Ghost Stories of an Antiquary/More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (first collection of ghost stories)
by
M. R. James
Montague Rhodes James. The Residence At Whitminster The Diary Of Mr. Poynter An Episode Of Cathedral History The Story Of A Disappearance And An Appearance Two Doctors
Paperback, 176 pages
Published
July 14th 2008
by Wildhern Press
(first published 1904)
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I am a big fan of ghost stories, and enjoy nothing more than choosing a scary book to read over the Halloween period. And so you can imagine my joy when Amy introduced me to the works of M. R. James. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary was his first collection of ghost stories, published in 1904. The tales all follow a similar route – a build up of otherworldly hints topped off by a ghastly visitation – and all are very enjoyable. What I liked most about the stories were his descriptions of building. ...more
Fantastic stuff. Occasionally the text feels a little dated and why shouldn't it? It's only a century old. Still, some of the chills delivered were better than anything I've read that was written in the last 10, so obviously James knew what he was doing. Highly recommended, free off of Gutenberg.
Now for a personal note:
I was reading the short story 'Count Magnus' and there was the barest glimmer of recognition near the end, and then I came across the following passage...more
Now for a personal note:
I was reading the short story 'Count Magnus' and there was the barest glimmer of recognition near the end, and then I came across the following passage...more
Full review from Badelynge
I love a good ghost story. M.R.James is one of the best at the short form of the genre. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary is packed with some of his best. All the stories here were written between 1894 and 1904 and were originally read to the author's friends at Christmas at Kings College, Cambridge where James was a noted British medieval scholar. I'd guess the best way to experience these chilling little stories would be to have them read to you on a dark night, in ...more
I love a good ghost story. M.R.James is one of the best at the short form of the genre. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary is packed with some of his best. All the stories here were written between 1894 and 1904 and were originally read to the author's friends at Christmas at Kings College, Cambridge where James was a noted British medieval scholar. I'd guess the best way to experience these chilling little stories would be to have them read to you on a dark night, in ...more
CANON ALBERIC’S SCRAP-BOOK
‘They were in the sitting-room of the house, a small, high chamber with a stone floor,
full of moving shadows cast by a wood-fire that flickered on a great heart.’ (p.13)
Canon Alberic’s Scrap-Book was first published in 1904, although it was written in 1894.
The story is set in southern France.
An English tourist is photographing the interior of the cathedral of Saint-Bernard-de-Comminges at the foot of Pyrenees, when the cathed...more
‘They were in the sitting-room of the house, a small, high chamber with a stone floor,
full of moving shadows cast by a wood-fire that flickered on a great heart.’ (p.13)
Canon Alberic’s Scrap-Book was first published in 1904, although it was written in 1894.
The story is set in southern France.
An English tourist is photographing the interior of the cathedral of Saint-Bernard-de-Comminges at the foot of Pyrenees, when the cathed...more
This is M. R. James first book of ghost stories, containing eight of his best. I believe six of these eight are among the twenty best tales of ghostly terror ever written--and the other two tales are very good too. If you like traditional ghost stories that unnerve the reader subtly by suggestion and indirection, this is a book you should read.
As Leonardo is to painting, so M R James is to the short ghost story. He really is that good. These stories are like beautifully crafted little gems, rich in tiny, exquisite detail, and sparkling with dark beauty.
There is an indefinable rare something that marks out the greatest writers of supernatural fiction. H P Lovecraft had it, and M R James had it. It's a kind of mood, an atmosphere, but it's more than that. Effortlessly, these writers draw you into a world where the most strange and ...more
There is an indefinable rare something that marks out the greatest writers of supernatural fiction. H P Lovecraft had it, and M R James had it. It's a kind of mood, an atmosphere, but it's more than that. Effortlessly, these writers draw you into a world where the most strange and ...more
One of the great aspects of the Kindle is the ability to discover classic authors we may never have chanced upon before because of the prohibitive cost of their books. But now that out of copyright books are available for free, I suspect there will be a torrent of interest in many unfairly neglected authors.
M.R. James certainly falls into this category - Ghost Stories of an Antiquary contains several mesmerising ghost stories that will stay with you long after you have read them. Jame...more
M.R. James certainly falls into this category - Ghost Stories of an Antiquary contains several mesmerising ghost stories that will stay with you long after you have read them. Jame...more
If I could give 4.5, it would get that: I just don't think it was quite worth 5 stars because the tone is so similar through all the stories, so there's not quite enough variety.
I thoroughly enjoyed this short collection of ghost stories. I was familar with a few of them, through the BBC's Christmas Ghost Stories - especially Whistle and I'll Come To You, from the very creepy b&w film starring Michael Horden. However, I have to say that the tale is creepier. Every story - apart from...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this short collection of ghost stories. I was familar with a few of them, through the BBC's Christmas Ghost Stories - especially Whistle and I'll Come To You, from the very creepy b&w film starring Michael Horden. However, I have to say that the tale is creepier. Every story - apart from...more
M.R. James fue uno de los mejores escritores dedicados al peculiar género de las ghost stories, o historias de fantasmas. Realmente, no se dedicaba a ello profesionalmente; creaba sus historias para contarlas a sus amigos y conocidos, siendo para él más una afición con la que disfrutar enormemente, eso sí, haciéndonoslo pasar "mal". Afortunadamente, se fueron publicando porque se trata, indiscutiblemente, de uno de los maestros del relato breve.
Sus cuentos son una delicia e...more
Sus cuentos son una delicia e...more
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"If any of these stories succeed in causing their readers to feel pleasantly uncomfortable when walking along a solitary road at nightfall, or sitting over a dying fire in the small hours, my purpose in writing them will have been attained." So wrote the renowned paleographer, manuscript historian, and educator M. R. James on Halloween, 1904, in the preface to his first collection of spooky tales, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.
The eight tales that make up this ghastly anth...more
The eight tales that make up this ghastly anth...more
Even when reading this book for the second time the stories are good. Most of the time the ghosts or supernatural beings are not described in any detail or not at all because they stay unseen. Often this is more effective than describing every detail of horror and gore as is often the case with modern ghost/horror stories.
At times the language is old fashioned and often more so because the narrator quotes even older texts.
Personally, I didn't find the stories scary, but I...more
At times the language is old fashioned and often more so because the narrator quotes even older texts.
Personally, I didn't find the stories scary, but I...more
These tales belong to the school of the scholarly ghost story, if there is such a thing. The main character in each is some academic so buried in his particular researches that he myopically stumbles into something unexplained. The stories are not outright scary, but are rather subtle, with details that you don't note outright - until you find yourself remembering them in the dark. I read these by candlelight, which seemed only appropriate.
Not your typical ghost stories in that there are no explanations, just an examination of the facts in each case. The author's imagination must have been something to behold, though, since he came up with some decently creepy occurences that could be elaborated on in the reader's mind or be a jumping off point for some new ghost stories.
This book was downloaded for free from Amazon.com onto my Kindle for PC app.
This book was downloaded for free from Amazon.com onto my Kindle for PC app.
Highly recommended. This is the first collection of ghost stories by M.R. James, one of the masters of the form (though in truth some of these stories would probably best be regarded as "weird tales" rather than ghost stories per se). The effect of the stories is created by a combination of factors: the author's clear feel for moldy, musty old places, and his knack at describing them; the articulate manner in which the stories are narrated and in which the scholarly characters express ...more
I'm a horror story fan. I also love the language of the classics. MR James gave me both of these loves in Ghost Stories. His subtle hintings of horror to come mixed with his "so very human" and everyday foundational set-up serve delicious feasts of language, delivering ghost stories that certainly satisfy. I want to read it again!
OMG!!!!!i waz feaked out:-s.........dat 2 totally...my advice if u ever come across this, read it in daylight coz in d night it sends shivers down ur spine....but it waz interesting.....kinda u can say but i wud definitely lyk 2 keep away frm dis book...):
Included many of my favourite James ghost stories. It's impossible to pick an overall favourite, but I'm very into Lost Hearts at the moment, having recently discussed it in our podcast.
This is great collection of 7 classic ghost stories. Most relate to traveling scholars and their ghostly encounters. My only complaint is that many of these stories are very similar. Out of the 7, the story Number 13 is my favorite. This is a nice quick read if you are the mood for a few really good ghost stories.
I never heard of this author before moving to the UK, but now I am so glad that I picked up the book. These are the perfect stories for reading on a dark winter night. Some have a religious / mystical aspect, while others poke fun at academics.
My favourite was "Casting the Runes" which has real terror, but also a bit of humour in how the trouble arises from someone writing a negative book review.
My favourite was "Casting the Runes" which has real terror, but also a bit of humour in how the trouble arises from someone writing a negative book review.
First read when I was ten years old. Re-read many times. if you want to read the best of ghost stories, read this collection.
1.5 stars.
The title looked promising but the prose quality was disappointing or light. The antiquarian themes and silly humor will keep me coming back for more though.
The title looked promising but the prose quality was disappointing or light. The antiquarian themes and silly humor will keep me coming back for more though.
One of the great classic collections of gothic literature. Still with the ability to chill.
Ghost stories about academics? Obviously the best thing ever. These are creepy and charming.
To be read on a dark and stormy night, with a glass of port at one's elbow.
Actually got the Penguin Short Stories 1959 paperback edition
Amazing.Excellent short stories.
Fantastic old Ghost Stories!
Only listened to a few chapters, but it was so boring! It could have been the person that was reading it, though. No inflection in their voice.
It was free on the Kindle, it was fun, and it was appropriate for the season.
Master of the genre. Probably the best-known "classic English" ghost stories written. Includes such gems as "The Mezzotint." While I greatly admire James, none of these particular tales make my list of all-time favorite ghost stories.
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