Who Knows? by Guy du Maupassant

Рет қаралды 9,019

Classic Ghost Stories Podcast - Tony Walker

Күн бұрын

See here for more details, and spoilers
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00:00:00 Music
00:00:21 Who Knows by Guy du Maupassant?
00:31:56 My commentary.
Requested by Fin Narthex
Prepare to delve into the haunting world of Guy de Maupassant's "Who Knows?", a chilling tale that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Join the narrator as he recounts his unsettling experiences with his beloved furniture, which seems to take on a life of its own. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself questioning the narrator's sanity and the true nature of the events that unfold. Is it a case of mental instability, or are there truly otherworldly forces at play?
Immerse yourself in this atmospheric masterpiece and unravel the mystery that lies at the heart of "Who Knows?".
Sign up as a channel member today by following this link:
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For those of you who have yet to join our exclusive community of ghost story enthusiasts, I extend a cordial invitation. By becoming a member of The Classic Ghost Stories Podcast on our KZfaq channel, you'll gain access to a wealth of exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes insights, bonus episodes, and so much more. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your ghost story experience to new heights.
To our loyal members, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support. Your support for my workt is truly appreciated, and I look forward to delivering even more chilling tales and exclusive content in the future.
Music by The Heartwood Institute
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Пікірлер: 106

@applthorn 13 күн бұрын

I love this story. Appreciate your comments esp related to your work experience. There's a clue I never noticed on previous readings, at just after 26 minutes in the recording: the local police officer comments that the shop owner has a woman friend who is both a furniture broker and a sorceress! I bet she cast a spell on our narrator's furniture, and after he found it, she reversed the spell. Otherwise, why is she mentioned? Truly, the household furnishings traipsing out the door and down the road is a singular vision of someone losing their mind. It's a brilliant and tragic story. Thank you Tony for sharing your talents and your time!

@Story-Voracious66 13 күн бұрын

Merci Monsier Antoine, tres bonne. Great narration. I'd heard this one on another channel at some time but I can't remember who's ( that tells you something.), it is so good to look deeper into the Author and his possible motivations. I love the imagery of galloping furniture; who needs generative AI when someone can write like this? I can imagine the antiquities trader being startled by a cavalry of precious antiques running madly along the road, and him racing to gather his friends to corral them and drive them home like wild horses. Very enjoyable. 🙂

@the-reclining-roleplayer 13 күн бұрын

Genuinely one of the most bizarre stories I'd ever read. The fact that the height of the horror could be considered almost comical in a way makes the entire thing memorable. It does a great job of being overall moody, which works better still when you consider Guy's mental state. Still, would I be afraid if I came home to find my furniture marching out the door and down the street? Who knows?

@ClassicGhost 13 күн бұрын

it’s very interesting. What would you think? I’d be like: thst Cost me a lot of money

@the-reclining-roleplayer 12 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Not as much money as it might have taken that old woman to have all of that shipped to her shop. Which I have to assume she did because otherwise the idea of this narrator's furniture making a complete 'Brave Little Toaster'-style trek across Europe undermines the story just a bit.

@Wanda711 12 күн бұрын

I get a mental image of 'The Sorceror's Apprentice' from 'Fantasia', with the mops and buckets marching down the stairs and across the room.

@denisepeters8551 5 күн бұрын

Wish all my amassed stuff would go walking down the street . Especially that bloody locked draw ❤

@debra333 13 күн бұрын

Hi, dear Tony. Another interesting offering with a fascinating commentary. With your experience, you offer much more insight than most reader performers---so take that, naysayers!!

@ClassicGhost 13 күн бұрын

thank you, thank you

@lunablue745 12 күн бұрын

Kaplow!!🤜😁

@lunablue745 12 күн бұрын

I'm gonna be a little silly, but these are honestly the first things that came to mind whilst you were reading. The first was the tv series, Downton Abby. I don't like the idea of "servants," but, I wouldn't have minded being a servant there. They worked hard, but, were respected. Best of all, they were all together in their snug litte rooms, safe, like a family each night. The second thought I had was the Disney version of Beauty & the Beast. The furniture marching away made me think of Cogsworth and Lumire. ⏰🕯️But, seriously ...what about the idea of his guilt over being wealthy and being a sort if Scrooge-like sort, by keeping to himself. His guilt manifests in his actions of moving the furniture and never wanting to go back to his home again. He ends up in one of the most abject places, an asylum.

@Wanda711 12 күн бұрын

I think the policeman is right: I've heard of cases where a well-organized group of thieves have pulled a moving van up to a house where the owners were absent and completely emptied it in broad daylight. Neighbours would assume a normal move was in progress, so they were unquestioned. So it could be done, though as you say, the cop wouldn't know just how much furniture was involved. Also, 20th century furniture is a lot lighter and easier to move than in the past. Imagine how massive and heavy a Louis XIII wardrobe would be! Maybe persuading the furniture to make a break for it was the best way.

@gerardkiff2026 13 күн бұрын

Loved it Tony and thanks again. I look forward to your chats and commentary. The nay sayers have lost the art of conversation.

@dazeval2372 13 күн бұрын

Yay another upload! Your channel is genuinely one of my favorites and brings me a sense of peace and comfort when I’m feeling overwhelmed or sad. It’s a precious thing to be able to retreat from the world for a moment. Thank you so much, you are very much appreciated ❤

@battlehaggis4421 11 күн бұрын

You should check out HorrorBabble. Tony done a Collab with them not long ago which is really good.. I found this channel through listening to them, Tony was auto played after one of horrorbabbles stories and I enjoy them both very much now 🙂

@thomasfranche6770 12 күн бұрын

J'aime ça que vous faites de plus en plus de classiques français. J'adore Guy de Maupassant !

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

Il y a de belles histoires françaises : j'adorerais faire du Huysman

@thomasfranche6770 12 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Oh wow. Oui, À rebours ou peut-être Là-bas.

@jeffhaley2706 13 күн бұрын

Thank you Mr. Walker..another fine choice..

@ClockworkChainsaw 12 күн бұрын

It is so that when I fall asleep before the story is finished, I can more easily find my place again to listen to the rest of it. ^^ And also, gauge the length before listening, yes. Thank you so much for taking the suggestion! ^^

@imh9524 Күн бұрын

I love the notion of the furniture picking up sticks and chuntering off to Rouen. I sometimes wish mine would do the same: it would make life less complicated. The fact that the police discuss the possibility of the antiquary's friend being a sorceress (as another commenter has noted), indicates that there is a supernatural element, so I think it's a bit of both. I enjoy the commentary/ramblings. It's like mulling over a story with a friend.

@ClassicGhost Күн бұрын

+@imh9524 that’s what I’m aiming for just to have a chat about the story not to be a masterclass or anything

@dukedoomASMR 13 күн бұрын

Wow. Sounds exactly like me! Well..up to the point where the furniture's decided to walk away 😅

@evelanpatton 12 күн бұрын

Me too! I thought it rather personal at first…

@rohanquinby3188 12 күн бұрын

The stories that you read are wonderful. But I found your podcast because of your commentaries, and I keep coming back to listen to the things that you have to say about the stories that you read so evocatively.

@jessicajackson8064 9 күн бұрын

I am surprised that some of your listeners do not like your commentaries at the end. I've always found them full of useful knowledge about the author and about the meaning of the story. In the nature of short stories, their meaning is not obvious. Obfuscation seems to be a common writing method of many ghost story writers. Your commentaries help to clear up the meanings for us, so thank you. I am glad you have not abandoned your commentaries. I'm rambling. Sorry.

@ClassicGhost 9 күн бұрын

Never apologise for rambling. Personally, I think it's a gift

@susantracey1539 11 күн бұрын

I used to have GPI patients when I first started my psych nurse training.back in the eighties They had been in hospital for decades and were very institutionalised

@robinpresleywoodward 9 күн бұрын

I really enjoy your commentary!❤ it is like a book club!❤

@ClassicGhost 9 күн бұрын

That's the atmosphere I wanted.

@andromeda232 12 күн бұрын

I suppose for me the horror of this story comes from the sense of being violated in a place were you are suppose to be safe. I can understand that. though I haven't had my home broken into. My grandma once had some people from her church come to our home. Once member of the church decided to let themselves into my mum's bed room and tried to get into mine, they also ate some of my food which they didn't like and hid the remains in the dining room. I felt violated that someone I didn't know was walking around the none public areas of my home.

@alrebecca4939 3 күн бұрын

Love your superb voicing of these tales. Maintain your commentary. Adds so much to the entire experience. Any of the books you mentioned are eagerly awaited .. thank you, Tony

@martiwilliams4592 12 күн бұрын

Very entertaining! Love this also this time around, the tale, the narration and the interesting, informative and fun commentary. Dog Nico sends his love.

@hawthorne1504 9 күн бұрын

Thank you for keeping the post story commentary, they are so interesting and enhance the enjoyment. Timestamp good idea

@ClassicGhost 9 күн бұрын

Glad you like them! It's nice to hear.

@violetfemme411 13 күн бұрын

There's no bad time for De Maupassant 🎉 💜

@donaldmccleary9015 12 күн бұрын

Great story and narration! Please keep doing what you do. I love it when you discuss the diagnosis, symptoms, and background of various ailments and mental illnesses. You worked in the industry for a long time, and I thoroughly enjoy your discussions. Interesting story. Whether magic or imagined, this is a fantastic story. Thanks!

@PiggieMom 12 күн бұрын

This is a fun one. I like to think it's a little mix of both paranoia and supernatural. The antiquarian and his sorceress neighbor conspired to steal his furniture, and when he found them out, they sent it back. It's probably just a routine job for them, and they don't even realize that their target has a psychiatric disorder. After all, he showed symptoms before the event: his seclusion and revulsion of others. The supernatural event triggered more extreme symptoms just as any other traumatic or stressful event would. His paranoia and extreme fear of the antiquarian is part of the disorder, but it doesn't mean that the supernatural event didn't happen to him.

@CleverChimney 11 күн бұрын

One of my favs of his. Thanks for this!

@boosqueezy2418 13 күн бұрын

i live for your commentary

@cwbrooks5329 13 күн бұрын

Agreed! The commentary is half the fun!

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

So nice to hear.

@jjjjjjjjkigghh8662 6 күн бұрын

Love this! You have a perfect voice for ghost stories! I love Guy de Maupassant!

@tazandalsoalastname 13 күн бұрын

Oh my gosh I literally just read 'The Terror" and loved it, so I was looking for more by the same author!

@thurayya8905 12 күн бұрын

Delightful, Tony! Thank you, Fin Narthex. Your taste is excellent.

@AndreaDingbatt 13 күн бұрын

Absolutely 💯% Brilliantly Done~ Tony!! Thank you so Much, Again!! Please excuse me for this short comment,,, Jasper Mutt and I are terribly tired 😴 and I have made an ", Executive" decision to get some sleep before returning anew to replay this!! *~~*!!❤ Andréa and Jasper. ...XxX v v

@pinstripesuitandheels 13 күн бұрын

This was delightfully strange. The narration was, as always, on point. I enjoyed every minute of it!

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@RSEFX 7 күн бұрын

Truly unique story/an interesting companion to THE HORLA. Thanks for the good read. As per usual!!

@lunablue745 12 күн бұрын

Yes! I too thought of Beauty & the Beast with the moving furniture. Sadly, no singing. I had a thought that perhaps it was the man's guilt about being wealthy and alone. He is sort of a Scrooge like character in that he keeps to himself and he seems not to want to help others in any way. He moved the furniture, feeling as if he did not deserve it. But, consciously he can't know this. In the end, he doesn't go back to the beautiful home and is in one if the most abject places of society for that time, an asylum. Just a dash of psychoanalysis for your Friday!😁

@SunnySmile-fr5yg 12 күн бұрын

Your French sounds great too! 💯👌

@libertycowboy2495 13 күн бұрын

Quirky and fun. Good one Tony!

@thehangingparsiple5692 4 күн бұрын

Loved this story. The fact that the protagonist formed a much stronger attachment to inanimate objects than to his fellow man would make his disappearing furniture the more horrifying for him, psychotic or not. I kind of got that to a degree - I too get stupidly attached to things. I won't throw away used up pens. I feel sorry for things that don't get used up or are wasted. The last, lone baked bean in the can, the strip of wallpaper I ruined while decorating and had to throw away. 😂 During a psychotic episode the delusions/hallucinations are 100% real for the sufferer. It's like your family, friends and colleagues all insisting one day that your name is not Tony but Brian. You would never be able to accept it; you'd dispute it and argue against it to your last breath. That's how I was told it feels. So I think De Maupassant is offering the reader a glimpse into the awful uncertainty and distress of psychosis. Well read, and thoroughly enjoyed the commentary too. Looking forward to more from Guy. ❤

@Bbergster 13 күн бұрын

“The Libertarian” is the best syphilis movie! 😂 I wonder what it means in Greek or Latin, or whatever the root is. That is a terrible end. Shuck a duck! 🕊️💚

@THEPAGEBURNER1979 13 күн бұрын

Perfect timing 😂😂

@stevecausey545 12 күн бұрын

That was a great story.. Thanks Tony!

@amandine512 11 күн бұрын

There’s something about Guy De Maupassant’s style of writing that suits your narration style perfectly. I absolutely love how you read his stories. Simply the best.

@ClassicGhost 11 күн бұрын

thank you 🙏

@Kralhonj 12 күн бұрын

A wonderful story, thank you for your great work.

@BertieShaul-mn4qc 13 күн бұрын

I personally adore your commentary, in fact I would be interested in listening to a compilation of just your commentary. Thank you for another great story Tony!

@dwellerofthedark 13 күн бұрын

Great recording Tony! That’s a haunting thumbnail too.

@evelanpatton 13 күн бұрын

I do! Yes, I do! 🪭FAN-tastic! I love this GUY!

@MaggieatPlay 13 күн бұрын

Interesting tale, Tony. Thank you for narrating. Enjoyed the snippets at the end.

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

Thanks for listening

@susanmercurio1060 11 күн бұрын

He sounds like a typical introvert.

@stevecausey545 13 күн бұрын

This will be tonight's listen. Thanks Tony!

@joykelly6237 13 күн бұрын

Thank you, really looking forward to this 👌

@terrioestreich4007 13 күн бұрын

So good!!!

@earthcat 13 күн бұрын

I like the commentary.

@adriennewalker1715 12 күн бұрын

Good choice. Enjoyed it very much.

@phillip5505 12 күн бұрын

My thought is that the "sorceress" and her antiquing buddy bewitch the protagonist's furniture in order to get him to go out into the world. He's more or less a recluse, and maybe they think taking his prized possessions will encourage him to seek them out and thereby interact with the world and better himself. Unfortunately, what's meant to be a lesson in humanity leaves the protagonist completely psychologically unbalanced.

@thurayya8905 12 күн бұрын

I think it's just a sweet scam.

@phillip5505 12 күн бұрын

@@thurayya8905 but then why was all his stuff returned as soon as he found it?

@thurayya8905 6 күн бұрын

@@phillip5505 I assumed it was so he wouldn't be bothered by the police. Since the shop was a fair distance from where they disappeared, the thief thought he was safe.

@clairewyndham1971 11 күн бұрын

Guy de Maipassant is the author that has created the most horrifying story I have ever read-The Horla- the mental dissent of a man from a well balanced man into the depths of madness. Through his "eyes". No blood. No gore. No complex list of characters. Just one man and his mind. " Who knows" is of the same genre. Pure perfection.

@ClassicGhost 9 күн бұрын

Yep. I have done that one, if I could encourage you to step over and listen :)))

@CountofVatesgrad 13 күн бұрын

Yo just the other day I read Machens The White People that references this story. This got uploaded right on cue as I was looking for audio readings!

@ClassicGhost 13 күн бұрын

I think I’ve done a reading of the white people. In fact, I think I know I have. It’s Hill of dreams that I haven’t done.

@CountofVatesgrad 12 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost I'll have to check that out, White People definitely seems like one of those stories that take multiple readings to appreciate.

@danson5183 10 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost You should consider giving Hill of Dreams a go. Its wonderful.

@danson5183 13 күн бұрын

Have you ever read "The Boy in Darkness" by Mervyn Peake? I think it would make a awesome edition to your channel. Think Alice in Wonderland merged with The Island of Dr Monroe and all written by Thomas Ligotti.

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

I don't know it. I love Gormenghast, but I didn't now that one. I will look it up

@danson5183 12 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost Its on the internet archive for borrowing. Its actually a stand alone story set in the Gormanghast world. Titus is the boy in the title. He escapes the castle only to get lost in a dark wood which leads to a nightmare world. and unlike Gormanghast, its really short. Shorter then something like Shadow over Insmouth.

@JustineZam 2 күн бұрын

❤

@meganmcnelis7136 9 күн бұрын

The police called the neighbor "a sorceress." Taken literally, she could have been the accomplice who enchanted the furniture for the antiquary's gain! Who knows? 😄

@user-tc2ie3db3z 12 күн бұрын

The stampede is hilarious! I'm thinking of the fight scene in Beauty and the Beast. Guy's protagonists are always a little unhinged and I love it. It annoys me that people fall asleep to your stories and similar channels, it's such a waste of your narration, they are missing out.

@lymarie1974 13 күн бұрын

I’ve never been this early!!! 😂

@ClassicGhost 13 күн бұрын

interestingly, I scheduled the time wrong and it should come out tonight not last night but never mind

@michaelhightower198 6 күн бұрын

Glad to have found this channel at last! Question though, have you removed your podcast from spotify? I distinctly remeber being a subscriber there, but can no longer find it.

@ClassicGhost 5 күн бұрын

No, it's on Spotify. open.spotify.com/show/4vRHo5ajkbL41Bdfut6Nqr?si=f6476934f0eb46df

@battlehaggis4421 11 күн бұрын

Oh looking fwd to this.. absolutely love Ur Collab with Horrorbabble.. was a gathering of giants.. 🙂 could I ask what the story u read about the fife lass that conjured her dead brother in Edinburgh then married the laird that killed her brothers murderer was called please ?.. I really really enjoyed that story a lot would love to hear it again but have no idea what it's called 🙂

@ClassicGhost 11 күн бұрын

that was The Russell Kirk about Whinny Close

@battlehaggis4421 10 күн бұрын

@@ClassicGhost oh amazing thank you 🙂 will be putting that on later when it's chill out time

@thurayya8905 12 күн бұрын

I had my catalytic converter stolen. Didn't realize it for two weeks. Wondered why my car was making those god awful noises. Also had my registration sticker on the back of my car stolen. This was when I was working in a place where I had to park on the street just outside L.A. Didn't bother the police with either because I knew they couldn't do anything about it.

@ClassicGhost 12 күн бұрын

My car sounded like a bomb going off without the catalytic convertor. People were turning round staring!

@RSEFX 7 күн бұрын

I much prefer the supernatural take. Poltergeist occurrence, with a big dose of the hitchhiker effect. The insanity/paranoia idea is too tame, in me 'umble opine. I could see this as an episode of an anthology-type supernatural/horror movie. CG mix with practical could have fun with the crawling furniture, if done using a dream-like approach. Maybe they theorize robbers have used some kind of hallucinatory gas on the place? Or that he's flipped his lid, until reports start coming in from all over the country (or the world?) of the same phenomenon. But what is causing all this? Everyone can't be crazy, or could they?...who knows? (Yes, I haven't figured it all out either. ha)

@greatestytcommentator 10 күн бұрын

Sorry to ask here... but.. can anyone remember if Tony read a story about a toff that found a book about a young indian lad that ran away to become a yogi... and could use meditation to see things... (I won't spoiler it).. IF so, whaaaaat the bloody hell was it called..? Please and thanks. **EDIT** Found it, 'The wonderful story of Henry Sugar' by Roald Dahl.. turns out ... they just made a film of it in 2023! Huh.who knew.

@MrsWilberforce2 13 күн бұрын

Yeah, BUT who knows if the policeman's and the caretaker's assertions weren't part of his delusion?

@ClassicGhost 13 күн бұрын

very true!

@craigoliver8712 11 күн бұрын

Tony please! i feel you are to affected by the words of the smallest of minorities, you do not need to change anything,if the very very minority of disaffected do fall asleep+the story has finished they merely need to skip to the next installment,if they're awake then they can do the same but more immediate,I feel the few(for it can only be a few)have got you thinking too deeply into this minor detail. Please Tony don't get hung up on the remarks of the very few,read+ absorb the comment sections to know how the vast majority feel+love your stories, views+ connotations

@ClassicGhost 11 күн бұрын

I know this is true, but it’s been one or two people recently and it has affected me. as you know I’ve just given up my proper job so I have to keep going with this but honestly, there were times when I considered stopping