"The Mainz Psalter" by Jean Ray | Classic weird tales | Original audio presentation

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

I'm dumbstruck! Your performance was mind blowing! . Surpassed yourself with this one. Absolutely 💯 one of the creepiest stories - claustrophobic and agrophobic in turns, and actually had me sitting with my mouth hanging open. When whatsisface kissed the cross and died, I breathed "noooo!" like some 1950s housewife listening to Saturday Night Theatre. Total respect to the author for maintaining such nerve wracking suspense for the duration of what was a pretty long short story. First class all round 👏 💐👍🙏

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! I love this story and I always loved the whole scene in the pub near the start and the bit where the crew talk to the drunken captain about their fears. It's such a brilliant and atmospheric tale. If you like nautical fare I heartily recommend "The Terror" by Dan Simmons (which I read a year or two ago). I watched the TV series too but the book was better. Long...but fantastic 😊

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

​@@EnCryptedHorror I've read it! And agree, it is a fabulous novel. Have you read The Bird Box? It's nothing at all to do with nauticalities (although there is a boat in it) but it's a really good book - strange, eerie and suspenseful. Three adjectives says it can't be bad. Just finished reading it 👍❤

[@scoutrifle6827]

That was an absolutely MASTERFUL performance (it wouldn't be fair to call it a 'reading'); exceptional voice characterizations, incidentals and production. Outstanding.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, Scout! Really glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@MSYNGWIE12]

I for once live it to somebody else's comment, who says it all- BRAVA, MASTERFUL, PERFECT "PITCH"...Maestro- you nailed it on this one- And The Award Goes To...

[@shelleymarquis2887]

I keep forgetting these stories are acted by one person. Bravo!

[@gerry5134]

His Mom handed him a book when he was a baby and he's been reading (aloud) ever since ! 📚 🐥

[@brograb898]

How have I never heard of this one before. It’s got the humane overreach of F E Benson the seafaring weirdness of W H Hodgson and the crazy outworld magic of H P Lovecraft.

[@rameyzamora1018]

Those frenzied houses will getcha every time! A treat, Mr L.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Ramey! 😊

[@martiwilliams4592]

Fantastic SCARY expresstve narration.LOVE the sound images, and all derogatory language about Hebridean salors forgiven. Once I was on a tanker in the North Sea ( yes ,in olden times a few passengers were taken on board at a nominal fee) when a hurricane hit. I thought nothing could be worse I now hereby stand corrected. I will never board a ship again: Not even on a charming Danish sightseeing boat on an idealistic Danish lake on a bright sunny, windless day. NEVER! Thank you, Jasper! Great job!!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@martiwilliams4592]

My computer teases me.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Marti! I don't know, a tanker on the North Sea during a hurricane sounds pretty gruelling.

[@martiwilliams4592]

@@EnCryptedHorrorScary more than computers that tease.? Hardly. Now there is True Horror:O) !!!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I noticed your duplicate comments. I thought you were just being really enthusiastic 😂

[@EnCryptedHorror]

A rollicking maritime adventure and a frightening voyage into hellish waters await you in this story. I hope you enjoy it. CONTENT WARNING: 🔫 Occasional loud noises and raised voices 📖 Derogatory language about Hebridean sailors If you enjoy my narration, please leave a LIKE and a COMMENT. You can also SHARE and SUBSCRIBE. JOIN, SUPERTHANKS, PATREON, KO-FI. As always, thanks for listening...and sweet dreams! PS Apologies for mispronouncing "foc'sal". I'm a terrible land lubber in real life 😔

[@kaf890890]

Thank you for the warning. I did think it was unfair to the Hebridian sailors. 😢

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Thanks Most excellent

[@waningmooncancer9628]

Hi Jasper 😁. Came back for another listen - or, more to the point, a trip into the weird. That was an awesome snore you gave at the end of the drunken ramblings of the captain. 😆😆😆😆😆 Thanks again, excellent performance ❣️❣️❣️

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

I went out with someone from the Outer Hebrides, but his face wasn't flat. Perhaps it was because he was in the army, and not a sailor? 🤔

[@alisonduffy6206]

That was REALLY SCARY. Just as the "clergyman" came up out of the sea, my cat jumped on me in the dark, and I almost expired. Jasper, you are amazing!!!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Well done to your cat for adding to the overall effect 🤣

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Hahaha yer Cat’s’a spook!

[@spanglestein66]

Marvellous stuff

[@johncochrane2707]

Avast there me hearties Jasper, this be another good one, really loved it. See you on the noon tide.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Aye aye, Long John! 😄

[@amberfelber1121]

Wow! U pulled me in . Felt as real to my own senses. . Applause . Repeatedly..

[@XadrumLtd]

Another fantastic yarn of the sea. Reminiscent of Hodgeson's maritime tales. In particular The Ghost Pirates. Thanks Jasper.

[@carlapomeroy3808]

The voices! The creaking crashing! The horrible atmosphere! Your best yet sir.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad you think so! Thanks Carla 🙏

[@mikereilly7629]

Read this story must be almost 40 years ago.never forgot it. Combined my love of old books,the tall ships, and the things in the dark. Well chosen and well read

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Mike, really glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@shadownet3d]

This was a great story and was made even better by our excellent presentation! Kudos!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, shadownet3d! 👍

[@scoutrifle6827]

Thanks!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you for the Superthanks! Most kind of you 👍

[@AlgorithmEngagementEntity]

Holy hell. The writing and production are brilliant.

[@thurayya8905]

Between your voices and the outstanding background effects, I found this tale truly terrifying.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Yes, it was a cracking story, this one! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@mshistory1000]

Great story with wonderful voice acting. I felt sorry for those crew members

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, they did have a terrible time of it 😁

[@graelent9]

Excellent story..stellar peformance ! Thank you !

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 👍

[@richardstrachmesserschmiti4979]

Excellent

[@lizbmusic11]

Nautical horrors intrigue me and that was one of the best. Thank you so much Jasper. Beautiful production !

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, FreeSoul. It's a terrific story, one of my favourites of the ones I've recorded so far.

[@calliesoutherland9435]

Wonderful story done perfectly 👌. Thank you

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Callie!

[@martiwilliams4592]

Thank you! Great job!!!!👍👍👍

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're very welcome 🙏

[@csj9619]

WOW! That was weird! I very much liked it. thanks

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Glad to hear it! Thanks c s j 🙏

[@hindleygj]

Extremely good.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks George! 😊

[@violetfemme411]

Looking forward to this...I love tales of the sea 💜

[@terryIKE69]

'' I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.''- Anais Nin (😃👍!!)

[@EnCryptedHorror]

"How much deeper would the ocean be if the sponges didn't live there?" - Steven Wright 😆

[@terryIKE69]

Well played, Jasper. Nothing beats a Steven Wright quote. 😂😂😂

[@jenford7078]

Quite the tale, many suspenseful twists.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Jen! 😊

[@kaf890890]

Such an excellent story! I consume so many scary tales, but this one is a real stand out, and so is your reading. I’m sure I will be listening to it again and again. Thank you!

[@waningmooncancer9628]

When I was younger, I used to wonder how people could sit, with rapt attention, listening to the radio. Having television, such arcane methods of entertainment seemed unfathomable. Now, much older and a little more wise, I see the error of my ignorance. I'm loving the stories more than anything on tv. Monsieur L'Estrange : 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 THANK YOU, JASPER ❣️🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@wisdomoftheearlychristians2037]

To each his own, I guess; I was the opposite. My parents and sister would be gathered in front of the television every night, and I'd be reading. I didn't hate or despise tv; I just read very quickly and when I was reading I could tune out all other noises, so all I saw and heard was the action playing out in my head. When I had to stop reading and just watch the action on television, it seemed incredibly slow, you didn't get ⁷to know what everyone was thinking ( only watch what they did), and listen to them scream. I would still far rather listen to a great story with a great narrator, than a cheesy movie with an inane laugh track recorded around the time of the Brady Bunch. My father was also stationed on a ship up near the Arctic Circle, and told about being all alone at night on the deck surrounded by the Northern Lights. I've got neurological problems now, but I'd still 10 times prefer being out in nature listening to an audiobook or telling each other stories than sitting and watching television...always...

[@waningmooncancer9628]

@@wisdomoftheearlychristians2037 I wish you very well. We are definitely in the know with the artistry of Jasper. He's so natural, the breathy tone adds that je ne sais quoi that makes his readings unique and a treat.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you for suggesting this story. It was one I wanted to start recording as soon as I read it - the best kind! - because, aside from its other qualities, it's just fun. Glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@waningmooncancer9628]

@@EnCryptedHorror That makes me happy 😁. I'm so glad you were excited about it.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

YEh-esssss, indeeeedy. He hit the nail on the head with this one as did your realization, or realisation, as all’y’all Limeys funna be spellin’ it.

[@elizabethwood644]

An honour to glimpse your beautiful family at their best.

[@monstersaint]

Great story. Top notch narration.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, Russell 👍

[@mijiyoon5575]

A high & marvelously scary adventure w/ perfectly timed sounds so many hard to chose a favorite. Here are a few I noted: High winds, body hitting the ground w/a fine & dandy thud ... that creaking, swinging rope (always good) sound & the echoing moan sound can't have too much of that ... excellent presentation *Jasper L'EStrange* just like being there ... I can feel the cold & horror☠💀& see the red dripping blood☠💀☠💀

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you, Miji! I hoped to create that sense of life aboard the ship. Glad you liked it.

[@damiancarroll2918]

So happy to see you back at it!! Hope you’re not burning candles at both ends too much!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

The candle burning goes with the territory, Damian! 😉

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! I love this story. The creaking of the ship is the icing on the cake! Well done, my friend! As many have said before me, this recording is an amazing piece of art. As a retired sailor, those sounds resonate well. Thanks!

[@alisonaustin7299]

Genius and narrated so well. Thank you for all you do for us.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome! Thank you, Alison 😊

[@geoffreyraleigh1674]

Excellently done. Congratulations.

[@violetfemme411]

Whoa! Your amazing sound effects and characterizations really brought this lively little tale alive and kicking! Bravo 💜 👏💯👍

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Violet! So glad you liked it 😊

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Thank you for all your effort in producing this! I like the addition of sound effects which really do enhance the story.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome! Thanks Rosie 😊

[@captain2fat]

Stellar performance!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! 🙏

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Eerie, fantastical, and delightfully visual tale. I admit my eyes brimmed when the captain seemed to have given up hope. Perhaps the things we experience for which we have no context or nothing familiar with which to compare it, are nothing that can be expressed so keenly as within otherworldly fiction. It seems so to me.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I loved this story, especially what the captain went through. It reminded me a bit of Dan Simmons' "The Terror" which is a fantastic (though immense) novel if you've never read it.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

@@EnCryptedHorror Ooo! Thanks for the recommendation. I've added it onto my audible and look forward to the 28.5 hours of listening pleasure! : o

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Haha! God, 28.5 hours! The TV show they made of it was pretty good too, although not all the changes were improvements and, in my opinion, the shooting locations didn't always look as bone-freezing as the novel describes. Hope you enjoy it. I listened to a sample on Audible and...oh how it cries out for a cast of narrators rather than one. Honestly though, one of the best novels I read in the last decade.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

@@EnCryptedHorror I look forward to it. I've listened to some excellent stories (many of them your own) with one reader doing multiple characters, genders, etc. with surprising skill.

[@frankmcgovern5445]

Perfect again. But if nobody else is gonna say it, I will - from R’yleh.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

The interesting thing (I'm sure I've read somewhere) is that there's no evidence to suggest Ray was even familiar with Lovecraft's work, or vice versa. Tentacle horror and underwater kingdoms seem to have been just somehow in vogue.

[@NajwaLaylah]

This was so good.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Najwa! Glad you liked it 😊

[@92skeet49]

Man you're excellent at your craft.

[@darkdaughter5472]

That was so good. Perfect narration thank you

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome 👍

[@briandouglasahern7067]

That was utterly terrifying. Magnificent job!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! Glad you liked it 😊

[@jared1870]

I remember that voyage well, and I tell you now that is the LAST time I let you sell me a cruise.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I didn't hear you complain when it was "corn beef, biscuits and rum night". Which was every night 😁

[@jared1870]

@@EnCryptedHorror 😆😆

[@libertycowboy2495]

Excellent tale. Very Lovecraftian.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you! I agree.

[@YvonneWilson312]

Supremely good narration, Jasper - thank you so much for giving us the creeps once again! I was absolutely gripped from start to finish by this gloriously chilling tale of the high seas and will search out more of Jean Ray's stories. I had not heard of him until now and he's right up there with the best of them!

[@EnCryptedHorror]

His collection "Ghouls In My Grave" comes highly recommended (and I found it on Internet Archive too)!

[@YvonneWilson312]

@@EnCryptedHorror Thank you for the heads up, Jasper - I'm on my way over there right now!

[@ritamartin4782]

Excellent narrating !

[@appalachianamerican7171]

Great Tale!👍

[@maryeckel9682]

Incredible!

[@margarethevontater]

Brilliantly weird story. I wish more of Jean Ray was like this and not just horrifyingly anti-semitic :-O But excellent job as usual, you really brought it to chilling life.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

To be honest, anti-semitism (as well as other forms of bigotry) is so commonplace in fiction of this vintage (and earlier) that you almost stop being surprised by it. Not that it isn't horrific, but it was a product of what people were taught...in their schools, in their churches, by their parents, their politicians and through the media etc. So much so that it would have taken a truly exceptional person (and,of course, they existed, but were rare, I think) to buck the trend. The modern reader recoils, gasps, rolls their eyes, tuts...as they ought...but I think it's worth bearing in mind that one doesn't know what currently fashionable or commonplace beliefs prevalent now the future will judge as harshly. That's my short way of saying that, if we refused to read old books and stories that were written by known anti-semites or people whose views don't conform to modern standards (why single out Ray when we could mention everyone from G.K. Chesterton and Algernon Blackwood to Phillip Larkin, Ezra Pound, Roald Dahl...and let's not even get started on Lovecraft?), a literary channel like this would have slim pickings indeed. For my own part (and it wasn't necessary to do so here; as you say, this is a good story by Ray) I have excised casual anti-semitism and the use of other racial epithets whenever they have cropped up in stories I've done on the channel, but if it has been an actual plot point I just wouldn't record the story. Glad you enjoyed.

[@margarethevontater]

@@EnCryptedHorror Oh I completely agree with you. When I'm reading James, Dickens, even Dostoyevsky, when I find an instance of something loathsome to modern sensibilities, I just sigh and read on. With Ray there are two differences-- this was 1931, very shortly before the Holocaust, and the hatefulness isn't limited to an epithet here or a stereotype there. In "Whiskey Tales" he has a couple of stories where the entire point seems to be the beating and drowning of Jews. None of this is to say you're wrong. I love "The Mainz Psalter," I think it's an underknown masterpiece, as horrible as its author was. And I'm very grateful for your wonderful productions that have gotten me through many a dull workday. But I also think the context about Ray is important. Just like I'll listen to Wagner, but I also know what his music came to represent. And I'll read Lovecraft, but I'm also glad I know why some readers of color might be deeply and personally turned off, to say the least. Thanks for your excellent acting, meticulous production, and hard work in any case!

[@margarethevontater]

Not saying it's your job to provide that context either. I think you're doing great using your own discretion.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@margarethevontater To be honest, I get so immersed in these I just jump at the chance to discuss the authors and stories. It's good to talk 😁

[@margarethevontater]

@@EnCryptedHorror me too!! I'm glad you do!!

[@jeffreese1828]

Now , THAT was an excellent weird tale ! Great narration ( loved the many character voices ) , and great production ( loved the sound fx and music) , made this a really thrilling , and enjoyable , experience ! A+++ , mate ! 💀🎱💀

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thanks Jeff! Glad you thought so 👍

[@Jynxxxycat]

I won't be sleeping easily! 😵

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Have another pint of rum 😄

[@Mi-yc3oy]

🥳🥃👍🏻 I have three Jean Ray collections translated “recently” by Wakefield press.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I didn't realise the Wakefield Press editions were new translations. I shall have to take a look at them; it will be interesting to compare them.

[@Mi-yc3oy]

I am very curious, too. The Cruise of Shadows collection has a translation of this story, and that is what I’m going to get out right now before hitting play. 👍🏻🥃

[@PippaAT]

Superb, as always. Just one small point, it's 'foke-sal', rather than 'forecastle'. I enjoyed this reading immensely.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Damn that salty sailor talk. I knew I'd get something wrong somewhere 🤦‍♂️

[@PippaAT]

@@EnCryptedHorror I think they do it on purpose to confound landlubbers, like bo'sun, (boatswain).

[@troisot1107]

Please do more of nautical nightmare.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Try and stop me 😉

[@niriop]

Sort of like William Hope Hodgson as a bad acid trip.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Definite shades of WHH although I think I read somewhere that Jean Ray claimed not to have read any WHH until after he'd written this.

[@earthcat]

I got a fraud alert from my bank ☹️ My cards had to be frozen but it will be sorted out and I will rejoin.

[@INFINITESYKOSIS]

i killed 3.5 of my clones while listening to this 👍🏽

[@EnCryptedHorror]

You're welcome...? 😁

[@INFINITESYKOSIS]

@@EnCryptedHorror 😉

[@Gurgamo]

Hiding to avoid spoilers.... but I'm pretty sure this isn't fiction and octopus really do this sort of thing all the time.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Very clever, aren't they, the octopus? Tasty too 😊

[@Gurgamo]

@@EnCryptedHorror They are, but I can't eat them anymore because I feel bad since they're so intelligent. I will, however, eat calamari with no remorse. Because squid are jerks.

[@bethcastagnoli2911]

🐙

[@alisonduffy6206]

What a dilemma; it sounds great, but can I tolerate derogatory language about Hebridean sailors - my worst nightmare? Hmmmm......

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Forewarned is forearmed as I always say. Besides, I thought it was only right to flag this for the surprisingly large number of listeners we have from the Hebridean sailor community, after what they've been through 😆

[@JennyLane8666]

Utter masterpiece. Your sound design is cracking too. It really deposits you right into the story. Thank you for scaring the heck out of me and helping me get lost in some really weird places haha

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Truly kickass

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Know what else is great is Whittington’s Cat, and Thurnlow Abbey. Cheers

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Whittlington’s Cat and Abbot’s Grange, (not Thurnlow Abbey, sorry).