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Great Classic Stories (BBC Audio)
Great Classic Hauntings: Six Unabridged Stories
Davies, an actor schooled in creating the atmosphere of suspense, reads six stories by Victorian-era writers such as Poe, Stevenson Bierce, Irving Le Fanu, and Saki. Includes The Fall of the House of Usher. Unabridged. Available now
2 pages, Audio Cassette
First published July 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 28, 2021
Designed for good Halloween reading, this audiobook includes these classic stories:
A Watcher By the Dead by Ambrose Bierce;
The Body-Snatchers by Robert Louis Stevenson;
The Adventure of the German Student by Washington Irving;
Dickon the Devil by J. Sheridan Le Fanu;
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe; and
The Open Window by Saki.
A Watcher By the Dead by Ambrose Bierce;
The Body-Snatchers by Robert Louis Stevenson;
The Adventure of the German Student by Washington Irving;
Dickon the Devil by J. Sheridan Le Fanu;
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe; and
The Open Window by Saki.
November 4, 2023
I decided to listen to this in October because I love classic ghost stories, and I wanted to re(read) The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales before I watch the Netflix show, and that story is included. This is free with the Audible membership, FYI. All but two are rereads for me, although I didn't realize it until I listened to a couple of the stories. I'll list my thoughts on each story:
"A Watcher by the Dead" by Ambrose Bierce
Another reread that I am ambivalent about. I do like some of Bierce's work. However, this is more about dark human nature and that fundamental evil. Not so much about supernatural evil, but couched in a story about a "haunting." 3 stars.
"The Body-Snatchers" by Robert Louis Stevenson
I think this is my third time reading this story. I am impressed at how easy RL Stevenson's prose is to digest for a modern reader. I think he's kind of an underrated author. This story seethes with dread and unease. It's as much about guilt as it is a supernatural tale. Sadly, some people are incapable of guilt and empathy, whereas others are often irrevocably damaged by their abundance of both. Although bodysnatching isn't really a concept nowadays, the atrocities that are still being committed on humans by other humans (and how we blithely go on with our lives despite this) is always going to be timely. 4 stars
"Adventure of the German Student" by Washington Irving
I really enjoy this story. This was probably my third time reading it as well. It's short but very effective. The descriptions are great, and Irving builds atmosphere beautifully. I feel like you know where this is going, but you still enjoy the journey. It reminds me of the story with the lady who wears a ribbon around her neck, for gruesome reasons. If you know, you know. I feel like the moody, sensitive hero always on the edge of a mental breakdown was its own genre in classic horror. 4 stars
"Dickon the Devil" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
I thought this one was just okay. It didn't do much for me, honestly. I can't recall if I've read thsi before or not. Maybe it just didn't make that much of an impression on me, this time or the other time I read it. 2.5 stars
"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
I am definitely a big fan of EA Poe, but maybe I wasn't in the mood for this one at this particular time. It seemed really melodramatic and over-the-top. Yes, I know EA Poe predated Lovecraft and I much prefer Poe, but I was getting Lovecraft vibes when I was listening to this. I have to say, I love what T. Kingfisher did with this story in What Moves the Dead, and not that's my preferred version. This was has some good tension and it's certainly suspenseful and creepy, but too overdramatic for me (in my present mood anyway). 3 stars
"The Open Window" by Saki
This was so fun. Instead of being a serious story, this is humor. It's very short and quite cheeky. I do love the buildup and the conclusion was the perfect way to end this collection of stories. 3.5 stars
The narrator was Geraint Wyn Davies, who played Nick Night on the "Forever Knight" show. He has a great voice and a facility for accents. Overall this was a pretty good listen.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
"A Watcher by the Dead" by Ambrose Bierce
Another reread that I am ambivalent about. I do like some of Bierce's work. However, this is more about dark human nature and that fundamental evil. Not so much about supernatural evil, but couched in a story about a "haunting." 3 stars.
"The Body-Snatchers" by Robert Louis Stevenson
I think this is my third time reading this story. I am impressed at how easy RL Stevenson's prose is to digest for a modern reader. I think he's kind of an underrated author. This story seethes with dread and unease. It's as much about guilt as it is a supernatural tale. Sadly, some people are incapable of guilt and empathy, whereas others are often irrevocably damaged by their abundance of both. Although bodysnatching isn't really a concept nowadays, the atrocities that are still being committed on humans by other humans (and how we blithely go on with our lives despite this) is always going to be timely. 4 stars
"Adventure of the German Student" by Washington Irving
I really enjoy this story. This was probably my third time reading it as well. It's short but very effective. The descriptions are great, and Irving builds atmosphere beautifully. I feel like you know where this is going, but you still enjoy the journey. It reminds me of the story with the lady who wears a ribbon around her neck, for gruesome reasons. If you know, you know. I feel like the moody, sensitive hero always on the edge of a mental breakdown was its own genre in classic horror. 4 stars
"Dickon the Devil" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
I thought this one was just okay. It didn't do much for me, honestly. I can't recall if I've read thsi before or not. Maybe it just didn't make that much of an impression on me, this time or the other time I read it. 2.5 stars
"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
I am definitely a big fan of EA Poe, but maybe I wasn't in the mood for this one at this particular time. It seemed really melodramatic and over-the-top. Yes, I know EA Poe predated Lovecraft and I much prefer Poe, but I was getting Lovecraft vibes when I was listening to this. I have to say, I love what T. Kingfisher did with this story in What Moves the Dead, and not that's my preferred version. This was has some good tension and it's certainly suspenseful and creepy, but too overdramatic for me (in my present mood anyway). 3 stars
"The Open Window" by Saki
This was so fun. Instead of being a serious story, this is humor. It's very short and quite cheeky. I do love the buildup and the conclusion was the perfect way to end this collection of stories. 3.5 stars
The narrator was Geraint Wyn Davies, who played Nick Night on the "Forever Knight" show. He has a great voice and a facility for accents. Overall this was a pretty good listen.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars
August 5, 2015
great stories and the reader was absolutely superb!!
March 31, 2023
Good mix of classic short spooky stories. Mainly wanted to listen to The Fall of the House of Usher after reading What Moves the Dead but I found the other stories - especially The Body Snatchers - to be really compelling. Fun and spooky!
June 15, 2017
I love a great ghost story. An entire shelf of my home library is dedicated to ghostly tales ranging from classic haunted house tales to urban legends. When I saw this audiobook available on my local library's digital service, I borrowed it immediately. I never pass up the chance to enjoy a good spooky story!
Great Classic Hauntings gathers six spooky tales from classic authors including Ambrose Bierce, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Edgar Allan Poe. I had read all of these stories before, but there is just something enjoyable about having them read to me, even if the plots are familiar. :)
Geraint Wyn Davies does a superb job of narrating these stories. Davies is a British-Canadian stage, film and television actor/director. He read the tales with perfect clarity, pitch and speed. So enjoyable! I am learning to like audiobooks and already know that the wrong narrator, or an annoying voice/reading style, can ruin the experience. That was not the case with this audiobook -- Davies was a perfect choice for reading these six great tales!
Tales in this audiobook anthology include: A Watcher By the Dead by Ambrose Bierce; The Body-Snatchers by Robert Louis Stevenson; The Adventure of the German Student by Washington Irving; Dickon the Devil by J. Sheridan Le Fanu; The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe; and The Open Window by Saki.
My favorite was The Fall of the House of Usher. Poe is a masterful storyteller, and Davies narration was spine-chilling!! But, every story in this audio anthology was awesome!
All of the stories are unabridged. Running time for the audio book is just under 3 hours.
Great Classic Hauntings gathers six spooky tales from classic authors including Ambrose Bierce, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Edgar Allan Poe. I had read all of these stories before, but there is just something enjoyable about having them read to me, even if the plots are familiar. :)
Geraint Wyn Davies does a superb job of narrating these stories. Davies is a British-Canadian stage, film and television actor/director. He read the tales with perfect clarity, pitch and speed. So enjoyable! I am learning to like audiobooks and already know that the wrong narrator, or an annoying voice/reading style, can ruin the experience. That was not the case with this audiobook -- Davies was a perfect choice for reading these six great tales!
Tales in this audiobook anthology include: A Watcher By the Dead by Ambrose Bierce; The Body-Snatchers by Robert Louis Stevenson; The Adventure of the German Student by Washington Irving; Dickon the Devil by J. Sheridan Le Fanu; The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe; and The Open Window by Saki.
My favorite was The Fall of the House of Usher. Poe is a masterful storyteller, and Davies narration was spine-chilling!! But, every story in this audio anthology was awesome!
All of the stories are unabridged. Running time for the audio book is just under 3 hours.
June 18, 2024
Well presented by reader, Geraint Wyn Davies, these hauntings are classic and familiar. Quite enjoyable for a quiet evening when reflections on the window glass and the creak of distant floorboards. Entertaining.
October 19, 2020
When tackling gothic horror of yesteryear I try and find an audio copy because often times I find it the best, and easiest way to consume victorian gothic horror. This was no exception. This collection offered 6 short stories: A Watcher by the Dead, Ambrose Bierce; The Body Snatchers, Robert Louis Stevenson; Adventure of the German Student, Washington Irving; Dickon the Devil, J. Sheridan Le Fanu; Fall of the House of Usher, Edgar Allen Poe and The Open Window, Saki
This audio was unabridged and Available on Hoopla through Black Stone Publishing.
Like most vintage gothic I like some more than others. The stand out in this collection was The Body Snatchers. My least favorite was that of Washington Irving, but alas I don't seem to connect much with many of his stories. I do much rather prefer reading Poe than having him read to me though. The experience was very different than having read the Fall of the House of Usher of many years ago.
This was a fun haunting experience though and its a great way to find new authors to enjoy.
This audio was unabridged and Available on Hoopla through Black Stone Publishing.
Like most vintage gothic I like some more than others. The stand out in this collection was The Body Snatchers. My least favorite was that of Washington Irving, but alas I don't seem to connect much with many of his stories. I do much rather prefer reading Poe than having him read to me though. The experience was very different than having read the Fall of the House of Usher of many years ago.
This was a fun haunting experience though and its a great way to find new authors to enjoy.
February 19, 2023
Altogether a very enjoyable collection, some I would like to return too. The only downside was that the narrator was American and some of the accents were interesting.
Contained:
"A Watcher by the Dead" by Ambrose Bierce - Enjoyable and a great start to the collection as it isn't overtly horror-ish.
"The Body-Snatchers" by Robert Louis Stevenson - Enjoyed this one as I have studied this phenomenon and I like its inclusion in books, especially horror/gothic.
"Adventure of the German Student" by Washington Irving - Short by very enjoyable with spooky aspects.
"Dickon the Devil" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu - Honestly not sure what was going on, I either stopped listening or just got confused.
"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe - Really glad I have finally read this in a format and I do very much want to read it again as many other stories pull off this one.
"The Open Window" - Short and had the gothic/spooky points I enjoy.
Contained:
"A Watcher by the Dead" by Ambrose Bierce - Enjoyable and a great start to the collection as it isn't overtly horror-ish.
"The Body-Snatchers" by Robert Louis Stevenson - Enjoyed this one as I have studied this phenomenon and I like its inclusion in books, especially horror/gothic.
"Adventure of the German Student" by Washington Irving - Short by very enjoyable with spooky aspects.
"Dickon the Devil" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu - Honestly not sure what was going on, I either stopped listening or just got confused.
"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe - Really glad I have finally read this in a format and I do very much want to read it again as many other stories pull off this one.
"The Open Window" - Short and had the gothic/spooky points I enjoy.
October 11, 2020
Like most compilations, it's a mixed bag. The better stories are "A Watcher by the Dead" by Ambrose Bierce, and "The Open Window" by Saki. Both of which are excellent. Rounding out the middle is "The Body-Snatchers" by Robert Louis Stevenson, which is creepy good fun. The weakest stories are "Adventure of the German Student" by Washington Irving, too predictable; and "Dickon the Devil" by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, this story was very weak. Then there is Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher". This is a classic that everyone is aware and that I am just not that fond of. Nicely narrated by GWD.
March 31, 2024
This Audible original features three of the best supernatural stories ever written: Bierce’s “A Watcher by the Dead”, Poe’s The House of Usher and the most delightful “The Open Window” by Saki. Unfortunately, they aren’t in good company as “The Body-Snatchers” by Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Adventure of the German Student” by Washington Irving and “Dickon the Devil” by J. Sheridan Le Fanu haven’t stood the test of time at all. I really wonder who chose the short stories. I'm giving an average of 3 stars because only three stories deserved 5 full stars.
September 23, 2023
I very much enjoyed listening to this! Geraint Wyn Davies is a great narrator and that makes a difference when listening to audiobooks. All the stories are great and give off that spooky vibe and there's 2 stories that are more like dark comedies than scary. Check this out if you need something with a spooky vibe and want to get into some spooky classics.
April 4, 2022
Something of a mixed bag. The Body Snatcher and The Fall of the House of Usher were very good. Although short, the German Student and the Saki were also very entertaining. The other two stories were hardly memorable.
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October 3, 2023Davies did a bang up job as narrator, but there's a reason that mostly you haven't heard of these stories. So many were like, boo! dead bodies! which I guess could be scary but just wasn't. The exception was The Fall of the House of Usher which is an absolute banger.
August 13, 2019
Listened to this on my bus ride to and from work. The stories are classics and Davies is a passable reader, making the character's voices distinct enough to follow the action and dialogue.
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September 29, 2020Perfect for horror fans. Well-written shorts from the masters.
February 25, 2021
Read this during the morning. Should’ve saved for nighttime with a cup of tea and cozy fire. I so loved the drama in these old stories. They sure don’t write like they use too.
March 9, 2021
A short read with some pretty classic spooky tales. It's a fun listen and will fill that gothic vibe that you may be craving! The narrator also does a really good job!
January 2, 2022
Slightly excitable reader, but good stuff. Always here for The Open Window.
July 20, 2022
Timesless great spooky stories
November 11, 2022
A wonderful collection of stories!
April 13, 2023
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Very few authors write like this anymore.
October 22, 2023
Good small collection of some classics. Just in time for Halloween.
November 16, 2023
3.42/5
January 5, 2024
I found some of these stories more entertaining than others, but overall it was a nice spooky read.
September 18, 2021
3/5
I have no strong opinions about this audiobook. I thought that it was pretty down the middle, with the narrator being pretty alright and the stories being fairly interesting. If you're interested in stories about hauntings, and you have a decent commute, I would recommend this audiobook.
I have no strong opinions about this audiobook. I thought that it was pretty down the middle, with the narrator being pretty alright and the stories being fairly interesting. If you're interested in stories about hauntings, and you have a decent commute, I would recommend this audiobook.
December 9, 2023
A nice collection of stories, but some are so popular that it was a second or third read-through of them. I love the short story collections that have more hidden gems.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews