The Terror of the Blue John Gap by Arthur Conan Doyle
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 06. 2018
- A tale of crypto-zoology set in the picturesque Derbyshire dales. There's an entrance to a cave which was hewn by the Romans to mine that rarest of minerals Blue John. Our recuperating hero wants adventure and goes exploring. There he meets with terror. SirArthur Conan Doyle wrote this tale for The Strand magazine where it was published in 1910. It reminds me a little of Wells' First Men in the Moon.
It is read by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio, 2018 - Zábava
I've been working nights (Japanese company) for the past 3 months and your smooth voice gets me to sleep better than anything. I must have listened to at least 50 your narrations by now. Incredible voice and fantastic voice-acting. You've really helped my life in a positive way. Thank you very much Greg. I wish I could read like you for my students!
LOL, By that, I hope that you mean that Greg's voice helps you to relax, not that it bores you to sleep
This is my favorite of Doyle's short stories. The tension during the cave scene feels like something out of Jurassic Park. He really was one of the greatest authors of his day.
I agree this is one of my favorites. The man was so talented so skilled and so prolific that for an everyday person like me, a mother, and office worker, although naturally talented in design and music and with many other passive interests.... In other words, a very average person... Is absolutely stunning to me. Anyone extremely prolifically creative will evoke the same response but the guy was also a medical doctor, we can't forget that!
Sir Arthur died in 1930, long before we were born, but aren't we so fortunate that so many things are preserved, and of course, they are absolutely timeless.
My favorite Channel. You’ve reached legendary status in my circle of friends. When one might ask my schedule I would reply “I’m about to embark on The Adventure of....The Dreaded Dentist Visit” etc.
In case anyone is wondering:
"Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar) is a semi-precious mineral, a rare form of fluorite with bands of a purple-blue or yellowish colour. In the UK it is found only at Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire. During the 19th century, it was mined for its ornamental value, and mining continues on a small scale."
Apparently you can visit the mine if you're in the area as they do tours and events and it's still a working mine. It looks very beautiful.
Thanks! I knew there had to be a story.
Thanks for the additional info. I love the kind of folks on these channels sharing the simple enjoyment of the narrations by Greg. I like his GK Chesterton series as well… they can be a bit darker but still very good.
What a brilliant choice of narrator !! 💜 Beautiful voice !!😘 🎇 👏👏👏👏
Bigfoot? An excellent story narrated with dramatic precision.
i’m on a Greg Wagland binge :) listening to older ones and finding a few new ones - Yea! thanks so much. . . ✨🌷
Definitely one of the best I've heard👏👏👏
Brilliantly read . Too many audio book readers rush too much and don't give us time to savour the language and relax into the story. This was wonderfully done.
This is addressed to mr. Wagland if I can possibly ever hope that he'll read this. Sir I love listening and watching Jeremy Brett and Edward hardwicke on all the Sherlock Holmes series but I have to tell you that I love listening to you talk when you talk in your audiobooks for magpie. I think you are very very special with your talent in being able to switch to every single dialect and accent in an absolute moment. You have a superb speaking voice and I enjoyed to know and all your stories whether they be Sherlock Holmes Conan Doyle stories or whatever. You sir, are superb. I have said this a few times on other sites dealing with Sherlock Holmes and Jeremy Brett because I adore him as an actor, even if he is no longer with us. But you sir, have an impeccable voice for reading and narrating stories. I wish more people in the world today could talk and sound like you do. Thank you for many enjoyable hours.
The great Sherlock Holmes voices - Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, and Greg Wagland.
Well said, Sir!
This strange tale has fascinated my imagination for years now like the shadow of a cloud passing slowly past a large hill or knoll amorphic and chilling. Sometimes I wish I had never read and reread it as a youth. It still frightens me.
This reading is marvelous, penetrating, even so well done, it is dangerous.
To refer to it as "a tale of crypto-zoology " as said in the description above gives far too mundane and too literal a vision. There are things which lurk almost invisibly in the back of one's psyche, perhaps individually and collectively, which the microscope of scientific materialism does not comprehend. Consider O Horatio, Hamlet.
You could be right. In the very corner of our eyes there is a shadow perhaps. Thank you for your kind words about my reading. Appreciated.
Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle was a magnificent story teller.
Absolutely sir Arthur Conan Doyle! Thanks for posting
Thank you so much for these lovely readings
Pleasure, Tiggy!
This story reminds me of H P Lovecraft's story 'The Beast in the Cave' and I did wonder if there had been a bit of cross-pollination going on. But although HPL wrote his story in 1905, it was not published anywhere until 1918, eight years after Doyle wrote this. So I guess it's just a case of great minds thinking alike! Thanks for this great reading Greg.
This was terrifyingly brilliant.
Amazing narrative.
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Each one a gem. Many I’ve read previously, some a number of times. Others will be for the first time, but not, I hope, the last.
Very, very. curious. I certainly would not have ventured into that cave. His effort for scientific approach was rather good. Thank you Mr. Wagland!
I had never heard of Blue John before listening to this story,, and it's been fun to read about this mineral and see photos of how it's been crafted into many beautiful objects.
The greatest reader ever. Thank you 🙏
Wonderful rendition. And of a wonderfully-paced tale: so little actually happens, if you think on it; it just relies on an immaculate narrative. Bravissimo, to our actor and author in equal measure.
Ta, Lemma. It's a well crafted tale.
Excellent reading - thank you
SACD authored so many Holmes and Watson stories one forgets he did THE LOST WORLD as well...Great reading as we sit around the campfire/ fireplace and listen to you...
Yes, Mr. Wagland, you have helped me keep my sanity during these wretched, chaotic times. You are phenomenal, and I will be joining. I am interested in the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the brains behind these incredible, fascinating stories and characters. Do you have a narrative on his life? Again, my most sincere thanks for sharing your creative gift and talent!
Fie on you Mr Wagland! I have a whole house to clean and a class to attend, and now all I want to do is look for Roman caves. :)
Why not! Treat yourself!
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio I just might :) it's been a while since I've taken a holiday, and I love climbing. I'll let you know if we find any beasties along the way!
Blue John is a mineral called fluorite and you can read about it if you google it. Wikipedia has a long and very detailed piece on Blue John with lots of images. Besides Derbyshire, it’s also found in Belgium, Mexico, Illinois and China. Very interesting to read about
Thank you Greg 😊
I've enjoyed listening to this piece quite a few times. I had no idea what Blue John referred to until just now. Apparently it's a mineral found in the local area and absolutely nowhere else. So it's very rare.It is a deep blue translucent or opaque stone extremely beautiful and treasured by royalty and the rich and powerful.
I don't remember it being mentioned in the story so I'm back to listen again more carefully this time.
Now I'm looking forward to bedtime and The Blue John Gap.
Cheers Greg.
Wonderful stuff Mr. Wagland. Surely one of your best readings. Thanks!
Right up my alley. Thanks Greg.
Ah, the Gregg Wayland voice is exquisite. No one can surpass his pronunciation of, for example, "idee fixe.". Fabulous.
My son told me about this story...i had never heard of it .....!!.....😊...cheers 🍻
Cheers to you too!
Many thanks for sharing this wonderful story!
Excellent recording of a wonderful story! It seems that Challenger wouldn't have had to go very far to find a lost world.
Brilliant narration. Thank you.
Appreciated pes
Thank you!!! You do have a gift, thank you for taking time to share it.
You are so welcome SF
Love... Thank you!
Thanks Greg Wagland 🎉😂😊
Bigfoot? An excellent story narrated with dramatic precision Thanks!
Big Sasq! Oh yes...
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Not in England
That was absolutely brilliant thank you so much Greg
Glad you enjoyed it, Annie!
A joy as always !!
My daily treat!
“The Terror of the Blue Gap” was first published in Strand Magazine in 1910.
The creature living underground in darkness very likely was the inspiration for Tolkien’s Gollum.
Thank you!
This was a great story! Almost “Weird Tales” like. I enjoyed this very much, thank you!
Thanks for listening, Kater
Great reading. Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed it, Steven. All the best!
BEST. READING EVER ..MERRY CHRISTMAS MISTER
Imagine, if you will, if lovecraft and doyle ever co wrote! What a strange and horrific story they would tell! This story, and the Horrir of the Heights, are excellent examples fear of the unknown, which is basically the specialty of lovecraft.
Great taste. This and Horror of the heights are two of my favourites. Both outstanding tales and very similar in their compositions. Both telling of a man going on a solitary journey seeking truth and facing danger alone.
Great stuff.
Thanks, not heard of this.. really enjoyed your reading of it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
"The Blue John Gap" - where you don't want to drop your phone in the Port-A-Potty.
😁
That's SIR Arthur Conan Doyle to you, sonny.
Indeed!
Another great reading. Do you have a recording of The Story of the Lost Special or The Tragedy of the Korosko - two of my favorites by ACD? Cheers!
I was thinking of recording The Tragedy of the Korosko which someone recommended I read recently. Am about half way through it and it's great. Very different but full of menace and atmos. So could do that certainly at some point. Don't know the other one you mention. Will have a look. Cheers.
Thanks. They're both fine tales. The Lost Special was collected in Round the Fire and hints at Holmes here and there. You do a fine job voice acting with this stuff. Cheers!
poor iron age sloth. scared as he was. (btw, it is now known that herbivores do sometimes crave animal or insect protein. so even the huge sloths might have needed a sheep or two :) 🌿🐁
i’ve been binging on your readings! much fun. thanks 😊 🌷🌼
Not me yelling “DON’T GO DOWN THERE, YOU IDIOT!”
I mistakenly thought, that the John Blue Gap, held the possible terror, of my appointment, with the dentist.
GOOD EVENING. THANk, YOU. NICE READING VOICE
Thank you too!
Anyone studied the Missing 411 phenomenon by David Paulides?
No. Must have a look for it.
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio www.canammissing.com/page/page/8396197.htm [they're on YT as well]
This is like Hounds of Baskerville with a real crazy Hound...
Ha! And peckish too!
Does the author say "he died of thesis" ? Do you know what that means? I googled it and could only find the definition of "thesis" like an essay. Thanks
I think it's Phthisis or a similar word. Anyone?
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio A Greek word meaning "a dwindling or wasting away." Pronounced TIE-sis. Phthisis is an archaic name for tuberculosis. --fun to learn a new medical word ty!
@@kristinajones9995 Besides Covid - yeah 😉
Thesis is the old name for TB. Also known as Consumption.
I've a bone to pick with ACD. In his rush to get the story out he often leaves loose ends, and this one at least needs an epilogue. For starters I want to know where sheep losses are at!
The sheep losses have haunted me these many years. Thanks for reminding me!
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio : It all looks innocent enough at the outset... what's a few sheep? Grendel started with sheep I believe, but he didn't stop there!
Halloweem season means spooky Victorian audiobooks 🧐
Indeed!
👍👍👍🐻
I wonder what kind of animal was it
It was a honey badger.
@@mickwakefield1874 Top Answer 😊
Feeling as if I'm cheating having to remind myself the story had to be written so all will well.
Beautifully written but a little bit of artistic licence taken in the episode in the cave imo…
Looks like the protagonist ran into a British Bigfoot. 😁
Giant Sloth?
How dare you!!!
😂
Eek !
I have noted with interest that it seems only men and women who are very wealthy can afford to faint, or swoon, after witnessing something traumatic, and perhaps spend three weeks in bed with "brain fever" before going back to their world travels, their shooting or fishing holidays. What if a poor coal miner with a sick wife and three children should witness a cave-in that takes the life of his friend. Can he faint, and then stay in hospital for a week or more? Hell no! They would tell him, "Ay, mate, git up off your azz and get back to your job if you want the bairns to eat this week!" Were the English gentry really that tender, that they faint at the sight of a dog being run over by a cab?
I doubt many coal miners or their families had time to sit in the drawing room by a raging fire sipping port and smoking cigars whilst perusing the Strand magazine. Mum & Dad were busy coughing themselves to death from coal dust or tuberculosis, while the kids too young to go down pit hobbled on their rickets trying not to catch polio.
Gee. Couldn’t think of anything to do but kill it?
more elaborate victorian description than adventure - i wonder if Doyle was paid by the word - very little originality in this story even at Doyle's time I'm sure - as with many authors - this is just one of many stories that fall between the few outstanding ones produced
I thought this was one of his better ones
However vive la difference 😀
Cheers John
I loved it, in fact was quite scared when listening at night time!
To each their own I suppose! I thought it was great and one of his best stories. But I’m into the fantastic as much as crime drama so it’s an easy “gap” to bridge 😉
Źź
Bigfoot
Size 10.
Fiction or not it's impossible for me to sympathize or empathize
with this foolhardy character.
I love this story but the protagonist is foolish 🤣
The narrator .. could make the Sermon on the Mount read like a bus timetable ..
Shocking .. almost as bad as librevox ..at least they admit to being amateurs ..
Ha