The New Catacomb by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- Arthur Conan Doyle's "The New Catacomb" is a chilling exploration of the themes of revenge, betrayal, and obsession, all set against the haunting backdrop of Rome's ancient catacombs. With its strong atmospheric build-up and a shocking climax, the story delivers a compelling narrative, though it falls short in terms of character development and narrative clarity.
Conan Doyle masterfully employs the theme of revenge, manifest in Burger's calculated plot against his friend and rival Kennedy. It's an example of karma, with Kennedy becoming the victim of the same callous behavior he displayed towards Mary Saunderson, Burger's fiancée. Burger's obsession with his revenge plot, which he meticulously executes under the guise of archaeological discovery, adds another layer of complexity to his character.
Betrayal is a constant undercurrent in this tale. Kennedy's betrayal of Mary Saunderson and, by extension, Burger, sets the stage for the dramatic climax, while Burger's act of leaving Kennedy alone in the catacomb is a striking mirror image of this betrayal. The irony of Kennedy, the heartbreaker, accusing Burger of mistreating Mary Saunderson is not lost on the reader and adds an interesting dynamic to the plot.
The story excels in creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia and tension within the catacomb's dark confines. However, the intricacies of the catacomb's layout can become confusing, causing disorientation and detracting from the overall narrative experience.
One of the strengths of this story lies in the surprising revelation about Mary Saunderson's engagement, which adds a twist to the narrative. This unexpected element of surprise showcases Conan Doyle's ability to keep readers on their toes.
The characterization, however, leaves room for improvement. While Kennedy is convincingly portrayed as an obsessed but callous archaeologist, his motivations remain unclear, making him a less sympathetic protagonist. Similarly, Burger's vengeful rigidness, though compelling, could benefit from additional depth.
The ending, while providing a neat closure with Burger's false newspaper story, also seems to tie the narrative too abruptly. Further exploration of Mary Saunderson's perspective would have added a valuable dimension to the story.
In conclusion, "The New Catacomb," while not Conan Doyle's most nuanced work in terms of character development, remains an engaging short story. Its gripping narrative, marked by an atmospheric setting and a plot filled with revenge, betrayal, and irony, ensures an entertaining read. The story's major strengths lie in its sense of atmosphere and suspense, while its character development and narrative clarity could use some refinement.
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There are so many good ghost/horror stories and so few good horror movie scripts. It’s a sad dichotomy which makes me all the more thankful for your excellent readings
Thank you 😊
The conventional refuge of small talk, for those who have no thoughts to express
I really loved this story. Very Poe-like! And you're right: Every reader has his/her own style. And I greatly appreciate yours. ❤
This story by Doyle is not considered one of his best and the ending can be seen a mile off, but it's always been one of my favourites; and you did an excellent job of reading it. Many thanks!
Shades of "The Cask of Amontillado"! I enjoyed this very much!
I absolutely love this story. I have never heard it before. Fantastic narration, Tony!
As many already commented, this feels like a Poe story.
What can I say....I love the plot. Sometimes Karma kicks you in the rear! He he he. Berger is pretty awesome, and Kennedy is an insufferable and self-absorbed jerk. I really like the way this story goes.
This story flows very well, and it is very crisp. The usage of words and pauses with punctuation are amazing. As I have said before, these folks really knew how to write!
Thanks, Tony and Gavin! I will definitely listen to this one many times.
Throughly enjoyed it! And yes, some of these stories are done by multiple people like Ian, but i never mind listening more than once when the narration is this good.
Excellent... Thank You!
It's a cold and rainy December evening, and this was a delightful after-dinner treat! What a terrific tale of terror, told (dare I say) masterfully 🥂
Love the detailed description of this story, thank you Tony 💛💙💚
+lynda brennan welcome
Great story and narration again thank you. I just stayed in a very quiet religious town called Little Walsingham - beautiful but also the strangest town I have ever been to and a perfect setting for one of your own stories
Where the shrine is? I've never been. I'd like to go. It's near Great Snoring (I see)
Great reading once again, Tony. I think I’ve read all of his Sherlock Holmes mysteries but none of his other works. I really enjoyed it. I don’t think you need to worry about repeating the readings that others on UA-cam have already done. Your voice and all you bring to the “story telling table” outweighs by far any other version out there, especially to your dedicated listeners!
Absolutely agree!👍🏼
Late again, but it's never too late to say thank you. So thanks Tony and thanks Gavin. I really appreciate your efforts and generosity.
This is a new story to me, so 👍for your choice of literature.
It did remind me of "A Cask of Amontillado".
(predictabley a 'Take that you bounded!')
Good stuff!
I have never heard more than 10 minutes of your sleep radio.
It works like a charm.
Ha ha. A great compliment.
Thank you so much, Tony! I love all you do here.
And I 100% agree with you about Jasper. I listened to every story he recorded and I truly wish he'd come back!
He may. I hope he does
Great narration. Have listened several times to this story.
I have only heard and read Sherlock Holmes so this was an eye opener.Thank you for your explanation tony.
Great story, like others I thought of Poe. The real stuff of nightmares. Thanks 😊
Thank you for another magnificent reading Tony I listen day an nite you are my therapist God bless you,always Marguerite😊😊
Truly engaginng, gripping, vivid, narration, Tony. Entertaining commentary. Also this time around. I still identify with Sara. Thanks so much, very enjoyable
I loved this story and the way you read it- and i suddenly had an Aha!!!! moment- I found the beautiful descriptions meant I could really see the lavishness of Kennedy’s apartment and sinister underground world with a growing idea of what was going to happen!
Took a few goes to get to end as your voice soothed me to sleep. I wonder if Jasper is ok, would be amazing if you two did collaborate! Fingers crossed. And thank you for this ❤
Guessed what was going to happen to Kennedy when it was revealed that the woman was engaged (at about 18 minutes). A reworking of Poe's A Cask of Amontillado without adding anything new. Well read though.
Thanks, Gavin! Much appreciated, Tony for the choice, I TRULY LOVE ACD’s writing; &
it is, in fact, Sherlock Holmes Stories by MAGPIE AUDIO who started me down the rabbit hole of STORYTELLING WONDERLAND here on YT! I think after my 3rd (of 6th straight) years of several loved ones leaving this mortal coil every year that I began with fairytales to help me get to sleep. Somehow from these audiobook/short stories I stumbled upon The Brazilian Cat by ACD by Sherlock Holmes Stories by Magpie Audio & I literally listened to THAT STORY every night for almost 2 months straight until I finally began to continue to the GREAT DETECTIVE (for prior to all the death, I was an avid Antique/Classic Radio Broadcast addict- esp. old Detective Capers, Weird Tale Productions & Mystery Theater.
From Fairytales to Sherlock Holmes Stories by Magpie Audio, I was then led to Bitesized Audio, from Bitesized to Jasper L’Strange & from L’Strange I was led to you! (Jasper has a great Channel tab that led me to a few others who I enjoy as well.)
I DEARLY MISS Jasper & WOULD LOVE IT if you could do one of your original channel “living writer” readings, where you do the commentary at the end as an interview with the writer.
Of course, IF you could get Jasper to read one of your wonderful tales- 🥳❣️ 🗣️🧠🧨❣️
🖤❤️🔥🖤FIRE❣️
Thank you SO MUCH for your specialized storytelling content. I love each of my favorites (5) because of the quality of the writing, the reading, & the production! I don’t mind hearing something again because I often feels like a whole new story from the distinctions in the telling of these GREAT GOTHIC/OTHERWORLDLY WRITERS! (I’m not an extra fan of modern gore horror; I enjoy HORROR BABBLE & your CLOWNS story but I prefer the eloquent language, where stories have passages that read like poetry!
I know I’m a bit wordy in my commentary, a bit of an 👁️for👁️.
😎😉😉🥳❣️🖤👻☠️👻🖤🪭
A good one. A wonderfully dark sense of foreboding throughout. 💀
Very cool story thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
I like both *Hound of the Baskervilles & Valley of Fear* & really most of *Doyle*
Time is an illusion; lunchtime doubly so.
Wonderful stuff, thank you Tony
Robert Mckee's book is great. His chapter on the Principles of Antagonism is inspired.
Any chance you could put the name of the book here in the comments? Love to look it up at the Library. Thanks!
Story, by Robert McKee
I think I can see where this is headed, but I want to see how Doyle gets there!
Loved this story. Sort of knew the twist from coming but still lovely
+Krystalynn Moore Glad you enjoyed it. I liked the setting in Rome, just made it a bit different
Beautifully narrated, well done! Keep up the good work. Most enjoyable! Great analysis. ❤
+FluffyDuck Thank you
I miss Jaspers work. What a talent.
I agree
For the love of God, Montressor.
As Poe's Cask of Amontillado was written nearly 50 years before I'm sure A.C. Doyle built a more modern (at the time) setting, and in my opinion Poe lacks the same quality of character development.
19:01 I am getting very strong Cask of Amontillado vibes...
*Jasper* is thinking of coming back ... he made a statement on his *community* page here if you want to check it out
❤
LOOKS LIKE I GOT S.A.C.D SYNDROME TONY. .KEEP EM COMING OR I GO CONKERS 🎯
Perhaps Mary is the main victim. Seduced and "ruined" by a cad, but even if she went back to Berger, she would be marrying a murderer.
I have ALL the *Harry Potter* books & the DVDs ... though I'm not a super fan ... just a fan of the story & would I like to go to *Hogwarts* YES! As a teacher not a student🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄
What story is the You tried to into the locked drawer from? It’s driving me crazy. Lol. I keep getting flashes of a story about a young girl who lived with her mean mother and I thought it was from that but none of the ones on the list ring a bell . And I’ve listened to just about all of them. Anyone know? Thank you
I tried Googling that line once, because I was curious too. All the links led back to this podcast, so as far as I can tell, it’s probably an isolated line Tony had recorded specifically to establish atmosphere for his podcast. No story attached, sadly-I want to know what’s in that darn drawer!
I suppose it’s also possible the line came from an old radio drama or film that made so little impression in the entertainment world that it’s been all but lost, and hasn’t been preserved or mentioned on the internet outside of Tony’s work, but honestly, that seems much less likely.
Creepy.
End of the story you're cutting off your socials I think mate, ends at axe
ah! Access. Should have been. I heard it.
Everyone knows Welsh is gibberish. Just like when you have little girls they make up a secrete language for their joy. The Welsh did that when they heard the Scotts.
I’m sure that’s true but be careful not to air this view in Caernarfon
Welsh is a beautiful lyrical language. Don't call it gibberish just because you don't understand it. You are exposing your own ignorance and rudeness. Everyone does NOT know that Welsh is gibberish. The Welsh are very proud of their language. For many Welsh people Welsh is their first language. They have to learn English as a second language. Tony, I'm sorry you agreed with this bigotry. By the way, I'm English, not Welsh!
A GERMAN DUDE EHH. I BET HE WAS WEARING A TANK TOP......NOT 2 B TRUSTED 😉
HAHAHA