M. R. James

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Billy Farmer
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M. R. James

Post by Billy Farmer »

I wondered are there any members, on this forum, who have read any of M. R. James's, Books, I very much like the TV adaptations, of M. R. James's, Ghost stories, and have got the following DVD's - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Stories- ... st+stories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Ghost- ... 2Q3VFSJG5S" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; my favourite TV adaptation, of an M.R. James, Ghost story, is definitely A Warning to the Curious, which was set in East Anglia (where I live).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Warning ... daptations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A very interesting YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iItyYxYdF9k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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John Pickup
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Re: M. R. James

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I've got a collection of his ghost stories which I haven't read for many a long year. He is considered by many to be the best in this genre.
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Ross Gowland
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Ross Gowland »

Yes, I've read all of his short stories. Sounds like a great achievement but they all fit into one volume quite easily. I really love the tales; elegantly written, infused with dry wit and lovely examples of the genre.

The Oxford World's Classics paperback is great value. All the stories with notes.

http://www.hive.co.uk/Product/M-R-James ... s/14997079" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I've got a Wordsworth Classics paperback collection of the stories which I bought in 1992. I enjoyed them at the time but I can't recall much about them now, so I'll have to give them a re-read. Ghost stories are just the thing for dark autumn/winter evenings.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


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Billy Farmer
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Billy Farmer »

Ross Gowland wrote:Yes, I've read all of his short stories. Sounds like a great achievement but they all fit into one volume quite easily. I really love the tales; elegantly written, infused with dry wit and lovely examples of the genre.

The Oxford World's Classics paperback is great value. All the stories with notes.

http://www.hive.co.uk/Product/M-R-James ... s/14997079" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ross, thank you for the recommendation, I have just bought the above Book, from Amazon, only £6.29.
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John Pickup
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Re: M. R. James

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Anita Bensoussane wrote: Ghost stories are just the thing for dark autumn/winter evenings.
The perfect companion, in my opinion.
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Domino »

Montague James was the undoubted master of ghost stories.

Dave
He called the greatest archers to a tavern on the green.

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Billy Farmer
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Billy Farmer »

Ross Gowland wrote:The Oxford World's Classics paperback is great value. All the stories with notes.

http://www.hive.co.uk/Product/M-R-James ... s/14997079" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I received the above Book, yesterday, and enjoyed reading Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book, this afternoon.
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Spitfire
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Spitfire »

I love M.R. James too, Billy. Until a couple of years ago he was a staple winter read for me. There's something about his understated style that makes his stories all extra-spooky and mysterious. The calm restraint of his narrative adds to the tension. Some of the details are quite horrid in places, but never in a gratuitous way. He was an absolute master of the genre.

All my books are packed away at the moment, so sadly I am going to have to skip him this winter too. Never mind - it will be all the better next time!

Glad you're enjoying your book.
Sarah
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Re: M. R. James

Post by booklover »

Hi everyone :)

M.R. James is a favourite of mine - only discovered in last 5 years.
Favourite stories are The Haunted Doll's House and Lost Hearts.
Often you will find an M.R. James story in an audio book collection of ghost stories.
The stories have extra impact when listened to.
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Machupicchu14 »

I tried to look for some of his books but had no luck in finding them!! :(
"All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love."
(все, что я понимаю, я понимаю только потому, что люблю)
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Re: M. R. James

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss ... V61QTY8MIW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Machupicchu14 »

Lol Nigel :lol:. I quite forgot to check there!! :wink:
"All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love."
(все, что я понимаю, я понимаю только потому, что люблю)
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Billy Farmer
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Re: M. R. James

Post by Billy Farmer »

A very interesting Documentary, about M. R. James - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOGZ4WQT2vg&t=592s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One day, when I went to Cambridge, with two family members, one of the places we visited was King's College, where M. R. James, was the provost, from 1905-1918.
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