The Tractate Middoth

By: M. R. James

Narrated by: David Suchet

Length: 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A young librarian receives a request for an obscure Hebrew book from a sinister gentleman, unaware of its contents.

Montague Rhodes James was a noted British mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918) and of Eton College (1918–1936). He is best remembered for his ghost stories which are widely regarded as among the finest in English literature.

One of James's most important achievements was to redefine the ghost story for the new century by dispensing with many of the formal Gothic trappings of his predecessors, and replacing them with more realistic contemporary settings.

'Montague Rhodes James has an intelligent and scientific knowledge of human nerves and feelings; and knows just how to apportion statement, imagery, and subtle suggestions in order to secure the best results with his readers.' HP Lovecraft.

Actor David Suchet is best known for his definitive portrayal of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective created by the legendary mystery author Agatha Christie, in a number of international television productions. He narrates his story in Poirot and Me.

©1911 M. R. James (P)2013 Audible Ltd

Fun ghost story about relatives no one wants.

There are relatives no one wants to have. What's even worse is if they can't quite manage to die. This is very fun and very much a case of that. Enjoy.

Be careful in Libraries!

M.R. James uses many unusual tools for setting for his ghost stories: stately homes, trees,
churches, vicarages, and here.. a library.. with a bit of a story. He never just leaps in,
but his usual manner is a story within a story...well done again.

Great Little Ghost Story

Sharply written and slyly structured. Even as one of M.R. James’s lesser works, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Superbly Narrated Spooky Tale

This was one of the best stories in my M.R. James book. A selfish elderly man attempts to cheat a relative out of an inheritance, but fate intervenes. Suspenseful tale magnificently narrated by the superb David Suchet. I wish he had done all of the stories.

Not Agatha Christie

This story is hard to follow but the narrative is very entertaining and so I was obliged to finish. I’m glad I did.

what an Incredible Book

this was an amazing story. you really need to pay attention because what you think and what happens are very different.

Short but succinctly eerie

M.R. James was an exceptional talent in being to write his stories in a concise, yet exceptionally short time by knowing exactly his theme thus taking the reader to heights of unease so rapidly. I am always crushed to reach that peak of unease/spookiness and then ZAP!! the story is over. The narrator is perfect, so talented bc he must capture reader’s interest /maintain it very rapidly! Excellent duo always!! Just wish the short stories weren’t so short or why there ‘s not a better collection of same.

An Horrific Treasure Hunt

Enjoyed this one immensely. To say anything more than that it is vintage M. R. James, wherein evil manifests itself amid library shelves and forgotten folios, would be to spoil the fun for you.

Short spooky story

I was pleasantly surprised with this story. It was interesting and a nice retreat into a world from our past. Ghostly experience!

James and Suchet - a winning combination

Any additional comments?

Having watched Mark Gatiss's TV adaptation of this story recently, and found myself very underwhelmed, I turned to the master and all is again right with the world. There are many TV, radio and audiobook adaptations of James's stories, but Suchet's are definitely among the best. His voice possesses just the right amount of suspense - close your eyes and you can imagine yourself in the presence of James himself, reading one of his own stories.

It's a short listen, but a thrilling one.