A Warning to the Curious | A Ghost Story by M. R. James | A Bitesized Audiobook
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- A visitor to Seaburgh is fascinated by the local legend of an Anglo-Saxon crown buried nearby, guarding against invaders. He follows the clues to see where they lead, but soon finds himself wishing he'd left well alone... The story starts at 00:01:28
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:28 A Warning to the Curious
00:45:52 Credits, thanks and further listening
Montague Rhodes James (1862-1936) was a medievalist and scholar, and is probably the best known and most celebrated English ghost story writer of the 20th century, although he actually began composing supernatural tales in the late Victorian era, beginning with 'Canon Alberic's Scrapbook' and 'Lost Hearts' (both 1893). He was born in Kent, but spent most of his childhood in Suffolk, a county which features prominently in many of his stories, including 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Several of James's protagonists also reflect his own antiquarian interests, with academics and historians featuring regularly. James published four volumes of ghost stories in his lifetime: 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1904), 'More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1911), 'A Thin Ghost and Others' (1919) and 'A Warning to the Curious and Other Stories' (1925).
During a long academic career which encompassed several positions at King's College, Cambridge, and Eton College, M. R. James developed a tradition of reading his ghost stories aloud to a group of friends, most famously on Christmas eve, and the majority of his published stories were first heard in that setting.
'A Warning to the Curious' originally appeared in the 'London Mercury' in August 1925, and became the title story in James's fourth and final collection of ghost stories published later that same year. The fictional town of Seaburgh is based on Aldeburgh, the Suffolk seaside town which James knew well from his childhood: his grandmother lived there and he visited her regularly until she died in 1870. Many of the landmarks mentioned in the story can still be seen nearby, including the Martello tower, The Bear (actually The White Lion), the church, and William Ager's cottage.
Note for returning listeners who think you may have heard this one before: you probably have; it was previously uploaded in 2020, but this version has been re-edited and re-mastered to clean up some slightly muddy or boxy audio, and fix some processing errors.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2020-2024. - Zábava
A visitor to Seaburgh is fascinated by the local legend of an Anglo-Saxon crown buried nearby, guarding against invaders. He follows the clues to see where they lead, but soon finds himself wishing he'd left well alone... The story starts at 00:01:28 See the video description for background notes on the author and the story. Note for returning listeners who think you may have heard this one before: you probably have; it was previously uploaded in 2020, but this version has been re-edited and re-mastered to clean up some slightly muddy or boxy audio, and fix some processing errors. This is one of a series of the ghost stories of M. R. James I've narrated for this channel; you can hear the others on this playlist: czcams.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZJNKedIOCTyWlvJTmG0ku2o.html
Or for a selection of Victorian ghost stories by various authors, including Charles Dickens, Amelia Edwards, Edith Nesbit, H. G. Wells, and many more: czcams.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZISCGdeBUtYxynNFtZCeRrv.html
A note on the text: I've opted to use a specific date, April 1920, in dating this reading, whereas in the text it is rendered as "April 19--". I chose 1920 to give the story context, because the modern-day narrator is recounting events which happened to him a few years previously (it was first published in 1925), but to me the story has a post-Great War feel about it. William Ager is said to have died "quite recently", aged 28, after spending many nights staying up out of doors... presumably guarding the crown - successfully - during the First World War. Also, there is mention of Ager's father acting as guardian during the South African War (1899-1901) and his grandfather during the War of 1870 (i.e. the Franco-Prussian War) so this timeline seemed to make sense. That's my interpretation anyway; if you disagree, or agree, or have other thoughts on it, do let me know in the comments!
Thanks for adding the date that seemed appropriate to you. It always takes me out of the story on confusion when those coy blanks come into a story.
Had noticed you put a date in, much better that way & your right that appears to fit the time line just right.👍❤️
James descriptions of landscapes are quite unique. It’s certainly written in that classic scholarly way, yet it’s rich with simple details and slowly creates an eerie atmosphere as things build up. It’s great he draws from memory, real places and grounded characters to weave a timeless story. It’s great you continue to honor his work.
I always liked how these two guys were such good friends to Paxton in such a short time.
Yes indeed, I really like the structure of this story: narratives nestled within narrative, with several points of view
I've felt the same: gentlemen behaving like gentlemen. The product of a society where a chap could be trusted in proportion to the quality of his tailoring (even if the tailor's account had yet to be settled...). I expect it had its drawbacks, but seems almost halcyon.
@@Lemma01 Yes indeed! Politeness & chivalry.
I'm not daft enough to think that things were perfect in times gone by-far from it of course, but.....wistful is how I'd describe my current mood
@nickybaker1338 Accommodation. I'm English, and was brought up to believe one had an obligation to shuffle along a bit to accommodate The Other, however obstreperous. Rather than take offence.
@@Lemma01 Plain old decency and good manners.
I think that many of us remember such days when we did what we "were ruddy well told and that's all there is to it"
There was no such thing as a "naughty step"-we just rushed all the way up the stairs like lightning- without needing to be told! 😆
Thoroughly enjoyed 😊
Your readings always have me feeling like I'm in the story. A person standing in the street, someone looking out of the window as the main characters walk by.
What a lovely comment, thank you
You're most welcome.
What a wonderful homage to the J.R. Dullard classic. You spoil us, maestro. ❤
An affectionate parody, as you might say! Thanks Bob, for your work in unearthing the forgotten talents of the great JRD
Every M R James story on this channel has been superbly narrated, can’t beat these original creepy stories✊❤️
Thank you Julie, much appreciated
Another enchanting story, thank you Mr. Stanhope
I adore MR James! Thank you, friend! ❤
My pleasure, thank you Jenny
Me too!
I think i give it a miss getting a metal dectector thanks simon ❤
Possibly very wise! Although detecting is a fascinating hobby, I had great fun with it years ago... never found a Saxon crown though
@@BitesizedAudio yes it sounds much fun .
@@BitesizedAudio That was probably for the best, the present story considered ;)
M R James is always welcome.
Thank you!
Excellent performance Simon, I love this story, really creepy too, thank you so much!
Thanks Kay, appreciated
Been back to this story least half a dozen times, my favourite M.R. James story & best narrations I ever heard👍❤️
Thanks so much, Julie, very kind of you to say. I think this is possibly my favourite MRJ story too, but it's difficult to choose!
Thank you Simon, you are spoiling us ❤
You are the best! You just made my night
Wonderful, thank you!
Thankyou Simon, yesterday listening to this story and 'The Violin', was the happiest part of my day. I always know how lucky I am to be able to listen to a story from your selection. 🙋♀️💗
What a lovely comment, thank you so much
Thank you Simon, I love this story.
Thanks Mariana, it's one of my personal favourites too
Beautifully told, thank you. One of sadder stories by that great master of the eerie: Paxton meant no harm and really didn't deserve his fate.
Yes I agree. I'm always struck that Paxton gets rather a raw deal compared with some earlier James protagonists... the whistle (in 'Oh Whistle') is simply thrown back into the sea, and Abbot Thomas's treasure is returned to its hiding place, and in both cases that's apparently enough to get the ghosts to lay off!
Wonderfully spooky and brilliantly performed! Thank you so much!
Great narration of classic stories.
Thank you kindly!
One of my favourites!
Mine too... I would find it tricky to single out my absolute favourite M. R. James tale, but this would certainly have to be in my top three I think
Wonderfully read - thank you again for more M R James
You're most welcome
Thank you! This is one of my favorites.
Your reading with such emotion...well, it makes for a riveting narration.
Thank you so much
I was a psychologist. Now I'm nothing.
Having had two partners in a row, within a 10 year period, commit suicide has led me to believe that some things are determined and somethings aren't.
I have spent 45 years attempting to achieve a series of goals with all the determined effort I have in me and having seemingly random variables prevent a single plan work in my life as they do in other peoples, im convinced its all random crap that doesn't count for anything.
Re: Saving the Earth or humans or whatever, I have two words to say: ship breaking. Or if you prefer, jack leg gold mining in the congo basin. I can only feel so guilty about my 1000 sq ft shack, tiny 15 yr old car that gets 40 mph and is no old no one I'll fix it. Cosmos grant I die sooner rather than later. 😅
Thanks
Thank you so much
when did James find time to live? So' prolific. What one can get done with lackies and college servants.
I'm sure they would be very useful! Although to be fair, he only produced one ghost story per year, on average, in fact slightly less than one a year over the course of almost 40 years... his output of other (academic) writing was quite considerable though
Double-frame narrative.
A story related within a story within a story …