Canon Alberic's Scrapbook | A Ghost Story by M. R. James | A Bitesized Audiobook

In the decayed Pyrenean town of St Bertrand de Comminges, an English academic stumbles across a unique book, a collection of writings and illustrated manuscripts dating back many centuries. It's incredibly rare, and yet the owner of the book seems surprisingly happy to part with it... The story starts at 00:01:28

Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me (and get access to exclusive content):

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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:28 Canon Alberic's Scrapbook
00:36:10 Credits, thanks and further listening

Montague Rhodes James (1862–1936) was a medievalist and scholar, and is probably the best known and most celebrated English ghost story writer of the 20th century, although he actually began composing supernatural tales in the late Victorian era, beginning with 'Canon Alberic's Scrapbook' and 'Lost Hearts' (both 1893). He was born in Kent, but spent most of his childhood in Suffolk, a county which features prominently in many of his stories, including 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Several of James's protagonists also reflect his own antiquarian interests, with academics and historians featuring regularly. James published four volumes of ghost stories in his lifetime: 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1904), 'More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' (1911), 'A Thin Ghost and Others' (1919) and 'A Warning to the Curious and Other Stories' (1925).

During a long academic career which encompassed several positions at King's College, Cambridge, and Eton College, M. R. James developed a tradition of reading his ghost stories aloud to a group of friends, most famously on Christmas eve, and the majority of his published stories were first heard in that setting.

'Canon Alberic's Scrapbook' is generally regarded as M. R. James' very first ghost story. In fact it was first heard alongside 'Lost Hearts', when both stories were read aloud by James himself at the Chit Chat Club in Cambridge, on the evening of Saturday, 28 October 1893. It's not known for certain which tale was read first, but 'Canon Alberic' was placed first in the 1904 volume published by James, 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary', and subsequent collected editions have followed the same order.

Recording © Bitesized Audio 2024.

[BitesizedAudio]

In the decayed Pyrenean town of St Bertrand de Comminges, an English academic stumbles across a unique book, a collection of writings and illustrated manuscripts dating back many centuries. It's incredibly rare, and yet the owner of the book seems surprisingly happy to part with it... The story starts at 00:01:28

[francesmeyer]

A high school boyfriend gave me a copy of "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" just before our senior year. This would have been 1965. He was killed the following year. I still have the book to remember him by and have read it many times. It has traveled from Alaska to Central Illinois with me. 💐💐💐💐💐💐

[chuzzthefuzz]

M R James has developed into my favourite classic ghost story writer, thanks to you.

[THEPAGEBURNER]

Hell yea I just in time to do the dishes right on. Simon has no set time because any time is the right time.
cheers from across the pond

[mariameere]

This has come exactly when I needed cheering up more than I have needed it in a long time. Thank you so much Simon for a wonderful story performed in such a wonderful way! You are appreciated more than you will ever know, and by so many! 🙏🌺
❤❤❤

[januzzell]

My Favourite Ghost Writer - thank you Simon - bliss

[Shineon]

Loved the character of the Cambridge scholar……I’ve always felt that it is the relatability/quirkiness of James’ protagonists ( and not merely his frightening supernatural plots ) that have endeared his short stories to so many generations of readers….❤

[YvonneWilson]

What an utter delight - thank you so much for another M.R.James story, Simon. As the song says, nobody does it better!

[malcolmgibson]

An evening listening to M. R. James, what could be better?

[Hablizel]

Mr. Stanhope, you are a superb reader & have the marvelous ability to make a story come to life. Also your choice of subjects are varied and ever interesting. I also like the biographical information of the authors.

[TheRickie]

I really enjoy this, every reader brings his very own personal touch to this masterpiece of James’ fine writing. I like your narration very much.

[SpuktasticAudio]

Well, that was enough to put the willies up anybody. And you're so good at it, cher Simon. ❤

[mijiyoon]

Woot! Woot! *Simon Stanhope* reading *M.R. James* this will brighten my early evening. Thank You *Simon* I've had such a day w/ household chores I feel like a charwoman. No wonder it's called *chores* & I'm not yet done. Still have to unload the dishwasher, put a cat's blanket into the dryer & fix dinner. The latter will be a frozen meal popped into the oven as I'm too exhausted to cook😵😵‍💫. Now that I think on it I do have the robots to help me out: Washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven🤔🤔 still those dishes don't unload & put themselves away

[HannaFate]

I love the way Evil in MR James' stories is just laying around, like toxic waste. Leftovers of the doings of evil people, for innocent people to stumble on. And, the people in his stories are sensible. Not a lot of "but there's no such thing as...", but rather. "Hm. Yeah, we gotta burn that."

[shannondore]

I adore M. R. James, but I adore you reading his stories more.
Thanks, Simon, for another good one.❤

[brendangilmore]

Your voice was made for M R James - absolutely perfect :)

[simoneclift]

Oh the bliss❤
Just what I needed.
Thank you.
relax.😊

[nickybaker]

Oooooh- thrilled & chilled here!
Great story, fab narration as always.
Thank you so much Simon. 🥰😊

[missying]

M. R. James is just brilliant and Simon is talented as always - French and Latin!

[christinemarshall]

A superb narration, as usual, by Mr Stanhope. Thank you