Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad

By: M. R. James

Narrated by: David Suchet

Length: 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The story tells the tale of an introverted academic who happens upon a strange whistle while exploring a cemetery on the East Anglian coast. When blown, the whistle unleashes a supernatural force that terrorises its discoverer.

Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.

One of James's 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, and replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.

'Montague Rhodes James has an intelligent and scientific knowledge of human nerves and feelings; and knows just how to apportion statement, imagery, and subtle suggestions in order to secure the best results with his readers.' HP Lovecraft.

Actor David Suchet is best known for his definitive portrayal of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective created by the legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, in a number of international television productions. He narrates his story in Poirot and Me.

©1904 M. R. James (P)2013 Audible Ltd

Not great, not bad....

A ghostly tale...not a bad story, but I have heard better. The narration was good.

Nice little story...

Thank you, Audible, for this freebie. This is a nice little story for any time of the year.

Supposed holiday classic

What did you like best about Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad? What did you like least?

The best part of this book by far was the narration by David Suchet. His voice is very expressive and he uses it to full effect, able to give each character their own nuances. In fact Mr. Suchet's performance is the only reason I rated this book 3 stars and if I had just been reading it myself it would have only gotten 1 star.

I disliked most of the story and found the main character to be a one dimensional, boring scholar. The story was lacklustre to me and did not engage me at all. If this hadn't been a short story at only 50 minutes I most likely would not have continued listening to the story.

What could M. R. James have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The premise of the short story was interesting but it fell very flat and I don't know what the author could have done to make it more interesting for me.

Do you think Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I don't think it needs a follow up book, and even if one was written I would not read it.

Any additional comments?

I will be looking for more novels read by Mr. Suchet in the future as I found his performance excellent.

great book

i am recovering from my car accident and this book was free didn't expected to like it but i end up loving it. great book

Spooky

There was something about the style of words, the narrator’s low and luring tone, and the eerily suggestive atmosphere of the narrative that gave me such an unanticipated fright. This is perhaps the first horror story that has literally given me the spooks.

A Wee and Precious Gem

Would you listen to Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad again? Why?

Absolutely. I'll listen many times, I think:)

David Suchet creates marvelous characterizations and is particularly good at distinguishing character voices from his own.

He has a wonderful cadence and tone for this type of story, for me at least.

The production quality is wonderful: clean, crisp and clear.

Any additional comments?

The whole experience was delightful and I look forward to having many more of Suchet's readings!

Nice creepy story

This was a nice classic creepy story. What would you do if you were staying in a hotel or some place that had maid service who asked why 1 person slept in both beds? What would you do if you only slept in one and didn't know who was using the other bed while you slept? Good concept and story.

Perfect

This is exactly the kind of spooky atmospheric story I’m always looking for. Great performance.

Good old-time terror

excellent story, excellent narration. recommended. David Suchet is a treasure and does this classic supernatural horror story justice.

Not as good as the terrific _Casting the Runes_

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I enjoyed it, but I liked Margaret Oliphant's The Open Door and The Portrait so much better, and I also greatly prefer Casting the Runes by M R James. This story does have a seductive feeling of intimacy--you really immerse yourself in the experience of bed, going to bed, haunting images dominating you as you drop off and then in your dreams, and above all how you interact with the sheets. Also you experience the little Inn and its guests and maids and its routines on a daily basis. M R James is always strong on atmosphere. There is a nice subtext about dogmatism and how it gets crushed by real experience: the main character's dogmatic rejection of the supernatural and the Colonel's loathing of the Catholic Church. M R James ridicules both and then shows them completely inadequate to events.

What other book might you compare Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad to and why?

I would compare it to other ghost stories of the uneasy, disturbing but not terrifying or sensationalistic genre: others by M R James and also Margaret Oliphant.

Which character – as performed by David Suchet – was your favorite?

I got a kick out of the Colonel who is such an egotistical bigoted buffoon but who rises to the occasion with courage and good sense when the chips are down. If we consider the old and mysterious whistle as a character (it does have agency and it shapes events), it would be a favorite.

Did Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad inspire you to do anything?

I already love and appreciate Victorian ghost stories. I highly recommend Audible.com's The Good Lady Ducayne by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

Any additional comments?

It is very well read by David Suchet, and Audible has generously made it available for free. I enjoyed it.