The Haunted Woman

Isabel Loment is engaged to the affectionate, but unemotional, Marshall Stokes. House-hunting for her aunt, she comes to Runhill Court, an ancient home with a mysterious staircase that is only visible to those with eyes to see it. Ascending the staircase, she meets Henry Judge, the owner of Runhill Court, and a passionate relationship develops, which neither can recall once they have descended the staircase and returned to the everyday world. The Haunted Woman was Lindsay's attempt to write a more commercial novel than its fantasy predecessor, A Voyage to Arcturus. Though neither book was successful in its day, both became cult classics. The Haunted Woman was reprinted as the fourth volume of the celebrated Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library. (Phil Benson) (6 hr 37 min)

Chapters

Marshall returns from America	28:10	Read by Phil Benson
The visit to Runhill Court	22:58	Read by Phil Benson
In the upstairs corridor	18:43	Read by Phil Benson
The legend of Ulf's Tower	18:05	Read by Phil Benson
Isbel sees herself	23:11	Read by Phil Benson
Judge appears on the scene	15:23	Read by Phil Benson
The dinner-party	18:07	Read by Phil Benson
The picnic	18:31	Read by Phil Benson
What happened in the second room	22:21	Read by Phil Benson
Blanche speaks out	18:04	Read by Phil Benson
Isbel visits Worthing	19:06	Read by Phil Benson
Mrs. Richborough's errand	19:01	Read by Phil Benson
The lunch at the Metropole	16:26	Read by Phil Benson
In the second chamber again	26:23	Read by Phil Benson
The music of spring	13:35	Read by Phil Benson
The musician departs	16:01	Read by Phil Benson
In the twilight	20:40	Read by Phil Benson
A catastrophe	21:02	Read by Phil Benson
The flash of day	20:29	Read by Phil Benson
Marshall's journey	20:44	Read by Phil Benson

Reviews

20th century Brighton meets 7th century Saxony

(4 stars)

VLB

This is an eerie "fantasy/gothic romance". The author creates a tangible air of suspense and mystery by the juxtaposition of the prosaic, with the fantastical. In this story, the house (not the characters) is the main protagonist. The legend has it, that the original owner and his house were punished by the trolls for building on their sacred land. It is this "curse", which makes the house unusual, creepy, and not of this earth. Anyone who enjoys F&SF, will find this well worth reading. I would have given this book five stars, if I had not wished for a different ending. However, I concede that other people will probably find the authors ending quite satisfying. Additionally, this British fantasy is enhanced by the British accent of the reader, who does a really good job of narration.

Exquisite Storytelling!

(5 stars)

jenniebrown

The book is not your typical "haunted house" tale. It’s a gripping look into the rather uncertain friendship of two people constrained by the social mores of the time. Set in post-Great War England there is an otherworldly feel to the story that promises more and it delivers grandly. The Haunted Woman is beautiful at times and often exquisitely so. Isabel and Judge are inextricably drawn to each other can the secret room guide them to a passion they dare not even imagine? Phil Benson narrates the story flawlessly as usual. Mr. Benson was born to read this fascinating tale!