The Story of Salome | A Ghost Story by Amelia B. Edwards | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2021
- English traveller Harcourt Blunt becomes entranced by a beautiful Jewish woman in Venice, although they are not introduced and do not speak. A year later, however, he meets her in the Jewish cemetery, dressed in mourning and sitting by a grave. This time he plucks up the courage to talk to her, and she asks him for help...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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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, usually with her companion Lucy Renshawe, 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 too long, so she took it elsewhere - but his son, Charles Dickens junior, invited her to return after Dickens's death in 1870.
'The Story of Salome' was first published in Tinsley’s Christmas Annual in 1867. Although 'The Phantom Coach' is still perhaps Edwards's most famous ghost story, 'The Story of Salome' has remained widely read and became increasingly well-known after its inclusion in the current edition of The Virago Book of Ghost Stories by female authors.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021. - Розваги
The ghost stories of Amelia Edward are always very good and the narrating is equally nice.
"...and the shadow of the great bell tower slept, all across the square." Luvverly. Venice does lend itself to ghost stories so easily, and poetically in this case.
Thank you for sharing this delightful story.
Yes, I liked that line too. A very evocative location indeed. Thanks Hannah
This story has hundreds of perfect sentences. Descriptive sentences that are utterly compelling! The genius of the reader is in the poise and timing of his delivery. The first joy of this story is the story. The second time round? The words. And delivery. Damn! As my Gramp would say, ‘a goodun!’
That line caught my attention too, a lovely image.
I'll always listen to Simon now ahead of all other storytellers. His voice is perfectly suited to the era and genres. Like a voice from another age.
Extremely kind of you to say so, thank you Tony!
Agreed, Tony!
Summed it up perfectly Tony. Avoided the temptation to listen to story straight away and saved it for this rainy day in Bristol. Perfect listening😍
i realize Im quite randomly asking but does anyone know of a good website to stream new movies online?
@Turner Tony lately I have been using FlixZone. Just google for it =)
A story that draws you in. Excellent reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I looked on the map to find that there is indeed a Jewish cemetery on the Lido. Thank you!
Yes indeed. Amelia Edwards travelled widely, and I think her first hand experiences of Venice is put to great use in this story. Thanks Rosie
So many admirers, Simon. I do hope it cheers you. The admiration is so deserved. ❤
Thanks Bob. It does indeed, I really appreciate the generous feedback, and I'm glad to know people enjoy the stories. Best wishes, I hope you're keeping well
@@BitesizedAudio ❤ Honestly, I don't know why the BBC don't give you a weekly slot on Radio. You bring such pleasure to people and clearly have a loyal fanbase. Tja! I'm just glad I discovered you. ❤
That would be fun! I'm happy to make myself available should they be interested...
Finding these stories among all the dross cluttering youtube is a delight. I eagerly anticipate each new story. As always the narrators delivery of the text is excellent,, a joy to listen to. More please.
Thanks Keith! More coming soon I hope...
A super little story, excellently read. That really hit the spot, well done my friend :-)
Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed it
What an engrossing tale of unrequited love. So very sad that it made me tear up when I listened to his heartbreaking admission that he knew he would never see her again I this life. The narrator carried the tormented souls off so very well that it was that voice bemoaning his fate that caused me to feel his pain. Awesome video all way round. Thank you so much for this wonderful story.
Thanks for listening Keeley, and for taking the time to comment, much appreciated
I took a bite, then another, and then another...and before I knew it, I was biting my fingers this was so good. And "hotel" pronounced with a silent H was the icing on top. You are the coolest, cultured King of audio cakes! Thank you.
What a lovely comment, thank you! Yes, the silent 'h' in hotel was the predominant pronunciation for the Victorians, and into the 20th century, but it's now quite old fashioned. (There was a debate about this very issue on another story recently, so I looked into it in more detail!) It's normally written as "an hotel" in the original texts - although I have noted some modern editors change it to "a hotel" these days.
@@BitesizedAudio Yes, I also believe that 'a hotel' is now the modern way. But as I am on the fault-line of the younger tectonic plate and old codger one and slipping rapidly into the latter, I 'ope you'll be 'aving none of it...Great work!
I was about to listen to an audiobook of a silly love story ca. midnight instead of reading the old-fashioned way because my eyes were sore. And then suddenly, this was uploaded and I muttered to myself 'what perfect timing'. Thank you once again, Mr. Stanhope, for this new and terrific narration of another Amelia Edwards horror story. I miss Venice if my avatar will tell a clue and I adore horror, too. Admittedly, back then, I was more aware of her work as an Egyptologist after seeing her collection at a friend's school and at a museum in London. I had listened to your Phantom Coach narration for at least three times ever since it was uploaded. Thank you once more.
So glad to know you enjoyed it - and The Phantom Coach too. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Best wishes
As
That was a wonderful story. And, so well read. I was enthralled! Thank you.
Wonderful, so glad to know that. Thanks for listening
My day off from work and an hour long story from you - serendipity!
Yes indeed. And, having listened to it, I now know why the UA-cam algorithms welcomed me here this evening with an otherwise unaccountable choice of recommendation: a trailer for a film about the actor who played Tadzio in Visconti's dreadful film of 'Death in Venice', my least favourite of Thomas Mann's works (he was apparently disappointed with it himself), and so a subject of little interest to me. But there can, after all, be no ghost in Venice without a death in Venice preceding it - and Mann wasn't the first (or last) to have that idea...
The algorithm is a bit of a mystery to me, but glad to know it brought you here anyway. Thanks for listening Lorna
Plus, it’s been raining here all day!
What a great story - what a great day.
The algorithms may have brought you to this channel - but the great Victorian/Edwardian ghost stories and mysteries and their perfect narration will keep you here and looking forward to the next one.
What a treat. Two stories in the space of three days. Thank you Simon 🙏🏻
You're welcome, thanks Karen
That was so sad. At least he could take comfort in fulfilling her wish for prayers.
Thank you so very much . I remember as a child reading stories like this and frightening myself silly listening to the rain and wind outside of my grandmothers old farmhouse in England. Now in the heat and dust of drought on my farm in Australia they are a wonderful treat and so well read.
You are doing a great service bringing these stories to us all.
You're most welcome Sue, glad to know you enjoy them
That was amazing! I felt like I’ve just come back from Venice! Great story, many thanks!
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That's lovely to know, thank you! I've not forgotten your request by the way... coming up later this month all being well... Thanks Maria
@@BitesizedAudio You are an absolute angel!😇
Many, many thanks!!🙏
The Jews of old Venice! 🗺
Excellent as always! And another story I hadn’t heard before, so it was a double treat.
That's lovely to know, especially as you're clearly a connoisseur of ghost stories! I'll keep digging for the overlooked gems (but I do like to do the odd well-known one too... after all, they're usually well-known for a reason!) Thanks as always for your support
Another delightfully delivered winner! I love the dialogue, the pace ...the it!
Excellent! Thank you Simon. Hope you're feeling better.😊
Thanks Shannon - definitely on the mend!
I adored listening to this wonderful story and you told it with such eloquence. Thank you, you are much appreciated.
Kind of you to say so, thank you!
Oh wow, this one really moved me. I've saved all your stories to my "watch later", and have been listening to them one after the other, so I didn't realize at first that this was one of the ghost stories. Because of this, I felt a shock when he discovered what the grave read, and felt for a moment as if I was mourning with him. What a very moving story. Thank you for reading it so well.
You're most welcome! Thanks for listening Ruth, and for your thoughtful comment
What a wistful story. This is the best of Amelia Edwards’ yet that I heard. Thank you Simon for bringing it alive.
You're most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for your kind comments
Have finished listening to the story for the third time. Beautiful heartwrenching story narrated/ performed by one and only Simon Stanhope Sir. Every time the narration comes to an end I have tears in my eyes. The performance is so natural, life like.
Great work! I have started going through all the stories all over again thanks to your magical performance.
Warm regards
Thank you Simon. Perfect. As always.
Many thanks Barbara. Lovely to hear from you, I hope you're well
@@BitesizedAudio Hi Simon, I am well, thank you. All the better for your stories. x
I have been going to your page and refreshing all day, but nothing. Right now I just happened to have a free moment, so went to UA-cam...so excited!!!
Sorry to have kept you waiting Katie! I had some IT problems yesterday which delayed me.... hope you enjoyed it anyway. Thanks for listening
Not a problem at all! Always worth the wait!
Is there anything more enchanting than these beautiful stories?
Wonderful performance Simon, yet again! Amelia B. Edwards is a favourite of mine, such a talented storyteller and you make her stories come alive. Thank you!
Love... Thank you!
A bank hols treat to listen too..Many thanks🎊💐
You're most welcome Stella, I hope you had a nice bank holiday (despite the weather!)
@@BitesizedAudio Thank you.,mmm yes did sit in a friends garden,tea+cakes...and some rain😉Hope it was a pleasant one for you😊
What a powerful and fascinating story - and how superbly read! Impossible to talk about how interesting without spoilers, but the contrasts evoked by the Merchant of Venice references invite thinking about, and comparisons and contrasts with Dante and Beatrice also sprang to mind.
Wonderful, enjoyed the tale from start to finish
Glad to know that, thanks Irena
Another excellent job of story telling . You do justice to this wonderful story . I will enjoy listening to it agin and agin because of your narrative . Thank you and God Bless
I just came across another reading of this story ,and out of curiosity I started to listen . Now I can repeat my thoughts from 2 months ago ,without hesitation. You sir are perfection !
That's very kind of you to say, Bob, thank you so much
I mean this as a compliment. Has anyone ever told you that you sound a lot like the voice actor who did Mr. Peabody. He was always one of my favorites.
Thank you Holly. It has been mentioned before, I must confess.... I never saw the show but I believe the actor who did the voice was Edward Everett Horton
Thank you, Simon. Another amazing work of art. 💕💕💕
Simon, I now have a dilemma in my life:
You've introduced me to Amelia B. Edwards, who I now love. Her writing is original, believable and exciting.
But now I'm torn between looking her up and reading everything at once, or waiting to hear it all in your voice!
Oh dear, I'm sorry to have contributed to your dilemma! Personally, I'd say go for it and read all her stories that you can get hold of. I'm sure I will do more, but I doubt I'll be able to cover her complete works in the near future! I do hope you enjoy anyway. I agree, she's certainly one of my favourites of the era and is unjustly overlooked compared to some of her contemporaries and the following generations of ghost story writers. Thanks Katie, all best wishes!
It's a delicious dilemme to have 😂. I'll go ahead and get a hold of her works, she's part of a fabulous genre. One thing I particularly like about her is the psychology of her characters. Everything is authentic. Noml mystery (thus far) is a simple matter if devil worship, or a faith in science alone at all costs to reason. She seems to play so well on the lone between perception, understanding and conviction. It makes for great fiction!
The agony of choice!
Much of your post makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
"Noml mystery", what does this mean? "Noml" is not even a word.
"Is a simple matter if devil worship, or a faith in science alone at all costs to reason". Devil worship is superstitious nonsense and has nothing to do with the story. Adopting a scientific outlook DOES NOT adversely affect reason, it actually aids it with the benefits of greater knowledge and understanding.
Thank you so much for choosing to share your talent. I enjoy my walks while listening to your excellent renditions of these classics. Thanks again - T.R.
Thanks for listening and for your very kind comment, so glad to know you enjoy them. Best wishes
Excellent! Looking forward to this! I like her stories.
You bring out the strain of melancholy in this story so well. Thank you for a beautiful, moving read.
Kind of you to say so, thanks Jade
A brilliant story, such longing... Beautifully read, as always Simon 👏
This is a champion of a ghost story. A soul in torment crying out for help. I heard this the night before I learnt of the tragic death of a very dear colleague due to COVID whom I’d been out of touch with for a couple of months. She had died about three days earlier. The panic and grief you brought to your voice when the hero realises Salome is indeed dead Was incredible. It’s as if you felt it. I did when I heard of my colleague death
I'm so sorry to hear about your colleague. My condolences on your loss. Thank you for taking the time to comment, and for your support. Best wishes to you
I love how you read a story it entraps the listener.
What a lovely comment, thank you!
Great narration..always😊
Such a scarily sweet story. Kinda gives one the sweet shivers, too. Thank you Dear Simon! 🥰
You're welcome 😊 Glad to know you enjoyed it
Beautifully presented. Thank you, Simon!♥️
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for listening!
For some reason I saved this up. So much to enjoy. To hear the music of her voice. And yours Simon. I loved every second thank you 👻❤️
Thank you Annette! Glad to know you enjoyed it
Wonderful, another upload, thank you. 👌💕
One of the most breathtaking endings, final sentences to a story I can't recall ever hearing.. even though, like probably many of us, I had guessed the foregone concluded fact of it...when the writing and narration are nothing short of excellent, the actual journey is every bit as pleasurable, regardless.. You know where it is going, even so, the completely UNknown 'getting there of it' ensures that the listener is robbed of nothing~and of course there is always the merest of chances until you actually arrive at the ending, that you're wrong!
I've not listened yet to even a third of your many uploaded stories and have already decided on my three favorites easily, one being a Loveday Brook, primarily because they are so immediately attention-grabbing and so satisfying throughout, with endings tied off in the neatest perfection, the Redhill Sisterhood, I think is the title, that I enjoyed front to back in one sitting, in other words I didn't fall asleep till it was done... is my most favorite so far. I almost don't dare hope that there are more of the Loveday stories, and in time you will record them! 💙
The Eight Mile Lock I saw, word for word, as if I were watching a film, and still find myself thinking about the unique vehicle described therein (don't wish to give away too much!)~yes, that one was an absolute corker and I believe I did comment on it.
Your most recent upload, with Carlisle and Max Corrados also leaves me hoping for more, many more, from that particular pair to come, thus, The Tragedy in Brookbend Cottage, so far in any case, ranks as my third favorite of all the stories heard to date, although please understand I have enjoyed every single solitary story I have heard you read so faultlessly and, to use a trite phrase, utterly pitch perfect in each case for which there are no words to thank you properly. But.... thank you. I just simply do not want them to end~not EVER!
Finally, I should like to ask you, which would be preferable, a coffee every so often, or whatever it is which is on offer on a monthly basis? I would just like to make more tangible my appreciation than just the occasional comment.
Simon, again, my thanks and greatest appreciation. Your channel is a definite comfort and for me a wonderful and necessary diversion considering current events at the moment Please do have a lovely Sunday, (it is only 6:34 a.m. where I am⛅) Take good care,
Deah (aka, Frenchblue8)
Thank you so much for your very kind comments, Deah. I'm so glad to know you enjoy the stories and it's always interesting to hear which ones are individual favourites. Yes, I've done three each of the Max Carrados and Loveday Brooke stories so far (you'll find them in the "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist) and will certainly do more. There are actually only seven Loveday stories in total, so I'll complete the series with another four. There are many more Max tales, although some of his are still in copyright in the USA which complicates matters as far as UA-cam is concerned. But I'll work my way through the public domain ones anyway.
Thank you also for asking about contributions, I truly appreciate it. The main difference from my perspective is that all the coffee money comes direct to me, whereas with channel membership YT of course take a cut - but I'm grateful for any support, whichever method suits you better, really. Thank you so much! All best wishes
@@BitesizedAudio Understood, and thank you for your generous reply, Simon. Coffee it shall be, Enjoy!
Nice story, and quality narration. Many thanks.
A new story to me, read perfectly as always - thank you!
Well, I just realized what “fancy-free” means. I’m 70 years old and I always wondered how the state of being free could be described as “fancy”. You know, like “adorned with lace”, etc.? You read that phrase with just the right emphases and along with the context, you solved a great mystery for me. 😅 I love listening to you. Here’s a coffee!
Thank you so much for both your kind comments and the coffees, much appreciated!
A beautiful story,and the final sentence is the icing on the cake.
Very good story, which I never heard before. For perfection, I think I would have preferred for Ms Edwards to end the story after the reading of the letter. But there’s no doubt the real ending added a certain poignancy to this tale of unrequited love.
Thanks GradKat. I see what you mean, although I do think the story is well structured, in that the reader is ahead of the narrator at several points in the story, even early on when he first sees Salome, and then in that last section when he's in denial about what has happened (but surely he knows, deep down, although he can't admit it to himself). Very poignant, as you say.
I thought it was perfect as it was, although I would have liked to have known more about Salome.
Thank you. Very enjoyable.
So beautiful!
Wonderful Story. Thank you 🤗
Excellent story so well read
Thank you.♥️
Wonderful. So enjoyable. Thank you very much.
Thanks Richie, glad you enjoyed it
Very good ghost story again.
Wonderful story and reading. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Geoff
Wow one i missed.sooo happy!!
See the notice, drop everything and head over to hear another great performance!
Thanks Scout Rifle!
"The stuff that dreams are made of" is usually associated with John Huston's screen play of the Maltese Falcon. Ultimate source seems to be found in The Tempest.
A saying I've heard since childhood: If you don't listen, you'll have to feel. This usually lead to a sore bottom at that time; as an adult, it gets more painful than that. This story proves it true, again.
Awww that was a good one!
Thanks!
Good one!
Excellent.
What a truly haunting story
This channel re-connected me so to speak with my childhood, teenage and really I finally saw, a true romance with the ghost story- I hadn't read an anthology in years, the last one being those of Edith Wharton- I seek out and with the exception of perhaps 3 or 4 movies, am disappointed- Master Stanhope I humbly thank you. And for fans of his do check out two friends of this channel, Encrypted Horror Classics and Tony Walker's Classic Ghost Stories, both gents also pen their own spooky tales! Thank you so much for a Revival of Great Literature Spoken in Authentic Full English Words, Some, Multisyllabic and Requiring A Dictionary! Namaste and Sleep Well!
Searched for the Jewish cemetery on the Lido in Venice and it is an amazing place with an incredible history.
Perfection
Thank you for this story, to quote , "There are more things in Heaven and Earth"
I'm pretty well bed bound but this has been partially compensated for the relentless discovery of the UA-cam content. This has been compounded by the dictionary of the variety of stories brilliantly narrated. Thanks UA-cam.
Glad to know you enjoy the stories, thanks Greg. Best wishes to you
My favourite. 💖
This is obviously inspired by THE JEWISH GIRL by Hans Christian Andersen.
Also wanted to add, this story puts me in mind of Washington Irving's 'The Tale of the German Student' - although it's a different kind of ending!
This is a beautiful story; although it is a ghost story, one could almost imagine it happening. After all, stranger things have happened.
Glad you enjoyed it - yes, Amelia Edwards ranks as one my personal favourite authors of the genre
I could easily see this happening. Perhaps that's why this story gets me so much. My uncle was a deacon in the church, and even though he had his funeral all planned out, and funeral plot paid for; when he fell down the stairs and was sent to ICU, they cremated him, kept the money he set aside for his funeral without even telling his own sister until afterwards. Just like the woman Salome, no prayers, no stone, no service. They wouldn't even consent to a memorial for him. So we rented a place, invited his coworkers and had a memorial of his life with anyone who wanted to getting up and sharing anecdotes, thanks, whatever they wanted. None of his children even showed. They cremated him in a cardboard box, kept all of the money, and would not even let his priest in to see him. People can be very greedy and cruel.
The dudes of yesteryear were total simps🤣 i loveee the narration btw.
Thank you!
Enjoyed. Not scary, but intriguing.
Though admire this author, much; am---as a Jew, quietly chagrined when at 8:15 we hear, ..."....eager-eyed Shylock..." Yes, a hidden reminder of how in the most literary of British Popular tales in Victorian times; such a 'racially profiling'' a term could be so blithely used. And NOT, to underscore the 'Gentlemen's Agreement'' of scorn and distained tolerance for Jews in Victorian England. One only has to watch a few episodes of ''Downton Abbey'' to see and hear of how the Lady of the Manor had to sequester her Jewishness into a 'trunk, in the attic' lest it offend the Upper Crust. Note here as the initial infatuated man, retorts how he 'cares NOT' if his family and society cut-him-off, if he should so choose to take-up with a Jewess.....HAVE things so changed, in 100 or so years? LoL....
Wow !!!!
That was bomb shell usually that plot twist I already know it was coming not this time wow and what a sad story really he helped her spirit rest in peace. He should have known that she was not going to come back anymore and he gave her what she needed So she moved on but he couldn’t man how sad and lonely he ended up being what a excellent story and narration … I’m really starting to become a Amelia B. Edwards fan
A nice ghost story 😊
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks @Kojoanna
Venice had the first synagogue in Europe.
beautiful story. thank you. your reading was very soulful. 🥀
but i am a bit disappointed that she became a christian, although in the story you feel her longing and wish. one does feel sorry for her papa though. it’s funny how involved one gets in a made up story.
Thanks Alexa, lovely to hear from you. Yes, I thought that aspect of the story was not really explained, though it's part of the plot. We're not given any reason or insight into her thinking, which is unfortunate. Glad to know you enjoyed the story
I listen to this while doing a Sims for Venice build
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I was unfamiliar with this author. A most unusual and subtle story, quite different from the standard fare.
Turner reminds me very much of Bingo Little
Yes indeed. I'm glad to know that because Bingo was exactly the literary reference I had in my mind when I read the story. With poor Salome in the role of Mabel, of course. Thanks Erin
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I saw the ending coming a whole 20 minutes into the video, it was still good though...
Why not just say how good it is to begin with..............tho.
@@nonatie8514 Wether I found the video to be good or bad is portrayed by me through the Thumbs up/down buttons.
If I were to add anything else, the comment section would get my attention.
Why does Coventry Turnour remind me of Bingo Little? And why does Salome remind me of Mabel?
Thank you Michael! Bingo Little was *exactly* who I was thinking of when I read this! I do love Wodehouse...
@@BitesizedAudio James has his Golden Bowl--Wodehouse his Cow Creamer--Wodehouse wins. Adam Verver vs J. Washburn Stoker--Wodehouse wins. Maggie Verver vs Pauline Chuffnell nee Stoker--Wodehouse wins again. Jerome K. Jerome, Ernest Bramah and Edgar Wallace are others I like as well.
Simon's narration is first-class as always, but I find this writer's style strangely exhausting. I've read quite a lot of her work over the years, and always feel that she's delivering a lecture rather than telling a story. 🤔
So was Salome secretly in love with the narrator’s friend?
Hmmm, not bad.
Comment
Catholics never sought to convert Jews. The Protestant sensibility of the reader is assumed by the writer. The theme of the story is thus repugnant to all readers outside the writer's sought audience. But the writing is good and the spoken rendition is excellent.
Actually, Catholics did, Inquisition.