M.R James

Sorry for the delay in the posts recently – work has been turning the screws horridly. But seen as it is All Hallow’s Eve, I thought I would drop a post worthy of such a night.

I recently bought a copy of Count Magnus and Other Ghost Stories by the author of fear himself, M.R James. If anyone enjoys the creaky oddness and unfathomable discomfort of a H.P Lovecraft novella, then I urge you to pounce on a copy of Count Magnus. James’ writing style works around (but isn’t constrained to) some simple formula to his genuinely frightening ghost stories.  Characteristically, they draw on the typically English psychology of practicality against the supernatural. They usually involve a protagonist who has wondered too far away from his/her normality and has become unwelcome in their new surroundings.  Most stories also centre around existing legends and sometimes long-forgotten aspects of local folklore. Especially those from the ancient and isolated lands of English Anglia (present day Norfolk and Suffolk in England). But Always… The real terror is never revealed in it’s entirety (a key to successful horror writing ), leaving the reader troubled over whether the occult disturbance even happened at all or whether it was figment of the individual.

Norfolk can be a genuinely eerie place. For example, the circumstances that brought about the discoveries at Sutton Hoo, terrify me to this day. I have seen the fens with my very own eyes on a dead still November afternoon. A dirty blue mist rolled about the flats and collected angrily into the brooks, becks and nooks, almost as if it were frustrated at being delayed on it’s way inland. Then there are those long, deserted beaches; landing grounds for Vikings raiders of the past.  No wonder then that M. R James sets most of his stories in the small and antiquarian communities along the coast there.

Although the books are great, I do also love some of the vintage film versions of the M.R James tales. ‘Whistle and I will come to you’ starring a brilliant Michael Hordern as the bumbling (and permanently hungry) professor, will have you sat up in bed with eyes like ping-pong balls for some time. Look out for the famous ‘sheet ghost’ on the beach scene – brrr.  It’s also worth investing some time in the unforgiving  ‘A warning to the curious‘.

Sleep well, friends… Muhahahhaaaa