3-in-1 Short Story Review: Wailing Well & For the Blood is the Life

Author: MR James

Narrator: Anthony Head
Title: Wailing Well
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: January 1, 1928
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

"The Wailing Well" is a 1928 ghost story by M.R. James about a badly behaved Boy Scout named Stanley Judkins who disobeys a warning and enters a haunted field containing a well. Despite being told not to go near the field and its well, Judkins goes there to get water, only to be met with an eerie wail and supernatural terror

Review:

I'm really liking MR James. His stuff is spooky and classy. 

This short tells the story of a badly behaved Boy Scout who never, ever listens to his elders. Well. He is about to discover a horror beyond his imaginations. 

Lovely. Loved it. Spooky and fun. 

Dumb humans being dumb. Gotta love it. 

The narrator brought this story to life. 

5 stars

 

Author: F. Marion Crawford

Narrator: John Telfer
Title: For The Blood Is The Life
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: anuary 1, 1911
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

This story tells the classic gothic horror account of a young man in the thrall of a vampire, and...yes, there WILL be blood.

Review:

Something just hits different with these classic horrors. I feel like they are....scarier. Sure, lots of these modern horrors have the blood and the screams. But these oldies are classics for a reason. 

This one follows the story of a man who falls in the thrall of a vampire. He knows what he is doing, but he can't stop himself. 

This was great. I loved seeing this POV. He KNOWS he is enthralled, but he can't stop himself. Night after night. Poor man. 

This wasn't "scary" as some other horrors, but it is creepy and shows the fraility of man. Loved it. 

The narrator did a good job. 

I'll give this 5 stars as well. Why not. I was entertained. 

Author: MR James

Narrator: Peter Coates
Title: An Episode of Cathedral History
Genre: Horror, Classic, Paranormal
Format: Audiobook 
Published: June 10, 1914
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Behind the stone walls of a venerable English cathedral, the past stirs with a presence that should have remained undisturbed.

In this haunting narrative, the mundane slips imperceptibly into the macabre. A scholar's inquiry unlocks a forgotten secret; shadows lengthen; and something long sealed away begins to wake. With James's signature blend of erudition, atmosphere, and mounting unease, this tale draws the listener into a world where ancient relics conceal more than dust, and history is anything but dead.

Review:

A nice way to end the Spooky Season! I'm liking this author so much. He is good!!!

A man's curiosity unlocks a haunting and forgotten secret. Behind the stone walls of an English cathedral, the past should stay undisturbed. 

Another tale of when curiosity kills the cat and MIND YO BUSINESS. LOL. Oh humans. 

But yes, this was creepy and I liked the ending. It did drag a bit in the beginning. I kept losing focus and having to rewind a couple of seconds. But once we got near the end I was absolutely hooked. 

The narrator was lovely and really brought the horror in. 

4 stars from me. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #52 & #53 & #54

Audiobook Review: A Warning to the Curious by MR James

Author: MR James

Narrator: David Suchet

Title: A Warning to the Curious

Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Classic, Short story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: January 1, 1925

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

The story of Paxton, an antiquarian and archaeologist who holidays in "Seaburgh" and inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia, which legendarily protect the country from invasion.

Review:

Weeee love some spooky shorts in October. This is my 2nd MR James and I really should do more. He is good. 

This is the story of Paxton who is an antiquarian and archaeologist. He is on holiday in Seaburgh. He inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia. The crown is told to protect the country from invasions, but take it...if you dare. 

Spoooooooky. The narrator really added a chill to this one. 

You can guess what is going to happen. But the scenes at the end? Oof. So good.

This was short and sweet, but it didn't need any more. It was the perfect length and it will make you think twice about grabbing old stuff. 

5 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #46

Audiobook Review: The Ash Tree by MR James

Author: M.R. James 

Narrator: David Suchet

Title: The Ash Tree

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Horror, Classic, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook

Published:  1904

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: The tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer

Review:

Stumbled upon this on Audible and it fits what I as looking for. Something short but spooky. 

The story follows Sir Matthew Fell and his grandson Sir Richard. Years previous a woman was found guilty of being a witch and condemned to death because of the testimony given by Sir Matthew. Not long after, Sir Matthew dies in a mysterious and horrific circumstances. Fifty years later, Sir Richard inherits his grandfather's home and he starts realizing that the ash tree might be to root of his problems. 

Oh idiots the lot of them. Especially Richard. Even if you don't believe in supernatural stuff...why would you WANT to stay in the room that your grandfather died in. NOT just DIED...but died a terrible and horrific death. Super creepy. 

And that tree. *shudders* Creepy tree. Burn that thing down. 

This was short, but it worked. If it was longer I think it wouldn't have been so creepy.

My only issue was that the beginning took a little while to warm up. But it was all worth it by the end. 

The narrator did a good job and I loved the sound effects. Both added to creep factor. 

For sure worth the listen! I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #47 for Audiobook Challenge