Casting the Runes: And Other Ghost Stories (Oxford World's Classics (University Press).) Book

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by: M. R. James, Michael Chabon

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Average Rating: Rating: - find it The art of Dr. James is by no means haphazard, and in the preface to one of his collections he has formulated three very sound rules for macabre composition. A ghost story, he believes, should have a familiar setting in the modern period, in order to approach closely the reader's sphere of experience. Its spectral phenomena, moreover, should be malevolent rather than beneficent; since fear is the emotion primarily to be excited. And finally, the technical patois of 'occultism' or pseudo-science ought carefully to be avoided; lest the charm of casual verisimilitude be smothered in unconvincing pedantry. -H.P. Lovecraft Though less well remembered today than some other authors of Gothic ghost stories--like J. S. [John Sheridan] LeFanu, whose work he edited, Bram Stoker, and Henry James (no relation), or their successors H.P. Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood, and the like--M. R. James is one of the great early horror writers. This story, which concerns a mysterious and unpleasant Mr. Karswell, who takes creepy exception to a negative review of his book, The Truth of Alchemy, shows off James's talents to good effect, combining genuine scares with a droll wit. But what makes this edition particularly appealing are the 12 splendid black-and-white drawings by Jeff White--an artist with whom I am not familiar and about whom I could find nearly nothing on the Web--that accompany the text. This slender volume seems certain to get any reader looking for more stories by Mr. James and more books illustrated by the estimable Mr. White GRADE : A Rating: - Some of the Greatest Ghost Stories of M.R. James This is a great collection of the short horror stories of M.R. James, the best of the early 20th century horror writers (arguably, the best of the entire century!) James was a professor and antiquarian who sets most of his stories in the contemporary (early 1900's) ruins of England's medieval past. The title story is a marvelous tale of a vicious crank whose occult revenge is turned against him. Other stories included are: Canon Alberic's scrap-book. Number 13 Count Magnus 'Oh, whistle, and I'll come to you, my lad.' The treasure of Abbot Thomas. Many more! Highly recommended.

Casting the Runes: And Other Ghost Stories (Oxford World's Classics (University Press).) Book

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