Gruselkabinett 71 - Der Eschenbaum

by M.R. James, Hasso Zorn (Speaker), Ronald Nitschke (Speaker)

Ost-England im Jahre 1690: Zu seinem grenzenlosen Missfallen muss Sir Matthew Fell im Park seines Anwesens Castringham Hall in Suffolk in den Vollmondnächten immer wieder eine unheimliche Frau aus dem Dorf beobachten, die sich an einem gewaltigen Eschenbaum zu schaffen macht. Wie er nur zu gut weiß, steht die Frau im Ruf, eine mächtige und sehr gefährliche Hexe zu sein...

Mit den bekannten Stimmen von Hasso Zorn, Frank-Otto Schenk, Katarina Tomaschewsky, Sebastian Schulz, Martin Kautz, Sonja Deutsch, Lutz Mackensy, Peter Weis, Hans-Jürgen Dittberner, Ronald Nitschke, Louis Friedemann Thiele und Filipe Pirl.

1 CD ca. 58 Minuten

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Classics, Audiobook, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Gothic

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Montague Rhodes James, who used the publication name M.R. James, was a noted English mediaeval scholar & provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–18) & of Eton College (1918–36). He's best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature. One of James' 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, replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

M.R.^James

Reviews

[Jamie]

Rather old-fashioned and a little creepy, but ultimately completely forgettable. I won't be growing any ash trees outside my bedroom window, though, just in case.

[Bill Kerwin]

The World Tree of Norse myth is said to be an ash tree, a tree that connects our world with worlds above and below. M.R. James says nothing about this particular myth in his excellent ghostly tale “The Ash Tree,” but he introduces us to a legend about an old member of the ash family, a tree connected to the netherworld at least, if not to a celestial one.

During a witch trial in 1690, Sir Matthew Fell, proprietor of Castringham Hall, testified to having seen Mrs. Mothersole “gathering sprigs ‘from the ash-tree near my house’ where she ‘had climbed into the branches, clad only in her shift.” Sir Matthew saw her “cutting off small twigs with a peculiarly curved knife” and “talking to herself,” but, when he attempted to chase her from the tree, he saw nothing but a rabbit running away toward the village. Mrs. Mothersole was found guilty and hanged. She died filled with rage, and was heard to mutter, “There will be guests in the hall.”

James proceeds to relate a series of mysterious stories concerning the Fell family of Castringham Hall, each with an unfortunate outcome, which culminate in the horrific discovery of what Mrs. Mothersole’s “guests” might be.

This is an absorbing tale, amusing at times, which saves much of its terror for the end. And the end is suitably creepy, viscerally affecting, and well worth the wait.

I was particularly amused by M.R.’s treatment of Sir Richard Fell, the aforesaid Sir Matthew’s grandson. James’ narrator describes him as a “pestilential innovator”:

Before his time the Hall had been a fine block of the mellowest red brick; but Sir Richard had travelled in Italy and become infected with the Italian taste, and, having more money than his predecessors, he determined to leave an Italian palace where he had found an English house. So stucco and ashlar masked the brick; some indifferent Roman marbles were planted about in the entrance-hall and gardens; a reproduction of the Sibyl’s temple at Tivoli was erected on the opposite bank of the mere; and Castringham took on an entirely new, and, I must say, a less engaging, aspect. But it was much admired, and served as a model to a good many of the neighbouring gentry in after-years.

No sooner had I read this passage than I was certain Sir Richard was fated to die a horrible death. For a devoted antiquarian like M.R. James, desecrating an old English house is a serious crime, a crime that must be punished . . . kind of like high school sex in the horror flicks of the 1970’s.

[Hon Lady Selene [on a hiatus]]

I HATE THIS STORY!

I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE IT.

I HATE THE TRICKERY AND WHAT IT LED TO, IT TRICKED ME AND I ABSOLUTELY DESPISE IT.

It's a boggart from Harry Potter, that's what it is. It's a boggart that turned while I was holding it in the majestic palm of my hands and I fucking hate it!

"All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."

10 stars then and I never want to set my eyes on it ever again. Riddikulus!

[Tom Mathews]

A deliciously creepy ghost story from one of the masters of the genre. You can read it online for free at the link below.

http://www.hypnogoria.com/html/ashtre...

[Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ)]

It was certainly an enjoyable read, but I saw no horror in it :D

[Anna]

The Ash tree follows the events following the death of a suspected witch during the witch trials. M R James pulls from local history for this event which adds to the haunting theme. The story is unsettling rather than scary and uses James’ reaccuring themes of rats, creatures almost seen, architecture and hairy things ( read enough James and you will realise supernatural horrors are often covered in hair).
The theme of revenge is quite fun as it generational haunting and ambiguity but again for me it misses the mark.

[BookmarkedOne]

Note: if you see your lady neighbor turn into a rabbit late at night, mind your business.

[Theater Mistress]

I caught a BBC version of this with Christopher Lee doing it, I suppose 'nuff said. I loved it.
Even aside from the obvious it was a great little tale, it conjured up images that got into my dreams.

[Melanti]

I'd read this before, as part of one of James' anthologies, but I just got done with a book where an evil tree grew through a house and was reminded of it.

Just as creepy the second time around.

[Paul Hasbrouck]

One of his greatest stories of the supernatural....do not read with windows open.

[Gareth Is Haunted]

Your standard run of the mill classic ghost story.

[Jo Berry ☀️]

This is literally a forgettable tale. This stand-alone short story was listed as ‘finished’ in my audible library, but I was sure I hadn’t listened to it. It was only about halfway through I realised I had listened to it earlier this year, but I only remembered little bits and pieces. It’s quite slow and boring, and I wasn’t quite sure what was supposed to have happened by the end. I’ve never been that impressed by MR James stories. They always seem long, vaguely confusing, and have weak endings. The straightforward narration by David Suchet was fine, but maybe a dramatic performance could have breathed some life into it.

[Julie Brochmann]

skip

[Mahayana Dugast]

Old fashion creepy, enjoyable.

[Spencer]

The ash tree is a short, effective ghost story that's perfect reading on a cold December day.

[Latasha]

this is the first M.R. James story I was exposed to. I loved it and it terrified me. what came out of the ash tree? omg, burn that thing down!!

[Ⰰⱃⰿⰰⱀⰴ Ⱆⰾⰴⰵⱃⰻⰽⱁ Ⱅⰵⱄⰾⰰ]

Wonderful horror novella.
The language is engaging, vivid and atmospheric. It is a dynamically developed text that keeps a strong pace while absorbing all concentration on the pages.
The narrator is heterodiagetic, thus he does not participate in the content directly just as a documentarist bystander.
The creeping of an old curse could in this story be seen as a metaphor for the unbeatable hereditary line. A spiderlike creature and its offspring are connected to a story of a burned witch which through the spiderlike creatures raves revange upon the family that represents the descendants of the man who sentenced her to flames.
It is interesting how the protestant culture and religion burned thousands and thousands witches while the Inquisition of the Catholc Church burned less than one hundred witches in all of the time it existed.
The war on the Catholic Church is astonishing, other heresies united with the transgender and transhumanistic totalitarianism to crush every form of catholicism. The rainbow coalition united in hate and jealousy is fighting to pull down the oldest institution of Tradition in the West.
What can one say. Haters gonna hate. The Catholic Church can only achieve more money and power, not to mention the knowledge which the transhumanist dogma can never even comprehend.
Who is behind feminism, transhumanism and liberalism? Who comes to this world to divide?
Who was throughout history depicted as a hermaphrodite?
While stupid people do not laugh when a sick child like Greta Thunberg throws totalitarian dogma about climate change they do laugh when encountered with the devil. Apperently thousands of years went in vain, all the people from the middle age were wrong, devil does not exist, just like gender does not exist, or nation, or race.
The only thing that exists is feminism and transhumanism, and who disagrees must be shut down.
Well I disagree. Do you disagree?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD3rk...

[Becky Wright]

Like most of James' stories, The Ash Tree is set in the Suffolk countryside (my home turf) in a grand house with a dark history and family past. A tale of witchcraft and superstition, and a man who unwittingly upsets the past.

I love a classic tale, and M.R James is always a firm go-to author for me. I've read The Ash Tree many times but listening to this version narrated by David Suchet was an utter joy. While James' classic horror and ghost stories may not be terrifying compared to some modern books, they still fulfil the horror need in me, satisfying the creeping, unsettling, subtly gothic nuances that I adore, and in turn, write myself.

[Natalie H]

June 2023
Audiobook edition
34m (1.3x speed)

Initially I gave this one three stars but coming back to it, it didn't leave much of an impression on me. All I really got from the story was witch, tree, spiders. It was a short ghost story, that I don't really have an opinion for. It was just there.

[David William Connor]

The Ash Tree by M. R. James, narrated by David Suchet, was an outstanding listen from start to finish. James creates an atmosphere that feels both eerie and timeless, weaving folklore, superstition, and dark fantasy into a story that lingers with you and your mind long after it ends. David Suchet's narration elevated the experience even further; his voice perfectly captured the gothic tone, bringing every scene and character to life with remarkable skill and presence. My only complaint is that I wished it had been longer. The world, the history, and the creeping horror were so engaging that I wasn't ready for it to end. For fans of classic ghost stories and atmospheric supernatural fiction, this is an easy recommendation.

[Linda Morrison]

Creepy short read for the witchy season!

[Riju Ganguly]

One of the most terrifying stories that I have ever read. Period.
Those who callously talk about the impotence of stories in terms of evoking primal dread, haven't read this one. Otherwise they could have never looked at a tree without shuddering.
Must read.

[Namrata]

I have resigned myself to the fact that most short stories are merely a tantalising bait to a thousand page novel that doesn't exist. So, this one gets a good rating while I wrestle with my frustration of not finding more information on the Witch and Ash-Tree.

[Tania]

I first came across this story when Christopher Lee read it for the BBC at Christmas. (Nothing says Christmas, more than a good ghost story). Great story with a sense of creeping menace.

[Kathy]

Ghost story, a little creepy, but not really horror.

[Tom]

4.5⭐

This tale tells the tale of Sir Richard Fell, who has just inherited Castringham, a country seat with an unfortunate seemingly cursed history. The house has been cursed since the day his grandfather, Sir Matthew Fell, condemned to hang a woman, Mrs. Mothersole to death for witchcraft. For her last words "all that she is reported to have said was the seemingly meaningless words: 'There will be guests at the Hall.' Which she repeated more than once in an undertone." It is soon discovered that the ancient ash tree outside his bedroom window is the root of this curse.

[Cal]

3.5

The audio-book was listed as Free on audible so I figured I'd grab it and give it a listen. Seemed interesting enough. It might be little forgettable but in the moment it was a rather interestingly fun short read. If you want a creepy quick tale for a spooky themed night this is a rather good option.

After the execution of a supposed witch, random deaths begin to happen that tie to an old ash-tree. Creepy happenings, spiders, and a vengeful spirit lay in the pages of this short story. A good reminder that if you see something weird in the dark of the night, perhaps you didn't and you should mind your own business.

[Katie]

I think one of my favourite things about MR James stories is the underlying creepy atmosphere that sometimes blooms into images which feel super eerie without really knowing what makes them super eerie. It’s a very primal unnerving mood which totally suits his kind of archaic style of writing. This had all the makings of a great little story: the old house, the witch trials, the curse which seemed to travel through generations. It also had some great moments (the what is that ‘squirrel’ in the tree moment, the reveal that the branches of the ash tree don’t reach the windows and can’t make those scratching noises) but the actual reveal… Not sure. I mean, yes, huge spiders are terrifying but as a conclusion to what seems to be a ghost story, not entirely sure.

[Thomas Houghton]

As soon as James suggested that a creature ‘with more than four limbs’ was climbing up the eponymous ash tree, I had the inkling it was a spider. However I did not foresee how the story would end, with a cat being savagely eaten by a giant spider, and then it being revealed that there were multiple giant spiders - all seemingly conjured up by a witch who had been executed nearly half a century before. A great short story that, whilst simplistic in its premise, creates such a vivid and chilling atmosphere.

[Ali]

There will be guests at the Hall, a witch says, and "guests" really come for every inhabitant of Castringham Hall, human or animal.

Delightfully creepy.