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Comments for Collected Ghost Stories

Collected Ghost StoriesCollected Ghost Stories: 08/24/08

Collected Ghost Stories is just that, a collection of all the ghost stories M. R. James (Montague Rhodes) published over the course of his writing career (roughly 1904-1935). When he wasn't writing, he was British mediaeval scholar and later the provost of King's College. His work in mediaeval studies comes through in his ghost stories.

This 350 page volume contains thirty-one ghost stories written in a Gothic style. The ornate language and slow pacing of the stories requires extra time when reading. Many of the stories were written to be read out loud and they still work best when read at the slower pace of spoken text.

My favorite story in the collection comes early in the book: "Number 13" which plays on the tradition of hotels not having a room #13. "Number 13" supposes the existence of such a room in a hotel that claims not to have a room. Where does this extra room come from?

Learn more about M. R. James.

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Comment #1: Monday, August, 25, 2008 at 20:37:22

Of Cats says:

I love ghost stories ~ I used to have a book similar to this one (a ghost story collection) when I was in school!



Comment #2: Monday, August 25, 2008 at 17:42:22

Pussreboots says:

If you enjoy ghost stories this book is worth looking up.



Comment #3: Monday, August, 25, 2008 at 21:44:40

SmallWorld

I'll have to pass this on to my son. He loves HP Lovecraft, Poe, etc. This sounds like an author he'll like.



Comment #4: Monday, August 25, 2008 at 19:44:22

Pussreboots says:

Good idea. M. R. James and H. P. Lovecraft wrote very similar stories.



© 1997-2012 Sarah Sammis

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