Macbeth Sees the Ghost of Banquo by Chasseriau (1854)
It hadn't been my intention to take part in any of the gothic challenges and events taking place this month. There were especially two that I liked that I had to force myself to keep out of considering time constraints and my not knowing how things will be during the second half of October. However, Jean at Howling Frog Books, who has gone Gothic in October is hosting a month long read-along of M R James ghostly short stories wherein participants read one assigned short story each day and hop in over at her blog to discuss them.
I had never heard of James until Jean announced the event. Like I mentioned above, I had had no intention of being a part of it. But now, I think, I just might read along with a few stories. I think I can manage it well enough up until the 10th or twelfth of this month. Ten out of thirty-one can't be too bad, can it?
I've decided to use this very post to summarise and note down my reaction to the short stories I manage to read this month along with the dates in which the read-along was done. If you'd like to join just hop on over to the blog where it is happening and take part! I've also decided to count these readings towards the October Short Story Initiative hosted by Nancy.
1 October — “Canon Alberic's Scrap-book” (online text)
Today's story is a short narrative (and James' first short story as Jean has pointed out) about an English gentleman who visits the chapel of St Bertrand de Cumminges along with a rather nervous looking sacristan as guide. A couple of odd things happen till it is time to leave. The sacristan, seeing that the Englishman is interested in art, history and books invites him over to his place where the mystery of the little man's odd behaviour begins to unfold.
While I did not find this story particularly creepy or even eerie, I thought it was well told. There is, however, much left to the reader to imagine…gaps that need to be filled by the reader's sense of reasoning and creativity with what the writer has given out. I cannot say that I have been hooked by this story. But I am interested in reading James further. Let's see what tomorrow's short story brings us!
2 October — “Lost Hearts” (online text)
Stephen Elliot is an orphan whose 'fortune' changes when his elderly cousin, Abney, decides to house him. However, strange things are up with cousin Abney and his house. The only normal person seems to be the housekeeper who begins to dote on Stephen. Stephen learns that his cousin has always had a kindness towards lost, young souls but has sadly been repaid only by their disappearances. Of course, we learn why by the end of this story.
Hmmm…I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. There seemed to be something lacking in this particular piece. While I am always relieved that a scary story does not turn out as scary as you thought it might, one does feel that the piece does not achieve its purpose if it does not manage to creep you out…just a wee bit. On the whole, I felt this story was extremely predictable. Right from Abney's first greeting of Stephen and the tale of the two children expounded by the housekeeper I knew what the end was going to be which completely got rid of the element of suspense. Will have to see how tomorrow's story pans out.
3 October — “The Mezzotint” (online text)
Today's story is about a mezzotint of a house that is sent to a museum curator by the name of Williams. Williams is not much impressed with the rather rough looking sketch of a manor whose identity is not even clear. But as the evening progresses and different people take a look at the mezzotint strange things are observed as the pictures seems to take on a life of its own.
I am beginning to get used to James' style and the fact that his ghost stories are not as scarily narrated as they could be. This particular one's narrative seemed quite watered down since it is told by someone who knows someone who knows the curator who narrated his strange experience with this unusual mezzotint. However, it was very interesting, and unlike the previous story, I was unable to guess what was to happen next.
4 & 5 October — 'The Ash Tree' and 'Room 13'
I wish I could summarise these for you folk as I did the first three, but I really don't feel upto it. For one thing, after all my complaining that James wasn't scary at all, I got a little freaked out by these. Secondly, my mind is a bit hazy right now to put the story facts together. However, I can say this, after getting used to James' reporting style and imagining an oral rendition of his ghost stories, they become quite effective. I see that James' demons/ghosts are all hairy armed creatures. Spiders or spider-like maybe?
I've decided to stop with M R James at this point. In three more days we're expecting the newest addition to our family, and I'm in no mood for darkness and horror. I'm more in the mood for fluff and good will stories. Perhaps, sometime next year, I'll continue with these stories.
So, I'm done with this read-along. I'd intended reading the first 10 stories, but I've decided to stop at 5.
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I love M.R. James, but one can’t say his stories are especially deep. Most are mildly creepy, but not “keep the lights on” scary. I love reading his stories because I enjoy James’ esoteric knowledge of the history/architecture/literature of the Church, and his obvious love and appreciation for what he calls the “rules of folklore,” which he manipulates quite well, in my opinion.
Anyway. Hope you enjoy the read-along.
I think, with this second story, I’m beginning to see what you mean about his not being deep and particularly scary. I find that a wee bit disappointing. But, it turns out, that James was apparently not satisfied with Lost Hearts himself.
That’s funny, because I actually really like Lost Hearts… It’s also probably the closest to gruesome he gets, except “The Story of A Disappearance and an Appearance” (which isn’t one of my favorites).
Many of his stories were originally written as Christmas Eve ghost stories, to be read aloud, probably in a dark room. So that probably helped the spookiness factor, to his original listeners (mostly academics, like him). And oral stories, in general, don’t have a lot of maneuvering space to be deep, if they are to be short.
It’s a taste thing. I prefer James to Lovecraft any day, but if ghost stories aren’t an especial love of yours, James’ stories won’t hold up to most classic “literary” short stories of the period.
I’ve never read anything by Lovecraft, and I think I am rather relieved that James’ stories aren’t really as scary as they could have been. But I guess it’s taking time for me to get used to his writing style and narrative. I found The Mezzotint easier to digest this time round.
Also, thanks for that bit on oral narratives. It isn’t something I was aware of. So, I guess I should make allowances for it….
I’ll admit to being an M.R. James fan. I remember The Mezzotint as being on of my favorites from the collection of his stories that I own. My most favorites are probably The Ash Tree and Mr. Humphreys and his Inheritance.
I look forward to reading your further impressions as the month goes on…
-Jay
“Mr. Humphreys” is a good one. Have you seen this article about Mr. Humphrey’s uncle, and how he was probably a Cainite (some old heretical sect)? It’s the kind of thing James specialized in, as an academic.
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pardos/Article.html
I enjoy the M.R. James commentaries about as much as enjoy the stories themselves; there are some good articles out there.
This sounds very interesting…I’ll check out that article when I can. It would seem that James dabbled quite a bit in occult learning maybe? Some of these ‘lines’ seem to be linked with the occult…at least every time I’ve come across them!
As an academic, he specialized in ancient manuscripts, particularly biblical manuscripts and biblical apocrypha. He was also fascinated by folklore and by folk superstition. And yes, I think he was generally interested in the occult, as well, though as a devout Anglican, he probably didn’t want to admit to that too loudly.
Ah! I see…. Thanks for that tidbit, nzumel! All your little bits of info have made reading M R James, so far, a really nice experience. So thanks.
Interesting article. thanks for sharing! I find the whole hedge-maze thing fascinating. Here in Indiana, at this time of year, we have corn mazes. Not the same effect somehow…
-Jay
Oooo, now you have me thinking about “Children of the Corn” …
And there’s “The Shining”, too..
(Oh, and thank you for your “Thank you”, Risa — we hit the comment depth limit on our conversation, so I couldn’t put this there…)
I really liked The Ash Tree. I was relieved that it was just spiders at the end…but it was told really well!
I have a big book of M.R. James stories on my shelf which I still haven’t dived into properly (though I did read Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook and, like you, was a little disappointed). Your post has reminded me to get my book down and read a few more of his stories for October.
I think you need to let James grow on you. I took into account a couple of tips nzumel offered and found that I was finally able to appreciate his stories and not be disappointed in the them. She said to consider the oral tradition of his stories. They were meant to be told aloud to a group. And once I got used to his reporting style I found I was better able to appreciate his stories.
[...] finished reading 5 short stories by M R James for the October read-along at Jean’s blog. I intend stopping at these first [...]
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Thanks for sharing about M R James. Never read his works before until now. I reluctantly elected to read Lost Hearts. It’s creepy but not all too frightful for someone like me who easily gets frightened. I will reading more of his works that’s for sure.