Who Knows? by Guy de Maupassant

See here for more details, and spoilers
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00:00:00 Music
00:00:21 Who Knows by Guy du Maupassant?
00:31:56 My commentary.
Requested by Fin Narthex
Prepare to delve into the haunting world of Guy de Maupassant's "Who Knows?", a chilling tale that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Join the narrator as he recounts his unsettling experiences with his beloved furniture, which seems to take on a life of its own. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself questioning the narrator's sanity and the true nature of the events that unfold. Is it a case of mental instability, or are there truly otherworldly forces at play?
Immerse yourself in this atmospheric masterpiece and unravel the mystery that lies at the heart of "Who Knows?".
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Music by The Heartwood Institute
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[@applthorn]

I love this story. Appreciate your comments esp related to your work experience. There's a clue I never noticed on previous readings, at just after 26 minutes in the recording: the local police officer comments that the shop owner has a woman friend who is both a furniture broker and a sorceress! I bet she cast a spell on our narrator's furniture, and after he found it, she reversed the spell. Otherwise, why is she mentioned? Truly, the household furnishings traipsing out the door and down the road is a singular vision of someone losing their mind. It's a brilliant and tragic story. Thank you Tony for sharing your talents and your time!

[@the-reclining-roleplayer]

Genuinely one of the most bizarre stories I'd ever read. The fact that the height of the horror could be considered almost comical in a way makes the entire thing memorable. It does a great job of being overall moody, which works better still when you consider Guy's mental state. Still, would I be afraid if I came home to find my furniture marching out the door and down the street? Who knows?

[@ClassicGhost]

it’s very interesting. What would you think? I’d be like: thst Cost me a lot of money

[@the-reclining-roleplayer]

@@ClassicGhost Not as much money as it might have taken that old woman to have all of that shipped to her shop. Which I have to assume she did because otherwise the idea of this narrator's furniture making a complete 'Brave Little Toaster'-style trek across Europe undermines the story just a bit.

[@Wanda711]

I get a mental image of 'The Sorceror's Apprentice' from 'Fantasia', with the mops and buckets marching down the stairs and across the room.

[@denisepeters8551]

Wish all my amassed stuff would go walking down the street . Especially that bloody locked draw ❤

[@Story-Voracious66]

Merci Monsier Antoine, tres bonne. Great narration. I'd heard this one on another channel at some time but I can't remember who's ( that tells you something.), it is so good to look deeper into the Author and his possible motivations. I love the imagery of galloping furniture; who needs generative AI when someone can write like this? I can imagine the antiquities trader being startled by a cavalry of precious antiques running madly along the road, and him racing to gather his friends to corral them and drive them home like wild horses. Very enjoyable. 🙂

[@gerardkiff2026]

Loved it Tony and thanks again. I look forward to your chats and commentary. The nay sayers have lost the art of conversation.

[@debra333]

Hi, dear Tony. Another interesting offering with a fascinating commentary. With your experience, you offer much more insight than most reader performers---so take that, naysayers!!

[@ClassicGhost]

thank you, thank you

[@lunablue745]

Kaplow!!🤜😁

[@lunablue745]

I'm gonna be a little silly, but these are honestly the first things that came to mind whilst you were reading. The first was the tv series, Downton Abby. I don't like the idea of "servants," but, I wouldn't have minded being a servant there. They worked hard, but, were respected. Best of all, they were all together in their snug litte rooms, safe, like a family each night. The second thought I had was the Disney version of Beauty & the Beast. The furniture marching away made me think of Cogsworth and Lumire. ⏰🕯️But, seriously ...what about the idea of his guilt over being wealthy and being a sort if Scrooge-like sort, by keeping to himself. His guilt manifests in his actions of moving the furniture and never wanting to go back to his home again. He ends up in one of the most abject places, an asylum.

[@thomasfranche6770]

J'aime ça que vous faites de plus en plus de classiques français. J'adore Guy de Maupassant !

[@ClassicGhost]

Il y a de belles histoires françaises : j'adorerais faire du Huysman

[@thomasfranche6770]

@@ClassicGhost Oh wow. Oui, À rebours ou peut-être Là-bas.

[@joanieann6179]

Great story! What a conundrum for the poor fellow! Thank you Tony! ❤

[@dazeval2372]

Yay another upload! Your channel is genuinely one of my favorites and brings me a sense of peace and comfort when I’m feeling overwhelmed or sad. It’s a precious thing to be able to retreat from the world for a moment. Thank you so much, you are very much appreciated ❤

[@battlehaggis4421]

You should check out HorrorBabble. Tony done a Collab with them not long ago which is really good.. I found this channel through listening to them, Tony was auto played after one of horrorbabbles stories and I enjoy them both very much now 🙂

[@robinpresleywoodward]

I really enjoy your commentary!❤ it is like a book club!❤

[@ClassicGhost]

That's the atmosphere I wanted.

[@rohanquinby3188]

The stories that you read are wonderful. But I found your podcast because of your commentaries, and I keep coming back to listen to the things that you have to say about the stories that you read so evocatively.

[@jessicajackson8064]

I am surprised that some of your listeners do not like your commentaries at the end. I've always found them full of useful knowledge about the author and about the meaning of the story. In the nature of short stories, their meaning is not obvious. Obfuscation seems to be a common writing method of many ghost story writers. Your commentaries help to clear up the meanings for us, so thank you. I am glad you have not abandoned your commentaries. I'm rambling. Sorry.

[@ClassicGhost]

Never apologise for rambling. Personally, I think it's a gift

[@jeffhaley2706]

Thank you Mr. Walker..another fine choice..

[@MisterBones2910]

I was first introduced to Guy's work in 12th grade English with his tale of a dandy who kills himself out of fear after challenging a man to a duel; it was only in the last few years that I discovered he was known to some degree for horror as well. Quality stuff, if a bit light in the actual scare department for a modern audience.

[@hawthorne1504]

Thank you for keeping the post story commentary, they are so interesting and enhance the enjoyment. Timestamp good idea

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you like them! It's nice to hear.

[@Wanda711]

I think the policeman is right: I've heard of cases where a well-organized group of thieves have pulled a moving van up to a house where the owners were absent and completely emptied it in broad daylight. Neighbours would assume a normal move was in progress, so they were unquestioned. So it could be done, though as you say, the cop wouldn't know just how much furniture was involved. Also, 20th century furniture is a lot lighter and easier to move than in the past. Imagine how massive and heavy a Louis XIII wardrobe would be! Maybe persuading the furniture to make a break for it was the best way.

[@CleverChimney]

One of my favs of his. Thanks for this!

[@martiwilliams4592]

Very entertaining! Love this also this time around, the tale, the narration and the interesting, informative and fun commentary. Dog Nico sends his love.

[@susantracey1539]

I used to have GPI patients when I first started my psych nurse training.back in the eighties They had been in hospital for decades and were very institutionalised

[@andromeda232]

I suppose for me the horror of this story comes from the sense of being violated in a place were you are suppose to be safe. I can understand that. though I haven't had my home broken into. My grandma once had some people from her church come to our home. Once member of the church decided to let themselves into my mum's bed room and tried to get into mine, they also ate some of my food which they didn't like and hid the remains in the dining room. I felt violated that someone I didn't know was walking around the none public areas of my home.

[@imh9524]

I love the notion of the furniture picking up sticks and chuntering off to Rouen. I sometimes wish mine would do the same: it would make life less complicated. The fact that the police discuss the possibility of the antiquary's friend being a sorceress (as another commenter has noted), indicates that there is a supernatural element, so I think it's a bit of both. I enjoy the commentary/ramblings. It's like mulling over a story with a friend.

[@ClassicGhost]

+@imh9524 that’s what I’m aiming for just to have a chat about the story not to be a masterclass or anything

[@dukedoomASMR]

Wow. Sounds exactly like me! Well..up to the point where the furniture's decided to walk away 😅

[@evelanpatton]

Me too! I thought it rather personal at first…

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

This was delightfully strange. The narration was, as always, on point. I enjoyed every minute of it!

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alrebecca4939]

Love your superb voicing of these tales. Maintain your commentary. Adds so much to the entire experience. Any of the books you mentioned are eagerly awaited .. thank you, Tony

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! Please keep doing what you do. I love it when you discuss the diagnosis, symptoms, and background of various ailments and mental illnesses. You worked in the industry for a long time, and I thoroughly enjoy your discussions. Interesting story. Whether magic or imagined, this is a fantastic story. Thanks!

[@lunablue745]

Yes! I too thought of Beauty & the Beast with the moving furniture. Sadly, no singing. I had a thought that perhaps it was the man's guilt about being wealthy and alone. He is sort of a Scrooge like character in that he keeps to himself and he seems not to want to help others in any way. He moved the furniture, feeling as if he did not deserve it. But, consciously he can't know this. In the end, he doesn't go back to the beautiful home and is in one if the most abject places of society for that time, an asylum. Just a dash of psychoanalysis for your Friday!😁

[@violetfemme411]

There's no bad time for De Maupassant 🎉 💜

[@libertycowboy2495]

Quirky and fun. Good one Tony!

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Absolutely 💯% Brilliantly Done~ Tony!! Thank you so Much, Again!! Please excuse me for this short comment,,, Jasper Mutt and I are terribly tired 😴 and I have made an ", Executive" decision to get some sleep before returning anew to replay this!! *~~*!!❤ Andréa and Jasper. ...XxX v v

[@tazandalsoalastname]

Oh my gosh I literally just read 'The Terror" and loved it, so I was looking for more by the same author!

[@jjjjjjjjkigghh8662]

Love this! You have a perfect voice for ghost stories! I love Guy de Maupassant!

[@boosqueezy2418]

i live for your commentary

[@cwbrooks5329]

Agreed! The commentary is half the fun!

[@ClassicGhost]

So nice to hear.

[@PiggieMom]

This is a fun one. I like to think it's a little mix of both paranoia and supernatural. The antiquarian and his sorceress neighbor conspired to steal his furniture, and when he found them out, they sent it back. It's probably just a routine job for them, and they don't even realize that their target has a psychiatric disorder. After all, he showed symptoms before the event: his seclusion and revulsion of others. The supernatural event triggered more extreme symptoms just as any other traumatic or stressful event would. His paranoia and extreme fear of the antiquarian is part of the disorder, but it doesn't mean that the supernatural event didn't happen to him.

[@thurayya8905]

Delightful, Tony! Thank you, Fin Narthex. Your taste is excellent.

[@stevecausey545]

That was a great story.. Thanks Tony!

[@SunnySmile-fr5yg]

Your French sounds great too! 💯👌

[@Kralhonj]

A wonderful story, thank you for your great work.

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

Loved this story. The fact that the protagonist formed a much stronger attachment to inanimate objects than to his fellow man would make his disappearing furniture the more horrifying for him, psychotic or not. I kind of got that to a degree - I too get stupidly attached to things. I won't throw away used up pens. I feel sorry for things that don't get used up or are wasted. The last, lone baked bean in the can, the strip of wallpaper I ruined while decorating and had to throw away. 😂 During a psychotic episode the delusions/hallucinations are 100% real for the sufferer. It's like your family, friends and colleagues all insisting one day that your name is not Tony but Brian. You would never be able to accept it; you'd dispute it and argue against it to your last breath. That's how I was told it feels. So I think De Maupassant is offering the reader a glimpse into the awful uncertainty and distress of psychosis. Well read, and thoroughly enjoyed the commentary too. Looking forward to more from Guy. ❤

[@Bbergster]

“The Libertarian” is the best syphilis movie! 😂 I wonder what it means in Greek or Latin, or whatever the root is. That is a terrible end. Shuck a duck! 🕊️💚

[@dwellerofthedark]

Great recording Tony! That’s a haunting thumbnail too.

[@RSEFX]

Truly unique story/an interesting companion to THE HORLA. Thanks for the good read. As per usual!!

[@amandine512]

There’s something about Guy De Maupassant’s style of writing that suits your narration style perfectly. I absolutely love how you read his stories. Simply the best.

[@ClassicGhost]

thank you 🙏

[@MaggieatPlay]

Interesting tale, Tony. Thank you for narrating. Enjoyed the snippets at the end.

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for listening

[@THEPAGEBURNER1979]

Perfect timing 😂😂

[@ClockworkChainsaw]

It is so that when I fall asleep before the story is finished, I can more easily find my place again to listen to the rest of it. ^^ And also, gauge the length before listening, yes. Thank you so much for taking the suggestion! ^^

[@BertieShaul-mn4qc]

I personally adore your commentary, in fact I would be interested in listening to a compilation of just your commentary. Thank you for another great story Tony!

[@stevecausey545]

This will be tonight's listen. Thanks Tony!

[@joykelly6237]

Thank you, really looking forward to this 👌

[@adriennewalker1715]

Good choice. Enjoyed it very much.

[@terrioestreich4007]

So good!!!

[@susanmercurio1060]

He sounds like a typical introvert.

[@phillip5505]

My thought is that the "sorceress" and her antiquing buddy bewitch the protagonist's furniture in order to get him to go out into the world. He's more or less a recluse, and maybe they think taking his prized possessions will encourage him to seek them out and thereby interact with the world and better himself. Unfortunately, what's meant to be a lesson in humanity leaves the protagonist completely psychologically unbalanced.

[@thurayya8905]

I think it's just a sweet scam.

[@phillip5505]

@@thurayya8905 but then why was all his stuff returned as soon as he found it?

[@thurayya8905]

@@phillip5505 I assumed it was so he wouldn't be bothered by the police. Since the shop was a fair distance from where they disappeared, the thief thought he was safe.

[@earthcat]

I like the commentary.

[@user-tc2ie3db3z]

The stampede is hilarious! I'm thinking of the fight scene in Beauty and the Beast. Guy's protagonists are always a little unhinged and I love it. It annoys me that people fall asleep to your stories and similar channels, it's such a waste of your narration, they are missing out.

[@CountofVatesgrad]

Yo just the other day I read Machens The White People that references this story. This got uploaded right on cue as I was looking for audio readings!

[@ClassicGhost]

I think I’ve done a reading of the white people. In fact, I think I know I have. It’s Hill of dreams that I haven’t done.

[@CountofVatesgrad]

@@ClassicGhost I'll have to check that out, White People definitely seems like one of those stories that take multiple readings to appreciate.

[@danson5183]

@@ClassicGhost You should consider giving Hill of Dreams a go. Its wonderful.

[@danson5183]

Have you ever read "The Boy in Darkness" by Mervyn Peake? I think it would make a awesome edition to your channel. Think Alice in Wonderland merged with The Island of Dr Monroe and all written by Thomas Ligotti.

[@ClassicGhost]

I don't know it. I love Gormenghast, but I didn't now that one. I will look it up

[@danson5183]

@@ClassicGhost Its on the internet archive for borrowing. Its actually a stand alone story set in the Gormanghast world. Titus is the boy in the title. He escapes the castle only to get lost in a dark wood which leads to a nightmare world. and unlike Gormanghast, its really short. Shorter then something like Shadow over Insmouth.

[@evelanpatton]

I do! Yes, I do! 🪭FAN-tastic! I love this GUY!

[@JustineZam]

❤

[@meganmcnelis7136]

The police called the neighbor "a sorceress." Taken literally, she could have been the accomplice who enchanted the furniture for the antiquary's gain! Who knows? 😄

[@clairewyndham1971]

Guy de Maipassant is the author that has created the most horrifying story I have ever read-The Horla- the mental dissent of a man from a well balanced man into the depths of madness. Through his "eyes". No blood. No gore. No complex list of characters. Just one man and his mind. " Who knows" is of the same genre. Pure perfection.

[@ClassicGhost]

Yep. I have done that one, if I could encourage you to step over and listen :)))

[@lymarie1974]

I’ve never been this early!!! 😂

[@ClassicGhost]

interestingly, I scheduled the time wrong and it should come out tonight not last night but never mind

[@michaelhightower198]

Glad to have found this channel at last! Question though, have you removed your podcast from spotify? I distinctly remeber being a subscriber there, but can no longer find it.

[@ClassicGhost]

No, it's on Spotify. open.spotify.com/show/4vRHo5ajkbL41Bdfut6Nqr?si=f6476934f0eb46df

[@RSEFX]

I much prefer the supernatural take. Poltergeist occurrence, with a big dose of the hitchhiker effect. The insanity/paranoia idea is too tame, in me 'umble opine. I could see this as an episode of an anthology-type supernatural/horror movie. CG mix with practical could have fun with the crawling furniture, if done using a dream-like approach. Maybe they theorize robbers have used some kind of hallucinatory gas on the place? Or that he's flipped his lid, until reports start coming in from all over the country (or the world?) of the same phenomenon. But what is causing all this? Everyone can't be crazy, or could they?...who knows? (Yes, I haven't figured it all out either. ha)

[@thurayya8905]

I had my catalytic converter stolen. Didn't realize it for two weeks. Wondered why my car was making those god awful noises. Also had my registration sticker on the back of my car stolen. This was when I was working in a place where I had to park on the street just outside L.A. Didn't bother the police with either because I knew they couldn't do anything about it.

[@ClassicGhost]

My car sounded like a bomb going off without the catalytic convertor. People were turning round staring!

[@battlehaggis4421]

Oh looking fwd to this.. absolutely love Ur Collab with Horrorbabble.. was a gathering of giants.. 🙂 could I ask what the story u read about the fife lass that conjured her dead brother in Edinburgh then married the laird that killed her brothers murderer was called please ?.. I really really enjoyed that story a lot would love to hear it again but have no idea what it's called 🙂

[@ClassicGhost]

that was The Russell Kirk about Whinny Close

[@battlehaggis4421]

@@ClassicGhost oh amazing thank you 🙂 will be putting that on later when it's chill out time

[@greatestytcommentator]

Sorry to ask here... but.. can anyone remember if Tony read a story about a toff that found a book about a young indian lad that ran away to become a yogi... and could use meditation to see things... (I won't spoiler it).. IF so, whaaaaat the bloody hell was it called..? Please and thanks. **EDIT** Found it, 'The wonderful story of Henry Sugar' by Roald Dahl.. turns out ... they just made a film of it in 2023! Huh.who knew.

[@MrsWilberforce2]

Yeah, BUT who knows if the policeman's and the caretaker's assertions weren't part of his delusion?

[@ClassicGhost]

very true!

[@craigoliver8712]

Tony please! i feel you are to affected by the words of the smallest of minorities, you do not need to change anything,if the very very minority of disaffected do fall asleep+the story has finished they merely need to skip to the next installment,if they're awake then they can do the same but more immediate,I feel the few(for it can only be a few)have got you thinking too deeply into this minor detail. Please Tony don't get hung up on the remarks of the very few,read+ absorb the comment sections to know how the vast majority feel+love your stories, views+ connotations

[@ClassicGhost]

I know this is true, but it’s been one or two people recently and it has affected me. as you know I’ve just given up my proper job so I have to keep going with this but honestly, there were times when I considered stopping

[@jericonway8292]

yuck