M. R. James: Stories I Have Tried to Write

Seven Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramas

By: Sheila Hodgson

Narrated by: David March, Michael Williams, full cast

A series of full-cast ghost stories based on plots by M. R. James.

In 1929, M. R. James penned an essay called 'Stories I Have Tried to Write', in which he detailed plots that had failed to blossom and fragments of tales that never materialised, recalling them 'for the benefit of someone else'. In this BBC Radio series, Sheila Hodgson takes advantage of his generosity, fleshing out these sketchy ideas into full-blown dramas. Some are narrated by M. R. James himself, while others feature the author as a character, caught up in strange, inexplicable events.

The Whisper in the Ear - M. R. James recounts the curious affair of young undergraduate Robert Stafford and his mysterious train companion.

Turn Turn Turn - The Cambridge provost tells a chilling cautionary tale of witchcraft in Cambridge, in an attempt to heal a rift between a vicar and his son.

The Backward Glance - The unsettling story of a mysterious 18th-century mask made of black silk - and skin...

Here Am I, Where Are You? - The tale of a cursed professor with a curious red book, a wayward nephew and a Georgian tankard.

Echoes from the Abbey - An invitation to spend Christmas at Medborough Abbey leads to a ghostly encounter for distinguished academic Dr James.

The Lodestone - A young illustrator becomes obsessed with drawing the gravestone of a 17th-century witch.

The Boat Hook - Visiting Trondheim Cathedral, Dr James is unsettled by the appearance of a small model boat...

David March and Michael Williams star in these haunting supernatural dramas, which will thrill all fans of M. R. James' original ghost stories.

NB: Due to the age of some of the recordings, the sound quality may vary

Written by Sheila Hodgson

Based on ideas by M. R. James

Directed by David Johnston

©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Satisfying Chills

The quality of the individual stories within this collection range from midling to excellent. The level of fidelity to the core concepts outlined in Stories I Have Tried to Write also varies, but they all seem to capture something of the Jamesian Spirit, if you will.

"Echoes From the Abbey" is probably the weakest of the lot, but it had a sense of humor, which helps a lot in a ghost story. The supernatural elements and source idea where a bit light.

"Turn Turn Turn" is also supernatural light, but has a good frame story, and Sheila does an excellent job realizing the potential of the premise in a novel way. Definitely a story with a useful moral.

"The Backward Glance" very nearly spun straw into gold from a premise that was barely there at all. Top marks for both fidelity and innovative scares.

"Here Am I, Where Are You" is a good story, one definitely with shades of a BBC Ghost Story for Christmas special. My biggest criticism of it is that it seems to have two sources for the haunting and two different resolutions, leading to a sense of redundancy. Still, the climax is thrilling.

"The Loadstone" is one of the more mid ones, although it has an appealing setup. It seems to lean more into intrigue than fear overall.

That said, "The Boat Hook" knocks it out of the park and end the collection on a high note, even if it has but the faintest echo of the source essay's premise with a mysterious package. I am not ashamed ot say it made my skin crawl. I listened to it in stops and starts and there were plenty of moments that made for an engaging cliffhanger when I finished doing the dishes or taking a ride. I think after reading this one, you'll be more careful about what you take inside your house and more nervous around an otherwise innocuous cough.

The voice acting and production are things I cannot find fault with, and any artifacts of the recording only add to their period charm. All in all, this collection is worth listening for fans of M. R. James's ghost stories, preferably around Christmas time.