thank you ever so much. ❤

[@margaretgoodheart4167]

So there i am alone in my room laughing heartily and loud. Good tale, excellent reading. Trollope ❤

[@emilymann1175]

Oooh a new one!!! Simon, I had surgery last Friday and I have been binge listening to your healing voice and wonderful stories non stop for days while I recuperate in bed. I honestly think it is helping me so much. I can't ever thank you enough!!

[@somethinginnocuousindahouse]

wishing you a speedy recovery x

[@michaelfearon4793]

Hope you're feeling better. Happy Christmas!

[@janetcw9808]

Good wishes to you 🙏🏼♥️🕊️🌲🐈‍⬛

[@emilymann1175]

Thanks very much!!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to help! Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[@margarettrout8896]

Oh my, I have just found your wonderful stories! Your lovely voice, reminds me of years gone by when as a little girl I would lay on the floor, with my family sitting in the living room, listening to the radio stories. Wonderful memories, no loud busy tv distractions. I am thrilled to have found your stories. Thank You Sir! A listening Friend, from the PineyWoods of North East Texas

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful! Welcome to the channel, thanks for listening

[@helenindevon4034]

Lovely story and the humour stood the test of time. I really enjoyed this

[@aoifeocallaghan8351]

Thank you so much Simon I’ve actually given up watching TV as listening to you and your stories are far more enjoyable. Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@waningmooncancer9628]

I have to agree with you. I wasn't fully aware of my displeasure with tv; I'd turn it on, try to enjoy a show and promptly turn it off. I used to question how people, in the days before television, could listen to the radio with any contentment. Now I wonder how I could have stood it for so long ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ Merry Christmas 🎄⛄✝️🕊️🕊️🕊️✝️

[@evelanpatton]

🎉I TOTALLY AGREE! 🎉

[@rosalindmartin4469]

Splendid reading. Thank you eversomuch.

[@julieblackstock8650]

so have I,. 3 years without a licence. I dont miss it one bit when KZbin has so much to offer

[@thewordbtrue2461]

regarding TV... what's offered is repulsive. I do not have one anymore. This audio entertainment is splendid. As it's been said by someone, "The Theatre of the Mind" is my preference. most superior indeed. An avid and appreciative listener. 😍

[@londongael414]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. It does become obvious where the story is heading, but that is the author's intention and just makes it all the more fun! A tour de force of the reader's art - foreign voices, females, invalids, all smoothly woven in - superb!

[@MsDormy]

Very Merry and blessed Christmas to fellow audio listeners, and thank you ‘bite sized’ for providing such quality listening. I see from the comments that, contrary to mainstream media hogwash, the beautiful human spirit is alive and well. God bless ❤️🙏❤️

[@pamelaweaver3981]

what a delightful story and beautifully read. thank you

[@nonosays]

What a compelling, human, wonderful story! So delighted to know it. Bravo!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@mfranssens]

Unexpected stories dropping are my favourite Christmas present, Thank you. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@evelanpatton]

To you too! ✨🎄🕊✨

[@caroleastwood9386]

How utterly wondrous Simon. . Thank YOU so much

[@bluegent7]

Notice the goodness of her heart. A truly strong woman.

[@theuktoday4233]

I had a miserable evening journey from Brighton to Bournemouth today, the satnav told me I had an extra 75 minutes added to the estimated 3 and a quarter hours drive. I was down in the dumps. I thought I know I'll listen to a Bitesize Audio rendition and chose this particular story. I was not happy until I started listening to this. Simon, the actor who brings these stories to life was on fire when he made this recording. Well I laughed and laughed, his delivery made this even more humorous and of course its almost impossible to feel down when you laugh. Once again Simon and long gone authors saved the day. Splendid!

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's lovely to hear, so glad to know that!

[@kater4052]

You are a perfect narrator. I always enjoy your work. You have such a rich and pleasant voice and you are a master of your craft. Thank you so much. I have difficulty reading for more than a few minutes anymore, as my old eyes give me problems - even after many trips to the eye doctor. I love to listen to you while crocheting in the evening, or with my morning coffee. Once again, thank you so very much.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Kate, appreciated

[@2msvalkyrie529]

I listen to it while rearranging my sock drawer ....

[@SeshatTravels]

Another one that I’d read many years ago and had almost completely forgotten! Just wonderful to hear your reading of it. Thank you! This was a lovely Christmas present. 🎄

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

Saving this gem for Christmas Eve walk. Thank you Simon!

[@NannyOggins]

This one was new to me and made me laugh so hard. That poor woman, it could so easily have been me and even more likely my husband who gets into the most embarrassing scrapes being a little dreamy at times. Wonderful to have a Christmas story that isnt depressing. Thank you so much and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.🎉

[@mariannaraho7576]

Absolutely FABULOUS!! Thank you!

[@norahdenovan8658]

So love these stories, they cheer me up in this troubled world, thank you ❤️🙏

[@lp4265]

Simon has the most soothing voice, like warm maple syrup. ❤

[@constanceheuring6872]

Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Can't wait for the next one!

[@seriousoldman8997]

This is absolutely splendid and a particular treat for me! Being born and bred in Stratford London (about a mile from Bow) I loved the place references. Essex Flats would have become Wanstead Flats I presume and afterwards Wanstead, the constituency held by a certain Winston Churchill amongst others. I did snort involuntarily on a couple of occasions during this cautionary tale. Thank you Simon!

[@januzzell8631]

Thanks Simon - delightful - as always

[@terinn7115]

Oh, Simon, I'm three-quarters of the way through, and I can't bear the tension and awkwardness. Now I think I've sussed out whom Mr. Brown is. If it weren't for the accompanying humor - - and my curiosity - - lawks, don't think I could go on. Thank you so much for this gift.

[@peterchaloner2877]

"A commanding bust." Such a rarely appreciated, essential viŕtue among ladies in 2022.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Ooo....er.....Matron !!

[@54321swb]

Absolutely adored this!

[@crimsonwolf9099]

Wonderful well written story and an exceptionally excellent reading/performance of it! Listened to it twice already. Thanks, again.

[@michaelwilkins5841]

Thank you so much!!!🙏🏻God Bless

[@user-ye2ge4zo5lhennypenny]

28 December 2023 Hello Simon just found your amazing Channel....it is right up my ally😅 I don't watch much TV these days as there isn't much on that I like! I am 66 now and partly blind in ny left eye! I used to love reading too...but sadly can't now but enjoy listening too Audiobooks! Wishing you a Happy New Year for 2024...Helen in Australia 🇦🇺 ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Welcome to the channel, Helen, I'm glad you found your way here. I hope you enjoy listening to some of my others (and more to come). Happy New Year!

[@Lakeslover1]

Wonderful story. Thank you for excellent reading.

[@heatherhayes7947]

❤️ love your narrating you have a wonderful speaking voice.Heather .

[@vbrooker1]

Absolutely delightful. Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!

[@juliaogara8794]

Found your channel by chance. The choices put before children in school, I believe, shape their future, both for reading and their actual daily living. The system tells children they must read this and that from a set age. My nephew was deemed unteachable, so he became home schooled as did his older sister. At nearly 9, he said to his mom, "I want to read." She couldn't kerp up with his needs. He still reads at over 30. His sister became high up at Waterstones. Books and magazines are a big part of my family and my sister in laws. Thank you for this video and best wishes

[@kpcraftster6580]

Sir, what a superb (quite unfamiliar) story, brilliantly performed - many thanks! (Nice Othello reference by Trollope - some playful foreshadowing, I ween!)

[@feralbluee]

hi Simon - thank you for the reading. knowing you for a while, just want to say thanks for being here as i’m going through a tough period right now. happy day :) 🌹🌱

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome Alexa, I'm glad if these stories help a bit. Happy New Year, and I hope things improve for you in 2023. All best wishes

[@user89389]

What a treat, 1 hours 43 minutes of a Christmas story! This is perfect for me right now. I'm drawing a portrait of my sister's cat, whom she's very very fond of. It's sort of a Christmas gift. It's a little boring at parts, particularly when I've been drawing fur for 4 hours straight and there's still several more to go, so this will be perfect to make the tedious parts a little more fun (and hopefully to preserve my sanity)! Thank you, Simon!

[@robynmcleod9293]

What a wonderful story, thoroughly enjoyed it. Look forward to some more of these stories

[@heatherjordan3539]

We listened to this on a road trip, and couldn't hold in our laughter! 😂 What a great story 😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's lovely to know, thank you!

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Trollope is great . Better than Dickens ??? Some might say. But sadly forgotten today .

[@mataform]

Marvellous. So funny. Brilliant tale. Thank you. 😊

[@melaniehellum1281]

Thank you so much . That was a treat.

[@theresachung703]

Thank you!

[@LW62FL]

Oh, man! If my boys had been given a choice of this one, along with Austen/Bronte, they might not have used Cliff Notes! Excellent story!

[@deannagilmore9559]

Your ability to read like you do is wonderful and being new to your channel has made me feel so much like I am living in the moment thank you for a new story for us. Happy Holidays. Mr. Stanhope

[@angelawebb7676]

Loved it! This is the first and only one I’ve listened to. I’ll be making my way through the rest. Thank you for making these available!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome, thanks for listening Angela, I hope you enjoy some of the others too!

[@janebrown7231]

Trollope takes a single amusing incident and spins it out before, during and afterwards until its inevitable ending, managing to make a nearly two-hour story out of it purely through characterisation and social comment, and keeps our attention throughout! Thanks for another tour de force, Simon, much appreciated. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@merlapittman5034]

A wonderful story that I hadn't heard of before, beautifully told!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for listening!

[@madeleineroselle8931]

Absolutely gorgeous! Love Trollope , reader and most of all thank you Bitesized

[@wisdomoftheearlychristians2037]

Wow, just seeing the thumbnails of all of the videos you have worked so hard to accomplish this year, shows what a voluminous body of work you have already accumulated!!! Thank you for all of the time and effort you have put in. I know I speak for many of us out there, when I say that you have helped us give our minds something else to focus on, during long nights when we were in pain, and sleep was thin on the ground,, or not to be had, at all. Thank you so much for putting out some many videos for us to listen to, during those long nights. I wish you continued success in 2023; but more important even than success, I wish you the love of family and friends peace, and joy. Without these, and without love, Even the greatest success is meaningless. God bless you and your family in the coming year; Happy Christmas and Happy New Year! Cheryl

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind of you to say so Cheryl, thank you

[@Bambisgf77]

Well said!

[@auntyJanette]

Beautifully said. ❤

[@elizabethraitanen5057]

Great narration of a great story! Thank you from Canada.

[@nancyrogalewski4017]

This was just wonderful! Thank you.

[@stewartlancaster6155]

Ah ! I have opened my first gift of the season, thanks Simon and a very merry Christmas to you .

[@helenedwards9304]

I love the use of language during this time period. Delightful reading. Thank you so much

[@Ofus5]

This was the best. Thank you so much. So entertaining and different from other stories. I listened to this while baking Christmas cookies. Merry Christmas.

[@jrock8089]

By George! Another Christmas treat!

[@SpuktasticAudio]

Justice prevails - in more ways than one! Proper job! ❤

[@jared1870]

Haha Simon! Thank you for yet another classic Christmas story which was so badly needed this year. You narrated this so well that I could almost believe you had been a victim of a mustard plaster. Merry Christmas!

[@sophisticatedredneck6789]

A masterful performance and highly entertaining story! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@kaf890890]

Yay! Some Trollope! Thank you, Mr. Stanhope.

[@irenefeltham8984]

How wonderful to listen to an educated English Voice. Best wishes for a happy Christmas with a safe and enjoyable New Year to You and Your Family.

[@fairwfriend]

Thank you, Simon! This is exactly what I didn't know I wanted. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[@Tinatime532]

Smiling as I write 😉🤣 the first of many Christmas’s that will again hear the phantom story of the woman sneaking through a darkened hotel in Paris on Christmas Eve 🥳🤩🎄🍀🎄. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year… and thanks 😊 for sharing a smile 😊❤

[@sandraelder1101]

I can’t wait to hear this! One of my favorites. Too funny.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

I just love love love stories like this! It's so easy to imagine it playing out as a BBC production with some familiar faces. Surely Wodehouse is a chip right off of the Trollope block! Thanks so much for a wonderful telling. : )

[@zuvieremamgain2126]

Hi Simon..... you are amazing,big thanks 😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@caterinemasak2193]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@elaineedwards3189]

Oh HaHaHa!!! Perfect acting of each part by our narrator. So very funny. Immensely entertaining. Bravo!🎉

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Thankyou and Merry Christmas.

[@ldavanzo44]

Thank you so very much this was great!!

[@LCmonman]

Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@mzo707x]

Thank you Period I really appreciate this Period 60-year-old woman from Bay Area California

[@juliaogara8794]

Enjoyed thoroughly. It's been a tough day, and you've cheered me hugely, thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

I'm glad to know that. Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment

[@catmomjewett]

Delightful! Enjoy your coffee! 💛

[@hannahreynolds7611]

Yippee! Trollope and M.R. James in 24 hours! Merry Christmas Simon, and wishing you and yours a healthy and happy New Year.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Hannah! The same to you and yours. All best wishes

[@helenamcginty4920]

I have to read my MR James. Some of them have to be put down till Im able to continue. They are too scary.

[@kayi9236]

Another wonderful rendition Simon, thank you so much for your time and effort given for our pleasure! We've had M.R. James and now the wonderful Anthony Trollope all within a few days, what a treat for us! It must be Christmas, wishing you a happy and peaceful one!

[@cindymonk6994]

This story is a new Christmas must for our family. Thanks!

[@MegaMama61]

Thank you for the timestamps!

[@ruthhase-gutierrez9830]

A Christmas comedy! Oh, I hope you read more comedies in future, this was a delight.

[@evelanpatton]

Ditto!🎉

[@alanaadams7440]

There should be a movie made of this story. Quite funny

[@irenabevans3411]

Oh bliss two nights of BZA books, a wonderful treat, as I'm sure others will agree, Thank You Simon for the superb story & narration very much appreciated, looking forward avidly to the next offering in your repertoire

[@waltercook4868]

Thank you for sharing a nice hearty chuckle.

[@nickybaker1338]

Tee hee! Oh gosh- hilarious story - very amusingly brought to life by your good self Simon. Fab 😅😊

[@appalachianamerican7171]

Merry Christmas Mr. Simon, perfect as always Sir. Thank you

[@dawnrowlands2408]

Good afternoon, Simon. I'd never enjoyed audio books but I find your voice so easy to listen to. As someone who suffers from chronic pain, thank you for helping me to relax. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

[@BitesizedAudio]

I'm very glad to be of help. Best wishes Dawn, and Merry Christmas

[@alcamus1973]

So funny. I had to scroll back to re listen a few times as i couldn't hear for laughing. Looking forward to listening to many more. Thank-you

[@dale9724]

Best Christmas gift ever. Delicious! Thank you.

[@sirmintyclack]

This made me laugh so hard 🤣😂🤣😂. What a charming story. As you read this, I felt as if this was my family. I literally went through all the emotions at every turn. This is one of my favorites. I feel that I should listen to this every Christmas.

[@peterdavey8348]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@scathatch]

Trollope is such a good story teller. The predictable nature of the identity of the victim and the eventual outcome doesn't detract from the comic delight of the story. Beautifully rendered. Thankyou and all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

[@julielevinge266]

My favourite Christmas present, thank you ✊♥️

[@bsastarfire250]

Really enjoyed this amusing tale .

[@TeamTrumpUSA]

Merry Christmas Simon and all best wishes for 2023 Cheers From Coastal South Carolina, USA

[@TicTocRobotSnot]

Does the author remind anyone else of Tom Hanks? This story had me in stitches. It’s my favourite so far!

[@skeleczar]

I am SO glad that I trained myself not to lie impulsively at a very young age, and to fess up instantly if I do. I remember realizing at a very young age that those little fibs cause so much more trouble and compound very quickly than just being candid and throwing yourself on everyone’s mercy if you screw up, no matter how bad the screw up. Poor woman.

[@skeleczar]

Oh! I bet he’s going to be her new brother in-law!!!

[@peterchaloner2877]

"That horrid gulf between Boulogne and Folkestone." What more English, and more accurate, description of The Channel?

[@michelle15598]

Happy Christmas to the very best narrator in all the land, bar none! Love to you and your family, Simon 💜.

[@kelkabot]

I'm so delighted to have stumbled upon your channel! Just my cup of tea! Thank you very much for marrying your gift to these wonderful stories.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Welcome to the channel, I'm glad you stumbled here too! Thanks for listening

[@Paxtonparsnip]

Delightful, whimsical, and, quite unexpectedly, much ado about mustard! Impeccably read as always. Masterful delivery of a story I would never have known of or read. Thank you!