The Kit-Bag | A Ghost Story by Algernon Blackwood | A Bitesized Audio Production

[@bonnacon1610]

“It is mine. And I want it”. Some of the most terrifying words ever put down, and it’s something to do with their being monosyllables. Very well read, Simon - as terrifying to hear as it was to read. The abrupt ending is masterly.

[@grannykiminalaska]

I grew up calling it a ditty bag but it's real name (my dad was navy WWII & Vietnam) was a duty bag. Having it all in the bag we were (us kids) ready for duty, usually fishing, travel, or school. I ❤ love these old stories

[@BitesizedAudio]

Interesting. I wondered if it was known under a different name in the USA. I associate the term especially with World War I, and the song "Pack up your troubles (in your old kit-bag)"...

[@grannykiminalaska]

@@BitesizedAudio I also thought of that song. I think each service had their own term and even different parts of the service, like subs vs ships, may have had their own nick names for stuff.

[@David-Gerard]

@@BitesizedAudio you beat me to it Greg. Was about to reply with the same lyrics as you did. My father was a WWII ace fighter pilot. When he returned home it seemed like a daily ritual for him to sing “Pack up your troubles……and smile, smile, smile”. Great way to start the day.

[@user-zt2sg7ou3h]

I can usually listen to these great stories late at night but I had to stop this one and continue in the broad light of day. Excellent but scary!

[@cyboman9171]

Simon Stanhope's story narrations are, to me, an art of the highest order: the kind that seems ompletely artless.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you kindly!

[@lizpride9960]

I think Algernon Blackwood has written some of the very best ghost stories to be found in this genre. The "bound" up the last of the stairs nearly stops my heart, and how wonderfully terrifying you made that last spoken sentence (no spoilers here) Mr Stanhope!

[@ladycavalier]

Literally the moment it revealed the blood stains in the bag, my cats knocked over something big in the other room. I screamed bloody murder. 😂

[@GradKat]

This is a great story. A perfect Xmas present! Have a happy Xmas, Simon, and thank you for all your recordings this year. 🎅🏻🥂

[@BitesizedAudio]

Happy Christmas GradKat. Thanks for listening and for your kind comments, much appreciated

[@johnroche7541]

@@BitesizedAudio Hi Simon. First of all I would like to wish you and your's a Happy Christmas and prosperous,peaceful and healthy New Year. It is great to see that you have more subscribers to your channel and that it is going from strength to strength. I know that I have not been in contact on a more regular basis but you have so many to reply to that I wont add to your work load. Please note that even though I dont reply as regularly as I used to I certainly have not forgotten you as you have taken up permanent residency in my heart with the joy you provide. Crikey I cant believe it is nearly a year since you injected the Stanhope magic into the Sheridan Le Fanu classic "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street". On that subject you did an absolutely sublime job with this story. Obviously you have been blessed with a golden voice and you really displayed your acting abilities with the terror and fright you injected into the voices of the characters which was of a Shakespearean quality. It was an absolute sterling performance as you made the characters jump off the page and come to life. As you know I am a devotee of Le Fanu and this is one of my all time favourite ghost stories. By the way top marks to you and kudos for correctly pronouncing the name of the street like the locals. One of the reasons that this story is so fresh on my psyche is that in the past I was a frequent visitor to Dublin and it was impossible to pass this area without thinking of the characters and the ordeal they went through and to have a real location for the events. Also I would like to thank you most warmly for doing "The Late Mr Elvesham" by H.G.Wells which was one of my many requests. Since then I have noticed another few of my early requests which I appreciate with all my heart. Through you it is great to share these great stories with fellow enthusiasts. I know that well established and famous actors have made superb audiobooks. For example the late great Michael Hornden did a great job with the stories of M.R. James. Well Simon I mean this from the bottom of my heart and I am sure my fellow subscribers and enthusiasts will echo my sentiments when I say that with your superb golden voice for narration and acting abilities you deserve to take a seat at Mount Olympus with all the other great narrators. You rightly and justifiably deserve your reservation with such esteemed company. I first described your voice as a rich vocal symphony and it can be described like an excellent sherry or port for the audio senses. You are an absolute first rate actor and with your superb narration you have made these stories Stanhope classics in their own right. I am already looking forward to 2022 and with more passengers on HMS Stanhope and with you at the helm no doubt you will bring us on an unforgettable voyage and set a course for the dark waters of ghostly encounters,supernatural adventures and mystery until you deliver us safely back on Terra Firma(one hope's). Like all your subscribers and devotees as soon as you conclude a story we are immediately waiting in suspense for the next serving and what a banquet of horror and terror you provide which we ravenously feast upon. Once again Seasons Greetings and continued success in all your endeavours and projects that you embark upon. God Bless.

[@missy3240]

Thank you as always and a Merry Christmas & Seasonal Greetings to our whole BiteSized Family! 🎄🎁 This channel brings me joy in so many ways!

[@BitesizedAudio]

What a lovely comment, thank you Missy!

[@peterchaloner2877]

Excellently read as always. The psycho having a Beatles hairdo stung!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Peter, appreciated. Casting no aspersions on the Fab Four, of course!

[@missy3240]

😂

[@andrewsandilands8974]

Gosh! That was deliciously gruesome and nerve wracking. Thank you.

[@tonyrawlinson8894]

Perfect Christmas fare, thanks Simon. Have a great Christmas. Looking forward to more readings in 2022.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Tony, hope you have a lovely Christmas too.

[@yourapocalypse216]

Superb as ever. Thank you for your output this year, Simon, it's been first-rate :)

[@BitesizedAudio]

Kind of you to say so, thanks Spike!

[@cantonhag]

I couldn't put it any better than this 😊 Simon, you are superb.

[@Peachfuzz-xi9dx]

I love how exponentially scary this one progresses. Thanks for all you do.

[@GrandOldMovies]

I love Blackwood's stories. Not only did he possess a beautiful prose style, but he had a profound insight into human behavior, which always illuminates his plots and characters. His work is never just about the shocks but always about the people involved. Terrific reading of this chilling story- thanks so much!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it, thanks for listening and taking the time to comment

[@KiKiabout]

Creepy... Thank you!

[@SpuktasticAudio]

Another gem to add to your crown, cher Simon. Loved it. Merry Christmas! ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Bob! I wish you a very happy Christmas and a productive new year

[@seanmccuen6970]

imo, Blackwood is the master, and actually creepier than just about all else. another excellent reading.

[@mijiyoon5575]

A fine ghostly tale well presented as usual TY *Simon Stanhope* 👍👍👍👍👍🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎬

[@beluch2768]

What a wonderful story, beautifully read. Thank you, Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@ObjectiveRealist53]

I had forgotten about that particular Algenon Blackwood story, having read it many years ago. Your excellent sense of timing as well as your overall style, added an extra dose of dramatic tension. I listened whilst sitting in a chair in a pitch-dark room. Good grief, Simon - it gave me a wonderful fright! Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know you enjoyed it, thank you Kurt!

[@irenabevans3411]

At -7C, snowing & very windy, curled up on the sofa by a warm fire, this tale was a perfect antidote albeit chilling, to a winter's eve, Thank You

[@BitesizedAudio]

That sounds like the perfect ambience for these stories. It rarely gets to -7 around these parts. Stay warm, best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

[@irenabevans3411]

@@BitesizedAudio It can reach an average of a daily - 20C to - 30C wind chill making it seem colder, a couple of years ago the temperature actually reached an Acric - 40 C to -45 C at night being high minus 30s during the day. Having learnt the old hill walkers & climbers dress codes, when participating in such excersises of many light layers of natural fibers I don't get chilled to much & the addition of full thermals , hats & mittens I can get to toasty..... Lol Seasons Blessings to you & your family stay safe blessings to you all xx

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

This is an excellent presentation of a story to be listened to late at night with the lights dimmed.

[@dianalyman5950]

Thank you ☺️ have a wonderful quiet Christmas.

[@kirpalani-griffin3706]

I haven't listened yet, but very happy there's now a kit bag in my Christmas Day stocking! Thank you, and a very Merry Christmas to you, and a wonderful '22 to you, too! Ahem. : - ) >

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks @kirpalani-griffin, good to hear from you, I hope there are many lovely things in your Christmas stocking!

[@timd4524]

You might want to give it back though. 😃

[@kirpalani-griffin3706]

@@timd4524 No chance of that.

[@kirpalani-griffin3706]

@@BitesizedAudio lol Likewise! I have a saying that "it's always Christmas at my house. But there aren't any presents!". Thank you for a personal greeting. That's much appreciated. I simply love hearing you read these works and hope to go on hearing them for many Christmases yet! I wish I could return the gift! I can only try.. Blessings to you and your loved ones! . " : - ) >

[@krishnasen397]

A gripping , uncanny tale told perfectly and so effectively by you as narrator Simon Sir. Many thanks and regards

[@bonniebarbee7984]

Thank You for sharing a new wonderful story . It’s so Great to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy your wonderful voice !!

[@chrisnorman9980]

I’ve heard this one on another channel - but cannot wait to hear your rendition.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Chris. Wishing you a very happy Christmas

[@chrisnorman9980]

A belated Merry Christmas to you. I finally had the time to listen to this story with the leisurely time to do it justice. I’m glad that I did. The narrator on the other channel was fine. Your rendition - no surprise - was outstanding. The trembly voice you used and the quivering breathing really made the terror real and immediate. Listening to your narration of this man’s ghostly ordeal gave me something that doesn’t happen much these days - actual chills. Wow - and thank you!

[@dranimations7902]

Great!.

[@timd4524]

Fantastic narration of a great story. Mr. Blackwood was a wonderful writer. Thank you very much. Although, I think I'll stick with my mid-century hard leather trunks. Plenty of room for suits, and no freaky faces. Have a wonderful Holiday season!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very wise! Thanks Tim, same to you

[@jenrules]

This one really scared me!! “It’s my bag… and I want it.” Your voice is perfect!! Thank you for the spooky Christmas gift 🎁🎄💕

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome Jen, glad to know you enjoyed it! Have a lovely Christmas

[@evelanpatton]

Timing is delightfully accurate & chillingly scary to boot!! Thank you dearly!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome Evelan. Thank you for your comments!

[@shannondore]

Oh my goodness Simon this was the scariest story I think I've ever heard you do. Thank god I wasn't wearing headphones.😆 I hope you do do more of his stories, he's a fantastic and visceral writer. I'll be thinking about this one for awhile. Great job as always. Happy Christmas!! to you and your family.🎄😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Shannon! Fear not, I have more Blackwood stories on my to-list.... All best wishes for Christmas!

[@beverlyadams7205]

Ooooh! A spooky Christmas story! Perfect choice. Thank you Simon.🌹🌹🌹

[@LisaCarso]

A perfect seasonal tale that I love and so I can't wait to hear your reading!! I hope you'll consider more Blackwood in the future (John Silence perhaps) even though he is well covered. A very happy Christmas to you and yours!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that. Yes indeed, I have several more Blackwoods on my future to-do list. Happy Christmas to you too Lisa

[@tammyhanlon3057]

Thank you Simon. Another fine tale told with your usual care and attention. Merry Christmas. Feel better soon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Tammy. Happy Christmas to you too

[@spacehound3355]

Ghost story on Christmas Eve perfect timing well done.

[@catharine1877]

Absolutely gloriously ghoulish! Thank you Simon. Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and looking forward to more of your wonderful reading in 2022 ❤️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Lovely to hear from you Catharine. Merry Christmas and all best wishes for the New Year

[@lynnbell6353]

Truly disturbing in an unusually eerie, quite subtle way. One of Blackwood’s all-time best! 🪦

[@synesthete23]

Very interesting! A. Blackwood had very good imagination which your skillful narration brings to life. Thank you and happy holidays! 🎄

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks @synesthete23, I hope you're having a good Christmas - happy New Year!

[@shirleynarsi]

Creepy as hell. The story made my skin crawl as I realised the bag was indeed the murders even before the author reveals it. But he does let you off the hook toward the end. Great story and a super rendition by you as always.

[@catherinep2034]

What makes this even scarier, is the verdict! Terrifying!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Indeed! Thanks Catherine

[@scoutrifle6827]

A treat, as always-thank you so much for these!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're most welcome Scout Rifle, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@catmomjewett]

I am shocked at the irresponsible handling of state’s evidence!! Johnson should sue! 🤭 Thanks for a great one! 💛

[@magicbulletdancers]

Ok now this I enjoyed absolute 👍 Listened to it whilst driving. At night to avoid the heat. Long stretches between towns ... yes it was great. Many thanks 🇨🇦

[@allthecakeyum]

Perfection as always, thank you so much and a Merry Christmas to you Simon and all other avid followers of your work 🎄🌟

[@linus0804]

Merry Christmas! Doggie and I had a lovely one. It prepared us for listening to this chilling story. May we say, Simon, you’ve outdone yourself with the dramatic reading. The shuddering intakes of breath and vocal nuances added so much to the story. We salute your talent. Well done!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you! Glad to know you had a good Christmas: all best wishes for the New Year

[@nsob8897]

The creepy version of o holy night was a good touch. I really love this channel and the tasteful sprinklings of humor now and then. I wish I had the ability. My jokes are all awful, poorly timed and/or boorish. But then, we must play with the hand we're dealt.

[@Short-Cipher]

I guessed what the kit-bag was and to whom it had belonged before the big reveal but that made it no less creepy as it unfolded so vividly and horribly. Bravo to Algernon's telling and your reading. The hoarse whispered voice was chilling. A really scary story. Thank you. And Happy New Year!

[@davidlindsey436]

Beautifully read...makes for a gripping story...love your audios!!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks David

[@lilmoe4364]

Great narration, and great story! Very timely, thank you!

[@daviddixon1011]

Just caught up with this great story.Wonderfully atmospheric and beautifully read as usual.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks David, much appreciated, glad you enjoyed it

[@spews1973]

That's got my 24 December off to a good start. Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to many more audio delights from this channel in 2022.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Simon, have a good one

[@WadeWeigle]

That was creepy. Hahaha, very good. I’m sure that story had ruined some restful evenings for our ancestors. The sigh you did I think really added the touch of creepiness to the whole thing. Thank you kindly for sharing.

[@januzzell8631]

Deliciously macabre - thank you

[@lyndaa7560]

I’ve heard this before but read by you made it extra chilling,, many thanks & Merry Christmas xxx

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Lynda. Same to you!

[@chimera8421]

Scary stuff! Thanks Simon. Wishing you a Happy Xmas and looking forward to your 2022 stories.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Barbara, have a lovely Christmas

[@sonjawells4265]

You are so good! This was wonderfully creepy. Thank you!❤

[@tomcurran1538]

First time I listened to this channel. Great presentation. I have been listening to Blackwood on Horrorbabble.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Welcome to the channel, thanks for listening

[@J.DeLaPoer]

It's been a busy Christmas season here, so finally taking the time to thank you for more excellent uploads, and wish you the usual wishes I'm now so horribly late with -- and my apologies. Now I finally have the time to actually settle with some nice scotch and my pipe in front of the (artificial) fireplace and spend a few hours. A decent, real fireplace is one thing I sorely miss in the new house, particularly on these icy -20 nights. Thank you as always for passing my down time enjoyably.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Lovely to hear from you @J. De la Poer, I hope you enjoy catching up with the recent stories. That all sounds very cosy... I enjoy relaxing by the fire myself, one of my favourite aspects of the winter months. Though we don't usually get as low as -20 around these parts! Do stay warm!

[@divine.damage]

Thanks very much!

[@stellapantelia8933]

I found the title of the story familiar and I now know why. I have read it before, translated into Greek among other Ghost Stories. Anyway, it is a pleasure listening to the English prototype. Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

How interesting! Thanks Stella, glad to know you enjoyed it

[@joannewatts6501]

Kind of a frightening story ~ I liked it . Merry Christmas Simon 🕯️🎍📚🎍🌲🐿️🎁🕯️

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Joanne. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@PumaLyn]

I just subscribed to your channel although I haven't finished listening to the story yet. Your kind and polite replies here in the comments section speaks volumes. Hello from Penang Island, Malaysia. 🙏🏾😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, much appreciated! Thanks for listening and subscribing

[@SpuktasticAudio]

Cava not Prosecco tonight. (I like to mix it up!) Cava and you. Bliss awaits... ❤

[@BitesizedAudio]

Careful mixing those drinks! I've something sparkling in the fridge myself, which I'm looking forward to opening on Christmas eve...

[@SpuktasticAudio]

@@BitesizedAudio Just the one at any given time. Champers for you I hope. You deserve the best.😉❤

[@lindajacobs277]

I have personally seen many real ghosts so I no longer fear them; but this story sent chills up my spine!

[@BitesizedAudio]

That sounds very intriguing Linda, have you written down an account of your experiences? Thanks for listening!

[@lindajacobs277]

@@BitesizedAudio Yes, I'm in the process of writing a book.

[@tomliii8619]

Excellent!

[@mikamee5459]

Listened to this late at night. Very creepy.

[@patriciajrs46]

Thank you for reading. Wonderful as always. Super creepy. It makes me wonder if the guy got to go skiing at all. I think his mind was not well enough. May you have bodacious holidays, Simon. Bless you always.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Patricia. Season's greetings to you too. Yes, I'd wondered about that. I rather hope he did manage to get away after all that! He probably needed it more than ever...

[@carolynjohnson6867]

Thanks!

[@stewartlancaster6155]

pack up your troubles in your old kitbag and smile smile smile !

[@matthewharty6531]

Wow short but effective

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Scary ass story!! 👻

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Jeffrey!

[@Peachfuzz-xi9dx]

That stairwell is full of nopity nope nope nope. I'd have been so outta there and the story would have been much shorter 😂

[@captainswing4487]

Good.

[@rmkpilates]

Scary...

[@robinmaclay2661]

My first husband was an American Viet Nam veteran. He served in the Army and later in the Marine Corps. He called his bag a duffel bag. Soldiers from different nations, wars, eras and branches of service, even among English speaking people- have their own language it seems? Deployed was “in country” and home was “back in the world”. And of course, all that soldiers experience that there are no words for.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Indeed. Thanks for your support Robin, best wishes for Christmas

[@robinmaclay2661]

@@BitesizedAudio ♥️

[@tommanserable]

This happened to me once

[@tishahouse846]

Listening from the ukwales 2022❤️

[@mjrussell414]

I always liked the name Algernon.

[@woah6958]

What a genuinely scary story. The anticipation was truly awful.

[@mmbell]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@BryinWillis-e8g]

Evening

[@CrowSkeleton]

Even though I never got much 'into' his writing (was he wildly anti-Semitic? I vaguely remember looking for more of his after 'The Wendigo' and hitting something that made me big nope run away, but I might have that mixed up with Chambers, who definitely was) I must say that Blackwood is second only to William Hope Hodgson in terms of describing the sensation of being utterly spooked. The narration certainly kicked things up a notch, too - I wasn't expecting a sound effect for the sigh, but...yes, deeply creepy. Thank you very much for recording this and uploading during the holidays: may you have good food and ale (if desired) and such good things.

[@timmy18135]

18:08🐦🐒

[@hadders7040]

😊

[@Nasafalkas1]

Very strange murderer. So he didn't put his victim in the bag to dispose of the evidence, but because he had some kind of weird fetish. That was quite a twist for me.

[@frederickbrock2740]

I found this story to😮 be choppy not in narration of course but in written form. As if the writer is struggling to put down each word

[@margaretwood7135]

Does it cost to join or subscribe please.🌼

[@BitesizedAudio]

Hello Margaret. Subscribing to the channel is free, it just means you get notified when I upload a new story. To join as a channel member is slightly different. There are various options for a monthly contribution (choosing from varying amounts, starting from $1 or £1, or local currency equivalent, per month), in return for which there are various benefits such as advance previews of new stories, "insider update" news etc. If that's of interest, you can access it via this link: kzbin.infojoin . Alternatively, I have a Buy Me a Coffee account, for those who may prefer to offer occasional, more ad-hoc or one-off support: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesizedaudio Of course, there's absolutely no obligation to do any of these: as I say, subscription is free and just listening, liking, interacting, commenting and so on is all really helpful to me in terms of helping me to keep the channel going. Support of any kind is very much appreciated. Thanks for listening

[@LadyEng]

All your recordings sound as if done in one go. If there are pauses in recording they are imperceptible.

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's good to know, thank you Mariana! There usually are some pauses, but I cut out mistakes etc in the editing process. It's satisfying when I can get "on a roll" sometimes and read most of a story without a hitch, I just wish I could do it more often!

[@LadyEng]

@@BitesizedAudio I usually need to read out loud because of my job and it is really an art form.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Feeble stuff from Blackwood . Tedious and predictable . Hard to believe he produced such drivel.

[@sonnetlikely]

Happy holidays, all. Thank you, once again, for a bright light in dark nights. Keep shining!