Episode 35 – Rats

This episode Mike & Will tackle ‘Moose’ by M.R. James. No wait, that’s not right. Ah yes, ‘Rats’ by M.R. James, that’s the one. The episode features readings by Lewis Davies and the illustration to the right by Alisdair Wood. Show notes: Tom Tiddler’s Ground by Charles Dickens (Project Gutenberg) The quote about rats which opens this story is from this story by Charles Dickens, which also contributions from Wilkie Collins among others. ‘Tom Tiddler’s Ground’ is also the name of an old children’s game. ‘Rats’ short film by Stephen Gray (Vimeo) This gorgeous-looking short film adaptation of ‘Rats’ is a real treat. If you want to learn more about the director, listen to our Interview with him in Episode 21. Orlando Whistlecraft (Flickr) The improbably-named Orlando Whistlecraft, mentioned in this story, was a ‘weather prophet and poet’ well known in the 19th Century for his yearly weather almanac. ‘Atmosphere and Crescendo: M.R. James, C.D. Heriot and the Mechanics of the Ghost Story’ by Tom Mullen (Ghosts & Scholars) We didn’t mention it in the episode, but this excellent essay examines how M.R. James and others use pace and rhythm to great effect in their ghost stories. Finally, if you are lamenting the lack of rats in ‘Rats’, here’s Master Splinter.