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

By: M. R. James

Narrated by: David Suchet

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.

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.

If Mr. Suchet doesn't thrill you then I think u

might b mad! David Suchet is a legend of stage & screen. Most especially in His role as Agatha Christie's Poirot. Just perfectly fitting as He is for that role, his narrative is quite remarkable. Had I known on the advertisement his voice was what we got to hear uf have played it sooner! Don't allow the title to put you off. the tales of M.R. tend to be a thrill a minute. This being so short, I can truly not say much about it but that you should play & enjoy it & more titles of His. Happy reading & be well.