Some stories don’t so much frighten as warn. They creep into the mind like a chill beneath the door, whispering that intellect is no armour against the irrational. M. R. James’s Casting the Runes is one of these — a genteel little ghost story that begins with a letter of complaint and ends with damnation … Continue reading Casting the Runes: The Polite Horror of the Learned Damned
Tag: m-r-james
Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
When I think of M. R. James, it’s like I’ve accidentally stumbled into a foggy, overgrown cemetery on Halloween night, while wearing the world’s most embarrassing costume and holding a mysterious old book I definitely shouldn’t be holding. His stories - oh, the stories! - are like that one weird uncle who insists on showing … Continue reading Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
James’ Bark & Bite: The Ash Tree
I have an enduring love for the countryside, especially those areas filled with ancient, brooding trees that seem to harbour their own secrets. One such tree caught my eye in the charming town of Cockermouth, Cumbria (UK). Its gnarled bark and twisted branches bore an uncanny resemblance to the features of an old witch, a … Continue reading James’ Bark & Bite: The Ash Tree
Don’t Whistle!
A very short but entertaining read; leaves one feeling a little sombre. Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad is one of M. R. James' most renowned ghost stories, included in his collection "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary," published in 1904. The title is derived from a poem by Robert Burns, suggesting a … Continue reading Don’t Whistle!
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