Lot No. 249 by Arthur Conan Doyle (A Tale of the Supernatural)
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- čas přidán 17. 12. 2019
- This is an intriguing tale written in 1892 for Harper's Magazine when the world was seemingly gripped by a fascination for Egyptology (called apparently Egyptomania) and the supernatural. Here the two are combined into a story set in Oxford, more precisely in a turret in the corner of the college quad, occupied by three students and an old comedic (I can't help it) rustic. All manner of rum things go on, especially on Bellingham's floor. Not surprisingly there's a spooky denouement involving some running about, not far removed from the antics of Scooby Doo and his associates.
However, more serious connoisseurs of Conan Doyle's work may find flavours of H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Allen Poe and even, M. R. James.
Rudyard Kipling said that this story gave him his first nightmare in years. However for the stouthearted modern listener, who has watched and not been scared by Carry On Screaming it's all rather good fun and far removed from the darkness to be found in the likes of The Case of Lady Sannox or The Leather Funnel.
It is read by Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio.
©Magpie Audio 2019 - Zábava
Back 10 years ago I spent some time on buses in South America. Some rides were over 24 hours. I had a primitive Ipod and listened to every Sherlock Holmes story ever written. Still a fan... Also Agatha Christie got me through Covid.
There is something satisfying about falling asleep to this and then having the chance to listen to it again tomorrow.
Yes!!!! I get loads of mileage by doing that, too 😃
I usually have to listen to these stories 3 or 4 times because, doesn't matter how interested in in tune with the story I am, I always fall asleep too.
Dee Billi
Yes there is. I'm bad about dozing off waking up backing it up to listen again then repeat.
Couldn't have said it better.
What better way to end a cold, wet winter's night than with a mountain of pillows, warm blankets and a new bedtime tale. Many thanks
Cheers Kris.
I've been listening to audiobooks for over 30years every night I love going to bed to listen to another story.my wife loves it as well
Absolutely true. I just completed a 4 hour Sunday afternoon nap, lol. I blame my warm, fleece electric blanket, the cold winter afternoon, my soft pillows, and the hypnotic voice of an adult bedtime story! I've never been known for my willpower, and a person can only take so much temptation. Within 20 minutes, I was out cold😴
I'm doing pretty much the same thing. Love these tales. A great way to spend a winter's evening.
@@rjdjdjdhwbshd damn I wished my partner loved listening to such things🙄
In a society enamoured with novelties and passing fads, the great literature of the past must be fiercely preserved. I am comforted to see this channel excelling in doing precisely that.
Thanks Rod for your comment.
Yes, especially in a day when magazine editors are printing articles stressing that language should be fluid, and that up until the printing of dictionaries, etc. people were free to spell and punctuate as they chose; they stressed that the young people especially don't see the need for punctuation, capital letters, correct sentence structure and spelling, because it takes too much time to write out and is unnecessary. They are making a campaign that as long as it can be understood by the reader, it should be acceptable, and that any kind of shorthand type abbreviations, such as R U instead of Are you, ought to be acceptable substitutes. Within a generation, we won't need to encrypt letters we want to keep secret; if we write them in cursive, no one will be able to read them under the age of 60.
We need to preserve beautiful prose and beautifully written stories; or they will become extinct.
Well said.
Well said
If you read Thoreau, or really anything from the past, society has always been this way. Just an FYI.
Fantastic reading of an excellent story. I've always loved Sherlock Holmes but these readings of other stories have shown me just how good Conan Doyle was. Thank you.
Indeed ! There is much to discover . Brigadier Gerard / The White Company / The Lost World and a
couple of dozen short stories with no mention of Baker St. To name but a few. ?
Probably my favourite Conan Doyle story since I first read it as a child almost fifty years ago. It is still so deliciously chilling and your reading is absolutely superb. Thank you.
Couldn't agree more!
Awesome. Nothing better than your audio and a winter evening with warm coffee.❤
Greg wagland to wherever you may be, I want you to know, as usual, no one can top you. I do hope that you and yours have a blessed Christmas and New year's.
I LOVE there aren’t commercials to blast me awake! Thank you!
Bloody brilliant. Both the fearful story & the excellent narration.
A beautiful tale written in an age of beauty and discovery. I can feel the Old World in the words. A true classic in every sense of the world by a talented and very concise author.
Indeed!
Thank you for these. I'm recovering from a concussion and having diversion of this quality is wonderful. I want to echo other comments: you are made to narrate Conan Doyle. I enjoy these even without a knock on the head. 😜
Hi Leeann
How you doing now?
Cheers!
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Hi! I only today realized I never checked in. I'm much better but still dizzy at times. My advice: avoid concussion at all costs. 😀😱 I got mine tripping over a loose phone cord and face-planting on a concrete floor. Secure your chords! ☺️ Thank you for asking after me. Happy New Year!
I totally agree; I suffer from severe migraines, plus I have neurological problems that cause me to get double vision (luckily, I don't have it constantly), so I can't read during those times. There are times spend 3 straight days on my back. I just listen to these back-to-back. I have to say, this story is one of my favorites. I 've probably heard it ten times now. Thank you so much!!!!
Holy cow! I listened to this tale on a dark rainy night and I must say it was a frightening experience that had me glancing at the long dark windows of my room - frequently! Can’t say when I’ve last felt that strong of a sense of shivering disease . Excellent reading and build up of this gruesome narrative. Thank you!
It’s one of the best, isn’t it, regarding creeps and shivers?! Cheers
"In the month of May . . ." Have to admit I am a sucker for reading or listening to a story at the time of year in which it is set. And how nice it is to have one set in the springtime with the rowers on the water and the green hedges and pleasant country lanes and -- spoiler alert -- murderous reanimated mummy. And this is just such a spot-on, perfect reading. I'm sure I've listened to this telling a hundred times and it never fails to thrill. Thank you so much for posting it.
Kind of you to say, CW. It's fun and gruesome.
This is one of my favorites as well. It goes without saying that the narration is excellent, but the story itself is so original. It isn't like the campy, ghoulish stories of this genre. The writing is so taut, and the suspense just escalates, that you really can't foresee what will happen in the end. At least I didn't. :)
I've listened to this a few times and it's hard, after all of the Sherlock Holmes to not regard this as an incident in Watson's student life-- his personal "Giant Rat of Sumatra" story.
Yes, very possibly. He had 'mummy issues' perhaps.
One of my fabulous ratties is called 'Sumatra'! 😄😍💞
Another superb reading Thank you.
Thank you for that excellently read story 👍🏼
Yes, it was just as I imagined it would be, perfect.
These stories, so marvellously written and so entertainingly narrated, provide me with so much pleasure. Thank you indeed. 😊💕
Glad they do, Judi!
I just love your readings of these stories so much! Big thank you!
Fantastic story! As always, Greg, you bring every character to life and I find myself at the scene in my mind. Thank you.
“White as a cheese” 🤣 How do you read this without chucking. Wonderful read. As always, thank you. It’s my meditation.
You're welcome!
I can't imagine why anyone would think of giving this a thumbs down ...a dislike! It was a great read by a great narrator.... and no one explains their dislikes. Not only is this great narration of an ACD story, but any fan should check out The Beetle!
Well, Susan, it's all about the money...
An excellent reading. Second rank of his books only to THE Terror of Blue John Gap.
Thank you
Thanks Mark for commenting. Appreciated!
Brown hand before blue John gap on my list✊👍
Absolutely brilliant! The narration, the story, everything!
Thanks d Douglas. Kind of you.
That was breathtaking. Lord, what a ride!
Although I admit it likely took about eight nights of falling asleep to it for me to finally finish it this morning, as I simply could not wait any longer to arrive at the conclusion. I find I really did not lose any threat of continuity somehow. I mean, what a story!
I also have to admit that, although Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors from any era, some stories clearly are, subjectively speaking, 'better' than others, just as some Sherlock Holmes episodes, whether read, listened to narrated, or viewed on film from any era... are more engaging than others. Of course, this is a matter of personal taste.
I can think of many films/TV programs ,as I'm sure all of us can, that we find disturbing for one reason or another, surely, there are some for which we are simply unable to identify any precise explanation for somehow feeling so affected by them. And again, just because something is more recent, does not mean it is any bolder, any more shocking or more impactful on our emotions. I'm just attempting to make the point that, for me, and speaking only for myself, I have read stories by ACD that are almost instantly forgettable although entertaining enough at the time. But this one, Lot No 249, and one narrated by Simon, The Parasite, I have found so compelling, and so perfectly, weirdly disturbing, that are just quite literally, gobsmacking. . Both stories have led me to the point where your heart goes out to the main character to the extent that you nearly want to go to them somehow, and unreservedly try and comfort them, let them know you believe them and would never minimize their experience, a bit silly, but there it is. Not sure what I'm driveling on about, sorry, it's early and I've not had enough coffee by half!.
I'll just close by saying I have rarely enjoyed~ if that's the right word, maybe 'been completely caught up in' would be a better way to express it, by a narrative as I have by your reading`~again, a word insufficient to bear~of this particular Conan Doyle tale of an impossible ancient horror that suddenly animates in the comfortable and contented,wholly idealized world of a university campus.
I am also one who saves these treasures for bedtime, with earbuds and that most pleasurable of moments, that snuggling into the soft summer darkening, with either you or Simon, gently but firmly pulling me to Victorian England, encountering people I wish I could know. I almost feel sad for anyone who has not discovered this perhaps unusual, yet quintessentially exquisite pathway to sleep.
Thank you, Greg Wagland: an excellent narration for an excellent story!
Thanks Guts! Glad you enjoyed it!
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Just saw that you did "Heart of Darkness." It's one of my favorite novels. Can't wait to give it a listen!
The thumbnail looks like it should be hung in the halls of a thirtie's Brownstone. So art deco but with a dark hint of foreshadow, as if Lovecraft himself had waved his hand over the illustration.
Thank you so much. Brilliant and beautifully read.
You are so welcome, CC. Cheers!
Just listened to this as it's going to be the next Ghost Story For Christmas adaptation by the estimable Mr Gatiss this year (2023). Although I'm a huge Holmes fan, I'd never encountered this story before.
I enjoyed it immensely, and look forward to seeing the adaptation. Your reading of it here is superb! Really well done, thankyou 👏🏻
I love these audio books. As a lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan who can't read long in the evening nowadays, they are my littoral lifeline . Thankyou.
Literal!
Cheers Jim. Glad you like 'em!
AMAZING NARRATION, and one of the best Doyle stories, ever.
Thank you so very much for your excellent channel!
Cheers
Thankyou so much for sharing this creepy tale, excellently told.
Glad you enjoyed it Sarah.
But, the wisdom of men is small, and the ways of nature are strange... and who shall put a bound to the dark things, which may be found by those who seek for them?
Well questioned... we’ll questioned! Thank you ☺️
Great end lines, indeed!
Thanks Laurence.
I am happy to see this! Looking forward to enjoying it this evening. Thank you.
Cheers K F Hope you enjoyed it.
Sherlock Holmes Stories Magpie Audio Thank you very much, it did exactly what it was supposed to: keep me entertained until I fell asleep. I get to enjoy it again tonight!
A great favourite short story by a brilliant writer and superbly rendered. I feel very spoilt this Christmas. Excellent, as always and your choice perfect for it. The choice of this particularly story was a huge bonus personally speaking.
Glad you enjoyed it, Herr Crankzy!
Many thanks for this upload!
I can't seem to get enough of this story.
Excellent way to spend cold and windy january-evenings over here in The Hague, Netherlands.
My pleasure, Georgina. I too like a cold, wet, stormy night with the fire /woodburner going - although I wonder when they are going to be banned?
Merry Christmas 🎄 Mr Beautiful Voice Man! Luv u! Luv u!
Cheers Ringpop - hope you had a good one!
Thank you.
Hi Greg, here I am again at 4 am searching your playlist for something to help me sleep. Hearing your voice is like an old friend ❤️ I know you have moved on to new platforms & I am happy for you but thank you for beginning & leaving these “friends” here for me to visit with.
Hope all is well with you & may the sausages be plentiful 👏🏻😂
Love the way in 19th century brandy is the cure all for absolutely everything.
Perhaps that was why everyone seemed to swoon and faint at the drop of a hat.
Wonderful brandy! The cure all of the 19th century, who needs antibiotics when you have brandy😉
Just listen to this story over & over even though many things make me smile.
They were manly men with manly pursuits! Wonderful😃
Wow Greg I am actually getting something I WANT for Christmas. Thank you ever so much!!
This is one of the best Christmas presents iv ever received yet! Your voice as ever is soothing, calming. Beautiful narration, thank u very much my friend❤ and a very merry Christmas to you🎄☃️
Cheers Christa. Very kind!
I very much enjoy your reading thank you for sharing
❤️👵🏻
Thanks for your comment, Colleen.
It has been a little while for me, and as usual, you never disappoint! What a great, spine-chilling story, with a superb reader to match! Thank you again, Mr. Wagland, for sharing your gift with the world!❤
Thank you, Tandiwe. Appreciate your comment.
I can listen to Conan Doyle anytime, anywhere! Just love all his work & enjoy stories over & over again! Though I do laugh at old Victorian Britain !! Bit of a class issue😂😂
Another lovely story from Sir Arthur; I already know the ending. I could tell you what it is; I shan't
Thank you so much for uploading this story. It's truly one of my all time favourites and you're an excellent reader, which is just the cherry on the cake.
Glad you enjoyed it, John! Cheers!
Just to say, thank you for uploading 🙏
Thanks Hanono Miri.
I’ve listened to this story several times now (having originally read it 18 years ago, at university)….I still think it to be one of the most imaginative-and terrifying-stories that Doyle ever wrote….
I now know where the idea for all of those horrifying “Mummy” movies came from ( I saw Boris Karloff in one when I was around 8, and I still cannot imagine any more frightening supernatural creature)….
One of the best narrations by a great narrator. Thanks for this!
Cheers from the arse end of Oz! =o)
Where exactly is the arse end of Oz.
Is it Tasmania?
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio If you look at Australia as a giant Wombat facing east, the arse end becomes apparent. One of the last places on earth with clean air and water. I am at the north end of Shark Bay in the state of Wait Awhile (aka Western Australia)
Thanks for asking! Cheers! =o)
Have some rellies in WA. Must visit them one day when air travel is cheaper! Shark Bay looks pretty exotic but a bit 'sharky' for my tastes - those 'nibble your feet fish' are quite dangerous enough for me!
Thanks for the schooling on the Wombat shape - I see it now. So the wombat's eyes - somewhere in Queensland?
Fantastic story and reading. Then you so much
Love... Yes and thank you!
Again, one year later, all i can say is, a ripping great ride!
Thanks from me also because I’ve been very ill over Christmas and found this relaxing.
Thanks Kathy. Best wishes!
This is superb. This makes me think you would be well to incorporate more ghost or supernatural tales into your oeuvre. I can surmise why you might not want to do this, but you are really a master of conveying the drama of such stories.
Your Ultramarine Blue is a splendid vision!
Beautiful elements of an M. R. James story of the early 20th century! I can't help but think this story must have greatly inspired James who at the time was in his 30's.
You just keep Banging out SACD's masterpieces 1 after another, so thoughtful of you"Greg Wagz" keeping / Leaving your Subs wanting more n more of your brilliant Narrators voice, fit for the best in Victorian era readings... cheers M8ty thanks for yet another brilliantly read page Turner.. from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺
JMF Cheers as per usual!
@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio Of course dear sir.... lol
This channels selection of stories goes from strength to strength!! Much appreciated ✊😜
Well done as usual! Thanks Greg a nice surprise on a terrible winter day 😂👌
Beautiful reading!
Thanks DreamingCS!
Quite thankful for this one. I tend to pass on your Sherlock uploads due to fact that those stories are already very familiar to me. Getting to hear Doyle’s other (sometimes better than the Sherlock material) works done in such a fine manner is very satisfying. Thank you for your work, sir
The Sherlock stories are familiar to me as well. I started reading them 40years ago. I even purchased the entire Sherlock Holmes collected stories from Audible for $70 a few years ago; honestly though, Greg's recordings are far superior to the Audible version (which I no longer listen to) and his accent for narration is so perfect. It is exactly how I imagine Sherlock Holmes would speak; after all, imagination is everything in listening to an audio book.
And the nice painting of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis "Sonata of the Pyramydes"
I love your story telling abilities.
Thank you, Ann
I love this creepy tale. 32:08 *shudder*… so good
Good to know the word
“Noddle!” Was still in use in 1884!!😂
Happy Holidays Greg from a rainy Oakland, CA and to second what Fredrik Larsson said below, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of Magpie Audio's wonderful subscribers. Cheers everybody! :-)
Thanks Marisa - you too. Plus HNY!
Would like to say wonderful stories and such a good voice to read them. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well good Sir Greg, you've done it again! Brilliant job. No one reads ACD like you sir. I Thank you.
Many thanks, Jeff! Kind of you!
I had the sudden urge to stand up and applaud this superior reading 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏. Greg, may I congratulate you on a job excellently done?
You may! Cheers wmf
Yay!
This was a creepy story! I loved it!❤❤❤
Excellent! I enjoyed that!
Ta, Larry!
yes. My favorit story ,from det best reader :-) thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
That was bloody scary! I hope I have an Abercrombie Smith around when the poo hits the rotating thing.
Yes indeed.
I think I remember reading this after binging on Holmes. Back in the nineties.
Doyle is very bingeworthy.
Blimey oh reilly, that was exciting!! I started listening to it about 2am but had to turn it off til the next day as it was veeeerry spooky. I really enjoy your ACD stories but this one is a doozy 😬😀♥️
Thank you
enjoyed, thx
This is remarkable, like a Lovecraft story written by Doyle. Can't believe I neard heard of this story before.
Sorry but can’t imagine Lovecraft being anywhere near the class of author Conan Doyle was????
I love the way there's no dicking around. Press start say name of story, start reading
Should be made into a feature film 👍😊
Yes. Has it been? Dunno.
@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio
It's going to be the BBC Ghost Story For Christmas this year, adapted by Mark Gatiss 😊
i really like the way Doyle handled this story. He doesn’t write ghastly tales - just incredibly interesting ones for the most part.
Yes!
You can really tell the difference between Doyle and Lovecraft.
@@Perktube1 oh my goodness, yes! not really comparable at all. one is literature, and the other stories. have a great day a year later :) 🌷🌼📖
I can't help but picture a young Alistair Crowley when I'm picturing Bellingham.
Have not had a chance to listen to it yet, but willing to bet that great work as always. Ty for uploading. Will listen soon.
Ended way too soon. Extremely well read as always, and the story itself is great too.
Outstanding. Thank you.
Thanks Amanita. Glad you liked!
Can see poor Lee looking like a “broken water plant”
Perfect.
My favorite narrator.
Thanks Greta
A fine reading.
Subbed ✔️
Do you EVER fumble over a word or are you the best reader ever!?
No, it's all smoke and mirrors.
I stop and start and it sounds like one take. It ain't!
Many a tumble, many a fumble. Old English saying.
I'm only at 22:45 and must say this is a very intriguing story that, at least so far, doesn't seem to be derived entirely from worn out clichés. I like commenting part way through audiobooks on CZcams to give people my impressions as I hear the story...
Excellent. Thank you:) 👍
Nice!
great tale on winter's day
Rock tombs!! Thought you said rock tunes!!🤣🤣
Thank you for this (which I’m saving up as a treat) and everything you do for us throughout the year!
Have a very Happy Christmas in Palm Springs! Do they have casinos there too? 💰💰💰♥️♠️🔶♣️💰💰💰
Didn't really get to Palm Springs.
Got as far as Margate in Kent. Palm trees do grow here, but I'm not sure they like it!
Pesky traffic jams. . .
Good show ol boy, good show!
Thanks, Divine Me
The first segment of " Tales fron the dark side: The movie" was loosely based on this story. It starred Christian Slater and Steve Buschemi.