Reviews

Casting the Runes and Other Uncanny Tales by M.R. James

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book_lou's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

lee_foust's review against another edition

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4.0

M. R. James is to the ghost story as Petrarch to the sonnet: he didn't invent the form but he perfected it and no one since has been able to write one without acknowledging the master. Others might sometimes rival, but I've yet to see either master surpassed at their greatest game.

PS There are some really good audio version of James's tales on youtube, Michael Collins did a wonderful audiobook of James's tales and even one of my favorite actors, Derek Jacobi recorded some--great way to experience ghost stories, by the glow of the computer screen late at night. Muyhahahahahahahah.

messylichwholivesfordrama's review

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4.0

Not especially scary but incredibly atmospheric and spooky. The quality of the stories varies a bit but most are really excellent.

withdnotb's review against another edition

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mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

alysian_fields's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

rach_eb's review

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4.0

What an excellent collection. M.R. James writes the kind of ghost stories that don't seem all that scary at first, but manage to creep up on you for a creepy ending. The visceral descriptions of his monsters actually made me physically shudder a few times, and were probably my favorite aspect of his writing.