M. R. James quotes

A ghost story of which the scene is laid in the twelfth or thirteenth century may succeed in being romantic or poetical: it will never put the reader into the position of saying to himself: "If I'm not careful, something of this kind may happen to me!" (M. R. James)
Reticence may be an elderly doctrine to preach, yet from the artistic point of view I am sure it is a sound one. Reticence conduces to effect, blatancy ruins it. View quote
M. R. James
I heard one cry in the night, and I heard one laugh afterwards. If I cannot forget that, I shall not be able to sleep again. View quote
M. R. James
There was a man sitting or kneeling on Sampson's window-sill, and looking in, and I thought he was beckoning...He looked as if he was wet all over: and," he said, looking round and whispering as if he hardly liked to hear himself, "I'm not at all sure that he was alive. View quote
M. R. James
Yes, I definitely prefer the daylight population of the playing fields to that which comes there after dark. View quote
M. R. James
Do I believe in ghosts?...I am prepared to consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me. View quote
M. R. James
If any of [my stories] succeed in causing their readers to feel pleasantly uncomfortable when walking along a solitary road at nightfall, or sitting over a dying fire in the small hours, my purpose in writing them will have been attained. View quote
M. R. James