If you like Shirley Jackson try A Visit studio.kzread.infouVWaY3BOD88/edit

@lesleyannthompson3053

5 ай бұрын

It reminds me of the twightlight zone though its based on children called the exams in the future. And another the adults jobs absolute It's the same type children too clever was killed and population children or adults with job😢 absolute. Like teachers

I remember reading this one in high school. Gave me chills. This story has one of the best examples of both human nature and literary foreshadowing I’ve ever seen

The lottery is a precursor of the masterpiece of the author The Haunting of Hill House. Your commentary of the story is spot on. From an idyllic setting to the final twist but so mundane for the villagers. For me the horrific part is the complete acceptance of this tradition. The title of the story is so clever. Here it's a game of chance that bring death not riches. A game everybody must be praying that they are not the winners.

Seeing ourselves in this story is what drives it home and makes it horrific. The daily lottery of life lurks in our subconscious mind.

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

"The daily lottery of life lurks in our subconscious mind." ... Wow! That is a one-sentence horror story, well put!

I've read and heard this story several times before and I think I came to a realization today: Is it possible that Jack Watson, the young man who is drawing as the head of his household for the first time, is doing so because his dad was a previous victim of the lottery? It talks about how nervous he is, and you initially think it's because he's new to this and is the center of attention for the moment, but could it be because he saw what happened to his dad in a previous year and knows the importance of his drawing as the head of his household this year?

Marvelous. Jackson skillfully establishes the perfect expression of human nature. I think the purpose of the lottery is explained by old Mr Warner with one simple comment. "Lottery in June, corn heavy soon." Some agricultural societies have blood sacrifices to insure the harvest. This is what it is like to live in one of those societies.

This is exactly how I feel when people casually mention 'deployment overseas'

@AshleyFUnderwood

8 ай бұрын

Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion ✨

@sarge4455

3 ай бұрын

Hahaha 🫡

Utterly chilling - terrific writing. I’m afraid you’ll have to be astounded as I’d never heard of the author as not a particular fan of ‘ghost:horror’ stories. Your readings however are excellent so it’s a pleasure to listen.

I first read this in school back in the 80s. I always thought the town had the lottery to ensure a good harvest that year. Why else would they do it annually in June? Plus, the story mentions heavy corn...

Remember reading this when I was still a kid, and it led to reading, and later re reading , everything she wrote. " Money grabbing, psychopathic, corporations".Glad to be in such fine company with my socio political concerns.

This was ahead of the movies: *Battle Royale & Hunger Games*

@palmerjacob39

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking Hunger Games too.

Just refreshed my "reading" of this story after many years. #1, the accent was an excellent addition. 💯% approve. #2, two things I've noticed about 'younger audiences' these days: they tend to be impatient, and they tend to get angry when 'everything' isn't explained to them (in the story). I love how Jackson *doesn't* play in to this... the 'Macguffin' of 'why is this happening,' is never explained, and it doesn't need to be. In fact, that's one thing that makes this story the 'masterpiece' in horror that it is

@ClassicGhost

Жыл бұрын

I very much enjoyed your comment here (and agreed)

You’ve introduced me to Jackson, and what a find she is for me, so thank you. I love The Lottery, but The Visit is, in my opinion, an under-appreciated masterpiece in its own right. So much skill and treasure in these stories.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Get Writing! I will Do more of her but there are so many authors and only one of me :)

@domward8352

2 жыл бұрын

I'll try the visit our soon

@getwriting2204

2 жыл бұрын

Prepare yourself for what I’d call a multiform story that’s nonetheless rooted in wonderfully vivid and concrete descriptions of the ethereal. The use of symbolism, too, is …ahem…out of this world.

Still horrifying, years later. Perfect tone Tony, this tale doesn't call for emotional melodramatics, sorry, making up words. We were read this story in school when I was quite young, inappropriate and I was then living on the Canadian Prairies- Shirley Jackson must have had a jaundiced view of humanity...sitting here in the dark of early morning I wonder, what would happen if I refused, I couldn't kill anybody even if somebody was coming at me in a war. I was out protesting; they'd kill me too wouldn't they? Imagine if you've a grudge against a neighbour? Sick, sick, sick...Shirley Jackson is a woman I'd love to share a pot of tea with...

Just wanted to chime in about using accents. I absolutely love your accent and could listen to you 24/7 and never tire of it. You are really good at differentiating between men and women’s voices without being fake or over done with either. There are so many book readers that absolutely cannot pull it off and it destroys the story. So just wanted to applaud your talents and tell you again that you are by far my favorite reader. I hope that everyone that loves your stories like I do will become Patrons too if they can. You are so deserving of our support. Thank you for all these great stories!!!

@ClassicGhost

9 ай бұрын

Accents! You will notice I’m much less adventurous with these now . It’s rare to get a perfect accent though I’ve got a reasonable ear . someone’s enjoyment is always spoiled when i get it slightly wrong. or even a lot wrong. Drogheda accent? That’s not Drogheda it’s Beamore Cross! Adelaide? Never! It’s the wrong side of Mount Barker for that .

Lovely reading as always. Quite enjoyed the analysis bit on this one -- the banality of evil and the lack of separation between the evil and the good is such an important theme, especially when the authors prior to the Realists were all, "they're evil, better give 'em a peg leg or wart or something." I always enjoy the chatter, but this one seemed more scholarly than usual!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Ha ha. No idea why. I think perhaps because I wrote the notes out first and put them on Medium so it had to be more focused?

@annabellreads

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost In addition to your organization and analysis technique, which I always quite enjoy, The Lottery is a great story for explication. Gothic fiction (esp in the Victorian era among the Dark/Romantics) tends to have a moral subtext, but it's usually pithy, and black and white. Be careful what you wish for. Don't give in to a specific sin. etc. With The Lottery, Jackson uses so many small, specific details to set both the scene and lend to her subtext at the same time (eg, the ballot box), that not only is there a ton of stuff to point out, but the themes it addresses are subtle and require a lot of discussion, too.

This is the best reading of this classic short story! I hope you don’t mind - I’m adding the minute markers for the Read 180 curriculum (Stage B). Thank you!☺️ Workshop 3, The Lottery Start minute markers: p. 134 @ 00:20 p. 136 @ 2:43 p. 138 @ 5:51 p. 140 @ 8:30 p. 142 @ 10:59 p. 144 @ 13:12 p. 146 @ 15:15 p. 148 @ 17:47

@ClassicGhost

3 ай бұрын

Please do! I am very honoured

omg-Omg-OMG!!! I LOVE her writing, I LOVED your reading of 'A Visit' I listened to months ago----I may not be there for the live stream thing, but am looking forward to this. If any of your listeners have never read 'The Lottery'---well, they must not be American! I first read this as a part of my American Literature class in High School (approximately 14 Centuries ago) and yes, it's simply one of the most perfectly written short stories that exist. I'm not sure, but I think it's still exposing our youth to its shock value to this day. Although "tame" by comparison to gruesome gore---it's brilliance lies in its psychological horror, and my goodness---is it ever applicable to what's happening today with the current events in some parts of the world. THANK YOU in Advance!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Star Dust see you on the 27th then

@stardust949

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Loved your reading of it---and using your own native dialect worked perfectly, loved it so much. Also enjoyed your thoughts and analysis. I agreed with it all, but will add that there was one slim "explanation" offered almost slyly, like an after thought (seemingly) by the Old Man who said something about a rhyme? It being tied in to a good harvest. Listening to it was a cool experience, as opposed to just reading it---the part about how there used to be some kind of ritual chanting done a long, long time ago really hit home this time, listening. Thanks so much.

Fantastic narration! Loved it and the contemplation at the end. Brilliant!

Thank you so much for your work! I especially appreciate you explaining\discussing the story afterwards. Blessings to you and your family 🙏🌟🙏

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

I’m so nervous! I’m only 10 minutes in and it’s way too chill and laidback so far. 😅

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Vyshka ha ha

In read this entire collection earlier in the summer and then The Sundial, Hangsaman and the obvious Shirley Jackson classics.. one of the best authors I've read this year! Thanks Tony :)

@meshzzizk

2 жыл бұрын

The Sundial is underrated!! 👌

Oh my!! Shirley Jackson's a genius!! Loved it!! Thanks!

The day the Amercian Lottery was 1.9 Billion dollars, I was on the subway, listening to people talk about this enormous prize. Lottery lottery lottery and I, not believing myself lucky at all, do not think about the money but of Shirley Jackson when I hear that word- this is my first time hearing you! You are brilliant and I'm so happy to have found your channel. Thank you for bringing some stillness to 42nd Street Times Square NYC- a nearly impossible task.

The holdouts who want to continue instead of changing like the *others* those are the truly scary ones ... people who refuse to change ... S Jackson was highly intuitive at a young age ...she seemed to have a Ph.D in Psychology

I love this story! Haven’t read it since high school. It was nice hearing your take on it at the end. Plus I really enjoyed listening to your accent 🥰

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Anna M Very pleased you liked it. I’m glad you thought the accent was ok. It’s not the correct one of course

Thank you for this!

Thank you for reading. This story made my very anxious

@ClassicGhost

2 ай бұрын

Probably that was her intention

Cannot wait!!!!! This is one of my faves

Had to read this story for school and you made this story more easier to understand

@ClassicGhost

8 ай бұрын

Glad to be of help :)

Always loved this story. Wonderful narration!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Wow! What a journey you have taken us on tonight! Uncovering the romanticized rural life as indifferent, and guiding us to recognition of the fact on a global level. Whammy whammy. Art smacks reality directly and brutally into our self-satisfied, dulled souls. Nico, sensible dog, promptly hid his nose under the covers and is now fast asleep. Am too wired now, even for The Garden of Mirrors. Therefor I will make myself a disgustingly sinful Comfort Food Snack and binge on Tony Walker's Haunted Castles. Also: love your visuals--enhance a masterful presentation. Thank you!

Classic Ghost Stories Podcast virgin here. Excellent stuff. Glad to be a subscriber. Cheers!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Well, I'm glad to have you along. Take a listen around here and I hope you like what you hear

Great reading. Great story.

I enjoy your narration and comments, you have a great voice! Thanks for uploading this :)

@ClassicGhost

6 ай бұрын

You’re very welcome

I read The Lottery years ago in school. I enjoy all your readings and after revisiting the story by listening tonight I know why I had almost completely forgot this story. It reminds me of us and that societies still engage in brutality even when there is no blood.

Enjoyed your reading of this story. Thank you so much

@ClassicGhost

8 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Of all the stories to pop up on my first day on vacation in the middle of quaint harvest time farm villages. I am such a city girl, this plays perfectly into the mild paranoia I feel the minute I’m not closely surrounded by a few million other people! 😳 😱 … in other words “You look at these scattered houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there.” … Thanks Sherlock! And thanks to you too Tony for such a fantastically creepy rendition!

@WWZenaDo

2 жыл бұрын

Love that quote from Sherlock Holmes. Always felt that he struck at the crux of the matter with that comment.

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

@@WWZenaDo It's true! Also Sherlock is the opposite of this story, because he always makes it right by the end, while this tale of terror tells us it will be repeated next year! I bet Shirley Jackson was a fun person to go camping with!

Enjoyed this, the cometary, and the broadcast

An interesting note about The Wickerman at the end there: despite the director clearly trying to make the islanders the villains, it entered British folk culture positively as a reaction against central government stepping in and overruling regional customs and culture (how many fairs, festivals and May Days have disappeared because it is now the purview of London government to pay for it and allow such holidays off work and they dont want to so they step in and close it all down?). Theres always been this anti modern society counter culture in the British folk scene that led to outspokenly left wing music festivals or neo pagans like wiccans or historical reenacements being oddly common in the UK as our own kind of hippie counter culture baked into our countryside, despite the seemingly conservative Christian imperial voting blocks these areas are meant to house

thank you! I really enjoyed the reading and the commentary

Already Liked this... can't wait. What a nice way to end the work day😊

@mariameere5807

2 жыл бұрын

Or any day! Love this author!🕊💜🕊

Fantastic thank you!🙏

Thank you Tony, for another fine reading. I find myself in complete agreement with your own observations of the story, but, somewhat hesitantly, wonder if i am the only listener who detected a subtle note of Dark Ironic humor in Shirley Jackson's tale. At one point, I found myself envisioning a Charles Addams drawing, with the eponymous family watching the village goings-on with ghoulish approval. BTW: Charles Addams work did feature occasionally in the New Yorker magazine.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+andrew tolley you might be right. She was famous for her dark sense of humour. That whole ‘hex’ business for example

People don't like to be reminded of what they are.

I really want you to read The Daemon Lover, even if you don't record it (I might record it myself after Santa brings me a new laptop.) It's one of her more obscure stories I think as I've only ever found it in one of her collections, but really disturbs me in a way I can't explain. I'd love to hear your take on it.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

I could take a look at that one

@violetfemme411

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost 🤙👍👌 I've read it SO many times and I'm always depressed for the rest of the day. It's so subtle yet so disturbing...

@carolrios9216

2 жыл бұрын

I love that story, too. What is disturbing to me is how she is so insecure, pathetic really. It disturbs me how everyone is laughing at her. She's definitely better off without Jamie.

@violetfemme411

2 жыл бұрын

@@carolrios9216 For me the whole story is so tragic. We get a glimpse into her "over the moon" excitment and it's as if we're watching the clock along with her. The fear and concern she feels, we feel along with her. I don't know many writers who can pull me into their world and elicit such empathy from me in a fictional scenario. Flannery O'Connor is very good at that as well.

@musiquemacabre

Жыл бұрын

The Daemon Lover feels like it's talking about today. It makes me think about how people fabricate relationships and convince themselves that they're real. I wonder what kind of reaction that story got when it was published in its day

It's been forty years since I read this story. As good as I remember.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Rebecca Woolfolk glad you enjoyed it

great channel !!!

Fantastic!!!

Ohhh wow I never guessed that ending. That was cool

See you at 10:30 PM Denmark. Really looking forward to it!!!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Marti Williams sure thing. Bring popcorn

No, I wondered from the first what the pile of stones were for, and felt an increasing sense of horror as my suspicions were confirmed.

I think this story stuck with me more than any assigned reading I had in college. I bring it up in conversation a LOT, but the moral is soooo good.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Amanda Hyler it goes live later. I hope it is well received

@hermeticmoth

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost you conveyed the slow build of tension very well (per usual) It hadn't crossed my mind until listening to your narration of it, but Midsommer crossed my mind a bit! Groupthink and blind adherence, is truly horrific.

Very good story. This kind of thing has gone on for thousands of years. Usually children. Yes definitely a think on it

We had to read this in high school. It freaked me out so much. I'm in my 50s and I still remember feeling horrified. But now I love Shirley Jackson's writing.

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

Same here!

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

Also right now I happen to be on a vacation week in the middle of the countryside in rolling hills picturesque harvest season farm county… 😬

@rdoodoo2021

2 жыл бұрын

@@missy3240 Oh no! 😯

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

@@rdoodoo2021 😂

I want to see more of you , you're the best.

Maybe I should have posted my stance on your live recordings before this...anyway, after listening to The Lottery, I was so immersed in your 'enlightening comments ' that I almost missed what you went on to say about live recordings. I love them, look forward expectantly to the subsequent ones. If you discontinue, I shall pine away until I fade into nothingness. Ok, a bit dramatic but that's me. When I like something, I like with my heart n soul. Yr podcasts are great of course but pale in comparison with the warmth and connection I feel from watching you. Nothing can replace that feeling that we are in the same room and I am seated, listening eagerly to the master storyteller. Plz plz don't take away one of the few positive events in my otherwise bleak life.

Reminds me of folk horror movies of the 70s like The Wicker Man and Blood on Satan's Claw. Terrific

Thank you, Tony, for doing Shirley Jackson stories. I can't get enough! I have been looking for an audio reading of Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but only found one that is not listenable. Do you know anything about this story? (I posted this in the chat accidentally)

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, I know the story. it's a long tale though so if i were to do it, it would take me a long time to record and edit. But it might bring new visitors to the channel, so I wouldn't rule it out

@violetfemme411

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Another brilliant novella..you could break it into parts perhaps?

This story puts me in the feeling of old Celtic rituals.

It's a wonderful story and wonderfully read and of course Shirley Jackson is one of the best writers in the English language - Read the opening paragraph of Haunting of Hill House if you think I'm exaggerating. Alas in a rare spasm of taste quite a few American high schools assign the story so I can't say the ending was a shock.Of course my teacher was completely lacking in the insights you gave into the story. I've always been curious about 'We Have Always Lived in the Castle'. Just the title is eerie (define 'always' please) and I'm curious about your opinion on that one. It may be a bit too long for the purposes of the channel but would you recommend it, and how avidly ?

@teddydog6229

2 жыл бұрын

'The banality of evil' another writer called it in another context.

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

I also read this in high school after this reading I feel like cowering in the closet for the rest of the day! 😆 I am not familiar with the castle story, but I would definitely be into hearing it as well!

Wowzer! 2 vids a week!!!😁😁😁😁

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

I'm aiming for 2 a week. At one point I was doing 3 but it was too much

Hmm. A very good story, and masterfully read. But I wonder if most of these “folk horror” writers are city dwellers, or if they are small town folk people themselves.

@SonicTheo

Жыл бұрын

someone said that they suspected that Jackson was a city girl who moved to a rural town and wrote about how they made her feel.

I was five years old when I played Davy in a High-school production of the Lottery.

Its crazy its truly a game of chance, the old man had lived through 77 of them & the odds of that happening brings the reader to consider themes of fate & luck. Its such a great story.

I remember reading this story when I was in college. It made quite an impression on me because it starts with my birthday, June 27th. I was prepared for a happy story, but it wasn’t.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

No, but still a good one

this voice makes my knees weak 😩

Enjoyed your presentation. What a story. You mentioned that you might video yourself reading the stories. Having spent 35 years in radio, I'd vote for just the audio. Watching someone read is too much of the wrong information. You have a great voice for these stories - that and the words are just enough for most of us.

@ClassicGhost

4 ай бұрын

I nearly never video myself. Sometimes I do lives, but they are different I think

"true" tales is a great idea!!

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Amanda Hyler I’ve made a quiet start

Horrible, just as gripping this time around. Watching on the computer so I can give (another) thumbs up." We let it go on. Good it isn't us." Thumbs up

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Marti Williams thanks Martin those thumbs help

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Classic Ghost Stories Podcast - Tony Walker Marti. Autocorrect :(

Not gonna lie, this story makes me incredibly angry. Anger at injustice kind of angry.

So soooory I konked out at ca 9:30 My Litte dog Nico was operated on today. Adopted-from-shelter dogs have more serious health problems than those with fancy papers. So I went to the Garden of Mirrors instead. Both of us appear to be recovering quite nicely. Please send THE LOTTERY for the recovering invalids.Marti and Nico

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Marti Williams I’m sorry to hear about the surgery and send my regards to Nico for a speedy recovery. Named after Nico of the Velvet Underground

@martiwilliams4592

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Of course

@missy3240

2 жыл бұрын

Listening to another of Tony's readings I found myself wondering how Nico is doing? I hope he is recovering well after these 5 days.

@martiwilliams4592

2 жыл бұрын

@@missy3240 How sweet of you! He is still recovering--getting better--but I wake up at three AM worrying about him. We must be at the vets in ca. 10 hours. But thank you!!!!!

I cried.

Maximum twilight zone vibes

Am here-Nico and I are waiting!!!! No popcorn Not a Danish thingBut we have potato chips(crisps for you Brits)and beef sticks for Nico(Nico is a he--but who cares)

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Nico is a he. Sorry

@martiwilliams4592

2 жыл бұрын

@@ClassicGhost

I thank G-d for You

Like hunger games

But there is reference to having no food, or poor food, that a good harvest is dependant on the lottery? So this is some kind of sacrificial offering for the harvest, which is rumoured to have happened long ago,though not sure if theirs proof that humans were sacrificed? But subject of sacrifice to god or gods in exchange for a good harvest is quite an old one. Surly that’s what “Wicker man” was about? (Ps Cheers for cutting out Bazo’s rumoured depressingly to be heading to being worlds first trillionaire!!!😵‍💫)

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

+Julie Levinge interesting. Is so mire like The First Sheaf than I thought

you saved me from reading

@ClassicGhost

10 ай бұрын

+Jako ;)

Very similar to what's happenimg now. Isn't it.

Fantastic reading, as ever. Human nature shown in its most fundamental state. How many people over the Covid years would have hunted down and killed the non-vaccinated if they could have? Human beings never change.

So you are from Norfff England?

@ClassicGhost

Жыл бұрын

I am but we don't say norff.

The banality of evil.

Sorry 😞 did not like this

fix your audio

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

I liked your silver video

@escapefelicity2913

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your encouragement. I need to make a better one, but ...

A bit predictable

I can't help but feel as though you're massively overselling it. What you class as masterful, to me seems almost lazy. But maybe it's just a matter of personal taste.

@ClassicGhost

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that is one thing I have learned. People like different things. Someone will adore one story and hate the next and their friend is the opposite. Makes the world more interesting :)

@domward8352

2 жыл бұрын

@Hyperskreem 82 I wasn't criticising the narration at all. I meant how highly he spoke of the story, which I found rather uninspiring. I've certainly liked other stories posted on this channel far more, and am often very complimentary in my comments.