The Story of the Moor Road | K. and H. Hesketh-Prichard | A Bitesized Audio Production
57,275
Published 2022-03-05
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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Major Hesketh Vernon Prichard, later Hesketh-Prichard (1876–1922) led an intrepid life as an adventurer, explorer, hunter, marksman and first-class cricketer, in addition to his work as a journalist and author. He was born in Jhansi, India, the son of a British army officer, although his father died from typhoid just weeks before his birth. His mother, Kate O'Brien Ryall Prichard, brought him back to Britain and raised him alone. At school at Rugby, and later Fettes College, Edinburgh, he excelled at sports, especially cricket. He decided to train as a lawyer after leaving school, although he never practised, deciding instead to travel through southern Europe and north Africa – the prelude to many years of travel and exploration around the world, which led him to places previously unseen by any European.
His fiction writing career began at the age of nineteen when he sold his first story to the Pall Mall Gazette in 1896; his mother helped him to refine the story, and they afterwards wrote together under the pseudonym "E. and H. Heron", contributing numerous stories to journals such as Cornhill Magazine. It was under the "Heron" pseudonyms that they produced the Flaxman Low stories in Pearson's Magazine in 1898. Flaxman Low was a new type of character – the first "psychic detective" investigating ghosts and the occult, preceding Algernon Blackwood's John Silence and William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki by a decade or more. Low's adventures proved hugely popular, although it's reported that Hesketh-Prichard and his mother were unhappy that the stories were promoted by the magazine as being "true" or "real" ghost stories. After 12 adventures, the character of Flaxman Low was retired, and mother and son moved on to other series, including 'The Chronicles of Don Q' (1904), featuring a Spanish Robin Hood-style figure, Don Quebranta Huesos. As a solo author, Hesketh-Prichard also created 'November Joe', a Canadian backwoodsman detective (1913).
Although rejected for active service (due to his age) by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Hesketh-Prichard was eventually sent to the front as a war correspondent/press officer for the British War Office. While there he noted poor marksmanship on display, and used his experience as a hunter to initiate sniper training for soldiers in the trenches. This work won him the DSO. He was invalided out of war service in 1917, and remained in poor health for the remainder of his life. He reportedly died of sepsis in June 1922, although it's now speculated that untreated malaria may have been a significant factor. He was survived by his mother, who died in 1935, by his wife Elizabeth (married 1908), who lived until 1975, and their three children.
'The Story of the Moor Road' was first published in Pearson's Magazine in March 1898, under the pseudonym "E. and H. Heron", and later appeared in book form when the stories were collected together as 'Ghosts: Being the Experiences of Flaxman Low' in 1899.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2022.
All Comments (21)
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A thought always crosses my mind when I listen to you, Simon, or your contemporaries - Ian Gordon, or Jasper L'Estrange. It's a marvel to me that such entertainment, given in your cultured tones, is free of charge. Being disabled and financially strapped, you are a treasure and I am grateful.
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The quality of the narration means everything to me, and you have talent to spare. Not many can bring a story to life like you do, and I hope you will continue these early works. Modern day writers of supernatural or ghost stories do not even come close to matching the classic works done by so many early authors. We all know who they are, and when they are brought to life in the way you read them, the value is certainly apparent to me. Thanks for your artistry with the spoken word!
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This was literally wonderful! I’m a harpist, professional (stage mostly) actress, award winning radio host and voice over artist. I just adore both your innate voice, and the skill with which you use it; accents, vocal placements and character delineation, and choice of material. I regularly refer people to your “channel”. Such accomplished artistry. Bravo.
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Always delighted when I see a new story, thanks Simon! 👍😃👻
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Another fine Victorian ghost story, with the added bonus of an old English Colonel, decanters of port, and men smoking cigars!
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A pleasure, as always 😊
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Always wonderful listening. Thank you, Simon.
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I have read this and all Flaxman Low stories dozens of times, but there is something very special and unique to listening to a ghostly tale. To paraphrase J.S. Le Fanu: pen and paper are poor vehicles for the marvelous. Thank you for the production.
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Always when I need it the most you come through!!!
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I love the Flaxman Low stories
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I absolutely love classic literature!!! I love how people wrote books over 100 years ago. Language was so beautiful back then, it was so classy and intelligent ❤️
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I do so love being introduced to authors and stories I had no prior knowledge of. I am educated even as I am supremely entertained. Thank 'ee, my hero.❤
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Interesting story and excellent narration by Mr. Stanhope. The narration largely makes it scenic and different. My great appreciation.
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Thank you so much, Simon, for your most excellent readings of these works. For those of us who have difficulty, in our later years, in acquiring and reading books for ourselves, it is a rare privilege to be able to listen to you.
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Always a joy to have a story of Flaxman Low and his not altogether triumphant cases!
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Nice addition to your channel Mr. Simon, narrated perfectly. As usual.
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Excellent audio story
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I always enjoy your readings. Thank you Simon!
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Once again, you gave me a wonderful fright! In the chase towards the end, you had my heart pounding. Bravo!
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Always the gold standard in audiobooks. No, make that platinum.
