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wunkymatts's review against another edition
4.0
I've read a few MR James stories before, but never gone through a chunk all at once like this. This edition has the stories in order of publishing so I could see themes emerging when he used similar subject matter for a while. There were also occasions when he would reference previous stories, which gave me a little literary thrill.
There's something very cosy about James, in an Agatha Christie way. His world is a world that I would love to inhabit, of dusty libraries and long discussions on obscure subjects that go on late into the night. I enjoy it even though I know it doesn't exist and even if it did I wouldn't be invited (certainly not to any of James' ghost stories readings. He was not in favour of women being admitted to university).
The thing that really stood out for me is, as well as how fearlessly he describes his horrors, creating delightfully sickening jolt scares for the reader, is how funny he is. He is very arch and knowing and is not afraid to poke fun at his people and his profession making his work even more enjoyable.
There's something very cosy about James, in an Agatha Christie way. His world is a world that I would love to inhabit, of dusty libraries and long discussions on obscure subjects that go on late into the night. I enjoy it even though I know it doesn't exist and even if it did I wouldn't be invited (certainly not to any of James' ghost stories readings. He was not in favour of women being admitted to university).
The thing that really stood out for me is, as well as how fearlessly he describes his horrors, creating delightfully sickening jolt scares for the reader, is how funny he is. He is very arch and knowing and is not afraid to poke fun at his people and his profession making his work even more enjoyable.
foofers1622's review against another edition
4.0
Classic creepy ghost stories that are written as if the narrator is telling you a story over a drink.
oscarpatton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
master of the genre - but as Waugh said of all writers, only with two or three real stories in him. all the rest variations thereupon
perjacxis's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I was very excited to read this collection and enjoyed the first stories quite a lot but unfortunately, this enjoyment didn't last. I can't quite put the finger on what changed but I didn't connect with some stories at all and most stories don't seem very memorable to me.
My favourites were Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, The Mezzotint, and A View From A Hill.
I was very excited to read this collection and enjoyed the first stories quite a lot but unfortunately, this enjoyment didn't last. I can't quite put the finger on what changed but I didn't connect with some stories at all and most stories don't seem very memorable to me.
My favourites were Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, The Mezzotint, and A View From A Hill.
bethpaws's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
A collection of short ghost stories, some definitely creepy, others less so. There is an abundance of academics and people with an interest in archaeology , as well as a frequent mention of long hair...perhaps the origins for the inspiration of Cousin IT from the Addams Family...
linsey1828's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
2.0
These were disappointing. I saw a lot of parallels with Lovecraft, whose stories are similarly repetitive when read in succession. But James' seem disjointed and insubstantial.
deegee24's review against another edition
2.0
The stories of M.R. James are formulaic and dull. His prose style is dry as dust. I have no idea why people keep reading him.