Episode 16a – The Residence at Whitminster
Join Mike & Will for the first in a two part special on ‘The Residence at Whitminster’ by M.R. James! No black cockerels were harmed in the recording of this podcast (OK, maybe one or two. It’s called research people).
This episode features readings by Hamish Symington and Peter Ross.
Show Notes:
- M.R. James – An Informal Portrait by Michael Cox (Amazon)
For details of Monty’s life during WWI we lean heavily on Michael Cox’s excellent biography. It is sadly now out of print but secondhand copies are available, if expensive. Try your local library before you splash out, they may be able to order it in for you. - Warnings to the Curious (Ed. Joshi & Pardoe) (Amazon)
We have recommended this many times before, but once again this great book of essays has helped a lot with our understanding of the story. - Whitminster/Wheatenhurst, Gloucestershire (Googlemaps)
The real Whitminster can be found here, although it was known as Wheatenhurst in James’s lifetime. More information on Whitminster House and estate, from which the place got it’s new name, can be found at british-history.ac.uk. Also see the Whitminster Community Website. - Saul, in the Bible (Wikipedia)
Lord Saul’s namesake appears in the Books of Samuel, and comes to a sticky end after some necromantic funny-business involving the Witch of Endor (no, not that Endor). - Some Remarks on Ghost Stories by M.R. James (Ash Tree Press)
In this episode we mention the M.R. James essay ‘Some Remarks on Ghost Stories’ which can be found in the ‘Pleasing Terror’ M.R. James anthology. The hardback is out of print but the eBook version is available.
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Ah, congratulations, Mike! All my good thoughts go out to you and Kirsty. Take as long as you need with that, man!
Curious little story this one. I haven’t actually heard of this one before, I don’t know, but I’m quite enjoying your coverage of it, saves having to read it right now, I find non-linear narratives frustrating sometimes.
I thought the scene with Frank and Saul being watched at their odd little play was quite bizarre and frightening, the whole thing reeks of occult weirdness, Saul is up to something daemoniac methinks!
Congratulations Mike! Wonderful news for you, and all the best.
A great job on the podcast too. I like this story but agree it can be difficult, especially if you get your introduction to James via the main cannon. Looking forward to part 2.
Patrick O’Brian offers this view on Irish peers in the novel _The Mauritius Command_, set circa 1810.
“But he is a peer, is he not? A man of some real consequence?”
“Bless your innocence, Jack: an Irish peer is not necessarily a man of any consequence at all. I do not wish to make any uncivil reflection on your country–many of my best friends are Englishmen–but you must know that this last hundred years and more it has been the practice of the English ministry to reward their less presentable followers with Irish titles; and your second-rate jobbing backstairs politician, given a coronet of sorts and transplanted into a country where he is a stranger, is a pitiful spectacle, so he is; a flash Brummagem imitation of the real thing. I should be sorry if the Irish peers, for the most part of them, were Irishmen.”
Congratulations!
I don’t remember having read this story, though I’m pretty sure I’ve read all of James at some time or another, so it can’t have left all that much impression on me. It seems curiously advanced for its day with its seduction-of-the-innocent approach (bearing in mind The Devil Rides Out wasn’t published until 1934)… and not the sort of story for which I usually go to James. Looking forward to the conclusion, which (obJames) I trust will not be too long delayed by other matters.
Discovered this site just a couple of weeks ago, and being a huge MR James fan I have to say I’m thrilled to have found something so genuinely attuned to my tastes! I’ve been listening to (mostly) one podcast per day for the last two weeks and really want to thank you guys for doing such an excellent job. You’ve made me look at some stories in a new way – something I didn’t think possible! – and given me a few laughs in the process! I’m very thankful for your efforts and look forward to many more Curious Podcasts.
Delighted to hear that Mike and Kirsty are tying the knot. My best wishes to you both!
As an afterthought, I realised over the weekend that there is indeed a link between Monty and the ‘Wickedest Man in the World’ (TM). The ‘sad’ painting of MR James you mentioned recently is in fact by the brother in law of Aleister Crowley. Gerald Kelly’s sister was married to the Great Beast 666 during a critical period of his career, (though later succumbing to alcoholism). It’s hard to imagine that the two refrained from discussing diabolism during the portrait sittings…
Can’t wait for the next podcast. You’re really doing a terrific job!
Wow! A solid Crowley connection after all! I wonder if James was aware who he was sitting for? The Crowley connection might be something Kelly would want to keep quiet about.
Really glad you are enjoying the podcast, keep in touch, we are always keen to hear people’s thoughts on the stories!