The Haunted and the Haunters | A Ghost Story by Edward Bulwer-Lytton | A Bitesized Audio Production
Ойын-сауық
Two men and a dog attempt to outface the horrors of a London townhouse with an evil reputation, in one of the most famous of all Victorian ghost stories. This tale may have been inspired by the legends surrounding 50 Berkeley Square, infamous as "the most haunted house in London" in the nineteenth century.
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803-1873) was a British politician and author. He served as an MP from 1831 to 1866, first as a Whig and later as a Conservative, reaching cabinet rank as Secretary of State for the Colonies under Lord Derby in 1858. A friend and contemporary of Charles Dickens, he was not in the same literary league and his output as a writer has fallen into comparative obscurity over the last 150 years. He is best remembered today for coining several popular phrases, including "the pen is mightier than the sword" and "the great unwashed", as well as for the opening clause of his 1830 novel 'Paul Clifford': "It was a dark and stormy night", which has become synonymous with cliched writing. (The annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest keeps his memory alive by inviting contributors to compose deliberately bad opening sentences.)
'The Haunter and the Haunted' was first published in Blackwood's Magazine in August 1859.
A note on the text: There are at least two versions of this story in circulation, possibly more, as Bulwer-Lytton himself subsequently edited the story. This is a short version, which has been regularly anthologized. The long version, sometimes given the alternative title 'The House and the Brain', is considerably longer with a significantly expanded epilogue and conclusion.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2019.
Пікірлер: 263
I love this story, used to have it in a horror story compendium. It has always stayed with me, the descriptions of the knocks in the night, the beams of light, the globules, the figures and the eyes in the shadow...spine tinglingly evocative.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Wonderful, yes indeed very evocative and haunting images
@shannonsweeney1116
2 күн бұрын
I love these stories,but I have to admit it's Simon's voice that I enjoy the most.❤
Wonderfully literate English enhanced by superb narration. How impoverished the English language has become over the past 150 years.
@chungokhowb2957
3 жыл бұрын
what utter nonsense, worldwide the english languages evolution is constant
@janetrocha4367
3 жыл бұрын
@@chungokhowb2957 No it hasn't. Have you read any recent literature? The language is hackneyed, full of platitudes and as boring as hell!
@janetrocha4367
3 жыл бұрын
@@chungokhowb2957 You can't even write a grammatically correct sentence yourself.
@pariscribe5245
3 жыл бұрын
@@janetrocha4367 So true !
@pariscribe5245
3 жыл бұрын
For me who only went to a prep. school at Harrow on the Hill (Orley Farm ), I find that that this is all too common now !
I truly enjoyed listening to each story and foolishly wished that they would never end. Thanks so much for allowing us, the public, to have access to such amazing quality of both audio and authorship. Great writers and readers. I can’t thank you enough.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
You are most welcome Luis, thanks so much for listening and for your very kind feedback.
@simonelefebvre2523
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed! A joy to listen too!
@crowleythedemoncat
Жыл бұрын
@@simonelefebvre2523 I agree as well. Plus sometimes there is s new one.
@byTjo
Жыл бұрын
Me too, excellent sentiment~
I really, REALLY enjoy listening to these ghost stories when I’m going to sleep at night. I never fall asleep the first time thru a story tho, sometimes it’s the third or fourth time thru. The narrator here tells the story wonderfully, second only (imho) to Michael Hordern’s narration of these beautiful, old ghost stories. Thank you so much, I’m so happy I found you and I am anxiously awaiting all the stories to come.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Samantha, high praise indeed - I'm a great admirer of Michael Hordern. Fabulous, inimitable voice - the original voice of Paddington, too!
@kimbykimbers3750
3 жыл бұрын
So well put! I echo everything you have said there....💐
@Paxtonparsnip
2 жыл бұрын
My thoughts exactly!
@cruisepaige
2 жыл бұрын
For me I fall asleep the first time and need to listen several times before I hear the whole thing. Simon’s voice is very soothing.
You have the perfect voice for these and you execute them so smoothly, its a real find...love them. thx G
I love your choices of classic ghost stories. Oh , the creative energy you bring to each and every reading ! Wonderful imagery is created in my minds eye.
So pleased to discover this after revisiting a vinyl record of ghost stories titled Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Ghost Stories for Young People (Wonderland, 1967) that features a truncated version of this very tale. It’s easily found here on KZread and was lovely to hear that from which the tale was originally sourced from. Very delightful.
@miarencrowsdaughter6434
6 ай бұрын
I think I had that same vinyl record. Did yours also have Saki's 'The Open Window'?
@holeypeacoat
6 ай бұрын
@@miarencrowsdaughter6434 Yes it did. That’s one of my favorites with the cheeky daughter trolling Mr. Knuttle.
I never thought that I would listen to something like this, nevermind enjoy them so much. Thank you.
This story sent chills down my spine. It's perfect with a cup of tea and with some knitting. Thank you
I absolutely love ALL (these) Victorian ghost stories & thoroughly enjoy listening : a perfect accompaniment to a good nights slumber . Well done & Thank you .
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Denise, that's great to hear
Oh, the poor dog. I'm in total agreement with him, it was his fault. Apart from that, so much suspense, such a great story. Thankyou!
I Love these stories,the actor's reading is rich and wonderful.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I gather Bulwer-Lytton's reputation as a writer is not the highest today, but I think this is an interesting, well-written story, and still an influential one, even today, in the haunted-house genre. It sounds in part like an exploration that would have been done by one of those Victorian psychical societies that researched supernatural events. Enjoyed your excellent reading!
This is my first time listening to this story and I'm currently now will be looking into more of Edward Bulwer-lytton stories. Thank you for the fantastic narration. Cheers.
This channel is a gem to find. Great story narration. Now subscribed x
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I'll say it again- I'm SO pleased I found this channel- some old favourites, some I've not heard before-and all read so well. Trying to ration myself.....
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Olwen, that's lovely to hear. New stories are coming up - stay tuned!
As a teenager (some decades ago now) I came upon this story and loved it and much later I got to be interested in to the author and to stories in this vein. In this vein to the point of keeping the location almost the same. It was a pleasure to accidentally find this superb reading / rendering pf it and your channel is just a treasure trove to be dwelt into. At leisure? Not a chance. So you have a new subscriber (with bell on) and I something to listen forward to. Thank you. On all accounts.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for listening, and for your very kind comments. I hope you enjoy listening to the other stories - there's a mix of genres but mostly on the theme of mystery and suspense. Hoping to upload a couple more before Christmas, including another classic Victorian ghost story, so good to know you've rung the bell. Thanks for your support
@jannorris9764
4 жыл бұрын
Who is the reader please??? I absolutely love to listen to his voice! But cant find his name???
@divaden47
4 жыл бұрын
@@jannorris9764 The reader is a voice actor named Simon Stanhope. :)
This was a superb ghost story with so much detail and twists and turns. Nothing vague or simple going on here. AND it had a resolution! Well done and very well read!
There is a Bulwer-Lytton Prize for worst cliche in fiction: "It was a dark and stormy night..."
Feel so bad for the doggo😔excellent narration and story
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
I know, as a dog lover that part got to me, too... Thanks CurlyTech
@dahliakamalraouf
3 жыл бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio where is my comment,early this afternoon?
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
@Dahlia Kamal I'm not sure... I just did a search and it appears I haven't received any other comments from you. I assume you didn't say anything too controversial?? Sometimes, for reasons I'm not very clear about, comments get put into a holding area, but I just looked there and there's nothing from you there either. Very strange. It has happened a couple of times previously where comments have just disappeared, perhaps just a glitch
@dahliakamalraouf
3 жыл бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio I strongly objected 'bout the dog..my message was sent to the long-ago dead ,so called renowned author (then)..i expressed myself freely,the same way he gave himself the right to hurt me and others(pretty sure 'bout that)as far as choosing the innocent victim of his sick,sadistic,psychopathic soul!!know what?sir?nowadays such a novel would have been criticized to the point of forcing this author to edit the poor creatures' fate ..aamof,all the story line concerning what it was subjected to!! that "Lytton" politician must have been a K9 antagonist!! unfortunately he succeeded to spoil all the fun and thrill i felt following the narration(EXCELLENT,by the way)stupidly inventing in his (again)sick mind this detailed end of man's best friend!!
I adore horror and ghost stories and do not spook easily. (So to speak). But this story creeped me out! Well written and the reading is so well executed. I cannot love this enough! 👻👻👻
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Shannon, that's great to hear! Thanks for listening, and for taking the time to comment
Rather sad, that sentence about the letters tied with the faded yellow ribbon, that as he was descending from the attic, felt a hand grasp his wrist and a weak tug at the letters... he ought to have given them back.
How could anyone thumbs down?? The narration great! I forget I'm listening to one man.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Very kind of you! Yes, I suppose it's not to everyone's taste, although personally I don't really see the point of the "Dislike" button, I've never felt drawn to use it. When I don't like a video, I just don't "Like" it, if you see what I mean, but I suppose some people wish to express their feelings more directly! Appreciate your kind words, thanks Frances
Exquisitely performed and another wonderful story! Thank you!
Every other person that try's to do this story. After listening to Simon read it. It just doesn't sound right. My absolute favorite ghost story thanks Simon.
Powerfully told. Thank you
Thank you for this very fine collection, which is enhanced by a pleasing and distinctive voice...
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, very kind!
Spooky and well read.
A fine reading of a classic tale by Lord Bulwer Lytton, a confirmed favourite along with his famous occult novels 'Zanoni' and 'A Strange Story'. Bulwer Lytton met the French Magus Eliphas Levi, evoked spirits at Knebworth and was deeply versed in medieval occult and Rosicrucian lore. There are 2 versions of this tale, one somewhat truncated. The ignorant impute a hackneyed style to Bulwer Lytton - an extremely ill-informed opinion as his prose style is actually vigorous, vivid and highly readable even in the 21st century.
@NigelJackson
3 жыл бұрын
There's a slightly expanded version of this story by Lord BL - it closes with him encountering the adept portrayed in the miniature, in a London gentleman's club. A little more about the sinister phenomena in the house is explained
As soon as it turned up, I thought "Damn, the dog's gonna die".
I started listening to these before bed to take my mind off everything but they are so good that I kept listening to “just one more.” He really has a talent for content choice & narration.
Anyone else that stumbles in here during the pandemic to discover this genius storyteller will be blessed with untold hours of entertainment. You are welcome.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
How kind of you to say so, thank you!
An Exceptional Story thank you for your reading of it. I knew of the author not the story I am spending many splendid hours listening to your channel, much appreciated
These are the best auto books ever
@christinemeehan7242
3 жыл бұрын
NJ in nnninn (NI)Ininin I never n uniform bnb
@christinemeehan7242
3 жыл бұрын
CJ him ok j in ihi
@christinemeehan7242
3 жыл бұрын
How bio
@christinemeehan7242
3 жыл бұрын
Oh io
@christinemeehan7242
3 жыл бұрын
Jh
Great stuff! Love these old tales/stories. I enjoy reading (and audiobook) mystery, suspense, psychological thriller of the current day...most of the time. However, I so greatly appreciate these old (Victorian era) stories as a very welcome respite from the blood, guts, murder, awful graphic violence scenes in most of these books (which is also why I'm a sucker for a Cozy Mystery). Thanks a bunch! Truly! peace.
Wonderfully read, thank you.
Both story and reading are substantial in their differing disciplins. An absolute pleasure! Thank you.
You really do have such wonderful content, this is yet another old favourite of mine and your reading is very soothing to my sleepless self here at 3.32am this morning. Thank you.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Do hope you managed to get some sleep eventually...
@FIONA21ful
4 жыл бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio Sadly only about an hour around 7am, but I am sure to sleep tonight! With your help of course. 😘
Thankyou for narrating these most enjoyable stories.
What is scary about this is there are aspects in this story that do occur in investigations into haunting's. Great story and of course like all the stories so well narrated by the narrator. 👻👻👻👻
Many thanks again for a wonderful story and excellent narration. Some years ago we had a much less dramatic but slightly similar experience leasing a house where the former occupants had hidden away paraphernalia related to their interests in the occult. Once we found and removed those objects the unpleasantness ceased.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Goodness, that does sound rather dramatic. Perhaps you should write up a story based on your experiences! Thanks again for listening and your kind feedback
Wonderous classics! Being in ‘self exile’ during our troubled times, finding these great tales from the past revisited is a blessing...
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Michael, I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and well, best wishes
Excellent story. Well read and very much enjoyed. Didn't expect the ending.
This story never gets old.
Gorgeous! What a wonderful story - was sorry about the dog (poor thing) but very glad to hear that the house was resolved in the end
Superbly read as ever, the tale gave me goosebumps, even though listening in daylight, & not as is my norm of listening to your reading's by lamplight sat in bed, doubt I would have slept a wink had I done so, the writer certainly knew how to capture his readers mind & emotions with his narrative
I love these old ghost stories!
Alas, poor Fido, his master brought a pistol, yet forgot the salt. [sadface] Dog murder and that particularly Victorian terror of visible microbes aside, it's actually really cool in the...hmm, 'applied folklore' sense to see inverted wards (a lodestone and amber, the rowan 'circle' etc.) used as a curse conduit/amplification system. It's easy enough to throw a pentagram and some funny symbols in there and call it a day, so Bulwer-Lytton actually doing the research is a) going above and beyond in the days of 'research' starting with 'flick through 10,000 index cards at the library' and b) impressing nerds c.150 years after his death; I wish I could tell him it's appreciated. At any rate, for all its contemporary popularity I'd not heard this one before, so thanks for that.
Wow..good story!
They should have taken a miniature pinscher. That breed would piss off any evil ghost until the ghost fled.
Love these..Thank you 🌺
Listened to many of your readings but si far this is the most complicated, convincing, and ' scary ' . Very good. Thanks.
I love your stories, Simon. You're so talented I see the stories unfolding in my mind. Thank you for all you do for your listeners.
Always good and a little spooky. I Like the state of mind of this Era. Good job on reading. Thank you for bringing these.
Don't know how this one slipped through the net - I have even started listening to your longer stories channel as thought I had gone through all the short ones. What a treat, thank you.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Andy. I've only got this channel (that I know of!), do I have a sound-alike somewhere? Actually, I'm hoping to start doing a few longer stories in the coming months, as and when I can fit them in. Lots more short stories on my list too though. Thanks so much for your kind comments, best wishes
@andyfield7397
3 жыл бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio I shall pop through my history I know 'Obselete oddity' has at least one other channel and folk who like your content like his too, despite the different styles.
Thank you, it sounds fabulous!
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback, and thank you for listening
Love stuff like this! Thank you!
Thank You for sharing your Wonderful voice in telling these awesome tales !! I’m so glad I found them can’t wait to listen to them all several times .
Excellent... Thank you!
Excellent stuff! Thank you again for having this channel.
Wonderful story, wonderfully read. Thank you so much!🕯️🙏
i just noticed the paise at the end of the story before the “titles” ( or whatever you’d call them). this is so, so appreciated. even audible leaves no pause at times and completely ruins the mood of the story. thanks much. hope things are getting better where you are. they are here in New York and it still feels weird, but welcome. 15 months is a long time!! 🌷☀️
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Alexa, glad to know that it helps the mood, that was the idea. Funnily enough I'm preparing some recordings at the moment to go on Audible - I shall endeavour to leave a decent pause before the end credits!
Awesome story. Brilliant narration
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tasha
This must be one of the best in this series! And how you bring to life the story though it is but the voice of only one man reading it. Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you very much.
what a joy it must have been to have lived in the victorian colonial period before radio and television and computers....a time when the reading of books and attending live theater was the chief form of education and entertainment.....just listening to this story is more compelling and spellbinding than the last 50 movies i've watched which bored me to tears
Thank you for sharing these. I am getting so much enjoyment from them.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Glad to know that, thank you Rose
thank you for sharing all this old gems with us!
Absolutely the best thus far,thank you!
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Barbara!
Tremendous! Thank you for your wonderful reading! ❤️
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
You're most welcome!
TY for these & the little mini biography w/ the story here; I had no idea he coined these famous phrases...again THX
I’d not heard about this book before, a great reading & a chilling story, poor little boy. Many thanks 🙏 xx
@brunovanhove1832
Жыл бұрын
Do read the book , this audio book is missing the ending and most surprising epilogue!
@lyndaa7560
Жыл бұрын
@@brunovanhove1832 Many thanks, reading the book will be a pleasure xx
What a great story, clear narration, well presented. thank you so much.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you Tracey
Much thanks good sir for your excellent readings. This was so enjoyable. I'm listening to you while working on a deck project and it makes the detailed work go by so pleasantly. Blessings.
Thank you for another great story!
I think this might be the story that was adapted as "The House and the Brain" on the old CBS Radio Mystery Theater (tho a lot of liberties were taken with it).
What a fascinating and powerful story, magnificently narrated! I've enjoyed The Coming Race (1871), and been meaning to try Zanoni (1842) for years, but if I ever heard of this story, I had no sense of its excellence - thank you!
Marvelous, spine chilling tale ,in excellent English superbly read/ narrated as always. Many thanks and regards.
wow! i was on the edge of my seat. fabulous reading. thank you, dear Simon :) 🧖🏼♀️😦🕯
A pleasure reacquainting myself with an old favourite, beautifully read. Thank you!
Thank you 😷
I loved this story. Very interesting, thank you.
I have only just found your channel & so far I am really enjoying it. Great story & very well narrated.
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Glad you found the channel, hope you enjoy listening to the others. Best wishes
Now I’m going back a bit! Loved it! Fab job!
I really did enjoy your story, with the very ending , Well I wasn't too keen of the very ending. I will most definitely look for to your other stories, To the people that are providing this, I like to say thank you... It was very enjoyable.... Care
Another great story to listen to. Much appreciated thanks 👍👍
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Totoro
This is my second time listening to the story and I cannot begin to explain to you of how much I enjoyed it even that much more this time. You most definitely have me as a lifetime friend and member to your wonderful Channel.. Thank you again,,, and take care
That was awesome! Great story! Thank you!!
🦋 just found your site 😍🥰❤👌👍💯🙌 LOVE your narration 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I luv this story👻🖤 & I'll be glad to share it on my social media platforms
Yano when your trash talking gran answers the phone and suddenly sounds like the queen... thays what this chat is like. 😅🤣 love the stories ❤
Excellent
Outstanding reading on this.
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@4FYTfa8EjYHNXjChe8xs7xmC5pNEtz
4 жыл бұрын
@@BitesizedAudio Sincerely, you're really talented at this. So much better than most I've heard.
Your narration has excited my curiosity; I shall listen to further readings...
@BitesizedAudio
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Sir André, I hope you enjoy
A classic & brilliantly read.
As I said in my previous post I have discovered this channel in the past week..the stories are excellent and the narrating superb. I don't want to stop listening.....ever. way better than the boob tube.
Well done! Thank you. Thumbs-up and subbed!
@BitesizedAudio
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for listening, and subscribing! Much appreciated
Simon just seems like a really good guy
second time round . Thank you again
Very very thanks for posting that! To do this in German is on my mind. "Mr Richards" :-)
Wow! Have to say that this story is written as if the writer had had her own real experiences with clairvoyance, clairsentience, claiolfactory