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The M. R. James BBC Radio Collection
- Narrated by: Mark Gatiss, James D'Arcy, Anton Lesser, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Derek Jacobi, Fenella Woolgar, full cast
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
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Sir Derek Jacobi reads a collection of tales from the master of ghost stories, M. R. James, whose stories have for many years inspired the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas TV adaptations. M. R. James was described as "a man who, in company with Sheridan le Fanu, is the best ghost-story writer England has ever produced".
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Sixteen classic stories from masters of the genre: "The Judge's House", by Bram Stoker; "A Jug of Sirup", by Ambrose Bierce; "The Reconciliation", by Lafcadio Hearn; "The Woman With a Candle" by W. Bourne Cooke; "The Ebony Frame", by E. Nesbit; "On the Northern Ice", by Elia W. Peattie; "The Haunted Doll's House", by M. R. James; "The Old House in Vauxhall Walk", by Charlotte Riddell; "The Underground Ghost", by John Berwick Harwood; "Haunted", by Anon (from Tinsley's Annual); plus five more....
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Classic Victorian Hauntings
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Charles Dickens was a master of the macabre. His stories of madness, murder and revenge, often imbued with a sympathetic moral undertone, have continued to thrill and chill fans ever since they were written. Here then are 15 tales that display the full range of Dickens' Gothic talents. "The Signalman," perhaps the most well-known, is a chilling story about a mysterious figure and its deathly omen. "The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain" shows the consequences for those who make deals with the dead. Listen for more.
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Terrible chapter listing
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Ghost Stories
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- By: M. R. James
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William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. Horror, mystery and suspense abound in this collection of stories from the king of ghostly tales, M. R. James.
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Incomparable readings of the most subtle of English ghost stories
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HorrorBabble's Ultimate Weird Tales Collection, Volume 1
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This collection comprises 40 stories by and inspired by the originators of weird fiction. From Blackwood's The Empty House, through to Philip K. Dick's The Hanging Stranger, Lovecraft's Out of The Aeons, and beyond.
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Breathing new (un)life into great, classic tales.
- By Ryan Pascall on 18-12-19
Summary
Spine-tingling stories by M. R. James, plus a chilling original drama and two bonus programmes about his life and work.
M. R. James was the master of the uncanny. His classic supernatural stories have haunted readers and listeners for over a century and been adapted countless times for radio, TV and film.
This collection features dramatisations of 12 of his most popular stories – The Mezzotint, Casting the Runes, The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, A Warning to the Curious, Rats, Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad, The Tractate Middoth, Lost Hearts, The Rose Garden, Number 13, Martin’s Close and Count Magnus. Among the star-studded casts are Mark Gatiss, Derek Jacobi, James D’Arcy, Anton Lesser, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Donald Wolfit.
Also included are a trio of readings by Benjamin Whitrow: Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook, A School Story and The Haunted Dolls’ House.
Neil Brand’s disturbing drama The Haunting of M. R. James, starring Mark Gatiss and Fenella Woolgar, sees horrific events from James’s own stories echoed in reality.
The life of M. R. James is discussed by Muriel Gray and Christopher Frayling in an episode of biography series Great Lives, presented by Humphrey Carpenter. Finally, in a fascinating documentary – The Ghosts of M.R. James – Michell Raper examines the author’s life and work, with readings from several of his stories.
Running Order:
The Mezzotint
Casting the Runes
The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral
A Warning to the Curious
Rats
Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come To You, My Lad
The Tractate Middoth
Lost Hearts
The Rose Garden
Number 13
Canon Alberic's Scrapbook
A School Story
The Haunted Doll's House
Martin's Close
Count Magnus
The Haunting of M. R. James
Great Lives: M. R. James
The Ghosts of M. R. James
What listeners say about The M. R. James BBC Radio Collection
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rose
- 14-03-20
Not one of the BBC’s finest hours
Overall, this was quite disappointing. Some of the adaptations weren’t bad, most were just awful and the readings were abridged. Sure, they do that to fit the time but what’s wrong with making the time fit the performance? What else did they have going on that was so important that they had to abridge a short story? My advice is don’t waste your time. There are better renditions of M.R. James’s work out there.
10 people found this helpful
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- Darren J.
- 21-03-20
disappointing
very disappointing . completely flat. bring on Micheal horden. a waste of money . dont bother
7 people found this helpful
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- Dinah Stubbs
- 09-03-20
Wonderful
I am very familiar with all of James’ work and I think this collection is perfect for someone like me, as these are not straight readings of the stories. I would really recommend reading or listening to the full undramatised and unabridged books and only then treating yourself to this. The last recording is a kind of documentary which gives away a few of the plots entirely so please be aware of that!
4 people found this helpful
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- Mr. N. Scott
- 17-05-20
Superlative
Scholarly, intelligent and gets to the heart of MR James with excellent dramatizations and documentaries.
3 people found this helpful
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- Mrs
- 24-03-20
Excellent performances but...
The performances are excellent. However, as a fan of MR James, I feel far too much of the original story has been cut out of each one. What’s left is good, but much, much too short.
3 people found this helpful
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- Nonamehere
- 09-03-20
Excellent dramatisations
Dramatisation were very good, though these are edited versions of the original stories. Martins Close was a particular favourite. The 2 documentaries were also interesting
3 people found this helpful
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- Regent
- 09-03-20
Brilliant version. Great cast. Masterfully acted.
Definitely one of the best versions of these tales I've heard. A very happy purchase.
2 people found this helpful
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- Kirkamel
- 09-12-20
Too short stories
These are far too short, I think a lot of the joy in MR James' stories is in the telling and the build up, whereas these just seem to skip straight to the end, Whistle and I'll come to you was essentially "let's play some golf, look a whistle, argh a ghost!" and then it just sort of ended. They're all pretty unsatisfying really
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- Sharon Robinson
- 26-11-20
A classic collection of ghost stories
A great dramatisation, good narration and the Haunting of MR James by Neil Brand is a great addition.
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- Highlight
- 19-09-20
FANTASTIC ADAPTATIONS of WONDERFUL MR M.R.JAMES
Yes these are abridged but are still excellent performances and very enjoyable. I have had this collection for years and listen regularly as I Love his work, it is so unique. Just wish there were more as I can not get enough. M.R.James has great unique style. Please Audible.uk , let us have more of Mr James work.
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- Kindle Customer
- 14-03-20
Disappointing Package, Should’ve Been Longer
I was looking forward to this release. It includes 12 of James’ stories dramatized, 3 read a new original audio drama and two examinations of his work. It turned out to be disappointing. The 12 stories were far too short. Only partially dramatized and heavily narrated, they are too short to make an impact. You are better off finding readings of the stories in their entirety. The 3 readings are better, the original audio drama is excellent. The two explorations are good. For me, the best adaptation is the Conception of Terror which updated his stories for the modern age and were dramatized in their entirety. The cast and production are excellent.
10 people found this helpful
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- Ekaterina
- 19-07-20
Pleasantly refreshing
The theatrical aspect is fresh and serves to boost imagination, albeit appearing a bit distracting at times. The stories are classic and don't really need introduction. I would still prefer the more traditional approach to this vigorous acting out, though. But this was new and entertaining just the same.
2 people found this helpful