In this Christmas Special* Will and Mike get stuck into Count Magnus by M.R. James, and explore some startling questions: What is the connection between Count Magnus and Ghostbusters 2? Will sewing your corpse into the carcass of a deer save your soul from the devil? Would Mr Wraxall prefer to have been shot in the balls by Robocop? Answers to these questions and much, much more can be found in this bumber festive edition of the greatest and only M.R. James podcast! This episode features readings by Chris Savory. Show notes: About the real Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie (Wikipedia) An image and map of the real manor at Råbäck Varnham Abbey, the site of the mausoleum of Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie (Wikipedia) ‘The Familiar’ by J. Sheridan Le Fanu (Full text at Gaslight) The Black Pilgrimage to Chorazin by Rosemary Pardoe and Jane Nicholls (Ghosts & Scholars) Dark Devotions – M.R. James and the Magical Tradition by Ron Weighell (Ghosts & Scholars) About Chorazin (Wikipedia) The Tale of the Witch of Berkeley by Rob Hardy (twistedtree.org.uk) * This edition may or may not feature Mike and Will singing an exclusive acapella rendition of ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’, accompanied by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge (spoiler alert: it doesn’t).

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related