An Evening's Entertainment
The story revolves around a group of people who gather at an old mansion for dinner and entertainment. As the evening progresses, they become aware that one of their number has been murdered in the past, and that the killer's spirit still haunts the house. The guests begin to suspect each other of being the reincarnation of the murderer, leading to a tense and suspenseful climax.
By M.R. James · First published 1925 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Folklore · 5,695 words
First lines
Nothing is more common form in old-fashioned books than the description of the winter fireside, where the aged grandam narrates to the circle of children that hangs on her lips story after story of ghosts and fairies, and inspires her audience with a pleasing terror. But we are never allowed to know what the stories were. We hear, indeed, of sheeted spectres with saucer eyes, and -- still more intriguing -- of "Rawhead and Bloody Bones" (an expression which the Oxford Dictionary traces back to 1550), but the context of these striking images eludes us.
What this Textopian page supports
An Evening's Entertainment is listed on Textopian as a short story by M.R. James, dated 1925 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: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Folklore, Mystery, Literary Fiction
- Length: 5,695 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Evening's Entertainment 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Evening's Entertainment?
- How does this short story by M.R. James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Horror — The narrative features supernatural elements, including ghosts and a gruesome murder, creating a sense of fear and dread.
- Gothic Fiction — The story incorporates traditional Gothic themes such as isolation, the supernatural, and a dark, eerie atmosphere.
- Folklore — The tale draws on elements of folklore, including local legends and superstitions, particularly regarding the mysterious lane and its history.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around an unexplained murder and the investigation into the events leading up to it, creating a sense of intrigue.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Ghost Story · Horror · Mystery · Short Story Collection · Classic Horror · English Literature · 19th Century Literature · 20th Century Literature · Gothic Fiction · Atmospheric Setting · Psychological Thriller