Often, the main characters in M R James' stories are ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and terrifying situations. They could be scholars, like in some stories, or just regular individuals who stumble upon something they can't explain, such as in 'The Ash - Tree' where the main character is a man who inherits a property with a dark secret.
There are many different main characters across the stories. In 'Canon Alberic's Scrap - Book', Canon Alberic is a key figure. He discovers the strange scrap - book which brings about a series of eerie events.
Another great one is 'Casting the Runes'. It's known for its menacing and insidious plot. The idea of a curse being passed through runic symbols is really spooky. The story shows how the curse gradually affects the victim in a very unsettling way.
Some of the best M R James ghost stories include 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. It's a classic with a very eerie atmosphere. The story builds tension effectively as the main character encounters strange happenings after finding a whistle on a desolate beach.
I'm not entirely sure without reading it specifically, but it could be students and teachers typical in a school story by James.
M R James was a well - known figure in the world of literature. He collected ghost stories mainly because he had a great interest in the supernatural and the macabre. His own experiences, perhaps, and his fascination with the unknown led him to gather these stories. He was also a great storyteller himself, and these collected stories might have inspired his own creative works in the genre.
Well, one characteristic is the vivid and detailed settings. James often sets his stories in old, spooky places like ancient monasteries or isolated mansions. This creates a perfect backdrop for the supernatural events to unfold.
The 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' is quite chilling. The apparition that haunts the protagonist after he finds the strange whistle is truly spooky.
One common theme is the power of the past. His stories often involve old curses or wrongdoings from medieval times that come back to haunt the present. For example, in 'Casting the Runes', the ancient rune has the power to bring misfortune.
M. R. James often focused on creating a creepy atmosphere and using vivid descriptions. He also incorporated elements of the supernatural in a believable way.
The special thing about M R James Christmas Ghost Stories is the atmosphere. He creates a very unique and spooky mood, especially when combined with the Christmas setting. Christmas is usually a time of joy and celebration, but his stories turn it into something a bit more sinister.
Oh, 'Casting the Runes' is a great one. It has a really menacing atmosphere and a very interesting plot about a cursed set of runes.