Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
The Ash Tree cover art

The Ash Tree

By: M. R. James
Narrated by: David Suchet
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £0.99

Buy Now for £0.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

A Neighbour's Landmark cover art
M. R. James: 'A Warning to the Curious' and 'Casting the Runes' cover art
The Tractate Middoth cover art
M. R. James cover art
More Ghost Stories cover art
M.R. James: The Complete Ghost Stories Collection cover art
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary cover art
Ghost Stories with Christopher Lee cover art
The M. R. James BBC Radio Collection cover art
A Selection of Victorian and Edwardian Ghost Stories cover art
Ghost Stories, Volume One cover art
The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual cover art
The Tale of Halcyon Crane cover art
Man-Size in Marble cover art
Holy Terrors cover art
Sherlock Holmes cover art

Summary

The tale of a man who unwittingly angers a sorcerer, who is assumed by some Monty scholars to be based on the self-styled 'Great Beast,' occultist Aleister Crowley. 

Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature. 

One of James's most important achievements was to redefine the ghost story for the new century by dispensing with many of the formal Gothic trappings of his predecessors, and replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings. 

'Montague Rhodes James has an intelligent and scientific knowledge of human nerves and feelings; and knows just how to apportion statement, imagery, and subtle suggestions in order to secure the best results with his readers.' HP Lovecraft. 

Actor David Suchet is best known for his definitive portrayal of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective created by the legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, in a number of international television productions. He narrates his story in Poirot and Me

©1904 M. R. James (P)2013 Audible Ltd

What listeners say about The Ash Tree

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    230
  • 4 Stars
    92
  • 3 Stars
    46
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    257
  • 4 Stars
    58
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    198
  • 4 Stars
    71
  • 3 Stars
    53
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful narration

David Suchet gives an atmospheric and more accessible air to MR James that few others have done. I love Michael Hordens readings but they can be a little hard going at times. thank you

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Exceptional quality of narration by David Suchet, as is to be expected. The story is interesting and holds the attention. Worth a listen


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

ghosts and more

An excellent short story which was superbly read by Mr Suchet. Very enjoyable indeed. Quality

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favourite MR James stories

David Suchet reads one of MR James best stories brilliantly. This is a wonderful treat.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

"There will be guests at the hall."

A short, half hour ghost/ horror story by a master author whose prose, if a little old fashioned, is beautifully written making this predictable tale still a pleasure to read. But it is the beautifully modulated and deliciously gently paced narration by the masterly David Sucked which really makes this a stand out book.
Free to download through the Audible Plus programme and recommended to fill a dull 34 minutes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good old fashioned thrills

Great traditional style spooky story to be relished
David Suchet performs it beautifully and I look forward to hearing the other MR James stories -

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant…

Very good. First of all only 30 mins so not too long. David Suchet is brilliant and reads the story very well. An excellent story by MR James…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Ash Tree by MR James.

Absolutely brilliant. You cannot beat the old ghost stories. And read by the thoroughly Amazing David Suchet. Perfection. Lots and lots more please.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Here Hare Here

Poor Mrs Mothersole.

Yet another unfortunate victim of a witch hunt........

But then again, perhaps not so innocent?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Traditional ghost yarn

If you could sum up The Ash Tree in three words, what would they be?

Traditional, 19th century, classical

What other book might you compare The Ash Tree to, and why?

Really dont know much of this genre but typical a 19th century short story ghost writing. Perhaps E A Poe.

What about David Suchet’s performance did you like?

Suchet reads with consumate ease and clarity well suited to the book

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This is a "short" story, well under the hour. The length and genre means it needs to be a single listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful