What are your feelings about the current wave of Counter-James fiction?

[Justin Isis]

...or "M.R. James revisions/subversions", as some folks around here tend to call them. "Works that consciously try to challenge and subvert racism, sexism and general conservative/right wing outlook that were at the core of Montague's original scholarly ghost stories.".
Basically, the emphasis is on describing the furry, wet, tactile and unexpected creatures as pleasurable and unfairly-maligned rather than menacing or threatening. The loneliness of the solitary scholar protagonists is countered by the introduction of the cuddly guardian spirits and creatures who have often been sadly neglected for centuries. In most cases the warnings left on or near forbidden artefacts and historic churches prove to be utterly unfounded, as the tentacular creatures and furry pillow spider things resemble particularly affectionate Pokemon. Sometimes there is an element of outlook-broadening sexuality present as the previously-closeted scholars put the creatures to use as polymorphously perverse devices for reaching climax. The emphasis is (as it should be) on embracing the Other rather than marginalizing it. "The Lonely Dildo Entity Discovered Behind the Altar" is a good example of the repressed homosexuality in James coming to the fore in these stories.

[njhorror]

I liked the King of Queens, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Had I known that embracing dildos was on the agenda I would have drawn the line at Kevin Can Wait.

I don't know what's going on anymore.

Imagine, hiding dildos in church. What next? Women's panties under the Reverend's cassock?

and he seems like such a pleasant fellow.

Dear me.

[Speaking Mute]

So Counter M.R. James authors would be Furries.

[njhorror]

but Leah Remini seemed like such a nice girl.

Heavens!

[njhorror]

Oh, I see. I've been mistaken the whole time.




The Jameses abound, and all the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh no!




Such a hard working humble man.


I guess you never can tell.


Florida gonna be mad, yo!

Quote Originally Posted by Justin Isis

the repressed homosexuality in James

They're on to me.

[Justin Isis]

Quote Originally Posted by njhorror

I don't know what's going on anymore. Imagine, hiding dildos in church.

If I remember the story right, the Abbot Clarence had put the creature there to protect his anus from other clerics who were attempting nightly raids on it. Only the dildo creature was able to penetrate him, since it was technically not a living being but some kind of spirit summoned using the Key of Solomon the King grimoire, and so his celibacy would be maintained. Then in the main plot, Horace Peopleby, the early 20th century scholar, discovers the dildo entity after working out a very long and tedious cryptographic cipher which spells out “I can fly into your rectum please look behind the altar” in Latin. The story ends with the good-times vibes that are characteristic of the Counter-James current.

[njhorror]

Thank heavens it didn't turn into a sex-crazed golem!

Benis

[Ruina]

This actually would be more fitting than using the same approach on certain other authors. There is a cosy feel in James fiction that would go well with cute fluffy otherworldly horrors, and of course the queer component should get more focus!