Ghost Stories, Volume 2

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

This is the second collection of chilling ghost stories by M. R. James.

"A Warning to the Curious" features a young man who excavates an ancient crown—but soon wishes he had let it stay buried. In "The Mezzotint," an engraving of a manor house reveals more than first meets the eye, while in "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral", an archdeacon's journal reveals the strange circumstances that led to his death. The final story, "A Neighbour's Landmark", tells of a gentleman whose curiosity is piqued by a strange rhyme, leading him to take a walk through Betton Woods. Narrated by BAFTA and Emmy award–winning actor Sir Derek Jacobi (Cadfael, Gosford Park, Doctor Who), and with eerie, evocative music, these four haunting stories will thrill anyone who loves to be terrified.

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories, Classics, Gothic, Paranormal

3 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 1, 2009

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

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5. Enjoyable ghost stories!

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t write reviews.

This wasn’t as fun as the first collection. It’s a matter of the stories chosen not the quality of said writing. James was an incredible writer and really created thick atmosphere. The tales simply weren’t gripping.

The Mezzotint had some creepy moments. I remember A Warning to the Curious and The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral from the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas.

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume of these stories from M. R. James produced by the BBC for it's Christmas Ghost stories.

[H. Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much of their time. A good listen on audible.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Derek Jacobi (Narrator)

1. "A Warning to the Curious" - look if you are going to go digging in ancient barrows, then you deserve what you get if you steal cursed items that are supposed to protect the realm.
2. "The Mezzotint," - I’m sure I’ve read this one before, because dear god, HOW could I forget that story? A creepy engraving of a manor house becomes downright terrifying.
3. "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral" - an archdeacon's journal reveals the strange circumstances that led to his death. He’s fine, unless he’s alone...
4. "A Neighbour's Landmark" - don’t go moving the marking stones.

And an extra snippet where a man taking a very late walk rescues a talking owl from some ... fairies (?) and then recognises them ever after in a crowd.

3 stars

[Theo Logos · Rating 3 out of 5]

M.R. James was a master of the ghost story. My three star rating here is judging it against its companion first volume. This shorter volume has only three tales, and the third isn’t really a ghost story, but more of a fairy tale with an eerie ending, which is a fine story, but out of sync with the other tales in these collection.

[Amy Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the length, it's a bit odd that these were broken up into two volumes (but, apparently, they were originally on CD, where it might have made more sense). Another enjoyable collection, but I am mystified as to why the final story was included. It feels like a children's story, not a ghost story at all. I mean, a talking owl???

A Warning to the Curious A repeat listen for me, as this was also in another James collection I listened to (probably the same recording, as it was still read by Jacobi). Nicely creepy, still, but I found myself wondering about the Guardian's POV... A cautionary tale to overenthusiastic archaeologists.
The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral Interesting implied revenge tale, but I find myself wondering why it took the ghost so long.
The Mezzotint Another repeat. More enjoyable the second time around, I think. Possibly haunted image draws people to investigate and find out what actually happened.
A Neighbour's Landmark Curious tale of a haunted tract of land. Rather nicely crafted.
After Dark in the Playing Fields * sings * One of these things is not like the others; one of these things does not be-long! Ahem. This would be great in a book of kids' stories, but does not make any sense whatsoever for this collection. Talking owls? Probably fairies? I mean, it's not a bad story, but it really, REALLY does not belong in this collection.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy a ghost story and one of the true masters is M.R. James.

This second volume collects a further 4 of his short stories and is, again, wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi.

The stories are:
A Warning To The Curious
The Mezzotint
The Stalls Of Barchester Cathedral
A Neighbour's Landmark

A lovely way to spend a dark and damp September afternoon. Another 4 stars.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super happy to get a chance to listen to M.R. James stories for free from Audible. Especially when read by Derek Jacobi. O.O

Mr. James' stories can really be quite creepy. But he can go from a story about a print that changes in ominous ways in the moments when no one is looking to a story about a cranky talking owl that's being harassed by fairies. And which is ALSO creepy at the end.

I love this stuff.

2.5 hours of audio. Worth every minute.

[SP · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.R. James's ghost stories are not particularly frightening. But I find them comfortable, as odd as that seems for something that is supposed to be "horror," and for that reason they stand up to repeated reads. Four stars is for the stories themselves. Sir Derek Jacobi does an excellent job for the audiobook, so five stars for the narration.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great collection of stories by M. R. James read by the fabulous Sir Derek Jacobi. I loved the selection of the first a bit more. Was disappointed that Casting the Runes wasn’t in this one. Still very entertaining and a superb narration.

[Stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as as chillingly good as volume one, but not bad. Chapter 2 had a story from volume one, but it was my favorite so i didn’t mind hearing again. Chapter 3 was just weird, not spooky. Great narration, which always adds to a book.

[Joanne Tinkler (Mamajomakes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently listened to Volume 1 and really enjoying it, I started Volume 2 straight away. Whilst Derek Jacobi was an animated and spellbinding narrator, I preferred the stories in Vol.1. Three and a half stars rounded up.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“Well, said the owl, what about it?”

Austerely delivered, short creeping supernatural tales… definitely ones to be listened to by candlelight - an author that I’d be interested to read in print for atmosphere and my own voice

[Red Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still beautifully-written and beautifully read by a very appropriate narrator but the final choice of story is not one I would have made - Playing Fields is not one of James’ better stories. Nonetheless wonderful.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narration was excellent.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some really good ghost stories in both of the volumes, some that really caused some goosebumps like the one with the changing painting, and others that were just creepy.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining collection of James' stories, though not all are ghost stories. The narration by Derek Jacobi is as good as would be expected. Definitely recommended.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic spooky stories narrated by a wonderful actor.

[Brian Berrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, not very engaging.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like this set of stories as much. Nothing scary at all about them.

[Ian Burrell]

A set of chilling tales in an England long gone - evocative and intriguing, full of suspense. M.R. James is a master of the short story format bridging Poe and Lovercraft.

[Jessica Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creepy, and love that old fashioned eeriness over gore. Performance was excellent, sometimes confusing. But always came around in the end.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for old-fashioned ghost stories.

[Joe Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.R. James is a very good ghost story writer.

[SheriC · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this short story collection particularly interesting. DNF'd about half way through. Borrowed from the Audible free catalog.

[Pam Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to it. It was good, but I listened to it a while ago and I'm trying to clean up my shelf.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent old 18-19th century English stories. Nothing really special.

[Richard Howard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the excellent Derek Jacobi does his best, these are not the best of James' stories.

[Kirsty Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5