Nut Bush Farm | A Ghost Story by Charlotte Riddell | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- The new tenant of Nut Bush Farm finds himself intrigued by the story of his predecessor's abrupt departure. What possessed the man to leave so suddenly, and could it be related to the legend of "something that walks" in the long field?
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Charlotte Riddell (1832-1906), often credited in typical Victorian style under her husband's initials as "Mrs. J. H. Riddell", was born Charlotte Eliza Lawson Cowan in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Ireland. She moved to London in 1855 and married Joseph Hadley Riddell, a civil engineer, two years later. She apparently turned to writing to make a living after her husband lost all his money, early in their marriage. In all she wrote 56 novels and short stories, of which several had a supernatural theme. Her best remembered shorter ghost stories include 'A Strange Christmas Game' and 'The Open Door'. She was also the co-proprietor and editor of the periodicals 'Home' and 'St. James's Magazine' in the 1860s and 70s. Her husband died in 1880; there were no children from their marriage, and from 1886 she "retired in seclusion" to Upper Halliford, Middlesex, until her death in September 1906.
The first known publication of 'Nut Bush Farm' was in 'Weird Stories', a collection of Riddell's shorter supernatural fiction published in 1882; given her involvement as editor of St. James's Magazine it's likely that it originally appeared in that periodical, although this has been impossible to verify.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2020.
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Thanks for listening.
Simon Stanhope (narrator)
Out of all the authors that Ive had the pleasure to listen to, on this channel, this one is my very favorite. Her vivid descriptions of every particular, made me see, feel and even smell the odors of the roses, hay fields, see the night wuth the moonlight filtering down, giving everything a beautiful aspect is so descriptive, that I was standing there seeing, feeling, smelling it all myself. I love her. Wish I could have been born and raised at Nut Bush myself way back then. This is the fourth time of listening to this wonderful tale.
Perfectly said
"What on earth would have happened had I not been married?"🤣
These stories are great and the narration is second to none.
I think that he shudders at the thought.
he would have moved to arkansas to marry his sister thats what
Ahh . . . At last . Someone who doesn't merely read the words, but understands and portrays each character splendidly.
You and this channel have become my absolute, number one favorite thing to listen to and I listen to them repeatedly! IMHO, only a proper English gentleman can do these awesome old ghost stories the justice they deserve and I’m so happy to have discovered you! I enjoy your readings just as much as I enjoy Michael Hordern and Basil Rathbone readings but (unlike them) I can look forward to new ones from you. I listen every single night when I climb into bed and let me tell you, I’m enjoying losing sleep...THANK YOU!!
Thank you Samantha - I'm extremely flattered to be bracketed with Michael Hordern and Basil Rathbone, I'm a huge admirer of both, they featured in many of the films I enjoyed in my formative years (and Michael Hordern was still a regular on TV in the UK when I was growing up). Thanks so much for listening, and your kind words... but I do hope you manage to get enough sleep though!
I am glad he did not run after seeing the ghost but decided to solve the ghost murder and right the wrongs for his family. Excellent story!
I loved this story. I love that you focus on old English tales. I love the stories that come out of the UK. God bless you and your family
These somewhat longer tales are wonderful for the present moment, and read so well; absorbing and very welcome.
The reading of this interesting story is so nuanced, so balanced. I have listened to it several times and it is invariably immersive. Thank you so much for providing these needed respites from the world right now.
The narrator could recite the alphabet and I would listen intently to it.
Saved this for tonight , listening at present in bed.
Lovely.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you!
Absolutely agree! Love this channel's choices of story and narration.
I'm about 75% through this and wanted to say how excellent it is - it's very skillfully performed, but also it's a story with great characterization and much more social depth than usual (for a ghost story.)
Thanks Mickey, appreciated
I love ghost stories with happy endings
Gee thanks.
"He beckoned me to come. He might as well have asked one seize with paralysis." Great line.
I love listening to bite-size audio Classics I can listen to him over and over again
Ok Simon.. looked you up. You've been talking me to sleep for a few weeks so I had to put a face with the voice..
Your credits had me at Paw Patrol.
Greetings from Seattle and I hope to hear more installments soon.. 😊🍿
This is such a good story! You are just magical with your renditions. Thank you so much. Kathi
I discovered your channel recently. I’m addicted to it! Provides me with much needed stress reduction when I listen.
Glad to know that
I was apparently, one of the few, who listened to One Word radio. I loved the unabridged books and classic readings.
Read by individuals who clearly loved what they were doing.
What a gem this is.
One Word Radio was very good. I think it was part of Channel 4. In any case, I regret its passing.
An antique ghost story that has evaded my greedy eyes and in this instance ears! What a True treat and delight!
There's only one word fitting to describe the narration: Perfect in all and every way! Loved every second of it!
First class voice actor.
I agree 👍 with you.
Yep I love this narrator too.✊
@@kennymonty8206 Makes huge difference, really enjoy this mans narration✊
@@kennymonty8206
Hi
Really enjoying listening to this old favourite, I have collected ghost stories for the past 45yrs since I was a very young child . Being an Irish girl I grew up loving the folk tales & stories told at home and at gatherings . Charlotte Riddel wrote quite a few good supernatural tales and features in many compilations. The victorians are still my favourites , along with the later master MR James of course .
Beautiful pacing and pronunciation, this narrator is a bedtime gift .
Glad to know that. Thanks for listening, and for your very kind feedback!
M R James is my absolute favourite as well
@@nadiaminerva Oh Yes he is a master of the ghost story to be read aloud, and I adore the atmosphere of academic investigation in most of his work. Theres little I love more in literature than his tales of some old professor or vicar digging through archives or archaeology to come up with a terrible past happening & haunting , or a cursed artifact ; then of course we have the holidaying ramblers seeking or finding supernatural relics , as in his masterpiece, O" Whistle and I'll come to you , my Lad. In which case the use of a simple bed sheet becoming a thing of horror was pure genius, a ghastly idea which has been copied in film and stories time & again ever since.
Yes MR James is a character I should love to have known.
Pleased to tell you I have some M. R. James lined up... hopefully coming within the next month or so
@@BitesizedAudio Wonderful news , great stuff! You will read his stories beautifully , I look forward to it very much. 💚
Just listened to this for a second time on a disappointing day and was so lifted by this wonderful story and Simon’s beautiful voice! 😃💕
@The Last Sausage I'm sorry to hear you've had a disappointing day, but glad if this story helped a bit! Thank you for your kind comments, all best wishes to you
Effects me likewise!✊♥️
More by this author please, she's wonderful!
What a delight ! I really enjoy listening to such wonderfully narrated stories . A joy to have discovered this channel . 👌🏼
Thank you Christine
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@@BitesizedAudio ÀààààààaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaaaaaaaP
Perfect voice for this book!
Absolutely great sir😊🇺🇲
"She was 67 but looked 200." Ha! Tragic that we have to go back to the Victorian authors to find plain speaking. Very well read, as always.
The good old days of sexism
A pleasure, even for those not native to english.
@@MovieJustinare you saying such comments were only directed at women? How little you know of English idiomatic language and expressions.😅
...ugh
@@MovieJustinI know, right?
Peter's comment is essentially saying "let's roll back 100 years of tolerance because I want ye olde tyme humor back"
Good old fashioned mystery! Thanks
I am so delighted to have found your channel! I have migraines and spend a lot of time in a dark, quiet, room so I’m always looking for something to listen to that’s compatible with both those conditions and my condition. This was very well read and the reader’s voice was quite pleasant. I feel those things are as high in importance in an audiobook as the written words aren’t.(I might even be able to listen to the “right” voice read me the ingredients lists on cereal boxes for an hour and a half.. but that may be the pain medication talking lol) I look forward to listening to more and I know I won’t be waiting for a migraine either! lol Thank you so much!
Me too Marilyn. The narrator's pitch of voice doesn't increase my head pain.
You can also try those audios with background music of nature sounds best being rain and thunder
I have the same issue and my defaults are Simon here at Bite sized Audio Classics and Horrorbabble.
What a beautifully written and read story. The leisurely pace allows characterisation of impressive depth and variety, and the loving descriptions of nature are a delight. I had not heard of Charlotte Riddell before I found your channel, and am grateful that you have introduced me to her works.
Thank you for your kind comments Katy, appreciated! Glad to know you enjoyed it. I hope to more from Charlotte Riddell in the future (along with many other unjustly neglected authors!). Best wishes
i’d just love to hear more of her stories. this one was engrossing and, of course, you read it beautifully. the characters were so well drawn. thank you so much :) 🌷🌱🌿🌸🌱🌼🌷
Thanks Alexa. Yes, I have some more Charlotte Riddell on my list for future recordings...
Well done, you've done it again. Plucked another great story from obscurity. 😁
Thank you Rach
Don't mention it 😁 can I ask you your name please?
Of course! My name is Simon - I'm a jobbing actor, based in the UK. My web link etc is on the channel page.
Thanks Simon, and what is a jobbing actor?
So sorry Rach, I missed your reply/question for some reason! Jobbing actor as in going from job to job, for multiple employers rather than one. Although in these days of lockdown that's rather a moot point as most areas of work have closed down! I do have bits of recording work to do, and of course I'm very glad to have an artistic outlet via this channel...
Wonderful narration. His deep voice and cadence were soothing. Like having Santa read me a story! 🎅
What a lovely comment, thank you!
Santa! 🤣 Simon's voice definitely does have a sort of timeless quality to it 👍
Just listened again...such a gripping story, so well interpreted and brilliantly performed by Simon. Well done, sir!
The moonlight walk was so beautifully descriptive. I loved Ms. Riddell's quirky Mrs. Gostock. Well written and read. Thanks, again.
Beautifully written by Riddell, and so deserving of Simon's sensitive interpretation... I just love this one...
Being a spiritual medium i can also appreciate Riddell's descriptions of the ghostly interactions, and totally am convinced she had to have had a few run-ins herself. I wonder if she kept a personal journal? Would love to find it. Thank you Simon! Another fine telling!
Thank you Marcia, appreciated!
A master narrator. A rare find. Thank you.🙏
I am pretty sure I will never in my life hear a moonlit landscape described more beautifully. How Ms. Riddell wrote those words, and how you spoke them, Simon! "Glamour" used that way, my goodness.
I have listened to this story over and over, always finding something new. Fantastic reading constantly brings me back. It is now November 2021 and sadly I haven't come across any new uploads for a while. However I want to thank this reader for guiding me through many dark dispondent times during the dark months of the covid outbreak. I am sure that I am not alone in that gratitude.
You're most welcome! I'm glad to say though that I have been uploading regularly, most recently a couple of days ago and usually about every 7-10 days depending on circumstances. It sounds like you've not received the notifications... If you click Subscribe and hit the bell that should mean you're alerted about future uploads. In the meantime you can see all the stories at this link: ua-cam.com/users/BitesizedAudioClassicsvideos
Glad to know you enjoy the stories, thank you for your kind words
@@BitesizedAudio You are more than welcome. I have just checked and for some reason, I had become, unsubscribed?! I have now rectified this and so, I should now resume getting my notifications👌
Thank you very much for reading and sharing this tale.
Not long found this channel.. now can't seem to stop.. i did have a few others that i listened to but thus has taken over, no unnecessary long pauses, no unnecessary emphasis on words. Just reads with feelings, as if understanding the writer to how it should be read..
Seems you nearly a company me most of the day, ear plug in and away I go. How can I be lonely. Thank you..
Thanks for listening, Alison, and for your kind comments. Best wishes to you
Doggie and I think this is our very favorite of all your stories. Indeed, it has helped with our insomnia on so many nights…. But the whole spirit of the story is so lovely. Solving a mystery. Working a farm. Describing the meadows, cattle, hawthorns in bloom. And the characters! Simon, you bring them to life for us! We want to live at Nut Bush Farm.
P. S. The landlady is the best.
We also love The Hammer of God. What a story! Chesterton doesn’t pull any punches.
My kind of story. The delightful descriptions as well as the speech satisfy my every expectations of old fashioned tale telling which are so seldom being available in these days of ridiculous made up monsters, cursing and every other low class scribblings. This is certainly a refreshing change of the sort I have looked in vain for in this day and age. Thank you for it and the fantastic enjoyment of narration.
Thank you Keekee hawk, much appreciated!
Delighted to have found this channel. I enjoy your skill. Thanks.
Delighted you found your way here too! Thanks for listening
Thankyou. Looking forward to listening to this one tonight.
Another excellent story & reading. Thank you.
I am so glad your channel popped up in my feed. You have an absolutely amazing (and growing) selection of wonderful stories. The narration is excellent and the quality too. And personally, I do love the portraits of the authors to the story, nice touch. Now I am subbed and immensely look forward to gorging my way through your channel. Thank you very, very much!
Wonderful, thanks so much for listening - and subscribing!
Perfect for relaxing in my recliner with my headphones on, or lights out in bed. thank you !
Excellent - thank you Charlie!
I quite enjoyed Ms. Riddell's descriptive prowess. And you have a lovely narrative voice. ☺️
Very kind of you to say so, thank you!
Good author great reading Thank You!!
Thank you!
Excellent narration. Thank you.
Beautifully told story, I would liked to have lived at Nut bush Farm, thank you once again Simon.
You are most welcome!
I really enjoy the stories you choose. This one is haunting and Romantic in its description of the moonlight walk. I thoroughly was impressed by your narration of this tale. You gave the central narrator a softer tone than other characters and changed tempo and volume where appropriate.
I think there was a ghost . He was trying to tell the owner where his body was once his body was found he could rest in peace .
Ooo long day at work..shall enjoy this Thank you🌹
I'm late to your site but am an instant fan. I look forward to listening to more of your narrations.
That's wonderful, thanks Nina. Happy listening!
Excellent quality, on all levels. Special thanks to the narrator! Always a joy to find a star 😊
I really appreciate this channel!! Love the stories and LOVE the narrator!!
Thank you Rebecca, glad to know you enjoy them. Thanks for listening and for your kind words!
“Putting out a measure which frightened me.” 😂🤣
How beautifully narrated! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ What a broad spectrum of dialogue, and tone. 💯 for the presentation . Well done. Valerie ❤️
Hard to choose, but I think my favorite Charlotte Riddell so far - another fascinating narrator, and a nicely elaborated mystery. Thank you for this splendid narration!
It was long enough to nibble away at, so I made a note of the four chapters:
ch. 1 ends 27:34
ch. 2 ends 53:14
ch. 3 ends 1:13:44
Wonderful, what a joy to listen to
Thank you Robert
11 : 19
"...the afternoon sun streamed over the grass..."
What a beautiful language.
strangely I find these stories and the reader's voice very soothing and therapeutic in an ugly, disturbing time of global turmoil and daily news of gloom and disaster! Thanks so much. Natural remedies without drugs indeed. Now what happened to those bank notes? Lol
I love this story. The descriptions of the countryside are beautiful and the plot good. I love the observations of Miss Gostock - humourous, a great character. It reminds me of some of my old farming relatives. Wonderful narration too. I have listened to this several times. Many thanks for this.
Much appreciated, thanks for listening Jane
Wow! held me entranced. great “ghost” story. very good writer. i’m going to check if have more of her work. thanks . :) 🌷🌱
Your narration is fantastic! Listening while i crochet/knit/embroider! Hugs from Italy!!
Thank you Maria, very kind!
Enjoyed this story very much ! Thank you 😊
I just listened to this story again. You are incredibly talented. Thank you for sharing that talent. I certainly hope your channels get the attention you deserve.❤❤❤
Another quality story, well told.
Excellent story, Simon. I listen to your chanel while driving to work every morning.
Pure bliss, beautifully written tales, wonderfully narrated, so happy to have found you, Thank You
Glad you found your way here too! Thanks for your kind comments
I’m new to this channel but I absolutely love it and listen to a couple of stories a week. Bravo to the narrator who brings life to these charming stories.
Thank you - and welcome to the channel
This tale is read much better than a couple of others I've listened to.
Totally wonderful telling of these tales. Loving your work
Another wonderful reading! And another story with a delicious dry sense of humor interspersed with the mystery.
Thank you Nancy, glad you enjoyed it. Yes there's quite a bit of humour in this one, the character of Miss Gostock was especially good fun to read...
Bitesized Audio Classics Yes, she was enjoyable,. I was hoping for an explanation of her eccentricity. I decided she was based on someone the author knew, and who probably thought she belonged in a story.
You're right, it's a shame she doesn't feature as much in the latter part of the story after her very promising introduction and, as you say, it's a pity her back story isn't more developed. Perhaps Mrs Riddell decided the story was already long enough!
Excellent thankyou
Thanks for listening - and subscribing!
Listening again to this perfect story & so well presented ... *TY Simon Stanhope*
Thanks Miji, appreciated
I really enjoyed this one. What a great story. And I love the gentleman who reads them. He has a great storytelling voice. Thank you for these stories.
You're most welcome, thank you for your kind feedback
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐excellent in every way the narration & the writing ... *Simon* Thank You for presenting this one
To add....so excited am I that I paused to look at suggested titles below hoping some other gem had also escaped my voracious literary appetite I laughed when the next two suggested were “The Willows” which still makes me shiver to recollect twenty maybe thirty years on and the complete collection of master M.R. James also long ago consumed but not a tale forgotten.... I will just count my blessings that this gem of Riddell escaped me till a morning I needed just such a gift of distraction. Great thanks to the narrator and poster. I’m subscribed! A lady can always hope and in fact must!
Thank you for listening - and subscribing!
Excellent story!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Nancy
Most enjoyable. Thank you for posting this story.
I love the old turn of phrases in these novels, 'done away with'. I haven't been able to find out what a Palmerston suit looks like?
That's a good question, I did look it up when preparing the reading but couldn't find anything either. I assume it relates to Lord Palmerston, foreign secretary and prime minister earlier in the Victorian era (although he died almost 20 years before this story was written), but so far as I can tell he wasn't particularly celebrated for his sense of fashion... so perhaps another Palmerston. Or something from Australia / New Zealand which both have towns and cities named after Lord P? For some reason I had the idea of a light coloured, possibly linen or similar material, suit with matching waistcoat - but I've no idea where that comes from, it may be an old memory of something I read long ago, or possibly entirely my imagination! I'd be interested to know if any other listener / readers can enlighten us further....
Just love it love it love it! Your voice is wonderful and so lends itself to narration. Looking forward to listening to all the stories you make available. Thank you so much!💖
Thanks for your kind words Jade Bird, much appreciated!
Thank you for this Victorian mystical 'detective' story. Enjoyed the narration very much.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your kind feedback
Bravo! Excellent! I absolutely loved it!
Great stories so happy that I found you!! Love your voice you become the story seems like your there. Be nice to have longer stories if you are up to it. A 2-3 hour be nice to snuggle in bed going to sleep with a smile
Thank you, very glad you found your way here too! I do have a couple of slightly longer stories in mind - hopefully later this year, all being well...
Excellent, thank you. 👌💕
This was an excellent story. Well, written, and well told.
Entertaining story and gripping narration! Thank you!!!!!!! :0)))))
Very enjoyable story, superb narration and sound quality.
Your channel is a nice new destination. I think many of us find these days are filled with incessant noise. Most of would do well to procure our choice of noise. 😊
I enjoyed this unique tale very much. I also enjoy the narration!❤
Mrs.Riddell wrote so beautifully. I imagine she knew farm women like the eccentric Miss Gostock! I did, when I was a child growing up on a farm.
Wow! held me entranced. great “ghost” story. thanks. :) 🌷🌱
This one was funny and suspenseful. Great job on the narration❤️
Simon Stanhope is a great narrator.
Thank you!
Took my dog out today, picking Haze l and cobnuts on the Kent Downs! Beautiful.
Excellent, thank you so very much.
Another first listen to a previously unheard excellent story ! Thank you so much for posting 👏👏👏👏👏👍😊