vivdunstan

Just finished this today, another in the British Library's "Tales of the Weird" series of short story collections, gathering together generally older tales, as well as sometimes more recent ones. This collection was edited by Edward Parnell, and focuses on East Anglia, such a rich setting for spooky and weird fiction.

There are 17 short stories in this collection, including a couple by MR James (such as "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come To You, My Lad"). But also stories by many others, including E.F. Benson, Marjorie Bowen, and even Robert Aickman.

Stories range from medieval through to the present day, though many are in the Victorian or early twentieth century era. Many are written in the MR Jamesian style, of old manuscripts and strange places. Others take a different approach.

Overall most of the stories are strong, but three were absolute standouts for me. Firstly "The Dust-Cloud" by E.F. Benson, the atmospheric tale of a ghostly car crash. This left me unnerved for some time after, as did "The Seventeenth Hole at Duncaster" by H.R. Wakefield, the story of a haunted golf hole. Which started almost PG Wodehouse like, but soon became something darker. The third story that wowed me was John Gordon's "If She Bends, She Breaks", a tale of winter in the fens, that I very much regretted reading just as I was about to go to sleep, because it spooked me so extremely much! But in a good way.

A couple of the stories felt workmanlike. There was only one story that I disliked, indeed viscerally so: "Possum" by Matthew Holness. This was one of a few more modern stories in the book, and felt tonally completely out of place, and phenomenally unpleasant to read. But otherwise it was a strong collection.

Recommended. 4/5 stars.

On Thursday night we watched the latest Inside No. 9, "The Bones of St Nicholas". And on Friday night we watched the latest Mark Gatiss A Ghost Story for Christmas, with M.R. James's "Count Magnus".

Of the two the first was by far the more successful for me, with a constantly unsettling feel, and more than a few influences from one of my favourite horror films. All the guest cast were strong, but especially Simon Callow, who was extremely good in his role. Good stuff.

Count Magnus was enjoyable, with a largely Swedish and Finnish cast lending it much authenticity. But the lead character as depicted, played by Jason Watkins, was far too buffoonish throughout, which reduced a lot of the scary atmosphere that should have been there.

Current main reading, late March 2022 edition.

More Wheel of Time fantasy, neurology with Oliver Sacks, a guide/memoir for Tokyo, an anthology of Doctor Who Master stories, Scottish ghost stories (rereading a book that terrified young me), and more Traveller RPG columns.

Of these I’m settling in nicely to the Wheel of Time book now. Gobbling up the neurology book quite quickly. The Tokyo book is delightful. The Master anthology hasn’t started well, but apparently gets better later. I’m spreading out the ghost stories, for my own sake! And the roleplaying game columns continue to delight.