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To Be Read at Dusk
by
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Kindle Edition, 24 pages
Published
May 12th 2012
(first published 1852)
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Oct 11, 2021
Maureen ( NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
*3.5 stars*
A spooky little tale published in 1852, by none other than Charles Dickens. Very atmospheric, and though short in length, it manages to grip the reader wanting to discover exactly what happens, as five couriers relate two strange stories against the backdrop of the brilliant white Alpine snow, that appears to be dripping blood from the setting sun.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/924/9... ...more
A spooky little tale published in 1852, by none other than Charles Dickens. Very atmospheric, and though short in length, it manages to grip the reader wanting to discover exactly what happens, as five couriers relate two strange stories against the backdrop of the brilliant white Alpine snow, that appears to be dripping blood from the setting sun.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/924/9... ...more
This review is for the spooky title story by Charles Dickens, "To Be Read at Dusk," published in 1852. You can download or read this story for free here at Project Gutenberg.
The unnamed narrator happens across five couriers sitting on a bench near a Swiss mountain, the Great St. Bernard, "looking at the remote heights, stained by the setting sun as if a mighty quantity of red wine had been broached upon the mountain top, and had not yet had time to sink into the snow." <--Read: It's bloody red, ...more
The unnamed narrator happens across five couriers sitting on a bench near a Swiss mountain, the Great St. Bernard, "looking at the remote heights, stained by the setting sun as if a mighty quantity of red wine had been broached upon the mountain top, and had not yet had time to sink into the snow." <--Read: It's bloody red, ...more
To Be Read at Dusk is a rare thing indeed; an enigmatic tale by Charles Dickens. Yes, Charles Dickens, who ties his ends up so neatly, and on whom you can rely to explain what happens to everyone, however small their role in a story, has written a tale which makes his readers scratch their heads as to what it all means. Or alternatively, if you like, you can read this one as an enjoyable ghost story. Or two ghost stories in fact, as it is a portmanteau story, so popular in the 19th century; a st
...more
I’m currently reading Little Dorrit which has scenes set at the Great Saint Bernard Hospice, Saint Bernard Pass. Thank you, Bionic Jean, for information on this short story which is also set there. It’s easy to imagine Dickens gathering people around a roaring fire on a winter’s evening to tell them this spooky story, smelling salts to hand!
Oct 06, 2019
Tracey
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classics-modern-classics,
to-read-i-own
Excellent, atmospheric, creepy Victorian ghost story by the best in the buisness.
What better way to re start my Sunday shorts series. I read The signalman today.
I watched the BBC tv adaptation with Denholm Elliot years ago and loved that too.
A 5* start for me.
What better way to re start my Sunday shorts series. I read The signalman today.
I watched the BBC tv adaptation with Denholm Elliot years ago and loved that too.
A 5* start for me.
”That which glitters is not always gold, but what I am going to tell, is true.”
To Be Read at Dusk is a 24-page horror story published in 1852. An unnamed narrator has stopped at a mountainous roadside shelter for travelers near to sunset. He notices a group of couriers sitting on benches smoking, talking, and swapping spooky campfire stories. The narrator moves closer, taking a seat on an opposite bench to the five men, so he may better hear what’s being said. Each man’s trying to impress upon ...more
To Be Read at Dusk is a 24-page horror story published in 1852. An unnamed narrator has stopped at a mountainous roadside shelter for travelers near to sunset. He notices a group of couriers sitting on benches smoking, talking, and swapping spooky campfire stories. The narrator moves closer, taking a seat on an opposite bench to the five men, so he may better hear what’s being said. Each man’s trying to impress upon ...more
Ghosts?
Dickens’s short story To Be Read at Dusk was published in The Keepsake in 1852. I did not know what The Keepsake was and so had a look at Wikipedia, where I learned that it was a literary annual running from 1828 to 1857 containing short fiction, poems, essays and engraved illustrations. Apparently one of the target groups were young ladies, which I would never have guessed from the story itself. The Keepsake was started by the engraver Charles Heath, and though – as to Wikipedia – the li ...more
Dickens’s short story To Be Read at Dusk was published in The Keepsake in 1852. I did not know what The Keepsake was and so had a look at Wikipedia, where I learned that it was a literary annual running from 1828 to 1857 containing short fiction, poems, essays and engraved illustrations. Apparently one of the target groups were young ladies, which I would never have guessed from the story itself. The Keepsake was started by the engraver Charles Heath, and though – as to Wikipedia – the li ...more
Atmospheric, dense, multi-layered, and complex!!
It's a short ghost story, but cunningly and grippingly written..
Indeed a riveting read!!!
You can see and experience the master and real king of the Victorian Period at work..
A genuine pleasure!!
After reading it, I'm still pondering again and again over the characters..
Dickens gives you something nagging and relentness wich refuses to let you go..
It does compell and force the reader to think and complete the story in his mind..
I loved it, only I wis ...more
It's a short ghost story, but cunningly and grippingly written..
Indeed a riveting read!!!
You can see and experience the master and real king of the Victorian Period at work..
A genuine pleasure!!
After reading it, I'm still pondering again and again over the characters..
Dickens gives you something nagging and relentness wich refuses to let you go..
It does compell and force the reader to think and complete the story in his mind..
I loved it, only I wis ...more
I guess you could say I'm a tad disappointed with this. For some odd reason over quarantine, I became obsessed with collecting Charles Dickens' work (despite having never read anything by him until now), and now I have a ridiculous amount of 600+ page classics that I have no idea when I'll get to.
This little collection of short ghost stories is hard for me to review. I found Dickens' writing to be hard to read in the beginning, but as I read, each story became easier for me to digest than the o ...more
This little collection of short ghost stories is hard for me to review. I found Dickens' writing to be hard to read in the beginning, but as I read, each story became easier for me to digest than the o ...more
Read hereOpening: One, two, three, four, five. There were five of them.
Five couriers, sitting on a bench outside the convent on the summit of the Great St. Bernard in Switzerland, looking at the remote heights, stained by the setting sun as if a mighty quantity of red wine had been broached upon the mountain top, and had not yet had time to sink into the snow.
Very short story of spiritual affairs.
...more
A narrator eavesdropping on five couriers who are relating two stories as the setting sun is shedding light like wine (blood?) on the white Alpine snow. I confess to being a bit overwhelmed at first, but once I got into the story, quite enjoyed it. However, I learned from the Dickensian group I missed half of what I should have seen. Well, it is Dickens, so I am not surprised how much is packed even in a short story. It is best to read with others to learn 'the rest ... ' Otherwise, be sure to c
...more
3.5 stars. As many other readers have already pointed out, these stories are not very scary by today's standards. But they are a bit spooky, especially if you read them at night, home alone, just before going to bed.
...more
Aug 02, 2020
Sara
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
short-stories-novellas
This review is for "To Be Read at Dusk" alone.
A brilliantly layered ghost story by the inimitable Charles Dickens. If you think Marley and the spirits of Christmas are his only ghosts, think again. He wrote dozens of ghostly tales and this one is very well done. Happy reading. ...more
A brilliantly layered ghost story by the inimitable Charles Dickens. If you think Marley and the spirits of Christmas are his only ghosts, think again. He wrote dozens of ghostly tales and this one is very well done. Happy reading. ...more
Aug 01, 2020
Connie G
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
short-stories,
dickens
"To Be Read at Dusk" was a clever short story about premonitions, ghosts, and unexplained events.
...more
Oct 12, 2020
Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
SPOOKTOBER'S HERE!
fulfilling my shortie Spooktober challenge to read one spooky short story a day.
Day one: The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells
Day two: Everything's Fine by Matthew Pridham
Day three: It Came From Hell and Smashed the Angels by Gregor Xane
Day four: Sometimes They Come Back by Stephen King
Day five: The Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft
Day six: The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
Day seven: An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eight: The Murders in t ...more
fulfilling my shortie Spooktober challenge to read one spooky short story a day.
Day one: The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells
Day two: Everything's Fine by Matthew Pridham
Day three: It Came From Hell and Smashed the Angels by Gregor Xane
Day four: Sometimes They Come Back by Stephen King
Day five: The Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft
Day six: The Spook House by Ambrose Bierce
Day seven: An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Day eight: The Murders in t ...more
Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/924
A short story not scary by today's standards, but a worthy read nonetheless. ...more
A short story not scary by today's standards, but a worthy read nonetheless. ...more
Feb 06, 2020
Bobbie
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-suspense,
short-stories
Group read for The Old Curiosity Club Group for Feb 2020.
The version I read was actually from the Oxford Illustrated Dickens, The Uncommercial Traveller and Reprinted Pieces. My version was quite short and the first part was good but with an ending section that for me did not fit at all. I just did not get it.
The version I read was actually from the Oxford Illustrated Dickens, The Uncommercial Traveller and Reprinted Pieces. My version was quite short and the first part was good but with an ending section that for me did not fit at all. I just did not get it.
What an interesting, ghostly story! Delightfully told, truly Dickensian and entertaining.
Dickens has interwoven three ghostly tales into one short story that is fun, spooky, entertaining and all things Dickens.
I'm glad to have found this little gem through a group read in the group, The Dickensians!
(18 pages in my e-edition) ...more
Dickens has interwoven three ghostly tales into one short story that is fun, spooky, entertaining and all things Dickens.
I'm glad to have found this little gem through a group read in the group, The Dickensians!
(18 pages in my e-edition) ...more
It was a nice read
A very short "story in a story in a story" about ghosts and paranormal happenings. Free from Amazon for Kindle.
What two words describe a sunset? Blood and wine!
...more
What two words describe a sunset? Blood and wine!
...more
This was a joy. Although, what else can one really expect from Dickens?
Anyone who’s had the pleasure to read A Christmas Carol can appreciate the mastery Dickens applies to a ghost story. Penguin have included three of his haunting short stories in this addition to the Little Black Classics range. And, since I’ve been growing increasingly disinterested in the range itself, I was very glad they did.
Although none of the three can be described as terrifying, there are underlying tones of tension an ...more
Anyone who’s had the pleasure to read A Christmas Carol can appreciate the mastery Dickens applies to a ghost story. Penguin have included three of his haunting short stories in this addition to the Little Black Classics range. And, since I’ve been growing increasingly disinterested in the range itself, I was very glad they did.
Although none of the three can be described as terrifying, there are underlying tones of tension an ...more
Charles Dickens owns my soul and I don’t mind
Nov 16, 2015
Laura
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Laura by:
Wanda, Bettie
Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
...more
It was so bad, I want to give you a zero but that’s not possible, so I give you a 1
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Dickens dabbled in the "horror" genre, however, that is not how I would exactly define these stories. I'm not counting "A Christmas Carol" here because while it had ghosts, the aim was not to incite a literary "chill down the spine" in the reader, just like the casual mention of ghosts in the Harry Potter series did not make them a children's horror book. The three short stories in this collection however, were what I would call a very light, yet refin
...more
(As I see Goodreads is mixing multiple editions for this review that do not all contain the same short stories, this review is of the To Be Read at Dusk by Charles Dickens, Little Black Classic edition by Penguin, which contain the three stories: To Be Read at Dusk, The Signalman, and The Trial for Murder.)
All three of the short stories in the collection contain a spooky theme. While they aren't scary, they are a little eery. I was a little leary after reading the first story because it was just ...more
All three of the short stories in the collection contain a spooky theme. While they aren't scary, they are a little eery. I was a little leary after reading the first story because it was just ...more
You can read my review here: http://embracingmybooks.blogspot.be/2...
...more
3.5 stars
To Be Read at Dusk - 3 stars
The Signalman - 4 stars
The Trial for Murder - 3.5 stars
To Be Read at Dusk - 3 stars
The Signalman - 4 stars
The Trial for Murder - 3.5 stars
This was a joy. Although, what else can one really expect from Dickens?
Anyone who’s had the pleasure to read A Christmas Carol can appreciate the mastery Dickens applies to a ghost story. Penguin have included three of his haunting short stories in this addition to the Little Black Classics range. And, since I’ve been growing increasingly disinterested in the range itself, I was very glad they did.
Although none of the three can be described as terrifying, there are underlying tones of tension an ...more
Anyone who’s had the pleasure to read A Christmas Carol can appreciate the mastery Dickens applies to a ghost story. Penguin have included three of his haunting short stories in this addition to the Little Black Classics range. And, since I’ve been growing increasingly disinterested in the range itself, I was very glad they did.
Although none of the three can be described as terrifying, there are underlying tones of tension an ...more
2.5 Stars
This didn't really work for me, unfortunately. I often don't know what to do with the Victorian ghost-stories, since by our standards, they are hardly scary (but I guess they were for their time). In this edition however, were three stories and I felt they could perhaps have been a little longer and the ending less abrupt.
~Little Black Classics #86~
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com ...more
This didn't really work for me, unfortunately. I often don't know what to do with the Victorian ghost-stories, since by our standards, they are hardly scary (but I guess they were for their time). In this edition however, were three stories and I felt they could perhaps have been a little longer and the ending less abrupt.
~Little Black Classics #86~
Find this and other reviews on my blog https://www.urlphantomhive.com ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickensians!: To Be Read at Dusk - 1st Summer Read 2020 (hosted by Sara) | 105 | 47 | Aug 09, 2020 11:28AM | |
| The Old Curiosity...: Reading Schedule | 41 | 19 | Feb 13, 2020 03:50AM |
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Charles John Huffam Dickens was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dicke ...more
Dicke ...more
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