Classic Ghost Stories

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish writer born on August 28, 1814, in Dublin, Ireland. He was the third son of a Protestant family with French origins.

Le Fanu received his early education at Trinity College, Dublin, but left before finishing his degree to pursue a career in journalism. He quickly established himself as a successful writer, publishing stories in various magazines and newspapers.

In the 1840s, Le Fanu began to focus more on fiction writing, and his works began to gain wider recognition. His most famous novel, "Uncle Silas," was published in 1864 and is considered a classic of Victorian Gothic literature. Other notable works include "In a Glass Darkly" and "Carmilla."

Le Fanu's writing style was characterized by a strong sense of atmosphere and suspense, often incorporating supernatural elements. He was known for his ability to create vivid and memorable characters, particularly his strong female protagonists.

Despite his success as a writer, Le Fanu's personal life was marked by tragedy. He lost his wife and infant daughter to childbirth complications, and his health began to decline in the late 1860s. He died on February 7, 1873, at the age of 58, leaving behind a legacy as one of Ireland's most important literary figures.

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This episode features an audiobook reading of William Hope Hodgson's classic horror story, "The Voice in the Night." The story is set on a small sailing vessel in the North Pacific Ocean and centers around a mysterious voice calling out from the darkness. 

The audiobook reading is filled with suspense and tension, as the characters encounter strange and unsettling occurrences on a deserted island.

Listeners will be transported to a world of terror and horror as they follow the story to its chilling conclusion. 

 #TheVoiceInTheNight, #horrorstory, #audiobook, and #WilliamHopeHodgson.

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P. G. Wodehouse

Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, popularly known as P. G. Wodehouse, was a British humorist and author who was born on October 15, 1881, in Guildford, Surrey, England. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest comic writers in English literature and is best known for his humorous and cleverly written novels and short stories featuring the characters of Jeeves and Wooster, Psmith, and Blandings Castle.

Wodehouse was the son of a British judge who worked in Hong Kong. His mother was a talented writer who encouraged his love of reading and writing. Wodehouse was educated at Dulwich College and later at the University of Oxford. However, he left the university without completing his degree and decided to pursue a career as a writer.

Wodehouse started his writing career as a journalist and humorist for various magazines and newspapers, including Punch and The Strand Magazine. His first book, The Pothunters, was published in 1902, and he went on to publish over 90 books, including novels, collections of short stories, and plays.

In 1914, Wodehouse moved to the United States, where he continued to write and became a popular figure in the literary and social circles of New York. During World War II, Wodehouse was living in France, and he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He spent several months in a detention camp and was later released, but the controversy surrounding his imprisonment caused him to leave England and move permanently to the United States.

Throughout his career, Wodehouse's writing was celebrated for its wit, humor, and impeccable comic timing. His characters, such as the hapless Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves, became iconic figures in popular culture and are still widely recognized today. Wodehouse was awarded numerous honors during his lifetime, including knighthood in 1975, but he is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to the world of humorous literature.

Wodehouse continued to write until his death on February 14, 1975, at the age of 93. Today, his works are still beloved by readers around the world and are considered timeless classics of English literature.

Despite his immense popularity as a writer, Wodehouse was not immune to controversy. In particular, his decision to continue writing and publishing works during World War II while living in France was criticized by some as being unpatriotic. This controversy led Wodehouse to leave England and move permanently to the United States. Despite this controversy, Wodehouse continued to write and remained a prolific author throughout his life. He was married twice in his life, first to Ethel Wayman in 1914 and later to Ethel's former secretary, Edith de Selincourt, in 1947.

It's true that P.G. Wodehouse never officially divorced Ethel Wayman, but after they separated in 1921, they essentially lived separate lives. In 1947, Wodehouse married his second wife, Edith de Selincourt. Ethel Wayman was still alive at the time of their marriage, but she had been living in a psychiatric hospital for several years and was reportedly unable to communicate. 

In 1914, Wayman married P.G. Wodehouse, who was working as a lyricist for musicals at the time. The couple had a turbulent marriage, and they separated in 1921, but they never officially divorced. After their separation, Wayman continued to work as an actress, appearing in films and on stage.

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Francis Marion Crawford was an American author and journalist who lived from 1854 to 1909. He was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, to a family of art connoisseurs and spent much of his childhood traveling throughout Europe. Crawford attended Harvard University for a year before leaving to pursue a career in writing.

Crawford began his writing career as a journalist, working for several newspapers and magazines such as the New York Tribune and the Boston Evening Transcript. He wrote travel books and essays about his experiences living in Italy, and these early works were well received.

In 1882, Crawford published his first novel, "Mr. Isaacs," which was a critical and commercial success. He went on to write over 40 novels, as well as numerous short stories, essays, and plays. Many of his works were set in Italy and drew on his experiences living there, including some of his best-known novels such as "Saracinesca," "Sant' Ilario," and "Casa Braccio."

Aside from his success as a writer, Crawford was also descended from a long line of artists and writers. His grandfather, William Crawford, was an American portrait painter, and his great-grandfather, Gilbert Stuart, painted George Washington's portrait. Crawford's father, Thomas Crawford, was a successful sculptor who created several prominent public sculptures in the United States, including the statue of Freedom on top of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Crawford's novels explored complex themes such as love, betrayal, and social class, and his characters often struggled with their own personal demons, making them relatable to readers across time and place. Crawford was considered one of the leading writers of his day and was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was awarded several honorary degrees from universities in the United States and Europe.

Despite his success, Crawford was known for his private nature and his avoidance of public appearances. He was married twice and had four children. Crawford died in Sorrento, Italy, on April 9, 1909, at the age of 54. His works continue to be read and enjoyed today for their vivid depictions of Italian society, their engaging characters, and their ability to transport readers to other times and places.

The Upper Berth
"The Upper Berth" is a horror story by F. Marion Crawford, first published in 1886. 

One of the strengths of "The Upper Berth" is Crawford's ability to create a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere. He builds tension throughout the story, gradually revealing more and more about the strange happenings in Brisbane's cabin. The descriptions of the creaking ship, the eerie silence of the night, and the mysterious noises from the upper berth all add to the story's creepy atmosphere.

However, one of the flaws of "The Upper Berth" is its reliance on clichés and stereotypes. The story includes many of the standard tropes of horror stories, such as the lone traveler in a strange place, the creepy sounds in the night, and the mysterious disappearance of previous passengers. Additionally, the story relies on stereotypes of sailors as rough and superstitious, which can be off-putting to modern readers.

Overall, "The Upper Berth" is a well-written horror story that effectively creates a sense of suspense and unease. While it may rely on some clichés and stereotypes, it remains a classic example of the genre and is worth readi

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Step back in time to Victorian Paris, a city of mystery and intrigue, where danger lurks around every corner and secrets are hidden behind every closed door. In this podcast episode, you will be transported to the heart of the City of Lights, where a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue awaits.

"A Terribly Strange Bed" is a little gem of a story, published in 1852 by the master of suspense himself, Wilkie Collins. The story follows the protagonist, who is bored of his usual respectable haunts and decides to venture into a low down gambling den, where he begins to win, and win, and win.

However, as the night wears on, our protagonist finds himself caught up in a web of danger and intrigue that he could never have imagined. The stakes become higher and higher, until he finds himself in a situation where his very life is at risk.

So, if you're in the mood for a thrilling tale of danger and intrigue, look no further than "A Terribly Strange Bed." This little gem of a story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, and remind you why Wilkie Collins is considered one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era.

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In this episode, we delve into the dark and unsettling world of Robert W. Chambers' short story "The Repairer of Reputations." Join us as we explore the mind of an unreliable narrator, Hildred Castaigne, and his delusional quest for power and revenge. As we uncover the secrets of Castaigne's dystopian world and his belief in a cursed play called "The King in Yellow," we confront the disturbing and thought-provoking themes of madness, manipulation, and the fragility of reality. Buckle up for a journey into the unknown, as we dissect one of Chambers' most iconic and haunting stories.

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ames Hogg (1770-1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist, and essayist known for his work in the Romantic literary movement. He was born in the small village of Ettrick in the Scottish Borders, and his upbringing was marked by poverty and hardship.

Hogg's father was a shepherd, and Hogg himself worked as a shepherd for much of his youth. However, he had a passion for literature and began writing poetry and prose at an early age. Despite his lack of formal education, Hogg was a talented writer, and he began to gain recognition for his work in the early 1800s.

His first major publication was "The Mountain Bard" (1807), a collection of poems that celebrated the rural life and landscape of Scotland. This was followed by his most famous work, "The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner" (1824), a novel that explored themes of good and evil, religious fanaticism, and psychological horror.

In addition to his writing, Hogg was known for his eccentric personality and his love of Scottish folklore and tradition. He was a close friend of other Scottish writers such as Walter Scott and Robert Burns, and he was a frequent visitor to literary salons and gatherings in Edinburgh.

Despite his literary success, Hogg struggled with financial difficulties for much of his life. He continued to write and publish until his death in 1835, and he is remembered as one of Scotland's most important writers of the Romantic period.

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Join The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast for a thrilling reading of 'Our Feathered Friends' by renowned British author Philip MacDonald. 

Originally published in 1931, this haunting tale takes place on a blistering hot summer's day, when a young couple ventures into the cool shade of an isolated forest and encounters an unexpected and terrifying phenomenon. 

The story's unexpected twists and turns are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you experience one of the masters of detective and mystery fiction at work. Don't miss this gripping short story, which hints at something unusual and chilling lurking within the depths of the forest.

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M. R. James's The Tractate Middoth is a classic ghost story  first published in 1911. 

This short story takes place in a library and is about a mysterious book called the Tractate Middoth. The book holds the key to righting a family wrong, but the evil deceased  has made it as difficult as possible to prolong the agony of his heirs.

Follow the main character, a librarian, as he becomes obsessed with finding out the secrets of a book and is pulled deeper and deeper into a dark and scary world. 

Listen to "The Tractate Middoth" audiobook episode today on The Classic. Ghost Stories Podcast and get lost in the creepy atmosphere of this masterful work.

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