The Ghost: A Modern Fantasy


Read by Simon Evers

(4.4 stars; 105 reviews)

The novel opens with Carl Foster, a recently qualified doctor, coming to London to try and make his fortune. He meets a famous tenor, Signor Alresca, who suffers a dreadful injury backstage and Foster tends to him. He thus meets the lead soprano, Rosetta Rosa, and falls hopelessly in love with her.

Alresca takes Foster under his wing and they travel to Alresca's home in Bruges. It is clear to Foster that Alresca has some strange obsession. Foster also notices a stranger who seems to be dogging his footsteps.

Things take an even more sinister turn when Alresca inexplicably dies. . .

(Summary by Simon Evers) (5 hr 58 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 - My Splendid Cousin 15:33 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 2 - At the Opera 24:34 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 3 - The Cry of Alresca 17:29 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 4 - Rosa's Summons 18:33 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 5 - The Dagger and the Man 33:07 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 6 - Alresca's Fate 28:56 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 7 - The Vigil by the Bier 14:06 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 8 - The Message 17:42 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 9 - The Train 24:54 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 10 - The Steamer 26:27 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 11 - A Chat with Rosa 15:22 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 12 - Egg-and-milk 14:47 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 13 - The Portrait 14:46 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 14 - The Villa 12:59 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 15 - The Sheath of the Dagger 12:29 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 16 - The Thing in the Chair 15:24 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 17 - The Menace 16:35 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 18 - The Struggle 16:00 Read by Simon Evers
Chapter 19 - The Intercession 18:51 Read by Simon Evers

Reviews

The Ghost


(5 stars)

This isn't the expected Five Towns novel but a rather unusual sortie into supernatural. Bennet was a brilliant writer and everything he did--from short stories to novels--is worth reading and rereading. Simon Evers does a great job. Flawless reading, good pacing, and high sound quality with very few/no sound artifacts. Thanks Simon! More please. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

The Ghost: A modern Fantasy.


(4.5 stars)

The narrator of this story was wonderful. I also enjoyed the story. Well done.

March Hare


(5 stars)

Mr. Evers narrates Mr. Bennett's entertaining novel very well ( with the exception of some background noise of traffic and others in the room?)

The Ghost A Modern Story


(5 stars)

Beautifully written and narrated. I enjoyed it immensely.

This Almost Killed Me


(5 stars)

Tales of ghosts are generally short because— who can sustain them? Only Arnold Bennett. And one hundred or so years later, what reader can make the customary ways of talking in those days sound right? Very few can; Simon Evers does and how he has the generosity to perform this long task I can’t say, of course. I did hear the cries of the gulls once or twice— wished I was there. Anyway— this story almost killed me with suspense and the resolution was perfect.

Listen to this!


(5 stars)

This is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to in a long time, and I listen to a LOT of them. The story is well written and the reader is superb. I've just discovered a new favorite author and reader. Note: the titular ghost doesn't show up until you're well into the novel. Never fear, it will appear!


(5 stars)

Another fantastic narration by Evers. Although sometimes author Bennet has a hard time ending a story, this story ends deliciously. Unusual for its day. While there are some elements to the plot line that are a bit not to my taste, overall it’s different and engaging, plus … the narration (as are all Simon Evers narrations) is fantastic. Recommend.

Bennett has better


(2 stars)

I really like some of his other books such as Thee Card and Buried Alive. those books made me laugh. I think he's a great writer, and the narrator is fantastic. Nevertheless, I just could not get into this book and found myself wishing it would end.