Sredni Vashtar cover art

Sredni Vashtar

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About this listen

This is a story from the "Great Ghost Stories" collection.

A spine-tingling collection of classic ghost stories - a perfect way to pass those long winter nights! This set contains "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe, "The Horla" by Guy de Maupassant, "Sredni Vashtar" by Saki, "The Mark of the Beast" by Rudyard Kipling, "Lost Hearts" by M.R. James and "The Furnished Room" by O. Henry.

Public Domain (P)2008 Naxos AudioBooks Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories European Horror Literature & Fiction Short Stories World Literature Scary Fiction Haunted Heartfelt Ghost Comedy

Editor reviews

Sredni Vashtar, Saki’s timeless, brief, and bone-chilling tale of religion and obsession, has found its way into every conceivable corner of popular culture - it has been referenced in song and story, adapted for television and film, and even transformed into three separate chamber operas - and for good reason. Saki is a master of satire and horror both, and Sredni Vashtar skillfully combines to the two, creating an eerie tone which has rendered this story a true classic in the years since its publication.

Dermot Kerrigan’s performance of this unforgettable, unshakable story is spot-on, his measured, thoughtful delivery balancing sly intimacy with a kind of distant, untouchable tone that will leave listeners off-balance, unsettled, and eager - very eager - for more.
All stars
Most relevant
It's only 12 minutes but this is my favourite short story of all time. Perfectly paced, perfectly creepy. Not a word is wasted. The narrator is fine - it would be hard to mess this up.

The best short story ever written

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