The Phantom Coach | A Ghost Story by Amelia B. Edwards | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- Опубліковано 4 бер 2021
- Lost in the snow on a bleak, wide moor in northern England, a newlywed husband begins to despair he will ever see his wife again. He finds refuge with a pair of mysterious strangers, who direct him to a remote crossroads where the night mail coach is due to pass by...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, you may like to consider supporting me on Patreon:
/ bitesizedaudio
Or for occasional one-off contributions, you can Buy Me a Coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards (1831-1892) was a prolific journalist, traveller and Egyptologist, as well as a hugely popular English novelist of the Victorian era. Born in London she was well educated at home by her Irish mother, and showed early promise as a writer as well as demonstrating skill in several other areas, including painting and musical composition. She devoted herself to writing professionally from the early 1850s, producing novels including 'My Brother's Wife' (1855) and 'Barbara's History' (1864). She also travelled widely and published several travelogues, including 'A Thousand Miles up the Nile' (1877), which is still widely read and admired today. Aside from her travel writing she is best remembered today for her many short stories with ghostly, supernatural and mysterious themes, many of which were contributed anonymously to literary magazines. Charles Dickens regularly invited her to compose seasonal tales for his annual Christmas numbers of 'All the Year Round' between 1860 and 1866. It's unclear why she didn't contribute any stories to the publication between 1866 and 1870 - it's possible Dickens rejected her 1866 story 'The Four-fifteen Express', as she took it elsewhere - but his son, Charles Dickens junior, invited her to return after Dickens's death in 1870.
'The Phantom Coach' is perhaps her best known (and most reprinted) ghost story, and first appeared in the Christmas issue of 'All the Year Round' in December 1864. It was republished the following year in book form with some other stories by Edwards, under the title 'The North Mail'; the story sometimes appears in ghost story anthologies under this alternative title.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021. - Розваги
Your sensitive and poignant narration is a delight. Thank you for treating our classics with the honor they deserve.
Very kind of you to say so, thank you Heather.
I love been tucked up in bed listening to your wonderful voice and story ..thank you
You have to bear in mind that this was written over a hundred years ago. Today the storyline has been used in many different variations.
But once again - no matter how much of the ending you can guess - the narrator still draws you into the centre of the story. I couldn't believe I'd listened to it for 40 minutes.
Some talent to be able to do that.
Thanks Nick, appreciated. Yes, I do like the set-up of this one, such a well constructed piece, and while the denouement is somewhat predictable in a sense (there's a bit of a spoiler in the title, after all!), I think Edwards's description of the events as they unfold is really well done.
Totally agree. The description build-up when he enters the carriage of his fellow passengers is nothing short of chilling. And even though you know immediately what is going on, you can't stop listening.
Such a good story.
Nick, what other variations do you know of? I’d love to seek them out. I felt like the last story segment (The Mortal Remains) of the Cohen Bros. movie Ballad of Buster Scruggs was very possibly influenced by The Phantom Coach .
I read that story...once
The Victorians were the past masters of the ghost story and so many of those writers were women. Excellent to see so many of them here, for which thanks Simon. These stories are meant to be read aloud on a winter’s night in front of a roaring fire. Fortunate enough to have all of those things. Sorted 🤩
I have become addicted to your channel in the past few weeks. I love Victorian ghost stories, and you have a huge selection! It's a refreshing change of pace from what's on tv some evenings. Thank you!
Wonderful, so glad to know you're enjoying the stories - thanks for listening and taking the time to comment.
Imagine his voice reading the rhyme of the ancient mariner.... my life @52 yrs would be complete;)
Wow, what a trip!
Yes indeed. In more than one sense perhaps...
Doggie and I enjoyed listening to this remastered version, and it was just as scary as the several other times we’ve listened to it. It is right up there with Nut Bush Farm. We’ll be listening to it again. Enthralling. And very well read, as we’ve come to expect.
@linus0804 Thank you! Glad to know you enjoyed it. Best wishes to you both
I loved when the bus-ghosts stare at the narrator in unison.
Yes!!
Thank you for the narration. It's wonderful.
They don't write like this anymore do they?
No indeed, they don't.... Thanks for listening, and for your kind feedback.
I have knitted hours and hours to Simons distinct voice.how lovely to have these stories to pass the time❤️☯️☮️🧐
Thank you so much for this terrific read. Truth be told, I'm not really into audiobooks, but I can't help it when it comes to horror stories. There is something specially exciting and inviting when a horror story is being told orally. And before I forget, thank you for featuring obscure authors esp. women authors. It's high time for their work to be showcased much more in this day and age.
You're most welcome Simone, thank you for your kind words. Yes, I do enjoy finding the more overlooked and forgotten stories, and it's remarkable how many great women writers there were in this genre at the time... More to come!
Agree. I love to listen to them at night, in bed. You may also enjoy listening to Mark John Maguire's narrations.
@@CyndiWallaceMurphy Cyndi, thank you so much for your suggestion. I'll look into his narrations.
Thoroughly enthralled by this tale, kept me riveted throughout, thank you
I have listened to all 43 of these stories, they are all beautifully read as well as beautifully written. Thank you very much for posting them, they are a pleasure and a treasure.
Thanks so much for listening, and for your kind feedback. If you enjoyed the Victorian Ghost Stories playlist, you may also like to try some of the other channel playlists:
Early 20th Century Ghost Stories: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZI0zeT0uMxvy9TkkoUvtOAZ.html
I've also recorded some non-supernatural mystery and suspense stories, including a selection of Victorian and Edwardian detective stories which may be of interest: ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZI0zeT0uMxvy9TkkoUvtOAZ.html
Thanks again, and best wishes
Another *excellent* rendition of a classic-love your work.
Glad to know you enjoyed it, thanks for your support Scout Rifle!
Another outstanding story told properly 👏
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
That was a great story.
Thanks Nina. Yes, I do like this tale, one of my favourite Victorian ghost stories
I thought by the title that this was a different story. I think I read it once, but I was completely taken in. Great story. Such an excellent job reading it. Thanks again.!
Thanks Rosie. It's possible you may have read it under a different title, it has been published under the title 'The North Mail' in some anthologies, although 'The Phantom Coach' is the name it's best known by today.
I love female authors from this period! Not that I’m sexist.... This is right up my street! Thank you ever so much! Blessings!💜☯️💜
Thanks Maria, glad to know that. Yes, I think Amelia Edwards is unjustly overlooked, I suppose her work has become overshadowed by contemporaries like Dickens and then later authors like M. R. James, but I think several of her ghost stories are among the best in the genre
@@BitesizedAudio I agree and I’m learning a lot more because of your incredible channel! Thank God for people like you who keep us educated so these amazing people and their work doesn’t get lost forever! Blessings!!🕊💜🕊
Why the comments about female authors? I thought this said Bram Stoker. Who is Amelia Edwards? I am sorry. I didn't realize there was another story to come after the judge story.
Loved it! Ready for another 😁💤
I do so love Amelia B. Edwards' works. Thank you for your beautiful delivery.
Excellent! Thank you
You're most welcome! Thanks for listening @rivkabornstein
Thank You So Much, This is one of my absolute Favorite Tales!!!!!!!!
This is the third time I listen to your delightfull reading of this great victorian ghost tale and it still has the desired effect on me.
Many thanks for another hour well spent , please do keep them coming !
Thanks @PARISCRIBE, I'll do my best!
My third time listening at present. A masterpiece story and narration.
Every time I read or hear this tale, when it’s done, i feel as though I’ve been to hell and back! One of my favorites. Thank you, Simon! 🐭
This is one of my personal favourites too, certainly in my top 5 Victorian ghost stories anyway. It's quite a trip!
Great ghost story!.
Thanks D R
Thank you! As ever, beautifully read. Your voice so perfectly portrayed the narrator’s dawning horror. Brilliant!
Thank you O Tempora, very kind of you to say so. Thanks also for the coffee earlier, I really appreciate your support.
Love her work and yours!!!
Thanks PB, good to hear from you. Thanks for listening to the back catalogue, this remains one of my personal favourite ghost stories...
Excellent story, no wonder it was and still is her most popular short story. The scene in the ghost coach is pretty scary. I really enjoyed it and the narrator is amazing. He did the voice of Jacob convincingly.
Thank you Jacqueline, much appreciated
@@BitesizedAudio I'd like to add that it's how you masterfully change your voice to suit each character that is impressive and very convincing. And you have that elegant and clear British English that's very much appreciated by American audiences ( including myself). 🙂
I've read this. Although I didn't get the ending that well... I think it is written very nicely. Edwards did a great job in portraying the character of 'that man'.. you know.. No spoilers;).. Kinda reminds me of the person from E.F. Benson's 'In the tube'.
Lots of support and respect to you and your wonderful channel in keeping these stories and their wonderful writers alive in our hearts.
Appreciated, thanks Nisa
If I could only listen to one Narrator the rest of my life it would definitely be you “I never lose interest in what you are reading
What a lovely comment. Thank you!
I feel exactly the same
It's so different when listening to this story versus just reading it. It's like the narrator is sitting with you and telling his story.
This is one of my favourite Victorian ghost stories. It's terrifying, especially when listening to what the narrator had seen in that phantom coach.
I loved it! Thanks once again Simon. I’m working my way through all of your wonderful narrations.
Amelia Edwards, of whom I know nothing, stands out somehow amidst many of these fine writers you have so generously brought to us. I’ve only heard a few of her stories but they are unusually gripping. Thank you so much. I’m sure these authors would be happy indeed to hear these outstanding narrations.
Ah yes, she's among my favourites too. I have another of hers on my list for the near future, all being well
This story has layers of twists. Well narrated, too.
Another marvelous piece of work. Thank you so much for these stories. They are perfection!
Thanks Pat, appreciated! Also, my first chance to say thank you so much for joining as a channel member - I hope you're able to see the membership posts on the Community tab, I believe some devices don't show them at the moment. I really appreciate your support. Best wishes
Listened to this great story before from another reader but listened to it again now as of course this is a superior narration
Kind of you to say so manas bose, thank you!
Hello, when I was growing up I read Penguin Reader books to learn English and I had a book where this story was in it. The text was abridged and rewritten to fit a certain reading level, so it wasn't until now that I got to hear the story for the first time in its original form. It spooked me as a kid and it spooked me now 10 years later as an adult, I love your narration as well and the clarity of your voice. Thank you so much :)
Thank you, that's great to hear, so glad to know you enjoyed it. Thanks for listening
Excellent - thank you! What vocal characterization in every sense: wow!
Just love these stories. Thank you.
Love... Thank you!
Marvellous, Thank you so much Simon. You are very best storyteller and narrator. Xxx
One of my favorites----Thank you for your vivid, expressive presentation!!!!!
brilliant narration, thank you so much!
Superb, many thanks x
Thank you as always. Another great reading of another great story, and another great trip!
Thanks kirpalani-griffin, glad you enjoyed it... not such a great trip for the protagonist in this one, of course!
@@BitesizedAudio Ho ho. I shall say no more. Don't want to spoil it. Really appreciate your work very much! Tanks always.
Having been let into this house in the middle of nowhere, in a snow storm at night, not a chance I would have left till morning!
They must have been used to not hearing from people for days as they had few forms of transport or communication.
Really luv this story, can almost smell the decay in that coach😫
Your narrating style truly outshines any I’ve heard. Your tones, clarity and pacing is always presented to perfection. This is one of my favourite tales you’ve brought to life. Thanks so much.
What a lovely comment, thank you so much! Thanks for listening
Great story! As usual awesome presentation, Simon
Your voice is a treasure. Thank you truly.
Thanks Charles, very kind of you!
Thanks for another good one. Really liked it. 😊
Excellent, thanks Shannon
Thanks!
Thank you! 😊
Thank you so much for these play lists.....they help me sleep ❤🙏
Glad to help!
Excellent story! I really like the narration as well. Great work!
Thanks Anthony, appreciated!
A Wonderful narrative!! So Glad to have found these most wonderfully told tales , Thank You for sharing them with us .
Thank you Bonnie! I'm glad you found your way here too!
Amazing reading of a great story. Thanks pals.
Thank you Jose, glad to know you enjoyed it
This is a wonderful story.
Perfectly done
Thank you Cynthia!
Thanks for sharing your gifts!!
Appreciated, thanks for listening Andrea!
lovely story and amazing narration!
Thank you!
this is awesome
Thank you!
I much prefer reading a story! However when the narrator is dramatic in this type of tale, the enjoyment is enhanced!!!!!
Thanks for listening!
Great story and narration!
Thank you kindly! Thanks also for your support as a channel member. I hope you're able to access and enjoy the members' content - I believe it can be a bit tricky to find on some devices, so I've created a playlist:
ua-cam.com/play/PLi95qAoufCZKfY3NqI2fG8M9JWgCmzFFZ.html
Nice twist at the end!
Awesome story
Ha! You read a good terrified person very well.
This story made me cold just thinking about walking in a foot of snow at midnight. Geez! Good thing I have a fire blazing now. I’ll put a log on just because of this story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Ah yes, a roaring fire - the perfect accompaniment to a Victorian ghost story! Glad to know you enjoyed this one, it's one of my personal favourites of the genre
Haunted and Haunter.
The Phantom coach.
Nut Bush Farm.
These are my go to stores when its been a bad day thanks Sir Simon I'm Grateful
Interesting choices! Some of my earliest/oldest recordings, glad to know they still get an outing!
@@BitesizedAudio do old videos generate any income and views No trying to be personal just wondering 🫣
Thank you. I wonder if I can sleep now. Great reading.
Thank you olive Mac, I hope you could!
One of my favorite ghost stories
Mine too! Thanks for listening
Didn't I listen to this almost two years ago from you, Simon, or am I going mad? - not that that would surprise me at all in the current circumstances. Love it all the same. There's just so much to enjoy here. As ever, thank you.
Hi Michael, no you're quite right and not going mad! I'm occasionally remastering a few of my older uploads to correct editing errors and audio glitches where necessary (there were a few in the previous upload of this story that I wanted to fix). I'm hoping to remaster one or two others as and when I have time in the coming months. But of course my main focus is still on producing new stories, rest assured! Thanks as ever for your support.
I thought this one was already recorded. Perhaps I’m getting it mixed up with another that’s similar.
Hello Christie, no you're quite right. I did put a message on the Community tab about it, but I know they may not be seen on all devices... This was one of my very earliest recordings. I'm occasionally going through a few of my older uploads to remaster them and correct editing errors and audio glitches where necessary. YT doesn't let me edit existing videos so I have to upload as new. I won't be re-doing all of them, just a few of my personal favourite stories as and when I have time. But my main focus is still on producing new stories of course. Thanks for listening!
@@BitesizedAudio Oh OK. Thank you for your kind reply. I must’ve missed your update about it. No worries! I enjoyed hearing it again. Great little story. So look forward to your new uploads. TTFN.
I thought this might be the Taleof the Bag-mans Uncle or the Dead Mail...I've been looking for that one for some time. But this one seems enjoyable as well!
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That’ll teach a “sporting man” to go out killing poor little grouse. Thrilling narration, thank you.
Thanks Annette. Yes, I know what you mean - although if I recall I don't think he managed to get anything anyway!
grouse are the Queen's favorite bird fowl to eat.
@@wmpetroff2307 doesn’t surprise me!
Dear Simon...why this has happened suddenly...the subtitles have dissappeared and I' m enjoying your pleasant voice and lovely intonations without them while knitting.
I don't know... it looks like something went wrong with them, not sure what as they were working perfectly well earlier. I've re-uploaded them and they seem to be OK now, thanks for letting me know!
@@BitesizedAudio Now it's okay.Thank you very much, dear Simon!
Yeah, this has never happened so far.
❤
Greetings. I didn't realize that you're the reader for these fantastical stories. Is it possible you can do a live Q&A of how you chanced to find these publications, and produce the audio versions? I know others have questions too! Since Librivox, nothing has been so exciting to my mind! Do you have a blog? Blessings to you!
Hello Linda, thank you for your kind comments, so glad to know you enjoy the stories. A couple of people have suggested a Q&A previously, I'm not sure how the logistics of that might work... but I'll give it some thought. In the meantime I'm happy to answer any queries you have via the comments, so do let me know (if I'm busy and/or travelling with work it may take me a day or two to respond but I aim to reply as soon as I can). In terms of where I find the stories, it started with various books and anthologies I've picked up over the years in second hand bookshops... then when I like a particular story or author I look up what else they've written. Websites like Project Gutenberg and Wikisource and Faded Page are excellent resources for finding these stories... although some are easier to track down than others. Some of the most obscure I only have in a battered old hard copy I picked up years ago!
@@BitesizedAudio Fun to have followed your clue - "It was republished the following year in book form with some other stories by Edwards" - to a scan of that edition of Miss Carew, volume 3, "Chapter IV" (pages 197-230), in the Internet Archive. Intriguing, such three-volume collections of longer and shorter stories with nary an index or Table of Contents, the whole named after the first selection - her Monsieur Maurice collection was organized in the same way. Patiently relying on your excellent taste and judgement to see which other stories in those collections are most worthwhile!
Mesmer Франц Месмер - немецкий ученый врач целитель , автор теории " животного магнетизма".
14:09 - Surely, Miss Edwards, that should be 'Ludwig van' Beethoven? 🤔 (And don't call me Shirley.)
I think that is an informed detail - I've seen a handwritten title-page of his third symphony signed "Louis van Beethoven" and the first-edition published title-page with "Luigi van Beethoven"! International fame?
Recently i have heard this story as an bengali audio story on Sunday suspense mirchi bangla youtube chanel
Thank you for your thrilling narration. Do you suppose that the scientist/natural philosopher who gave him grudging shelter intended him to fall foul of the phantom coach? I wasn't quite sure if he sent him out with malicious intent, or if the narrator was just unlucky.
An interesting question. This is one of my personal favourite Victorian ghost stories, and I think part of it is due to the clever construction of the tale. I've read some people question what is the purpose of the scientist character and argue that section holds up the "interesting bit" of the story, but I think the conversation he has with the narrator is fundamental. He introduces the subject of the supernatural, and belief in things beyond our understanding. Then when the narrator is on his way alone through the snow, he goes over the conversation again and again, reconstructing it... before he sees the coach. It *might* be argued, perhaps, that he has been put into the mindset where he is open to such experiences. If he hadn't been, would the whole thing still have happened? Does the coach really run, or is it conjured up by the narrator's imagination from a combination of the philosopher's talk and Jacob's recounting of the accident? (That seems to be the view of the doctor who treats him at the end - a feverish dream caused by exposure and/or head injury from falling off the cliff in the snow.) If the phantom coach is real, do other people see it? Would Jacob have seen it if he'd hung around longer? And of course, we can't quite *know*, for certain, the answer to any of these questions... which (I think) is part of the genius of the story. But, to answer your question, obviously assuming that the phantom coach is real, personally I don't think the philosopher sent the narrator out with malicious intent... he seemed reconciled to having him stay by the end, I think. Also, if he's not been out for years, it's possible he knows nothing about the coach!
My apologies for such a long waffling answer! Thank you for posing the question anyway, and so glad to know you enjoyed the story.
@@BitesizedAudio Fascinating - thanks! I wonder if the effect (presumably unintended by the poetical 'philosopher') of the conversation was to wake and brace him up in some way: would things have gone as well (however painful) otherwise?
The eighteenth!Hello.
Great story. Shame about the title giving the game away at he offset though.
Spooky...
How dare that ghost hang the living! How rude! What a way to end the story. I wanted the doctor to grab his body, lifting up and save the student while the others untied the noose. Als, not is the case.
Ah yes, as your other comment noted... not this story! But thanks for listening!
Why does the picture flicker on some of the stories??? It triggers my migraines so have to skip some of the storylines which is sad😢😢
10 28 James Murray is the barrister- at - law.
10: 28 W h y there is no an article in fron of the noun " barrister- in - law"?
What is the rule in that case?
Mr. Murray is announcing his name and professional title. It would be similar to reading office door that say:
James Murray, Esq. - Family Law Lawyer
Or
James Murray, M.D. - Primary Care Physician
Or even desktop name plates like: "James Murray, Bank President" It's just a formal way of introducing oneself that was common in the past, when people put more emphasis on manners and social standing. Whereas today, you rarely hear people speak that way outside of sophisticated professional and social circles.
I don't know the exact rules of grammar involved, it's just something I've been taught to do in certain situations. Hope that helps a little ;)
@@jackdare Got it.Thank you very much.
Hello Natalya, yes I concur with Mr Dare. It's a formal and perhaps slightly old fashioned way of introducing yourself, but does make sense.
15 : 16 Do you use this expression in your daily life..." a b a s i n of porridge".What porridge do you like?
Have you ever heard about Russian porridge " g r e c h k a" , dear Simon?
We'd probably say bowl rather than basin nowadays. I don't know grechka, is it tasty? I do like porridge on a cold winter morning...
@@BitesizedAudio Buckweat in English.Very tasty.Thank you!
A truly fine narrator; a disappointing story.
Irony
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