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Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad

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Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad

By: M. R. James
Narrated by: David Suchet
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About this listen

The story tells the tale of an introverted academic who happens upon a strange whistle while exploring a cemetery on the East Anglian coast. When blown, the whistle unleashes a supernatural force that terrorises its discoverer.

Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.

One of James's most important achievements was to redefine the ghost story for the new century by dispensing with many of the formal Gothic trappings of his predecessors, and replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.

'Montague Rhodes James has an intelligent and scientific knowledge of human nerves and feelings; and knows just how to apportion statement, imagery, and subtle suggestions in order to secure the best results with his readers.' HP Lovecraft.

Actor David Suchet is best known for his definitive portrayal of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective created by the legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, in a number of international television productions. He narrates his story in Poirot and Me.

©1904 M. R. James (P)2013 Audible Ltd Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Ghosts Horror Haunted Scary Paranormal Fantasy Fiction Short Stories
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read by a legend, in a very haunting way.
very good value with all the intensity needed in a ghost story

chilling!

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I do enjoy M.R. James's stories; they're wonderfully creepy and just right to listen to when you only have a small spot of time free. This story is particularly effective because I have walked along a long beach at twilight when it's difficult to make out what's in the distance behind you, so it's very easy to feel disquiet.
The narration is excellent from David Suchet - I only wish he'd done more of James's work than the small selection I've come across.
The language is of its time, appropriate to the age in which it was written, and aiming to unnerve rather than give a fright.
I will listen to this at Christmas as no Christmas Eve is complete without a good ghost story, and I will try some of the others that have been narrated by others.

Lovely & creepy!

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Suchet has the perfect voice for conjuring up the fear and atmosphere that the author wishes to convey . You may not want to visit the seaside again.

Atmospheric

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What did you like best about this story?

I love M. R. James' ghost stories, and I couldn't think of a better reader than David Suchet. A treat.

A match made in heaven.

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A typical James tale but my absolute favourite. Eerie enough to bring uncomfortable mental images to mind and wonderfully narrated by David Suchet. This does have tongue in cheek moments and is wrought by utilising a few stereotypes. Nevertheless, underlying this is a very serious moral which shows us to always keep an open mind to whatever may occur.

My favourite MRJames

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