Randolph "Dilda" Carter

Meticulously annotated (15% of the book is footnotes) COMPLETE collection of James' stories including fragments, unfinished stories, non-fiction writings about ghost stories, The Five Jars, and even a not very flattering letter about Lovecraft's [b:Supernatural Horror in Literature|666634|Supernatural Horror in Literature|H.P. Lovecraft|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347467489s/666634.jpg|124218] (once referred to as "whatshisname"). Also includes a wealth of articles by James scholars. James' stories are of course the archetype for the modern ghost story and although most are a century old are still excellent reads today. Some of the "filler" and later stories are weaker but overall there are 20 or so 4 and 5-star stories here. The ephemera and esoteric content here may not be for everyone but for anyone interested in the history of supernatural and horror literature, the stories are essential and the texts definitive.The limited edition hardcover of [b:A Pleasing Terror: The Complete Supernatural Writings|2771104|A Pleasing Terror The Complete Supernatural Writings|M.R. James|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1234805824s/2771104.jpg|2796833] has been out of print for a number of years and commands a high price, but Ash-Tree Press is making a lot of their back catalog available as ebooks now and for $8.00 this is an incredible value.