Every night I listen to one of these things before I go to sleep. And every night I think "damn I gotta get up and leave an appreciative comment in the morning." Then I forget. You really are almost supernaturally talented at this. What a wonderful voice, and what wonderful skill for all the (thousands of) subtleties of reading a story "right." Somehow your style is both highly unique but also completely unobtrusive, at the same time. Just amazing stuff.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

John, thank you so much for your very generous comments and feedback, I'm touched. All best wishes to you

@sonjawells4265

3 ай бұрын

I wish I had said that.😊

Poor Malcomson. Not many supernatural stories scare me - but this one did the trick. More effective than Dracula. As always, your narration added so much to the overall effect.

I'm so angry that Malcom (the Student) didn't escape. I don't know why this makes me so emotional...heh

When I think about the time and effort, and the hours it takes to record, edit and upload these quality stories, so professionally narrated... "thank you" seems such a small word. But its sincere and heartfelt....... THANK YOU !

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome! It helps that voice and audio work is part of what I do for a living, but these stories are particularly enjoyable to do and it's sometimes annoying to have to put them aside for a bit in order to undertake more lucrative activities! The research side, digging up old and neglected stories, has been good fun too. Thanks for listening, and your feedback.

@theodorewinfrey8814

4 жыл бұрын

Outstanding!

@AstroRex

2 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio A true audio aficionado! You're a good apple, for sure.

@marisadallavalle393

2 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio Totally agree with BlueFriend, I am filled with gratitude for your stories! 💕

@margaretcoates8094

2 жыл бұрын

BlueFriend I completely agree with you and wish I had the words (and $$$) to express my gratitude to Simon.

Creepy tale, and as always, very well read. Didn’t like the ending, but one can’t expect the “warm & fuzzies” from Bram Stoker!

@cynthiaholland13

2 жыл бұрын

Same regarding ending. Very good story and very well read

@anjaknatz7157

Жыл бұрын

I hoped so urgendly for his escape. We would all have been glad if his life could have been spared, I think..

I felt so sorry for Malcolmson. He hurt the rat with the Bible, I thought he would use it again. You read this so well. The atmosphere was terrific. Thank you.

Ghosts… that’s one thing, rats however, ah, no! COMPLETE DEAL BREAKER ! I’ve heard that they don’t like peppermint; my room would no doubt be smelling like the North Pole…

There is not a better voice for these stories anywhere. Thank you for the hard work. More please! Happy New Year to all.

@BlaqueCzar

3 жыл бұрын

If him and Horror Babble ever had a narration battle , at the climax we would all be transported to Edgar Allen Poes writing room at the moment he was putting the finishing touches on the telltale heart.

You are resurrecting the past for us all and it is so appreciated. This is an era that I just love. A peek inside that gives a thrill. Really, thank you.

Yet another old favourite (of mine at least) yet another superb rendering. I keep saying that instead of 'reading' because it is much more than merely reading. It was a delight to find this here this cold and very windy morning. Appropriate enough but I'm quite looking forward to nightfall for my 1st re-listen. Thank You.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks HerrCrankzy. Glad to hear it's another of your favourites... I've got a couple of much more obscure old ghost stories lined up for the coming weeks/months, I'll be interested to see if you know them. (Quite possibly, as you're obviously a connoisseur of the genre!)

Gotta love Bram Stoker! You have such a perfect voice and method for telling stories. You could make a fortune reading audio books for people.

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks M M. I've released a few audio books on Audible... the royalties trickle in at the moment, but hopefully a fortune awaits! Thanks for listening and for your kind comments

Thank you very much for your generosity in narrating this short story and sharing your gift for the enjoyment of all.

Your voice and this story is a perfect evening companion after a busy, hectic day

"Hey Bram! We really need you to think of a name for the main character, it's less than a day until it goes to print." "Oh sorry about that Malcolm....ummmmm, hmmmm...." "Bramy old boy, we need it now" "His name is uhhhhh.....MALCOLM!........Malcolm....Malcolmson, yeah that should do it."

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Ha! Yes, though it's not that unlikely, there are quite a few famous names like that: Magnus Magnusson, for example. John Johnson might have been a less interesting choice!

@javedsultan4830

4 жыл бұрын

Malcolm Bramson may be

@mijiyoon5575

3 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio Yeah, that name stood out

@grimtt

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure if it’s peculiar to the American South, but we have a lot of those: William Williamson, Gregg Gregory, James Junior James…. That, and giving a child a first and middle name, only to purposefully ignore the first and call the child by his middle name for the rest of his life. (I say “he” because it seems mainly to be done with the male of the species.)

Yikes. Frankly, I'd rather face all the demons of Hell than one rat. Thank you for yet another wonderful reading.

There are two people I LOVE to listen to reading,... Simon Stanhope is one of them.

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mark, kind of you to say so. I feel compelled to ask: who is the other? (There are several great storytellers on KZread these days...)

@markvines7308

2 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio I thought you might 😁 I also enjoy Greg Wagland reading Sherlock Holmes at Magpie Audio

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

Aha, Greg Wagland, of course! I thought it might be. He is indeed a superb narrator, and a very nice chap too, having kindly provided me with some very useful advice when I was first starting out this channel

Over shadowed by his all time classic but that said this has to be his greatest short story.👻👻👻👻👻

“Baleful!” Bring it Back!

I was told this story at a summer camp as a child. I was probably the only one still awake, the time I'm unsure, but the adult in charge read the entire story. Thank you for the nostalgia of hearing this story again.

@BitesizedAudio

2 жыл бұрын

That's quite a spooky story for a child at a summer camp! Thanks for listening Steven, glad you enjoyed it

A great story and an even better narration!. Bram Stoker's story seems influenced by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances on Aungier Street" which I hope that you are considering to perform in the future. Once again, thank you!

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed... not sure when I'll get around to it but it's certainly on the list. Thanks David

@mijiyoon5575

3 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio I found it a few days ago...Thank You

@grimtt

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I just listened to Simon’s performance of Le Fanu and you are right David! They are similar. I might say Stoker is more… playful maybe? Or less dark? Le Fanu is so atmospheric in a downward spiral sort of way. Both are expertly read of course and so nice to have both here to discover!👍 Thank you Simon!

@kathyhorstman7909

8 ай бұрын

I totally agree.

Spooky. Another great story and another great reading. Thank you again!!

I just found your channel and I LOVE it! You are a genius at what you do. Thank you!

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Kind of you to say so, thank you for listening

This reminds me of studying for Final exams and how the slightest distraction can throw my work off. 🙏🏻 you Bram Stoker. Also thank you Bitesized reader

Your voice is perfect for these victorian ghost stories!! I really appreciate all the work you put into these! Thank you so much!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome, glad you enjoy them

Bram stoker one of the best ! Thanks

I love this story and the narration so much that I listen to it every week😂 it's like my gin and tonic. Very comforting.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

How lovely! Although I'm not sure I find this particular story the most comforting... perhaps as I really don't like rats!

@sandhita_agarwal

7 ай бұрын

Lol I keep coming back to this every few months. I think the mention of delicious suppers and sandwiches are enough to comfort me. I do find rats quite adorable.

Wonderful storytelling and narration! Who needs a movie version when there exists such masterful writing and vocal talents as are presented here? Thank you!

I enjoyed this reading more than can easily be expressed. Writers of this day and age, just don’t write that way anymore. I have subscribed to this channel, only recently finding it. This channel, coupled with the grand narration of these literary treasures, makes this an oasis in a desert of modern nothingness of writing. Thank you, so very much for sharing. I look forward to every submission.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

What a lovely comment - so glad you enjoyed, thank you so much for listening, and subscribing!

Thank you so much! I’ve listened to this over and over

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Thanks M. Olivier

Love these,Thank you🎀

You are always, dear friend, liquid gold to listen to...love your choices as you know.🙏💜

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Gisele, for another very kind comment. I thought of you in particular with this one. I have another Bram Stoker story in mind for later this year...

@madwitch9977

4 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio hi Simon ..ooh you love to tease me !😂 did you get chance to look up Dion Fortune ? are her books too large ? I see your subs have rocketed...soo very pleased to see how popular you are. Do you still not have IG ..im happy to pop up posts for you anytime dear friend Gx

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

I must confess I haven't managed to yet... but I will try. If it's longer than a novella the chances are it will be too long for me to fit in with other things. But I never say never. Not on IG I'm afraid... but you're not the first to suggest it, so it may happen... when I find time to get my head round it all!

@madwitch9977

4 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio you know im happy to post recommendations for you 🙏 ..and im hoping i will get my wishlist one day 😂😂❤ always a pleasure to catch up with you Gx

****POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT**** Awe rats!! [no pun intended] I was so hopeful the student would get out b4 that ghastly judge got him!! Still a great story!

Wow ! Your narration is excellent ! (I've listened to a lot of Librivox recordings: some are good, some OK, and some .... (how do I say it politely?) make me feel like I'm in hell.) Like Sherlock Holmes, I deduced that you are a professional actor or reader. By the way, I recently listened to a lot of Sherlock Holmes narrated by Derek Jakobi. He's one of the best. You are in his league, beautifully done. Thank you for posting these videos.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jahan for a very generous comment - to be included with Derek Jacobi is extremely flattering! I admire his work very much. Thanks so much for listening

I am grateful to have found you! These stories man so much to me and I love to listen!

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening Suzanne, and for taking the time to comment, much appreciated

@suzannemoodhe927

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 💫💫💫💫

I remember this story from a radio broadcast, many years ago whilst staying with a school friend and his family in this remote old cottage halfway up a mountain in North Wales. This place did have electricity but nothing else, no central heating, no TV and no neighbours either. Except for the living room, which had a fireplace, the rest of the house was freezing. And to make matters worse, there was actually a pretty big storm raging outside, so the story really did a number on our 12 year old imaginations. Although I'm sure I remember the cleaning lady in the story names the Judge as Judge Jeffreys, the hanging Judge, who was a real person back in the 17th century, known for his liking for sending men to the gallows. I don't remember hearing that here unless I missed it.

Quite an odd ghost story for the time I think. Thank you for your hard and excellent work.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks pes. Yes, it's an interesting one... but clear echoes of Le Fanu's earlier story 'An Account of Some Strange Disturbances...', as has been pointed out by others. Thank you too for your ongoing support and feedback

Once again I wish to express my gratitude for uploading these marvelous stories! 👍♥️🙂

Another fine story. Thank you!

Thank you

Great beginnings, can’t ever stay awake to the endings. A grateful insomniac!🤗😷🇨🇦

One of my favorites. 💯💯 Perfect reading. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💚

Fantastic and so well told! Thank you. I've read this story and it's such a pleasure listening to it. The story itself reminds me to some extent of J. Sheridan Le Fanu's Mr Justice Harbottle.

Without = outdoors within = indoors...I like this older style of phrase usage; especially as he used them back to back

Uh, Bram, my old mate, my old pal, my old chum? I was waiting for the twist. There was no twist. 🤭

Give us More MOre more! Your voice was designed for audio books and probably public speaking

Thank you for this story - one of the most frightening of Gothic horror tales!

I was glued to the story, but as many ghost stories go, it came to a sad ending. With a bit of a writers' mind myself, I have thought up some alternative, happier, endings. 1. The mice on the rope actually took revenge on the judge, since he had held them prisoners for years, and all jumped on the judge and started attacking and gnawing him while the student grabbed his books and ran out into the storm. 2. The mice that were hanging on the rope, started swinging, sounding the bell and the Dr and town came and knocked down the door to see the judge and save the student. 3. Instead of being an idiot and just standing there looking at the judge, he could have ran like h__ll and never look back. 4. The Dr, being worried about the student and of a curious nature, was lurking outside, and heard a noise inside and broke in the door and witnessed the judge there, saved the student and they ran out. Then they went to the nearby tavern and told the story, which no one believed of course. Ok- pansy endings - I know.

Wow just gets better and better, thank you.

A horror story indeed. To end so sadly. Beautifully narrated as to placing one at the scene. Thank you Simon

Another absorbing listening experience; thanks to Bram Stoker and wonderful narration.

Thank you for sharing! 😊

Thank you so much for your good work

Wow! A truly bone chilling story.. And one I'd not heard of until I found this awesome channel. Thank you for sharing Mr. Stoker's talents..as well as your own.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you found your way here Jacee. Thanks for your feedback

Excellent! I enjoyed every minute of that.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Good to hear, thank you!

Excellent... Thank you!

Simply fantastic reading! 🇨🇦

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sherry!

Better & Better & Better, thank-you very much for all the effort you take to bring these stories too life.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciated, thanks Lynda!

It's been truly amazing listening to all of your uploads so far. I'm now a proud and loyal subscriber! :D

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Very kind of you to say so, thanks Benjamin, much appreciated. Thank you for listening, and subscribing! More uploads on the way soon I hope...

Thank You 😷

Excellent narration :) Many 'amateur' ones like Librivox just aren't up to par...It cannot be easy though...Often the narrating on the Librivox ones is too slow. Love the Victorian stories too.Thanks :)

BIG THANKS 🙏

Thank you so much. I listen to you at night as bed times stories. What a voice. You should take up guided meditations also!

This was a frustrating story, I think if Malcom had remembered the Bible the end would have been a different outcome. But such is the way of stories, to elicit feelings even of the frustrated kind! Great narration as usual!

Thank you !!! I had nightmares but thank you lol 😂

Such a smooth voice, love listening to your narration before bedtime.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Very kind, thank you Carl!

Oh boy! That was grim! Well read indeed.

I remember I used to have a children's book of ghost stories that had an abridged version of this in it. Good times! XD

@h.calvert3165

3 жыл бұрын

Was it by any chance Tales to Tremble By? That & More Tales to Tremble By were two of my favourite books, & I still have them both! 📚

@QuinnthePrincess

3 жыл бұрын

@@h.calvert3165 I don’t remember the exact title, but I do know it was an R.L Stine compilation of his favorite scary stories and it had a little goblin or something peaking over a tombstone.

Wow I just had to keep listening 👂 to this story so brilliantly narrated Didn’t think I could as it included my greatest fear ( we call them Longtails ) 🐀 Glad I listened during the afternoon . ☕️🍪

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Margaret. I know what you mean, I'm not very keen on rats myself!

WHAT A RIPPING YARN!

Such an agreeable voice! Range, expression, accents; and above all, an interest in old stories and lovely writing.Thank you!

Thank you.

I strongly agree that the expert narrator, who should be given written credit, be named. Good story!

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nina - my name in the description underneath the videos, although I think it may depend on individual devices and/or settings how visible it is... Simon Stanhope, UK-based actor. Thanks so much for listening, and for your very kind feedback!

Boy oh boy - a house full of dirty rats would be disgusting so I definitely wouldn’t have stayed there. That malevolent Judge was just waiting for someone to occupy his house so he could quench his murderous thirst. Good story.

This is the best work by bram stoker. And this reading is first class! I love your channel. Newly subscribed.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Very kind of you to say so - thank you for listening, and subscribing!

Fabulous tale! An amazing voice and the production is perfect. I cannot wait to hear more and hope you continue.

Held me spellbound!,

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Glad to know that, thank you

Thanks you a billion time for subtitle💞

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome, glad to know they are useful

Here on the recommendation of Stephen Fry. Electric story and wonderful narration! Thank you for sharing it with us.

Simon Stanhope is my favourite reader.

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Archibald, very kind of you to say so!

This story has been listed as one Stephen Fry will perform in an audible book. I wonder why it never occurred to the student that a bold rat might gnaw on him while he slept? He was so vulnerable. And how strange, this story is an example of rescuers (Ha! The Rescuers!) failing.

Story is ordinary. Narration, however, is extraordinary.

@WeRNthisToGetHer

3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Pretty rude to the Author who created this story who is most definitely not ordinary. Nor is this story anything near "ordinary". Name one story ANYTHING similar to such a unique one as this. The narration is great and worthy to narrate a great story by a great author. There's no need to disrespect and insult the deceased Author in order compliment the living that couldn't receive the compliment without such a great story to narrate. I can't believe someone would insult Brahm Stoker and exalt a KZread narrator reading his work. That's like saying Mozart is an ordinary musician and give the credit to the orchestra who just reproduced his classic works at a concert. 🤦

This story reminds me of Jeepers Creepers 1. The protagonist is killed by the monster. And he's also hanged by a rope like Malcomson.

Loved the rationalist housekeeper lady and the caring innkeeper. The ending left a bit of a Chekov's Bible dangling, though...

Malcolm Malcomson. A little humor right off the bat. Camp.

Thank you! 🙏🕯️"The Lair of the White Worm"?🕸️🕷️

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

That one may be a little more than bite-sized, I fear... but I never say never! Have lots of short stories still in the pipeline, but we'll see... Thanks for your support and feedback Toeka, it's much appreciated.

@toekafrank6998

4 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio 🙏

What a magnificent voice..thank you so much I wish that you will choose a more bigger storys in the future so I can lessen to your reading for many hours

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very kind! I see you've already commented on 'The Parasite', which is my longest so far. You may also like 'Nut Bush Farm' as a longer than usual tale: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dmehk8ezice3Yso.html. I've also put together some playlists if you want an extended listen - Victorian Ghost Stories, Short Mystery and Suspense Audiobooks, etc

@razankalifa6062

3 жыл бұрын

@@BitesizedAudio thank you so much for taking time to reply to your fans..it shows how much of nobil person you are..I wish you all the best

Happy New Year ❤🎉

What a fan l am of yours the best voice l have heard . Please more new story’s l have run out l need you at bed time .😘

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Eileen, I'm working on it! New story coming up very shortly. Funnily enough, my next story has many parallels with The Judge's House and was clearly an inspiration for Bram Stoker, being written some 40 years earlier. I've lots more planned for the coming weeks and months, rest assured!

After listening to a few I have started to sleep under the bed flashlight in hand stay safe

@BitesizedAudio

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening Franklin. Sleep well!

I meant to comment on this story, but somehow I got into comments about Lady authors, and Amelia Edwards. I have no idea how I changed stories. Weird. Anyway, great story. Thanks.

People were so much more disciplined back then

This story REALLY gave me the heebie jeebies! For some reason it's a story that I won't forget......not nice!! *spoiler alert* 10/10 to the rats though😊

I often wonder what the narrator looks like.

He forgot his Bible! I was expecting him to throw it at the rat and kill it!

I have a suggestion for you. How about "Pigeons from Hell" by Robert Howard? Thank you.

@BitesizedAudio

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Gigi, thanks for the suggestion, I'm not familiar with the story. A quick bit of online search suggests the text isn't in the public domain globally, unfortunately. To be safe, the work needs to have been originally published before 1925, and even then it still may not be public domain, depending on when the author died and how their estate has handled the copyright. Also, I've been restricting myself so far to British stories, or at least those originally published in Britain and/or with an English narrator. I've considered, for example, some wonderful stories by Poe or Ambrose Bierce, but I tend to feel those tales are best served by a great, authentic American voice narration. Having said that, I don't rule out having a go at one of them sometime. I really appreciate your suggestion though - please do feel free to put any ideas forward, especially if it's definitely public domain text. Thanks so much.

@gigig2492

4 жыл бұрын

Bitesized Audio Classics I hadn't thought about the copyright issues. I'm sorry. I am in Virginia--funny you mention Poe. He lived here in Richmond, in fact. There is even a Poe museum here...anyway, thanks for the information. I will keep it in mind. The "pigeons..." story was written in 1934 and published in 1938 in "weird tales".According to my Kindle version it is in the public domain.

Am I the only person shouting 'Remember your Bible' at the screen?? Honestly - he'd even noticed which book had made such a difference when he'd thrown it .... SIGH!!!

Algorithm chow 💖

Is it just me thought a ferret would have been useful?

😅

Did Stoker steal this story? The antagonist bears more than a passing resemblance to the ghost depicted in another story on your channel called “An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street” by J. S. Le Fanu published in 1851. This story wasn’t published until 40 years later. It’s also regrettable that I recently listened to the afore mentioned tale, since now I feel this story is following me around…