Uncanny Haunts: The English Ghost Story - M.R. JAMES

[Traveller]

Hello Everyone! Well, I am at a loss as to which one to choose. I've been trying to find pointers online, but these stories all sound creepy to me!
Can some of you M.R. James boffs out there give us a few pointers, please?

How about we start with A Warning to the Curious, perhaps? Just a thought. I need help!

[Traveller]

Ok, Mark has suggested a story called Casting the Runes, which looks like it might be interesting for those who have read China Mieville's Kraken. Not sure if it has anything squid-ish, but it does have a museum, at least. ;) ...and apparently it was the inspiration for H.P. Lovecraft's famous The Call of Cthulhu.
...or so says Mark. ;)

[Traveller]

Thank you, Randolph!
I'm sure we can fit all of those in - our next "big" discussion only starts November 5, and I'm sure members won't mind if we move that on a day or 2... I think I'm literally going to take the names people suggest, and draw lots as to in which order we're going to do them. :)

[Helen]

Has anyone read Whistle and I'll Come for you My Lad? I read it as part of a Penguin Book of ghost stories. It was written around 1904. It's really quite scary!

[Traveller]

Hi Helen! Since you are the second person to endorse that one, maybe we should do it first! :)

[Helen]

Traveller wrote: "Hi Helen! Since you are the second person to endorse that one, maybe we should do it first! :)"

Thanks! It's quite short. You can read it in less than half an hour.

[Helen]

Randolph wrote: "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' is probably the only example of an actual scary sheet-ghost in literature and it somehow defined the genre of ghost stories overall it is so good."

Couldn't agree more, and posted my comment before seeing yours. Have you read another ghost story called 'The Judge's House' By Bram Stoker? I found it equally as chilling as Whistle. One I'd also recommend for the group read.

[Traveller]

I've been thinking; even though they're short stories, let's make a thread for each of them. Then I'll post the index to those threads, in this thread.

First one:

Whistle and I'll Come for you My Lad by M.R. James

[Derek]

I don't know M.R. James at all (I've never really been a fan of horror, though I dabble in it at times).

Squids would really help, though...

[Traveller]

Nah, he is your quintessential English garden (and sheet!) variety of ghost writer, it would appear. Instead of squids, you're going to find creepy hair all over the place. Yes, hair as in fur.

LOL, Derek, which reminds me: I will never forget that you have hair on your back! As I was still getting acquainted with you a few years ago, I made some Halloween comment about werewolves having hair on their backs, and you commented that you sport that feature yourself! ROFL. :D (Theoretically, we all do - it's just less obvious on some of us.... )

[Derek]

I swear, I'm getting rid of it. I feel like a gorilla. A wimpy gorilla, but a gorilla nevertheless.

[Traveller]

Derek (Guilty of thoughtcrime) wrote: "I swear, I'm getting rid of it. I feel like a gorilla. A wimpy gorilla, but a gorilla nevertheless."

Don't be silly! Be yourself. Your wife hasn't complained in how many years? ...so maybe she likes it. ;)

[Derek]

When I got married, I had no body hair (OK, I had three hairs...) So the gorilla is not the guy she married. "Myself" is not a hairy guy [ancient rock musicals begin playing in the background...]

[Traveller]

Derek (Guilty of thoughtcrime) wrote: "When I got married, I had no body hair (OK, I had three hairs...) So the gorilla is not the guy she married. "Myself" is not a hairy guy [ancient rock musicals begin playing in the background...]"

Interesting! So you must have had an increase in testosterone since you got married, Derek, since of course testosterone encourages hirsutism. (I shall say nothing further ... ;););) )

Ok, but seriously, if you feel that it's not you, I suppose you could consider electrolysis or hair creams. Let me just warn you - waxing can be DARN painful! I suppose we should be doing our hair-raising discussion in the "anything goes" thread. As if hair removal is not a horror story! Ha ha ha ha.