Customer Reviews
Excellent reading - By: Henners, 09 Feb 2008 
Very good ghost story, similar to M.R. James I thought. But the reading is great. Fine actor. If you even *think* you might like ghost stories this is a must.
I agree totally with the previous reviewer: choose a wintry night with a gale outside blowing against the windows (a glass of whiskey seems to do no harm), light a fire, turn out the light, & listen.
But not if you're of a particularly nervous disposition....
A tale of insane malice and vengeance - By: T. Bobley, 18 Mar 2007 The Womanin Black has to be one of the darkest & most atmospheric ghost stories I've listened to or read. A young solicitor travels north by train to attend a client's funeral & sort out her papers, happy to escape a choking London smog. At first all goes well. He loves the wide open, flat countryside & marshes & is fascinated by the austere, isolated house that can only be reached by a causeway at low tide. Before long however, he sees & hears things that shake him to the core. Susan Hill's powers of description are impressive. The stinking peasouperin London, the beautiful, wide open landscapes & skies around Crythin Gifford, the sea frets & storms around Eel Marsh House, the terrifying spectre of the womanin black & her effect on the people she haunts, are all described so that you only need to close your eyes to imagine you're there. Paul Ansdell makes an excellent job of this unabridged audiobook reading. There are 4 DVDsin the case (not 5 as is currently statedin the Amazon details above).
There are several ways to enjoy this story. I've also heard it read on BBC Digital Radio 7 by a different reader who was also very good & I've read the book. For some time I've been looking for a DVD of the 1989 film that has had some extremely positive reviews, but for some reason it only seems to be available second-handin region 1 format & since I only have a region 2 DVD player, I'll have to wait for Amazon or some other enterprising vendor to stock it. In any case, this audiobook is one of my favourites & I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates a good chiller.
LISTEN TO IT IN THE DARK ! - By: , 23 Nov 2005 This is great if you tuck yourself up & turn the lights out.. maybe by a nice fire. I have read the book & seen the play adapted from it & this is another way of enjoying a really scary & well written ghost story. The reader doesn`t try & do too much... no shivery voices, nothing over-=done & thank goodness no spooky sound effects. But his quiet tone begins to get under your skin & the tension mounts bit by bit. not long before you are looking over your shoulder. It would make a great Christmas present for a family to listen to over the holiday.
A great recording of a classic spine-chiller. - By: , 13 Nov 2005 A really excellent recording of a classic ghost story. Paul Ansdell reads this chilling novel extremely well, the mounting suspense slowly building throughout. It's worth listening to even if you've already read the book, or seen the play, & a must if you haven't!
