Spine Chillers

by M.R. James, Derek Jacobi (Reader)

Widely acknowledged as the master of the supernatural, M. R. James penned many of his classic ghost stories to be read aloud to friends, by candlelight, in his study on Christmas Eve. These five adaptations, originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4, perfectly capture the mood of nerve-jangling suspense that would surely have been present during those readings. In Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad, Professor Parkins embarks on a terrifying journey of discovery after he removes a curious artefact from the ruins of a Templar preceptory; while The Tractate Middoth sees diligent curator David Garrett caught up in the machinations of the mysterious Dr Rant when he’s sent to retrieve an obscure manuscript from the library stacks. Lost Hearts tells of a young boy haunted by two ghostly children, and in The Rose Garden, terrifying forces are unleashed when the Goodmans tear down their old summer house. Finally, Number 13 takes us to the Danish town of Viborg, where Dr Anderson puts himself in terrible danger as he investigates why the hotel he’s staying at does not contain a room 13. Starring BAFTA and Emmy-award winning actor Derek Jacobi, and with powerfully chilling music and sound effects, these rich, riveting dramatisations make for irresistible listening.

1 CD. 1 hr 15 mins.

Genres: Classics

2 pages, Audio CD

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Montague Rhodes James, who used the publication name M.R. James, was a noted English mediaeval scholar & provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–18) & of Eton College (1918–36). He's best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature. One of James' most important achievements was to redefine the ghost story for the new century by dispensing with many of the formal Gothic trappings of his predecessors, replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

M.R.^James

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! I’ve read all the M R James books but this proves they should be listened to rather than read.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this audiobook mostly because it was partially narrated by Derek Jacobi, not because I expected to be particularly scared, and it's exactly what I expected. These short stories are eerie in a very classic gothic horror style. They're reminiscent of Poe in its themes and ambiance, and the narrators were all phenomenal. I would recommend it for a cosy night in by the fire!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. Creepy. Moody. All the good things about scary stories without much gore. I listened to it once by myself and then another with Andrew. Its a good thing, I'm not petty - or I'd mark this for my book reading challenge for two reads. :) Honey, you are welcome...

[Simonfletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great BBC rendition, with full cast, of these M R James stories, many of which I have already read before elsewhere.

[Keiran Thegreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of 5 ghost stories by M.R.James read by Derek Jacobi. James was, in my opinion, the master of ghostly tales. Through implication and hints he allows the imagination to create images more fearsome than most horror films can accomplish. These stories include some of his very best work and Derek Jacobi reads them with a great sense of drama.
A wonderful audio book.