Other editions of book The Five Jars

While he is out walking, our narrator is drawn to a remote pool and finds a small box that has been hidden since Roman times. He gradually learns how to use its contents, fighting off a series of attempts to steal it, and becomes aware of a strange world hidden from our own.... Best known for his Gothic tales of the supernatural, M. R. James presents his lesser-known surreal fantasy novella. Originally written for children, this peculiar tale is now enjoyed worldwide by fans of all ages! About the author: Montague Rhodes James (1862-1936) became one of Britain's foremost medieval scholars, studying and teaching a King's College, Cambridge. However, it is not his scholarly works or achievements that he is best known for today. His first collection, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, was published in 1904. A further three volumes followed: More Ghost Stories (1911), A Thin Ghost and Other (1919) and A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories (1925). Following an English tradition, many of the 30 tales were made into Christmas Eve entertainments and were told to friends and colleagues. Since his death his stories have been told by millions across the globe and have spawned numerous television, film, stage and radio adaptions.

Here is a fascinating journey into a world none of us mere mortals can usually see: a world of weird enchantment, where all is not as it seems, where fantastic beauty is commonplace, where strange beings are hidden just out of sight everywhere, and yet disturbing danger lurks around every corner… Told in James’ matter-of-fact prose, this journey into the unknown stirs rich colours into a cloud of imaginative fancy, stunningly creating an alternative world, just next to ours, which is both captivating and eerie

M R James (1862 1936) was a writer and British medieval scholar. His well-known classic ghost stories have a Victorian Christmas theme. Although James is best known for his ghost stories, he produced many excellent scholarly works. He is also credited with cataloging libraries at Oxford and Cambridge. It is possible that the author is the central character in this ghost story written for children, but thrilling enough for adult readers. The 5 jars contain magic ointments that give the narrator special powers. Evil creatures try and stop him from using these powers. The creatures are able to assume normal and friendly appearances. As the narrator uses one jar per night he is able to interact more with animals. The cat s thoughts are quite fun to read. The introduction suggests that this book was not as popular as James s other ghost stories because it was too scary for children in that time. Today s kids will have no problem with this."

M R James (1862 – 1936) was a writer and British medieval scholar. His well-known classic ghost stories have a Victorian Christmas theme. Although James is best known for his ghost stories, he produced many excellent scholarly works. He is also credited with cataloging libraries at Oxford and Cambridge. It is possible that the author is the central character in this ghost story written for children, but thrilling enough for adult readers. The 5 jars contain magic ointments that give the narrator special powers. Evil creatures try and stop him from using these powers. The creatures are able to assume normal and friendly appearances. As the narrator uses one jar per night he is able to interact more with animals. The cat’s thoughts are quite fun to read. The introduction suggests that this book was not as popular as James’s other ghost stories because it was too scary for children in that time. Today’s kids will have no problem with this.

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MY DEAR JANE, You remember that you were puzzled when I told you I had heard something from the owls-or if not puzzled (for I know you have some experience of these things), you were at any rate anxious to know exactly how it happened. Perhaps the time has now come for you to be told. It was really luck, and not any skill of mine, that put me in the way of it; luck, and also being ready to believe more than I could see. I have promised not to put down on paper the name of the wood where it happened: that can keep till we meet; but all the rest I can tell exactly as it came about.

This charming fantasy story for children is by the famous writer of ghost stories, M. R. James. The author of a letter reveals how he finds five mysterious jars, hidden since Roman times, and samples the contents one by one, gaining magical powers in the process. But he is not the only one who knows about the jars - dark forces are eager to claim them for themselves. This lovely new edition from Benediction Classics reproduces all the original line drawings in this unusual tale that still has the power to fascinate and send a shiver down the reader's spine.

The Five Jars – A Delightful Story for Brave and Adventure Loving Children and AdultsIt's a little hard to place The Five Jars. Written by M.R. James, a distinguished author known for his excellent depiction of (sometimes brutal) ghost stories, this book is somewhat on the tame side, and has been considered a children's book ever since it first came out. The Five Jars, however, presents the supernatural in James' characteristic, detailed manner, and is no stranger to creepy, dangerous threats. As a result, critics have labeled it as more of a story for adults, however, older children will probably find it to be quite thrilling.The story focuses on a simple, but quite engaging plot. It follows the adventures of a passerby, who, like in most of M.R. James' stories, stumbles upon a piece of ancient treasure. This time, it's a simple set of 5 jars of ointments, each with instructions to be applied to a certain part of the body during different times of the lunar cycle.To his amazement, our hero finds himself being able to see, hear, and eventually interact with ghosts, fairies and other creatures, as he gradually uses the ointments at the designated times and dates. However, danger looms quite near, and he and his friends need to be vigilant, since a group of strange individuals have set out to steal the jars, and there is no easy way to stop them...Not many people know that this engaging little story was an inspiration for quite a few fantasy shows and films, and it has enjoyed its fair share of popularity throughout the years for very good reason. The Five Jars is one of James' most distinguished and well-written stories, and if you have a son or daughter who enjoys creepy and exciting ghost stories or fairy tales, this is definitely one of the best books you could get them as a present.

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