The Best Ghost Stories Ever Told

Best Stories Ever Told

By: Stephen Brennan - editor

Narrated by: J. M. Badger, Imelda Pot

Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A big, brilliant, spooky collection of classic and contemporary ghost stories that will make you hesitate before turning off that light.

©2011 Stephen Vincent Brennan (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Odd collection, some stories are not supernatural at all

With a name like “The Best Ghost Stories” you’d be forgiven for expecting that there would be ghosts (or at least something supernatural or scary) in all of the stories included in this collection. If that’s what you want, look elsewhere. This collection does feature some actual ghost stories, but there are some that feature nothing supernatural or even scary. One story is a murder mystery. Another is odd, but not even slightly supernatural or scary. I don’t understand how the editor of this collection decided what stories to include.

Of the actual ghost stories or scary supernatural tales, the collection is ok. There are a few that are quite good, though most are not what I’d call the best in this genre. There are a few standouts in my opinion, like the tale from Oscar Wilde and “The Open Door”. What can I say? I like some dark humor with my scary stories.

Also, if you’re not familiar with ghost stories from this time period, they might be a but much for you. They tend to tell the story in a very round-about way that is less likely to appeal to some people with more modern storytelling expectations.

The narrators are decent. The man struggles with some of the accents of the characters, but he reads well and with feeling. The woman does a good job overall and a bit better with the accents than the man did.

Not as Scary as it could be

The actors hired to read must think they are on stage rather than reading a ghost story because they project/yell most of the stories WITHOUT a horror nuance coloring their voices.

If you are like me and like reading/listening to audiobooks before bed, skip this one. It will only keep you awake and make you angry.

Poor narrator, a very mixed bag

The tales are full of wordy narration, are not all ghost stories, and are often culturally and sexually insensitive. The male narrator has a voice best suited for comedy; the one story he does really well is The Canterville Ghost.

His mispronunciations of words common to British literature are grating, however. As many of these stories include dialect, the readers are forced to attempt accents with mixed success. I do sympathize with having to read these old-fashioned narratives out loud. Mark Gatiss's reading of E F Benson's tales is an excellent example of how to read a Victorian ghost story properly.

The female narrator is much better. Her reading of "The Lost Ghost" actually made me tear up at the end.

It's a good commuting book because it's long and keeps me alert without engaging my full attention, which is what I primarily look for in free content.

Fantastic grouping!

Lots if wonderful old stories that I've never read before. The narrators brought them to life (or death, as the case may be).

last story hella racist.

quit by that one. also the male narrator is way too dramatic a reader. Poe, E Gaskell, Oscar Wilde, Ambrose Bierce, and Hesketh were the best. all more than 90 years old. if Victorian is your jam you may enjoy more.

Enjoyed these readings

A nice variety of short stories, some more enjoyable than others, from a wide range of authors. The readings were well-done. The voices were pleasant and well-modulated.

Honestly

The stories were imaginative and I could almost see the stories in my mind. Not all stories carried that ability but overall and enjoyable listen. The narration was excellent

Same ol', same ol'...

If you've heard one, you've heard 'em all...great classics that have been told a few too many times, already.

amazing!

if you're a fan of turn of the century writing and ghost stories this is for you! I'll be it there are a couple stories I was banking on being in this collection I was expecting that didn't come up but im still really impressed with the array of authors, subjects, and humor!

I don't care for a fake British accent

The selection of stories is very good, the readers are not. (your mileage may vary.)