What do you think?
Rate this book
Ghostly Tales
The days are getting colder, the nights are getting longer, and as Christmas approaches the time is high for some ghostly tales. As an exclusive gift for Audible members, settle down, snuggle up and listen to four chilling ghost stories, read by Simon Callow. Four great stories, one master storyteller - what could be simpler than that?
Audiobook
Published January 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
13k books31.6k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 6, 2021
These are average > good stories, but it's the terrific narration/performance by Simon Callow which makes this such an enjoyable listen. 3.5
November 29, 2022
3.5.
A sort of meta-audiobook (if there is such a thing), which records a recording session between an audiobook recorder and performer who is hired to narrate a handful of ghost stories one cold winter’s morning. The stories collected herein—from such heavyweights as Charles Dickens and E.F. Benson, alongside a couple of lesser known others—aren’t that remarkable in and of themselves unfortunately, and are overall a bit samey; but they are inbreathed with new life (or is that death?) by Simon Callow’s masterful, atmospheric delivery. I enjoyed the commentary and banter between narrator and audio recorder which interspersed each tale; as well as the suspense which climbed throughout these intervals, managing to rival the uncanny spectral encounters within each of the fictions proper. It’s a relatively short and pleasurably eerie listen for those desiring a diversion or phantom companion on their chilly morning commute.
A sort of meta-audiobook (if there is such a thing), which records a recording session between an audiobook recorder and performer who is hired to narrate a handful of ghost stories one cold winter’s morning. The stories collected herein—from such heavyweights as Charles Dickens and E.F. Benson, alongside a couple of lesser known others—aren’t that remarkable in and of themselves unfortunately, and are overall a bit samey; but they are inbreathed with new life (or is that death?) by Simon Callow’s masterful, atmospheric delivery. I enjoyed the commentary and banter between narrator and audio recorder which interspersed each tale; as well as the suspense which climbed throughout these intervals, managing to rival the uncanny spectral encounters within each of the fictions proper. It’s a relatively short and pleasurably eerie listen for those desiring a diversion or phantom companion on their chilly morning commute.
October 21, 2024
Short but beautifully formed!
March 5, 2020
Average ghost stories with a great performance.
Bonus star for the twist at the end.
Well played Callow, well played.
Bonus star for the twist at the end.
Well played Callow, well played.
September 30, 2021
I don't feel i can give this a fair rating due to being quite preoccupied whilst I had the audiobook on. All I can say is its not easy listening, I regularly work whilst an audiobook plays and have no problem keeping up with the story and what's going on. Unfortunately only 1 of the 4 story's really kept my attention, the rest just didn't pull me in. Recommend if you enjoy your classics, but not if you're looking for a dark thrilling ghost story.
January 3, 2026
A Ghost Story Is Not Just For Christmas
This enjoyable quartet of ghostly short stories, includes E.F. Benson's "Between The Lights", J.H. Riddell's " Strange Christmas Game", Amelia B. Edwards "Was It An Illusion?" and Charles Dickens's Classic
"The Signal-Man". All wrapped around with a nice anthology film like final tale. Well presented by the Audible cast, especially the wonderful Simon Callow.
This enjoyable quartet of ghostly short stories, includes E.F. Benson's "Between The Lights", J.H. Riddell's " Strange Christmas Game", Amelia B. Edwards "Was It An Illusion?" and Charles Dickens's Classic
"The Signal-Man". All wrapped around with a nice anthology film like final tale. Well presented by the Audible cast, especially the wonderful Simon Callow.
December 8, 2023
I didn't really find most of the stories scary. However, the one I did find scary was The Signal man- which I have previously read but never realised thst was the name. But I felt the same nervous and slight fear as my previous encounter.
I also liked the aspect inbetween stories of Simon's and Josie's relationship which had a notable ending which wasn't expected.
I also liked the aspect inbetween stories of Simon's and Josie's relationship which had a notable ending which wasn't expected.
October 10, 2020
Reflections and lessons learned:
Fabulous narration (which Audible do so well) and fantastic setting - ooo, lovely and spooky - “a veritable cocoon” - now inspired to read more ghost stories - we’ll be listening to this again on Halloween! 🎃 👻
Fabulous narration (which Audible do so well) and fantastic setting - ooo, lovely and spooky - “a veritable cocoon” - now inspired to read more ghost stories - we’ll be listening to this again on Halloween! 🎃 👻
February 3, 2022
I found the stories so-so (I'm not a huge fan of the classics) but the narration and audio production were fantastic - I didn't expect there to be a framing narrative to the collection which was brilliant!
December 21, 2019
I do enjoy a ghost story and this set the scene well whilst I was doing jobs at Christmas. I wouldn't go out and buy it but it was free!
January 3, 2020
First book finished for 2020 pop sugar challenge for the prompt - an anthology.
Enjoyable wintery classic ghost stories well performed by Simon Callow and Sally Phillips
Enjoyable wintery classic ghost stories well performed by Simon Callow and Sally Phillips
January 7, 2020
Was unfortunately not my cup of tea.
It was a great performance, but it was not what I was looking for at this moment. Might give it another try, some other day.
It was a great performance, but it was not what I was looking for at this moment. Might give it another try, some other day.
November 16, 2021
Entertaining collection of short stories, extremely well-acted.
December 14, 2021
The incredible narration by Simon Callow elevates the rating to four stars.
January 4, 2022
I enjoyed listening to this book as I could do it in stages, ie listen to the individual stories contained in the book.
December 3, 2023
Fantastic performance by Simon Callow on audible - but the dated stories don’t really cut it for a modern audience sadly.
October 13, 2024
Not a set of try classics, but still an enjoyable diversion.
December 28, 2024
Simon Callow’s voice hooks you to the stories. A collection of short stories with a narrative in between, easy listen but I could just listen to Simon Callow all day long!
October 8, 2025
Listened on audible
Read
December 20, 2025Audio listen from Audible.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews