A Neighbour's Landmark by M.R. James
The story revolves around a man who inherits an old house from a distant relative and discovers that it has been the site of a tragic event involving a neighbour's landmark. The man becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the tragedy, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
By M.R. James · First published 1939 · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction · 5,888 words
First lines
Those who spend the greater part of their time in reading or writing books are, of course, apt to take rather particular notice of accumulations of books when they come across them. They will not pass a stall, a shop, or even a bedroom-shelf without reading some title, and if they find themselves in an unfamiliar library, no host need trouble himself further about their entertainment. The putting of dispersed sets of volumes together, or the turning right way up of those which the dusting housemaid has left in an apoplectic condition, appeals to them as one of the lesser Works of Mercy. Happy in these employments, and in occasionally opening an eighteenth-century octavo, to see "what it is all about," and to conclude after five minutes that it deserves the seclusion it now enjoys, I had reached the middle of a wet August afternoon at Betton Court --
What this Textopian page supports
A Neighbour's Landmark is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1939 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: M.R. James
- Date: 1939 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Supernatural Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 5,888 words
- Structure: 1 section, 70 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Neighbour's Landmark by M.R. James
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Neighbour's Landmark?
- How does this short story by M.R. James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Supernatural Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Supernatural Fiction — The narrative centers around eerie occurrences and unexplained phenomena, typical of supernatural fiction.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting and themes evoke a sense of mystery and horror, characteristic of Gothic literature.
- Literary Fiction — The work features a reflective and detailed prose style, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
- Historical Fiction — The story references historical elements and settings, particularly related to the Victorian era.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Horror · Mystery · Short Story Collection · Classic Literature · English Folklore · Haunted House · Ghost Story · Atmospheric Setting · Psychological Thriller · Historical Fiction · Victorian Era