1gwendetenebre
I've always enjoyed tales by M.R. James in anthologies too numerous to mention, but I'm finally reading his weird fiction en masse in the M.R. James Collected Ghost Stories volume. I'm happy to report that these very early 20th century stories are almost uniformly great. Even a lesser tale like "Number 13" is of interest, while the classics like "The Ash Tree" and "Casting the Runes" continue to resonate. It's very fine, unique stuff that still sends a shiver. I hope the Deep Ones can get to Mr. James sooner or later!
2elenchus
Not having depth in Weird Tradition, I wasn't sure MR James qualified, but agree what I've read are high quality stories. Love his (implicit) take on rationalism in much the same way I value Lovecraft.
3gwendetenebre
> 2
HPL really admired the work of M.R. James, who can certainly be considered a heavy influence on the development of the weird tale. I know what you mean about his take on rationalism - and how that very thing can help to pull the rug out from under you in certain circumstances!
HPL really admired the work of M.R. James, who can certainly be considered a heavy influence on the development of the weird tale. I know what you mean about his take on rationalism - and how that very thing can help to pull the rug out from under you in certain circumstances!
4tros
Four stars for The Ghost Stories of M R James, essential reading, along with Machen, Blackwood, Hodgson, Lefanu and Wakefield.
5paradoxosalpha
I think M.R. James is inevitable in our next Deep Ones cycle, which we should start planning in a week or two.
6gwendetenebre
This article was posted to the MR James Appreciation Society FB group. Easy to see why.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/demon-wall-norway
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/demon-wall-norway
7elenchus
>6 gwendetenebre:
Fabulous story and frankly, the artwork (as much an "abomination" as it may be from the conservator viewpoint) is equally fabulous.
Fabulous story and frankly, the artwork (as much an "abomination" as it may be from the conservator viewpoint) is equally fabulous.
8pgmcc
>6 gwendetenebre:
I think he did it for the kicks. There is no evidence of mental illness, but it must have been a great temptation to do something like this knowing it would play with people's minds for years if they even spotted it.
Not on the same scale, but it reminded me of the time I donated a copy of Written on the Body to a book sale in the local Catholic Church.
I think he did it for the kicks. There is no evidence of mental illness, but it must have been a great temptation to do something like this knowing it would play with people's minds for years if they even spotted it.
Not on the same scale, but it reminded me of the time I donated a copy of Written on the Body to a book sale in the local Catholic Church.
9housefulofpaper
>8 pgmcc:
I wouldn't rule out this being a product of mental stress, given that Norway was occupied by the Nazis at the time.
I wouldn't rule out this being a product of mental stress, given that Norway was occupied by the Nazis at the time.
10gwendetenebre
I'd like to think it was purely a case of satanic possession, or at least Gotaas taking the piss out of some self-important rector at the church. But then, 1940 wasn't too far away from the future hyper-intensely detailed work of obsessive outsider artists like Henry Darger or Bruce Bickford, not to mention lowbrow artists like Robert Williams or any number of people who worked for MAD magazine over the years! A harbinger of things soon to come?
