The Complete Ghost Stories of M. R. James, Vol. 3 (Unabridged)

M. R. James

Jun 2018 · Craftsman Audio Books · Narrated by David Collings

About this audiobook

It is a winter's evening in the historic university town of Cambridge at the end of the nineteenth century. In college rooms, a group of friends gathers. A fire flickers in the grate and, silently, Montague Rhodes James places a lighted candle by his chair, shuffles his papers, and begins to read... So the classic ghost stories of M. R. James were presented to the world. Now, in this definitive 4-part recording, are collected all of James's published tales of 'pleasing terror'. The 7 stories featured in Voume Three are: Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance; The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance; An Episode of Cathedral History; The Residence at Whitminster; The Diary of Mr Poynter; Two Doctors; and The Uncommon Prayer-Book.

Ratings and reviews

There are no less than four volumes of 'The Complete Ghost Stories' in this format, and if you like this kind of thing you WILL want 'em all! An Audiobook should add some value to the written work, and in this case it certainly does: David Collings' reading is perfectly judged, gin-clear and having just a touch of world-weariness of voice that suits the genre admirably. It is unintrusive but distinct, and most crucially the characterisations introduced for the dialogue sections (potentially a HUGE pitfall) are sympathetic, humourous where appropriate, and weighted nicely to give substance to the dramatis personae concerned. You can forgive -even welcome- a touch of hefty theatricality (as with Mr Bowman in 'The Story of a Disappearance and an Appearance) because it works so well in context. For me, this is one of the very best Audiobooks of its kind; I am sure other afficionados will not be disappointed. I would give it SIX stars! :)