A Thin Ghost and Others

"A Thin Ghost and Others" by M. R. James is a collection of ghost stories written in the early 20th century. The tales are characterized by supernatural elements and often unfold in antiquarian settings, featuring learned protagonists who confront malevolent spirits. The stories aim to amuse while exploring themes of the eerie and the unknown. The opening of the first story, "The Residence at Whitminster," introduces Dr. Ashton, a clergyman of robust demeanor, who is wrapped in his daily routine while awaiting news of his adopted nephew, Frank. The narrative establishes a backdrop filled with tension as Frank's health deteriorates after a mysterious incident involving his friend, Lord Saul. The presence of dark omens culminates in a tragic event, setting the tone for a tale that intertwines the mundane with the uncanny. As the story progresses, the unsettling atmosphere of the residence foreshadows the spectral events that will inevitably unfold. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Montague Rhodes James was an English medievalist scholar and author who served as provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936) as well as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1913–1915). James's scholarly work is still highly regarded, but he is best remembered for his ghost stories, which are considered by many critics and authors as the finest in the English language and widely influential on modern horror.