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Ghost Stories, Volume One
M. R. James is widely regarded as the father of the modern ghost story, and his tales have influenced horror writers from H. P. Lovecraft to Stephen King. First published in the early 1900s, they have never been out of print, and are recognized as classics of the genre. This collection contains some of his most chilling tales, including A View from a Hill, Rats, A School Story, The Ash Tree, and The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance. Read by BAFTA and Emmy-award winning actor Derek Jacobi, and with haunting and evocative music, these tales cannot fail to send a shiver down your spine.
3 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 18, 2007
11 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
M.R. James
1,520 books909 followersMontague 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
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
M.R.^James
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 13, 2023
An enjoyable read.
November 1, 2020
I had to stop in the middle. Even Derek Jacobi could not bring these ghosts to life! The first story was okay, about a mysterious pair of binoculars. I don't even remember what the second story was about other than it took place at a boys' school (that's horror enough, I suppose), and the third ended before I remembered that I was even listening to it. I do not remember one word.
This author is supposed to be a king in the genre so I will go back sometime to finish or read again.
For lovers of this author, this title is free on Audible Plus, if you subscribe.
This author is supposed to be a king in the genre so I will go back sometime to finish or read again.
For lovers of this author, this title is free on Audible Plus, if you subscribe.
October 10, 2022
M.R. James created ghost stories sideways. Often, when beginning one of his stories, it feels as if he were writing in the tradition of the manners novels, as he concentrates on finely detailed observations of the English countryside and behavior. As the tale progresses, subtle details that don’t quite square begin to multiply, knocking the story off kilter. Almost without warning, an eerie otherness confronts you out of the once benign English setting, leaving you to wonder where that terror in your guts came from.
These five tales are fine examples of James work, and the audible narration is spot on perfect for his style. Stories include:
The View from the Hill
Rats
A School Story
The Ash Tree
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance
These five tales are fine examples of James work, and the audible narration is spot on perfect for his style. Stories include:
The View from the Hill
Rats
A School Story
The Ash Tree
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance
November 5, 2023
I don’t write reviews.
I usually visit James around Christmas, but this autumn needed more eeriness. Perhaps I miss the deep crisp falls of my homeland, alas.
These tales do not disappoint, do not become obsolete over time. Mad alchemists creating apparatus to view through the eyes of the dead. Witches and their many-legged poison minions. Curses, bibliomancy, disappearances, murders. A satanic Punch and Judy show from the land of nightmares. Open windows, creatures in the dark, sleepless nights.
I usually visit James around Christmas, but this autumn needed more eeriness. Perhaps I miss the deep crisp falls of my homeland, alas.
These tales do not disappoint, do not become obsolete over time. Mad alchemists creating apparatus to view through the eyes of the dead. Witches and their many-legged poison minions. Curses, bibliomancy, disappearances, murders. A satanic Punch and Judy show from the land of nightmares. Open windows, creatures in the dark, sleepless nights.
October 8, 2024
Very enjoyable stories, made more so thanks to Derek Jacobi's lively narration.
December 23, 2019
Five spooky tales...
This shortish audiobook (2 hours 37 minutes) contains five ghost stories from the pen of MR James, narrated by the always wonderful Derek Jacobi. I do admire James’ writing style and usually find his stories enjoyable even although I rarely find them scary. I think it’s because he often tells them at a remove – a narrator tells us of something that once happened rather than us being put there while it’s actually happening, which prevents them from building any kind of atmosphere of tension. Quite often, in fact, we are told the end before we’re given the story. I’ve still read relatively few of his stories, though, so maybe I just haven’t come across the really spooky ones yet. Since there are only five stories in this volume, here’s a brief idea of each:
The View from the Hill – an antiquary, Mr Fanshawe, visits his friend Squire Richards in the country. Fanshawe borrows a set of binoculars from his friend, but when he looks through them, he sees things that aren’t there, such as church spires that once existed but are long gone. Richards acquired the binoculars when he bought up some of the possessions of a man named Baxter after his death. It culminates with Richards’ old servant telling the two friends the story of Baxter and the experiments he carried out. It’s well told, but knowing in advance that Baxter died kinda spoils the tension, and nothing terribly bad happens in the present. I gave this one four stars.
Rats – A story that, oddly, isn’t about rats. A man is staying as the only guest at an inn. Out of nosiness, one day when the landlord is out, he decides to take a look into the other empty rooms on his floor. One is locked, but he finds a key that will open it. Inside, he sees something that scares him and swiftly retreats. But his curiosity is too strong – on his last day, he goes to the room again, and this time he sees... well, of course I’m not going to tell you! This one is lighter in tone and quite fun, but again not scary. Another 4 star read.
A School Story – two men are discussing the tradition of ghost story telling in public (i.e. posh) schools, and then one tells the other a real ghost story which happened when he was a schoolboy. The haunting concerns a teacher, Mr Sampson, who begins to receive odd messages in Latin, either via the boys or in notes. The messages seem to imply that if he won’t go to the sender, then the sender will come to him. And then one day the teacher disappears... Again, well told, but there is our narrator, safe and sound and old, so we know whatever happened he clearly wasn’t harmed by it. Four stars again.
The Ash Tree – ah, this was much spookier! Starting back in the late 17th century, Mrs Mothersole is condemned as a witch and swears revenge on the man who gave evidence against her, Sir Matthew Fell. He later dies mysteriously, as if from some kind of poison. For years, the room in which he died lies empty out of superstition. But now his grandson decides to sleep in the room, even although the window is shaded by an ash tree growing just outside, and despite being warned that folklore says that sleeping near an ash tree is unwise... I think the reason this works better is because it’s told in the third person and therefore there’s no foreknowledge as to what happens to the grandson. There’s also lots of nicely scary imagery and old superstitions and stuff. This one got the full five stars!
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance – Told as a series of letters from a man to his brother and set at Christmastime. The letter-writer’s uncle, a rector, has disappeared and our narrator has gone to his uncle’s town to try to find out what has happened to him. I must say that I really had no idea what was going on in this one. It’s full of really quite effective stuff about a Punch and Judy show – a form of entertainment I’ve always found quite scary in itself – but if there’s a coherent story in there, I missed it. This is possibly because I was listening rather than reading – sometimes I don’t seem to concentrate as well in that format. I thought the imagery was great and there was a definite sense of dread and oddness about the whole thing, but I found it too unexplained to be satisfying. Jacobi’s performance was great though – he really shines best when the stories get darker. 5 stars for him, but just 2½ for the story, though I may read a print version one day.
Overall, this is an enjoyable listen – not harrowing, and the inclusion of what is apparently James’ only story set at Christmastime makes it perfect for this time of year. The shortest story is about 15 minutes and the longest around 45, so it can be easily split over several short sessions or binge-listened in one evening. MR James is undoubtedly the ideal choice for people who like their horror to be of the mildest variety, and Jacobi as narrator is always a treat. Recommended.
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This shortish audiobook (2 hours 37 minutes) contains five ghost stories from the pen of MR James, narrated by the always wonderful Derek Jacobi. I do admire James’ writing style and usually find his stories enjoyable even although I rarely find them scary. I think it’s because he often tells them at a remove – a narrator tells us of something that once happened rather than us being put there while it’s actually happening, which prevents them from building any kind of atmosphere of tension. Quite often, in fact, we are told the end before we’re given the story. I’ve still read relatively few of his stories, though, so maybe I just haven’t come across the really spooky ones yet. Since there are only five stories in this volume, here’s a brief idea of each:
The View from the Hill – an antiquary, Mr Fanshawe, visits his friend Squire Richards in the country. Fanshawe borrows a set of binoculars from his friend, but when he looks through them, he sees things that aren’t there, such as church spires that once existed but are long gone. Richards acquired the binoculars when he bought up some of the possessions of a man named Baxter after his death. It culminates with Richards’ old servant telling the two friends the story of Baxter and the experiments he carried out. It’s well told, but knowing in advance that Baxter died kinda spoils the tension, and nothing terribly bad happens in the present. I gave this one four stars.
Rats – A story that, oddly, isn’t about rats. A man is staying as the only guest at an inn. Out of nosiness, one day when the landlord is out, he decides to take a look into the other empty rooms on his floor. One is locked, but he finds a key that will open it. Inside, he sees something that scares him and swiftly retreats. But his curiosity is too strong – on his last day, he goes to the room again, and this time he sees... well, of course I’m not going to tell you! This one is lighter in tone and quite fun, but again not scary. Another 4 star read.
A School Story – two men are discussing the tradition of ghost story telling in public (i.e. posh) schools, and then one tells the other a real ghost story which happened when he was a schoolboy. The haunting concerns a teacher, Mr Sampson, who begins to receive odd messages in Latin, either via the boys or in notes. The messages seem to imply that if he won’t go to the sender, then the sender will come to him. And then one day the teacher disappears... Again, well told, but there is our narrator, safe and sound and old, so we know whatever happened he clearly wasn’t harmed by it. Four stars again.
The Ash Tree – ah, this was much spookier! Starting back in the late 17th century, Mrs Mothersole is condemned as a witch and swears revenge on the man who gave evidence against her, Sir Matthew Fell. He later dies mysteriously, as if from some kind of poison. For years, the room in which he died lies empty out of superstition. But now his grandson decides to sleep in the room, even although the window is shaded by an ash tree growing just outside, and despite being warned that folklore says that sleeping near an ash tree is unwise... I think the reason this works better is because it’s told in the third person and therefore there’s no foreknowledge as to what happens to the grandson. There’s also lots of nicely scary imagery and old superstitions and stuff. This one got the full five stars!
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance – Told as a series of letters from a man to his brother and set at Christmastime. The letter-writer’s uncle, a rector, has disappeared and our narrator has gone to his uncle’s town to try to find out what has happened to him. I must say that I really had no idea what was going on in this one. It’s full of really quite effective stuff about a Punch and Judy show – a form of entertainment I’ve always found quite scary in itself – but if there’s a coherent story in there, I missed it. This is possibly because I was listening rather than reading – sometimes I don’t seem to concentrate as well in that format. I thought the imagery was great and there was a definite sense of dread and oddness about the whole thing, but I found it too unexplained to be satisfying. Jacobi’s performance was great though – he really shines best when the stories get darker. 5 stars for him, but just 2½ for the story, though I may read a print version one day.
Overall, this is an enjoyable listen – not harrowing, and the inclusion of what is apparently James’ only story set at Christmastime makes it perfect for this time of year. The shortest story is about 15 minutes and the longest around 45, so it can be easily split over several short sessions or binge-listened in one evening. MR James is undoubtedly the ideal choice for people who like their horror to be of the mildest variety, and Jacobi as narrator is always a treat. Recommended.
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September 26, 2017Maybe I wasn't in the mood? Maybe it would be better to read these rather than listen to the audio edition? I found my attention wandering. I'm not going to rate the book because I don't feel I gave it a real chance.
March 13, 2020
Wonderfully written and very much the old world England. I did find my attention drifting a little from time to time however, the tales are a little 'thin' in places.
March 28, 2021
A rather dull and disappointing collection from M.R. James - far from his best, even with Derek Jacobi narrating.
July 29, 2023
A collection of short ghost/mysteries by turn of the century author M. R. James. I had never heard of this author before until I read several quotes from his stories in a book by J. R. Ellis. As you would expect these stories have a very Victorian feel to them and tend to be the kind that is a mystery with a twist at the end.
At this time this exclusive edition is available as an audible exclusive and is free for members. It's a BBC production so I am not sure if these were originally aired on the radio. There is a second volume, so I will be following up with that.
At this time this exclusive edition is available as an audible exclusive and is free for members. It's a BBC production so I am not sure if these were originally aired on the radio. There is a second volume, so I will be following up with that.
October 24, 2023
Not at all scary but read by Derek Jacobi and I could listen to him read a shopping list.
November 8, 2020
This is an excellent collection of M. R. James ghost stories' narrated by Derek Jacobi. Audible has a program where this book and its companion volume 2 are free to listen to for its members. Jacobi's soothing narration adds to the pleasure of listening to these stories. The stories in this volume are:
"A View from a Hill"
"Rats"
"The School Story"
"The Ash Tree"
"The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance"
"A View from a Hill"
"Rats"
"The School Story"
"The Ash Tree"
"The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance"
February 23, 2018
Four deliciously disturbing spooky tales from the master of the short ghost story - and what a treat to be read to by Derek Jacobi! Moving on to volume two...
October 23, 2024
Good old innocent horror. :)
July 18, 2020
Listened to this one evening when I was home alone. I really enjoyed how atmospheric it felt.
November 9, 2023
4.0 Very atmospheric and creepy. Good listen for this time of year with Derek Jacoby.
November 7, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
“…and I was most profoundly grateful that it was one of the longest days and still sunlight…”
Austerely delivered, short creeping supernatural tales… definitely ones to be listened to by candlelight
“…and I was most profoundly grateful that it was one of the longest days and still sunlight…”
Austerely delivered, short creeping supernatural tales… definitely ones to be listened to by candlelight
October 23, 2023
I am not sure I ever had read a story by the author who by reputation is seen as the father of the British ghost story. James is best known for his ghost stories, but he was also a medievalist scholar and provost of Kings College, Cambridge. I knew his name, but just don’t recall having read any of his work. I was led to read this because I am reading Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House and hear she was influenced in the creation of her paranormal scholar Dr. Montague by James’s frequent use of an academic to encourage readers to take the stories more seriously. The success of his stories was influenced by James’s historical research and knowledge.
This collection I listened to features five of his best known stories read by Derek Jacobi, who is just amazing.
**** In “The View From the Hill” (1925) a historian visits his friend in the country and through binoculars seems to see things that used to exist such as church spires and gallows where men are hanging. Time to get those binoculars fixed? A psychic story? But the binoculars do seem magical somehow. We meet the maker of the binoculars and learn of some of his disturbing archaeological discoveries. Subtle, not spectacular, but a bit chilling. It stays with you.
*** “Rats” (1928) – A story not about rats. But a man staying (as the only guest) in a (of course remote) inn sees something in a locked room adjacent to his own room, the outline of a body under the covers of a bed! But at a closer look, the body is moving! The man learns more about what appears to be a ghost in this room.
**** “A School Story” (1911) is about two men discussing the tradition of ghosts and ghost storytelling in their schools (I know a few of those stories from personal experience!), and then one tells a ghost story which happened when he was a schoolboy, concerning a teacher, Mr Sampson, who receives messages from the past in Latin, including one, which translates to "remember the well among the four yews.” The teacher is told to go to the sender of the messages, and he does, and never returns again.
***** ”The Ash Tree” (1904) is the best of this small bunch. This one goes back to historian James’s older research. Mrs Mothersole is condemned as a witch in the eighteenth century and swears revenge on the man who gave evidence against her, Sir Matthew Fell. He (mysteriously!) dies?! People afterwards see the room where he died as cursed. They never let anyone stay in the room in which he died, until his grandson decides to do that. (Oh oh). There’s an ash tree outside of the window because (look it up! You didn’t know this?!) it is bad luck to sleep in a room with an ash tree outside the window. You might be wondering what happens to the grandson. . . but this one has more conventional scary tropes in it.
“Thou shalt seek me in the morning, and I shall not be.”--M.R. James, The Ash Tree, 1904
***** “The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance” (1913), set in 1837, is another very good one, a series of letters from a man to his brother at Christmastime (The British are known for Christmas ghost stories) . The man’s uncle, a rector, has gone missing. A search ensues. A traveling salesman suggests he watch a Punch and Judy show (a marionette/puppet show that is often comically violent) and from here on in Punch and Judy shows figure in, masterfully. A great creepy story.
Here’s a 2016 animated version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lIzu...
This collection I listened to features five of his best known stories read by Derek Jacobi, who is just amazing.
**** In “The View From the Hill” (1925) a historian visits his friend in the country and through binoculars seems to see things that used to exist such as church spires and gallows where men are hanging. Time to get those binoculars fixed? A psychic story? But the binoculars do seem magical somehow. We meet the maker of the binoculars and learn of some of his disturbing archaeological discoveries. Subtle, not spectacular, but a bit chilling. It stays with you.
*** “Rats” (1928) – A story not about rats. But a man staying (as the only guest) in a (of course remote) inn sees something in a locked room adjacent to his own room, the outline of a body under the covers of a bed! But at a closer look, the body is moving! The man learns more about what appears to be a ghost in this room.
**** “A School Story” (1911) is about two men discussing the tradition of ghosts and ghost storytelling in their schools (I know a few of those stories from personal experience!), and then one tells a ghost story which happened when he was a schoolboy, concerning a teacher, Mr Sampson, who receives messages from the past in Latin, including one, which translates to "remember the well among the four yews.” The teacher is told to go to the sender of the messages, and he does, and never returns again.
***** ”The Ash Tree” (1904) is the best of this small bunch. This one goes back to historian James’s older research. Mrs Mothersole is condemned as a witch in the eighteenth century and swears revenge on the man who gave evidence against her, Sir Matthew Fell. He (mysteriously!) dies?! People afterwards see the room where he died as cursed. They never let anyone stay in the room in which he died, until his grandson decides to do that. (Oh oh). There’s an ash tree outside of the window because (look it up! You didn’t know this?!) it is bad luck to sleep in a room with an ash tree outside the window. You might be wondering what happens to the grandson. . . but this one has more conventional scary tropes in it.
“Thou shalt seek me in the morning, and I shall not be.”--M.R. James, The Ash Tree, 1904
***** “The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance” (1913), set in 1837, is another very good one, a series of letters from a man to his brother at Christmastime (The British are known for Christmas ghost stories) . The man’s uncle, a rector, has gone missing. A search ensues. A traveling salesman suggests he watch a Punch and Judy show (a marionette/puppet show that is often comically violent) and from here on in Punch and Judy shows figure in, masterfully. A great creepy story.
Here’s a 2016 animated version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lIzu...
January 29, 2021
As a side note: this is the Audible version, not the CD. As the cover is the same, hopefully they contain the same stories, but the Kindle version on Amazon that is linked to this title does not, so... * shrugs *
Quite enjoyable. It's nice to read well-written creepy tales, after spending so much time on Lovecraft. Highly recommended, and Derek Jacobi is an excellent narrator.
A View From a Hill 4 stars, 3.5 tentacles - First time I've run across a pair of haunted binoculars in a story! Very nice, and creepy.
Rats 2 stars, 2 tentacles - So unmemorable that I had to listen to a few minutes of it to remember what it was about. Overly curious tenant causes problems. Other than some descriptions at the beginning, I do not remember that rats actually featured in it, so the title confuses me. Possibly I'm just not remembering.
A School Story 4 stars, 2 tentacles - Very nicely crafted, creepy tale, that could have been better with (1) Some more definitive information at the ending (there was a big reveal, but ... not quite the one I wanted) and (2) McLeod as the narrator. Usually James' semi-distant narrators work quite well, but in this case, McLeod would have made MUCH more sense: he was the one with the "vision", and the one who spoke directly to the Latin instructor.
The Ash Tree 4 stars, 3.5 tentacles - This one I'd listened to before, from a different Audible collection, but was quite happy to relisten as it was a favorite from the earlier collection. The bibliomancy is perhaps a bit heavy-handed, but, eh, it's fun. The bit about the making a sound like a kitten falling cracks me up.
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance 3.5 stars, 2 tentacles - rather long, drawn-out account of a hunt for a missing uncle. Minimal creepy elements, but still well-crafted.
Quite enjoyable. It's nice to read well-written creepy tales, after spending so much time on Lovecraft. Highly recommended, and Derek Jacobi is an excellent narrator.
A View From a Hill 4 stars, 3.5 tentacles - First time I've run across a pair of haunted binoculars in a story! Very nice, and creepy.
Rats 2 stars, 2 tentacles - So unmemorable that I had to listen to a few minutes of it to remember what it was about. Overly curious tenant causes problems. Other than some descriptions at the beginning, I do not remember that rats actually featured in it, so the title confuses me. Possibly I'm just not remembering.
A School Story 4 stars, 2 tentacles - Very nicely crafted, creepy tale, that could have been better with (1) Some more definitive information at the ending (there was a big reveal, but ... not quite the one I wanted) and (2) McLeod as the narrator. Usually James' semi-distant narrators work quite well, but in this case, McLeod would have made MUCH more sense: he was the one with the "vision", and the one who spoke directly to the Latin instructor.
The Ash Tree 4 stars, 3.5 tentacles - This one I'd listened to before, from a different Audible collection, but was quite happy to relisten as it was a favorite from the earlier collection. The bibliomancy is perhaps a bit heavy-handed, but, eh, it's fun. The bit about the making a sound like a kitten falling cracks me up.
The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance 3.5 stars, 2 tentacles - rather long, drawn-out account of a hunt for a missing uncle. Minimal creepy elements, but still well-crafted.
September 16, 2020
The narration couldn't be better and the idyllic cozy settings contrasted with some vague (sometimes very very vague) sense of foreboding is right up my alley. I can see why M.R. James is beloved, but it seems like this collection simply does not highlight his best work. The same structure appears in most of the stories where everything is moving along with some dialogue around a strange dream/memory/encounter/etc. only to be left with a morsel of an omen at the end indicating the eerie thing (you thought you might have just start to comprehend the nature of) is sort of-maybe-possible within the story.
One has to have some mystery surrounding a ghostly mcguffin, that's what makes it what it is. The key to a successful ones seems to be in finding the balance between exposure enough understanding to reach something essentially primordial in the reader and concealing it enough so as to ensure it's proper position in the supernatural realm. With this in mind, it seemed that some of these stories were more successful than others. I look forward to the promise of some of his more notable works.
One has to have some mystery surrounding a ghostly mcguffin, that's what makes it what it is. The key to a successful ones seems to be in finding the balance between exposure enough understanding to reach something essentially primordial in the reader and concealing it enough so as to ensure it's proper position in the supernatural realm. With this in mind, it seemed that some of these stories were more successful than others. I look forward to the promise of some of his more notable works.
April 5, 2022
Derek Jacobi (Narrator)
1. A view from a hill - has been made into a movie... oh now... quick side trip into youtube. I am fascinated by cursed items - and one that allows you to see the past? Binoculars that see with the eyes of a dead man. That’s so cool.
2. Rats - people buy a local pub with a weird... request. [don’t unlock one particular room - it holds a skeleton made into a scarecrow - a previous owner of the pub]
3. the school story - wasn’t the author a schoolmaster?
4. the Ash tree - a Lord involved in the conviction of a witch, is found dead in his room. 40 years later his heir decides to use the bedroom that has been left vacant for decades.
5. The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance - epistolary mystery; a man writes to his friend to update him on his missing vicar uncle. [the punch and Judy show made me think of the Rivers of London series.
some intriguing ideas here.
3 stars
1. A view from a hill - has been made into a movie... oh now... quick side trip into youtube. I am fascinated by cursed items - and one that allows you to see the past? Binoculars that see with the eyes of a dead man. That’s so cool.
2. Rats - people buy a local pub with a weird... request. [don’t unlock one particular room - it holds a skeleton made into a scarecrow - a previous owner of the pub]
3. the school story - wasn’t the author a schoolmaster?
4. the Ash tree - a Lord involved in the conviction of a witch, is found dead in his room. 40 years later his heir decides to use the bedroom that has been left vacant for decades.
5. The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance - epistolary mystery; a man writes to his friend to update him on his missing vicar uncle. [the punch and Judy show made me think of the Rivers of London series.
some intriguing ideas here.
3 stars
April 18, 2021
I suppose this type of horror isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed the collection very much. Some of the horror is explicit and some is only inferred, and left to the reader to fill in the gaps. I really like that less is more style of storytelling, and there's nothing outright gory or gruesome, mostly just unsettling or eerie. Certainly the writing feels dated sometimes, because it is, and there can be a lot of dialogue, but I think that was helped by the audio format and the use of different voices to distinguish speakers in the conversations. The narrator did a great job with the use of different accents and tones.
I will say that it isn't the kind of thing I could listen to while actively doing something else, my mind would definitely wander and miss details. But I played it while knitting so I could really focus on the words, and it was a fun spooky treat.
I will say that it isn't the kind of thing I could listen to while actively doing something else, my mind would definitely wander and miss details. But I played it while knitting so I could really focus on the words, and it was a fun spooky treat.
March 15, 2021
Another 2.5 hours of M.R. James ghost stories. I think I liked the stories in volume 2 better, but these were fine.
There was one story which had elements of the Punch and Judy show as part of the plot. That made me wonder if it was a tiny bit of inspiration for Midnight Riot the first Rivers of London book by Ben Aaronovitch. If so, bravo. (I'll be reading that book next week again for the SFF book club.)
There was one story which had elements of the Punch and Judy show as part of the plot. That made me wonder if it was a tiny bit of inspiration for Midnight Riot the first Rivers of London book by Ben Aaronovitch. If so, bravo. (I'll be reading that book next week again for the SFF book club.)
September 22, 2021
I do enjoy a ghost story and one of the true masters is M.R. James.
This collection of 5 of his short stories is wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi.
The stories are:
A view from a hill
Rats
A school story
The Ash tree
The story of a disappearance and an appearance
A lovely way to spend a dark and damp September morning. 4 stars.
This collection of 5 of his short stories is wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi.
The stories are:
A view from a hill
Rats
A school story
The Ash tree
The story of a disappearance and an appearance
A lovely way to spend a dark and damp September morning. 4 stars.
January 23, 2021
I love the stories of M.R. James and have read many of them multiple times. This volume contains a mix of well-known and lesser-known ghost stories: "A View from a Hill" (my favorite of this group), "Rats" (entertaining), "A School Story" (loved the Latin and was able to understand it this time), "The Ash Tree" (witchcraft references!), and "The Story of A Disappearance and An Appearance" (weakest of the lot but still not bad).
September 15, 2025
I will say again that a narrator can make or break an audiobook, and Derek Jacobi does such a wonderful job of these creepy tales that I thoroughly enjoyed hearing them again, read in his most competent of voices. He improved some stories I had read previously and not been as keen on, and made others more interesting just by his brilliant way of reading them. Whether you’re a fan of James or not I highly recommend this particular collection.
December 9, 2019
This was an entertaining selection of M.R. James’ ghost stories. Shakespearean thespian Sir Derek Jacobi lends his formidable talent to this superb relation of tales. He narrates each tale and character with perfect emotion. I prefer the classic horror for its ability to imply the scares. My first James book of tales and I can see why they called him a master of the art.
July 2, 2021
M.R. James wrote beautiful ghost stories with an elegant pen of a bygone era. Some of the stories may seem old hat now, but they are the originals repeated endlessly by other authors and TV shows. His forte is in building the atmosphere of the story. His influence is very clear in British authors like Robert Westall and to some extent in HP Lovecraft.
August 13, 2021
I enjoyed very much the reader and the language used in these stories, but the stories themselves were not as exciting or as scary as I had hoped. An interesting peek into the old world of Great Britain, good descriptions. Perhaps these were considered scary in olden days but now I'd give the scare factor a solid Meh.
August 31, 2021
As I’ve been going through a flare up of my chronic condition I’ve been listening to more audiobooks lately. In anticipation of autumn the audiobooks seem to be ghost/murder related and I’ve enjoyed them all.
This collection has many stories from M.R.James that I’m familiar with, like A View from the Hill, and some that I’m not. Derek Jacobi is an excellent narrator and really brings the characters and stories to life.
This collection has many stories from M.R.James that I’m familiar with, like A View from the Hill, and some that I’m not. Derek Jacobi is an excellent narrator and really brings the characters and stories to life.
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