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Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Dec 5, 2017 20:34:57 GMT
I've just seen that Robert Lloyd Parry will be broadcasting two live ghost story readings via the Nunkie Theatre Facebook page on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. These are;
Tuesday 26th December, 7pm (UK time) The Story of an Appearance and a Disappearance by M R James
Sunday 31st December, 6pm (UK time) How Fear Departed the Long Gallery by E F Benson
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Post by Michael Connolly on Dec 11, 2017 14:31:30 GMT
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Post by helrunar on Dec 11, 2017 15:59:59 GMT
Thanks, Michael, for that blog link. I'm curious as to what, if any, connection there could be between the world views of MRJ and Joshi. But I have hardly read any of the latter's work.
I'm surprised if it is true that James detested Machen. Perhaps Ro can offer a ray of light, time permitting of course...
cheers, H.
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Post by ropardoe on Dec 11, 2017 18:30:39 GMT
Thanks, Michael, for that blog link. I'm curious as to what, if any, connection there could be between the world views of MRJ and Joshi. But I have hardly read any of the latter's work. I'm surprised if it is true that James detested Machen. Perhaps Ro can offer a ray of light, time permitting of course... cheers, H. The only comment MRJ ever made about Machen was in a 1928 letter to Nico Llewelyn Davies (one of Barrie's Lost Boys). MRJ said: "Arthur Machen has a nasty after-taste: rather a foul mind I think, but clever as they make 'em". I don't think that's exactly the same as saying he detested him! Machen, on the other hand sent MRJ a fan letter after reading "Canon Alberic" but later on changed his mind and became less keen.
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Post by jamesdoig on Dec 11, 2017 19:25:37 GMT
I always find Joshi an insightful critic, whether I agree with him or not. He's a man of resolute judgments, but I think he's softened his views about MRJ over the years. Hasn't yet with Stephen King...
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Post by johnnymains on Dec 11, 2017 19:27:33 GMT
I always find Joshi an insightful critic, whether I agree with him or not. He's a man of resolute judgments, but I think he's softened his views about MRJ over the years. Hasn't yet with Stephen King... Wait till you see what he said about his son, Joe Hill... stjoshi.org/review_hill.html
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Post by jamesdoig on Dec 11, 2017 19:37:36 GMT
A chip off the old block. I wonder if Joshi ever gets mentioned around the King dinner table.
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Dec 11, 2017 19:44:17 GMT
I always find Joshi an insightful critic, whether I agree with him or not. He's a man of resolute judgments, but I think he's softened his views about MRJ over the years. Hasn't yet with Stephen King... Wait till you see what he said about his son, Joe Hill... stjoshi.org/review_hill.htmlThe last sentence is pretty brutal.
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Post by andydecker on Dec 11, 2017 21:38:51 GMT
The last sentence is pretty brutal. Indeed. I never read Hill, I have zero interest in his work. It seems like Joshi gets more outspoken in the recent past. Now and then I browse his blog. The fandom feuds are bizarr. He seems to get a lot of opposition, but he gives as good as he gets. I read his Lovecraft bibliography. It is an impressive piece of work. But a bit overwhelming.
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Post by helrunar on Dec 12, 2017 3:15:06 GMT
Many thanks for that quote re Machen from MRJ's 1928 letter, Ro. It sounds as if MRJ may have had a similar style of literary criticism as Lovecraft--the comments could equally be regarded as praise of the "eldritch, malefic and hideous" vein, as they could be considered disapprobation. Not having read any of the Master's letters to speak of, of course, I could be on completely the wrong track. I was just reading some of Lovecraft's letters in the new Smith/Lovecraft volume (a handsome beast indeed) before I saw what you had written tonight.
James, I was delighted to see you mentioned in a Wikipedia article tonight about Guy Boothby, two of whose Simon Carne tales I enjoyed during my commute and lunchtime reading today. I was less than impressed, however, that the entry bore a hyperlink with your name that took one to a page about a 1920s South African athlete.
Funny old world...
cheers, H.
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Post by jamesdoig on Dec 12, 2017 8:10:02 GMT
James, I was delighted to see you mentioned in a Wikipedia article tonight about Guy Boothby, two of whose Simon Carne tales I enjoyed during my commute and lunchtime reading today. I was less than impressed, however, that the entry bore a hyperlink with your name that took one to a page about a 1920s South African athlete. Funny old world... cheers, H. At least it didn't link with Jimmy "Mad Dog" Doig, the self styled Man-eater of Midlothian.
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Post by Michael Connolly on Dec 13, 2017 14:25:15 GMT
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Post by David A. Riley on Dec 13, 2017 15:45:44 GMT
But nothing new apart from the Gatiss piece - which, I suppose, is better than nothing and will probably be interesting and informative. Alas, the rest of the James programs I already have on DVD, as I expect most of us have.
I just wish the BBC would recognise that there are other ghost or horror story writers besides James, especially from the era in which he lived!
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Post by Michael Connolly on Dec 13, 2017 15:58:02 GMT
But nothing new apart from the Gatiss piece - which, I suppose, is better than nothing and will probably be interesting and informative. Alas, the rest of the James programs I already have on DVD, as I expect most of us have. I just wish the BBC would recognise that there are other ghost or horror story writers besides James, especially from the era in which he lived! I agree. Also, the Mark Gatiss documentary is a repeat.
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Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Dec 13, 2017 16:07:14 GMT
The Gatiss documentary is a few years old. It aired as a companion to his adaptation of The Tractate Middoth in 2013 (more accurately, the adaptation was a companion to the documentary, as the BBC approached Gatiss to do the documentary and he only agreed on proviso they considered letting him make a drama to accompany it). It is an excellent documentary, so good news if you haven't previously seen it. Or even if you have but want to revisit it.
I wish the BBC would realise that ghost stories in general are worth investing in, whether by MRJ or others. The dearth of general supernatural content on UK television is grating. I'm sure there's a police show or medical drama we could live without to squeeze something a bit scary into the schedules. I suspect The League of Gentlemen specials are going to be the creepiest viewing this Christmas.
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