A rip-roaring and frankly slightly bonkers tale of derring-do from 1897; the shadow of war looms and foreign spies abound. Scientist and inventor Paul Gilchrist finds himself embroiled in a devilish plot devised by “fiends in human shape”, culminating in a breathtaking race against time for his very survival…
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me:
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:20 The Story begins
01:01:32 Credits, thanks and further listening
L. T. Meade (Elizabeth Thomasina Meade Smith, 1844–1914) was a prolific author of mystery and suspense stories, dominating the periodicals of the 1890s and early 1900s. Born in County Cork, Ireland, she began writing fiction at the age of 17 and had a highly productive career, publishing almost 300 books in her lifetime. Meade married Alfred Toulmin Smith in London, in 1879, when she was in her mid-30s. She was an advocate of feminist causes, and as a solo writer became most associated with adventure stories for girls and young people, of which the most famous was ‘A World of Girls’, published in 1886.
However, she was also much associated with mystery and suspense stories, and her name appeared frequently in the periodicals of the 1890s and early 1900s. Interestingly, in this genre she often wrote in collaboration with medical practitioners, who apparently supplied the scientific details which underpin many of the plots of her stories. Her most frequent collaborators were Robert Eustace (Dr. Eustace Robert Barton, 1854–1943) and Clifford Halifax. A short biographical sketch of Meade and a discussion of the identity of Robert Eustace can be found in the introduction to my video of ‘The Mystery of the Felwyn Tunnel’, available on this channel: https://youtu.be/mIdI03Zzms4
“Clifford Halifax M.D.” was the pen name of Dr Edgar Beaumont (1860–1921), who maintained a general practice in Crystal Palace, south London. He collaborated with L. T. Meade on several series of stories which ran in the Strand Magazine in the 1890s, most notably the ‘Stories from the Diary of a Doctor’ (1893–96), in which the character of Dr Clifford Halifax recounted episodes from his medical life, and ‘The Adventures of a Man of Science’ (1896–97), which featured the exploits of Paul Gilchrist, scientist and adventurer.
According to his obituary in The Lancet, Clifford Halifax’s main contribution to the partnership was to come up with the plot and basic storyline, while L. T. Meade did the writing. Based on ‘A Race to the Sun’, he clearly had quite an imagination!
‘A Race to the Sun’ first appeared in The Strand Magazine in January 1897, with illustrations by J. Finnemore.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2019 & 2023.
source
Narrative begins at: 00:01:20 This story forms part of a short series which featured in The Strand Magazine between July 1896 and February 1897; entitled 'The Adventures of a Man of Science', it recounted the exploits of Paul Gilchrist, scientist and adventurer. I hope to record more stories from this series in the future. In the meantime, if you enjoyed this story you may enjoy the "Rivals of Sherlock Holmes" playlist, available on this channel, featuring a selection of other Victorian and Edwardian detectives: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi95qAoufCZL5tiXECltwXUI2QDDFrDHD
Long time listeners may remember this story from a previous upload available pre-2021, but I was never happy with either the recording (I had a heavy cold at the time) or my editing, so this is a new and I hope much improved version.
An absolutely brilliant story, thank you Simon.
fabulously read wonderful tale…thanks Simon.
Oh this story is horrifying if you're afraid of heights..and I am.
Your creativity is inspiring, keep pushing the boundaries! 🌟
Thanks so much, Simon – perfect for late-night listening!
These stories hit different in the evening. Something about it lulls you in and it’s just so comforting.
Well I don't know but I probably would have died myself.
Great story! Thank you Simon!
Very entertaining!
Stirring stuff, Simon – it's a veritable 'Ripping Yarn'!🙂
SPOILER ALERT.
Written in 1897? Oh, dear. With the horrors of the First World War on the horizon it's particularly sad that there was so much excitement at the prospect of stout-hearted chaps employing scientific research to deliver (in this case) a 'marvellous' new explosive that would solve all the world's problems…
What we got instead was trench warfare, mustard gas, the first tanks, warplanes, and the incredible tactic of ordering unprotected men to walk slowly into machine-gun fire.
It's ironic that the writer herself should also have died in 1914.
Great tale but a weak ending for it. but considering it's over 125 years since it was penned, excusable.
Recently I had cataract surgery which meant, for a time, I would not be able to read as I was accustomed to. I began to search You Tube for audiobooks and stumbled upon one of Simon's renditions. I was instantly hooked. Many stories later, my eyes have healed and I am able to hold books in my hands to delve into once again. Yet, I find myself still drawn to Simon's narrations. It is such a delight to be read to especially by one as skilled as Simon. I believe there is sufficient room in one's life for both physical books and audiobooks.
Well, this tale was certainly not one for casual listening. I listened twice to make sure I missed nothing and it was riveting each time. The author included so very much emotion invoking detail in the story I could believe I was witness to the events. But of course, the one item that truly brought it to life was Simon's brilliant performance without misstep. Simon, you always carry me away from the mundane if only for a time, and I will always love you for the respite you give so freely. ❤
Thank you Mr Stanhope. Happy slumber time. X
It is always a brilliant joy, to see a new video.
Needed this, moving soon and feel like going crazy trying to decide where to move to and what will be right place and my health has been bad didn’t sleep much for 3 days, I finally got some rest because your voice is soothing ❤
How absolutely delightful
You are the best part of my nitetime routine.
Aloha from Kapakalu, Maui; love your channel. Thank you.
Ahh! The old fiends in human shape Victorian stories! The best on a rainy cold night 🧟♀️
My two favourite channels on YouTube are both Simons. Simon, a bloke in the woods, and Simon Stanhope. My evening relaxation just wouldn't be the same without them. Best entertainment and education on any platform Thank you.
A weapons producer, eh? Ptui. Even Nobel felt his invention would good for much more than killing people. Hope our hero gets what a deserves from the Gypsy-like, swarthy man with small eyes too close together.
Thanks from all of us! "The Stanhopeien society🥂👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍!!!!!!!!
Good story Mr Simon!
I particularly enjoyed this story Simon. The details of the balloon & the protagonist((s) were almost “007” like! Thank you so much. ♥️♥️♥️♥️😎🇦🇺✌️
Ah, the pomposity of the upper middle classes
very well narrated. but what was even more important for me, since i am listening with headphones, that the level of sound, music and talk, is always the same.
Yay a new story.😁
Another addition to your wonderful collection. Perfect accompaniment to a long journey just start at the beginning, every single story is enjoyable,whole collection is quality.✊♥️
Before supervillains constructed overly complicated ways to kill James Bond or Batman and Robin, before the Hooded Claw came up with overly complicated ways to do away with Penelope Pitstop, there was "A Race with the Sun". Fun all the same.