Benighted


Read by Ben Tucker

(4.5 stars; 10 reviews)

Phillip and Margaret Waverton, along with a cheerful young acquaintance Roger Penderel, finds themselves driving through a terrible storm with no solace to be found. Fortunately they espy a craggy, old house on a hill right as the road they are on is washed away, and they stop to take shelter for the night. Inhabiting this house are the peculiar Femms, a wiry, creaking old man and his blustery, deaf sister, attended to by a grotesque, hulking brute of a mute butler named Morgan. They are told the master of the house, Sir Roderick, is confined upstairs in bed. What bizarre dark secrets will be uncovered on this haunting and mysterious night?
Thrill to Priestley's classic of gothic literature which was adapted into the influential film The Old Dark House in 1932 and again in 1963. - Summary by Ben Tucker (5 hr 58 min)

Chapters

Chapter I 22:41 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter II 30:02 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter III 25:02 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter IV 27:42 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter V 43:15 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter VI 25:09 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter VII 21:35 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter VIII 17:08 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter IX 25:17 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter X 31:24 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter XI 24:25 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter XII 18:56 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter XIII 14:40 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter XIV 15:17 Read by Ben Tucker
Chapter XV 15:38 Read by Ben Tucker

Reviews

disappointing


(2 stars)

For me,it never served up the mystery and brilliance of intellect I expect from Priestley. It starts well with vivid descriptions of the stormy journey but soon becomes a typical, unscary gothic tale. It is overlong with many lengthy conversations between stereotypical ,unlikeable characters. Two of the women are exceedingly wimpy in thought and action whilst their men act and speak in a manly fashion towards them. It is very much of its time. Perhaps Priestley was trying to let readers work out their post war angst. Probably wouldn't have lasted were it not for another great reading from Ben.


(5 stars)

This is an awesome gothic horror piece. Very interesting introspection into the nature of fear, sorrow and anger. Really nice reading by Ben Tucker. Extensive sense of dread is great because it doesn’t get boring.