• Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

  • By: M. R. James
  • Narrated by: Walter Covell
  • Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (39 ratings)

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Ghost Stories of an Antiquary  By  cover art

Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

By: M. R. James
Narrated by: Walter Covell
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Publisher's summary

M. R. James (Montague Rhodes James) was a noted British medieval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905-1918), and of Eton College. He is best remembered today for his ghost stories, which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature. As a medieval scholar, his output in that field was phenomenal and remains highly respected in scholarly circles.

The success of his antiquarian ghost-stories is rooted in his life as an antiquary. Many of his stories revolve around the discovery of an old book or other antiquarian object that somehow calls down the wrath, or at least the unwelcome attention, of a supernatural menace, usually from beyond the grave.

James' most important and well-known works are those collected in Ghost Stories of an Antiquary and its sequel, More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.

A word of warning: Despite his suggestion in an essay that writers should employ reticence in their work, many of James' tales depict scenes and images of savage and often disturbing violence. Stories included in this collection are:

  • "Canon Alberic's Scrapbook"
  • "Lost Hearts"
  • "The Mezzotint"
  • "The Ash Tree"
  • "Number 13"
  • "Count Magnus"
  • "Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You My Lad"
  • "The Treasure of Abbot Thomas"
Public Domain (P)1986 Jimcin Recordings

What listeners say about Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Terrible Recording

The narration was great, but the sound quality is horrible! It sounds like it was recorded in the 1800's. Great stories though.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Stories...terrible recording

M.R. James was a master of early horror stories and these are a selection of some of his best. But this recording, made in what sounds like a tin can and performed by someone who sounds half asleep, is an absolute horror show in and of its self.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

sound is too low to hear well

even turning my speakers up all the way, this is just barely audible, this needs some attention.

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