The Family of the Vourdalak: A Gothic Horror Tale

[@MakeUpTraffic]

Thank you 🎉 P.S. No horses or dogs were injured or killed during the production of this book.

[@soundsilence2604]

I'd love to read the outrage mail Tony receives for animal deaths and sexism in classic literature. Likely as entertaining as the stories themselves.

[@Kaascat]

Loved it specially your commentary at the ver end: "It could have been a modern story, the dog wouldn't have died, the horse wouldn't have died but HE WOULD HAVE DIED". Legend!

[@ClassicGhost]

I wonder how it would be if Hollywood remade the story now?

[@soundsilence2604]

​@@ClassicGhost Interweaving it with a metaphor for familial dysfunction (i.e., abuse, addiction) perhaps, would make an interesting film adaptation, similar to The Babadook and grief. But if by Hollywood you mean Hollywood, it would undoubtedly ruin the story.😜

[@stalinlovsciafbifakemsmzio6674]

@@ClassicGhost I took Russian 3 years during summer diplomats course- UCLA- all ai recall is: U vas yest torba? Got any grass, and Akroytyek kniege, zakroytyek kniege- open book, closed book. Lol.

[@stalinlovsciafbifakemsmzio6674]

@@ClassicGhost also, "How DARE you!?" X}

[@ceciliajones7816]

@@ClassicGhosthe would have died. It’s actually quite annoying to always have everyone lose in the end!

[@graelent9]

This is one of the best vampire tales ever written imho...great telling Tony!

[@walterfechter8080]

I truly appreciate how this story builds. If I may, I'd like to dedicate this tale (and video) in memory of Mario Bava and Boris Karloff. Many thanks, Tony Walker! Your narrative was stellar!

[@debra333]

Hi, Tony. Always excellent, the job you do. You are greatly appreciated. ❤

[@medicalmisinformation]

Tolstoy! Thank you so much. Edit: Ahh, Aleksei... ✔

[@franken-pattern]

There's an old Boris Karloff movie called, "Black Sabbath" that reiterates this tale. The movie isn't as detailed, of course, but the film is very scary! It's a creepy story, and I'm excited to hear it read by Mr. Walker 🖤🎃🖤

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

That’s a great movie! It’s also where the band got their name.

[@franken-pattern]

@akaLaBrujaRoja I like how the movie is several short tales. The story about the poor old lady who passed away and her stolen ring had me literally shrieking! Lol!

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

@@franken-pattern I just searched my directv schedule and it’s gonna be airing on Halloween, so it’s set to record. I’ve probably seen it at least 20 times but always have to watch it again. 🧛🏻‍♂️

[@franken-pattern]

@akaLaBrujaRoja Yay!! I looked on Tubi and it's there as well!

[@margielamark6162]

Yes, great movie, but this vampire story was my favorite of all the stories. Thanks Tony for another wonderful narration!

[@mansing]

I feel so bad for coming across the movie first before this audiobook, noooo!!! Such a relief nonetheless. The book compensated for ALL my complaints about the movie cos even though it was set in the same time period, it wasn't able to avoid including some modern touches, which killed the whole vibe for me. Now here's the book ❤❤❤ I'm so happy 💕 And regarding the moral and political concerns, I don't think books written and set in a far different time should be looked at through our modern lens. It defeats the entire feel and purpose of the story. Thank you SO MUCH once again, Tony, this book and your reading was such a treasure ❤️

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you very much. I agree completely

[@AlgorithmEngagementEntity]

As soon as I saw that you were doing this, I couldn’t wait for the waffle. Fantastic reading BTW

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Agree!! I noticed where I live that the people who thrash these older authors live lives so reprehensible and degenerate their criticisms are laughable. I laugh in their face and they storm off.

[@sparklemotion8377]

I am not annoyed by classics because they give you an insight of what people were thinking at that moment. Is anyone going to 'cancel' cave drawings? What grinds my gears are woke film adaptations. Insert women, LGBTQ and POC yet keep the dehumanising colonial mindset or sometimes adding to it. Take an classic and ruin it with intersectional imperialist propaganda. I am a brown woman and I don't feel 'represented' by it. I feel my intelligence insulted. I wish I had the luxury of having my 'feelings' hurt by the death of a fictional horse. Edit: disdain for the poor and working class. I forgot to mention how the woke adaptation keep the colonial propaganda and anti working class going against the ruling class. Examples Agatha Christie adaptations and Downton Abbey.

[@seriousoldman8997]

I may be the only one, but I find the attacks on the young children more upsetting than those on animals. Well, there we are. I come back to this story every few years. I find it truly disturbing. Thank you Tony.

[@leonaheraty3760]

Spooky! Thanks so much Tony! Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃👻😊

[@ClassicGhost]

Same to you!

[@sylviajones4907]

Your comments are enlightening & delightful. Thank you for this story.

[@ClassicGhost]

My pleasure!

[@along5925]

Excellent commentary (love that part)

[@imh9524]

Lovely! Can't beat a good vampyre story

[@MartiWilliams-r2z]

Truly creepy, freighting tale! I had to remind myself this is a story, A MADE UP STORY, an escape from my problem-filled reality, no animals, young women and children are violated, Dog Nico safely snoring, snuggled under the duvet. Thank you , Tony, for 1 1/2 captivating hour.

[@christopherwhittaker2620]

The images of the children being catapulted was truly terrifying. This had me gripped. Thank you.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

I listened to this on your Facebook page last week. I love this story so much I had to listen to it again! I love the picture you chose for this recording. The colors are amazing and fitting. This is a great one. You did a fantastic job. Thanks! And, yeah, they don't write 'em like this anymore!

[@angelaroberts2803]

Thank you tony.Now dark long days have started,your stories are much appreciated.Enjoy listening.

[@ClassicGhost]

The long dark days indeed

[@Rynewulf]

oh im so excited for this, just found out about the new movie adaptation and that its based on this story!

[@donaldmccleary9015]

I saw that and wonder if the movie adaptation is any good. I guess I will give it a chance and watch it.

[@kkuro7054]

I really liked the recent movie. It knows exactly what it wants to do and does it deftly. I just think plenty of horror genre fans do not at all want what it wants, though 🙁

[@rohanquinby3188]

Such a frightening story; such a brilliant and sympathetic reading.

[@trilllllify]

In addition to the segment in Black Sabbath by Mario Bava, Night of the Devils by Giorgio Ferroni is an excellent film adaptation of this story.

[@shanerose5348]

One of the all time great vampire stories!!

[@teresadelacanal1065]

Hi from Mexico! I always enjoy listening to your beautiful voice and accent so much. This is a very good story. The comments afterward are so useful and pleasant, I thank you and appreciate your work so much. Stay safe.

[@lesleykaygosson315]

Very different Vampire story. Unique and beautifully written. As always it is your perfect narration that brings it to life. Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Narration ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes it’s a bit different

[@missmouse20]

Wonderful

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you

[@Fang_Draculae]

I've been listening to you every single night for about 4 months now, and this is easily my favourite story. I'm a sucker for vampire tales, you should definitely do more :3

[@ClassicGhost]

I’m a vampire fan. did you see the compilation i did ?

[@joanieann6179]

Excellent! 😊😊

[@Redmis2Vz]

Aleksey Konstantinovich is the author of this story, not Aleksey Nikolaevich. Don't confuse your listeners. Look at the title of your own video. These two are different people who lived in different epouqes.

[@sus8e462]

Enjoying learning about the story & author! Boris Karloff's version in my head... And not outraged--it's period, and as you noted, horror--we're supposed to be uncomfortable!! 😂

[@tuomasronnberg5244]

The dude has the situational awareness of a walrus 😂 "Okay so your kid brother just died and your undead grandpa keeps leering in your window, but we should, like, totally bone because I've been hot for you and I have to ditch you soon." SIX MONTHS LATER "Okay this chick's entire family has been turned into vampires that prey on their former family members, and now she's behaving totally differently and also can't wear the cross, I'm starting to suspect that something might be amiss!"

[@kkuro7054]

The new film adaptation takes a keen soft pleasure in these aspects of the source material.

[@DreamingCatStudio]

Thank you Tony, another excellent story and narration! I appreciate your sensitivity about the “elephants in the room“, and of course did feel upset about the dog and the horse. I took a writing class once, and our teacher said there’s a rule that you simply do not kill a dog in your story. Of course that’s not true and many do but it is upsetting! Onto the main story, I felt anxiety when the old man was the one doing the hunting. That was pretty scary… especially given the dark night and remote setting. I could imagine this haunted old man hunting his own grandson… Eek ! Yes, the morality issues, though mild, were a little distracting… I have learned over the years to look past differences in cultural morays. There are still a few classic writers I don’t like reading, one is Lovecraft. His racism is so abhorrent. Maybe if I liked his writing style better I could overlook it, but I also find his style exhausting, run-on and ridiculous! But back to this story! I thought it was extremely well crafted and evoked the scenes beautifully. Just enough detail, and moved along well. And thank you for your commentary. As always a treat!

[@SMichaelDeHart]

Mr. Tony, another great story and narration. It's fantastic to hear the different and varied vampire stoties from throughout literary history. I tended to make comments throughout the reading of this story, like a lot of people do while watch horror films today, telling the various family member's to acknowledge an obvious vampire, but they just couldnt bring themselves to believe the worst of their aged relative. Kind of like the "d#mb blonde girl" or "d#mb jock", running toward the k!ller with the chainsaw believing they can escape and trying to be the hero, but failing miserably!! 😂😂

[@SunnySmile-fr5yg]

I love your chitchat, Tony! 😍

[@grantl195]

This is a nice treat. I think this is my favorite vampire story.

[@juanramirez-wk8ty]

So glad to hear the original story and read by the great Tony Walker! There is a recent film adaptation of this story that was for me a bit of a disapointment for various reasons but fortunately there is a superb much older version starring the legendary Boris Karloff in the classic anthology horror film Black Sabbath.

[@Josephinejefferies]

Enjoyed this. No less than Tolstoy! Good tale. Don’t worry about old fashioned ideals it is what it is.

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

Thank you for this! I’ve seen the movie Black Sabbath so it was great to hear this tale in full detail. I enjoy modern-day set vampire stories, but more as dramas, while the “gothic” type stories like this draw me in and are genuinely scary. I think Stephen King’s book Salem’s Lot is one of the few stories that have that same effect despite being set in the present.

[@ClassicGhost]

I agree. Salem's lot is actually terrifying. I don't know how he does it but he does

[@1971thedoctor]

Love this Vampire story thank you for sharing and reading this Vourdalak tale

[@ScullyPop]

I'm a big fan already. Great stuff!

[@dazeval2372]

Thank you Tony!

[@amgroves76]

One of my favourites of Tolstoy, thank you Mr tony

[@tesshiva]

Just found you; so glad I did! I enjoyed your reading, but just as much, your final analysis. New Subscriber and Many Thanks!

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks and welcome

[@jl8217]

The old man Gorcha warned the family that he might return as a Vourdalak. Yet, they cannot believe the evidence o their senses, and, well, read the story.

[@BertieShaul-mn4qc]

I liked this vampire 🧛‍♂️ story, thank you 😊 😊🎉🎉

[@JolieLaide72]

What a great period horror story to escape into. I find that the older I get, the less things and people offend me (still working on the small stuff that still gets to me, though). I found the narrator’s voice charming, actually. I love the euphemisms for carnal desire and intercourse; as well as the (false, yes) chivalrous reasoning used to justify seduction. In fact, it seems to me - that when the young protagonist’s words of seduction are echoed back to him later in the story - the shallowness of his words is revealed and even comes back to bite him. Get it? Bite him? 😜 As always, your post-performance commentary is just as enjoyable as your reading. 💙

Excellent story

[@mamamoomin]

Wonderful - what a story 🦇

[@marcclement7396]

Well done.

[@CSGreenwald]

So good!

[@captainhurricane5705]

The only thing I felt really was that the family were a bunch of idiots; they had been warned but they chose not to heed the warnings!

[@Tazirai]

I remember the movie with Karloff. Soo good.

[@RachelWellborn-h6w]

Glad you’re here to tell me another story. 🥳

[@ClassicGhost]

glad to be here

[@michaelsmyth3935]

20:00 this is where the family should have listened.

[@toscadonna]

Great story!🎉

[@confusedbutexcited]

Great job! Pole vaulting vampires kebabing their grandchildren and then launching them at you... what is the world coming to 300 years ago??

My family are from a Serbian village, but nowhere near the Danube 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

Lucky escape!

[@quietlyours]

Anyone, whose upset by anything you mentioned; but, not the death of children needs to get a grip. Also loved the story.

[@loumarlow7295]

Brilliant as always. As for your elephants 😅 A good tale needs a villain, so you have to have some villainy. Dogs and Horses aside. People who want Disney endings are on the wrong channel . Really interesting historically also. Thanks again ❤

[@horselovernessa2386]

I'm new to hearing your stories, I'm enjoying the stories I've heard and was wondering if you've heard of "Tower Abby" by Isabelle Holland, I've read it and it's a really great ghost/mystery story and was hoping you could turn it into an audiobook read

[@ClassicGhost]

I don’t know it. i see she died in 2002 so it’s probably in copyright still. Published 1978. It’s not on Audible . But it’s a novel so might be a bit long for this podcast

[@horselovernessa2386]

Thank you for letting me know, when you can give it a read for yourself, it's a great read almost as good as Edgar Allen Poe

[@shelleymarquis2887]

No horses, mules, dogs or pigeons were killed in The Great War or any war up to mules in Afghanistan either and won't be killed in future wars either. We're living in the best of all possible of worlds. Ain't it a crying shame?😢

[@rachael7060]

Wow!!!

[@terryIKE69]

The thumb nail pic looks like a really unhappy Old Man Logan (Wolverine). All kidding aside, great story

[@maury0009]

Here 🙋🏻‍♂️ 😊

[@THEPAGEBURNER1979]

I wonder if this is the whole family that turns into vampires with the girl named meshca something like that the grandfather comes back a few min to late oh yes this is I just listened to HorroBables version the other day Great story

[@Driven2Beers]

A certain Band from Birmingham used this movie as a moniker. 🤘

[@ClassicGhost]

Yep. Fairies wear boots.

[@Juhani139]

Hahahaha! Bring it up with the author. You may need a seance! 😂😂 When you said bring it up with him ,I though, yeah right, I'd need a Oujji board and then you said that 😂 Yes, the dog did upset me 😅 you know us too well.

[@susanmercurio1060]

I felt.... horror

[@victorkryzaniwski1330]

Happy Halloween Antonio Promenade

[@josephperkins4857]

That was Psychomania at the very beginning

[@ClassicGhost]

it was

[@BRAV-lm6xk]

Just when i started to think this one is boring it takes off!

[@diogenesstudent5585]

Whats in the locked drawer?

[@JasonJason210]

Great story and reading. Disappointed that you felt you had to apologise for it at the end though. It dumbed-down the experience for me.

[@ClassicGhost]

It’s a no-win really. either I don’t mention it and I get disapproving comments from those who are offended or mention it and I get disapproving comments from those who aren’t offended

[@JasonJason210]

@@ClassicGhost I understand but I find it sad that some of your audience are offended by classic literature.

[@mares3841]

Listening at .75x speed 〰️

[@Cat_festation]

I tried to get into the locked drawer today; I’m so ashamed.

[@ClassicGhost]

Good job you didn't get in. You should see what's in there

[@funniful]

Pearl-clutcher

[@ClassicGhost]

Pearl clutching !

[@layali1]

Love that story and your reading of it. Nothing to be offended about as I can see: the emptiness of the galanterie of the Frenchman is shown as empty, and in a culture where it is dangerous for a young girl to be seduced (I assume it was the case in 19th Balkans), of course the brother must protect his younger sister by getting rid of the would-be seducer.

[@layali1]

There is another story by Alexey Tolstoy where the Duchess of Grammont finds herself in a ball full of vampires and is spotted because she has a shadow - if my memory is correct

[@ClassicGhost]

that sounds good.

[@mariameere5807]

Is this the Famous Tolstoy anyone? Thank you ❤❤❤

[@ClassicGhost]

No. A distant relative

[@mariameere5807]

@@ClassicGhostThank you ❤

[@donaldkelly3983]

I suspect the narrator made up the Serbian vampire story just to get laid! But a good story in any case.

[@nomansgoddess]

I just saw your video description on your audiobook post. Is Amazon paying you for your books and if not tell me where to start buying them from so you get the money from them 😏

[@ClassicGhost]

You can buy my ebooks from places like Google Play. You can order paperbacks from your local bookstore, but they probably don't stock them !

[@nomansgoddess]

@ClassicGhost I usually don't buy ebooks. The two Cumbrian Ghost Stories paperbacks I have came from Amazon but I wanted to make sure you were getting royalties from me buying them. Amazon likes to pull fast one's like that. It happened to me once on marketplace as I was selling book sets and software.

[@robertsargent4600]

We're would we be without German hoars 😮

[@Redmis2Vz]

Aleksey Konstantinovich is the author of this story, not Aleksey Nikolaevich. Don't confuse your listeners. Look at the title of your own video. These two are different people who lived in different epouqes.

[@DeborahMcgee-t8c]

Don’t be so nasty to TONY he does a great job a fantastic storyteller and can do any accent. I have been listening to him for a long time. He works very hard. it’s no wonder he might make a mistake. Keep up the good work TONY I love your stories love from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@ClassicGhost]

He is nasty. It's true I got them mixed, up but only realised once they were live. Some people are mean. He got it all for nothing and he still complains!

[@Redmis2Vz]

Please don’t be angry with me. The mistake was so significant, at least for me, that I couldn’t just ignore it. Someone had to clarify the situation. But the only one who does nothing makes no mistakes. As for your channel, it’s great. I really like it. Interesting stories, an expressive voice (and not AI generated), good audio quality, original commentary... It really helps me in learning English (yes, for nothing). I just learned a new word, 'nasty' )) In general, thank you for the wonderful work and please keep it up!

[@ditchgator1]

😎👍👍

[@myidvarchive889]

"Just give me one hour" such a shitty thing to say. What if she gets pregnant lmao. "Just one hour. And then you won't see me ever again.". Not to mention she sound very underaged

[@ceciliajones7816]

Hey what do you have against old people still expressing sexuality?

[@declassified1]

Apologising for your work . Nah . Bye 👋

[@leebennett1821]

Ahhhh Vienna this means nothing to me