Ghost Stories: Six Chilling Tales From BBC Radio 4

by H.G. Wells, David McAlister (Narrator)

David McAlister reads six supernatural stories from the author of The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds

Best known for his science fiction, H.G. Wells was also a master of the ghost story, producing numerous tales of the gothic, the eldritch and the uncanny. These six stories, ranging from the humorous to the horrifying, epitomise the very best of Wells’ occult fiction.

The Moth
Two entomologists are embroiled in a scientific feud. When one dies, the other believes he has discovered a rare new species...

The Story of the Late Mr Elvesham
A medical student gets more than he bargained for when he accepts an old man’s bequest.

The Temptation of Harringay
Struggling with his latest portrait, an artist is shocked to find it taking on a distinctly diabolical air.

The Inexperienced Ghost
A man encounters a timid spirit haunting his club, and helps him out – with dreadful consequences.

The Stolen Body
A psychical researcher attempts an out-of-body experience, with terrifying results.

The Door in the Wall
Lionel Wallace is haunted by the memory of a green door in a white wall, leading to an enchanted garden. Can he ever find it again?

Genres: Classics, Audiobook, Horror

2 pages, Audio CD

First published October 4, 2018

About the author

Herbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).

Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.

He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.

More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...

http://www.online-literature.com/well...

http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells

Reviews

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, atmospheric stories that are creepy, laden with Victorain gothic woe.

[Rida Rehman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The horror: Bessel ran out without his hat, his hair unruly... xD

[Christine Covil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much! The mood of every story was similar giving the anthology a lovely feel and satisfying completeness. The humour, the element of surprise and invention, the charm of a ghost story. These stories were sweet and life affirming. People getting on with things and going about their daily beset with apparitions and even demons. The point of the stories seemed to be that the people in them underwent change, transformation at times, and it left me feeling as if I had experienced something tangible and very real.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

· The Moth - 3/5
· The Story of the Late Mr Elvesham - 4/5
· The Temptation of Harringay - 3/5
· The Inexperienced Ghost - 3/5 - Very funny start, more like a 4, then it got boring.
· The Stolen Body - 3/5
· The Door in the Wall - 3/5

[Chris Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but interesting. Not particularly scary, but many ghost stories aren't.

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each one of these stories really sets a spooky ambiance. I enjoyed reading.