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. JamesIf 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.
M. R. JamesI 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.
M. R. JamesDo I believe in ghosts?...I am prepared to consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me.
M. R. James