The Five Jars
by M. R. James (1862–1936)
- Free to read
- 2 hours to read
- 8 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"The Five Jars" by M. R. James is a fantasy novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows an unnamed protagonist who embarks on an unusual adventure involving magical elements, a mysterious box containing jars with supernatural properties, and a journey into a world populated by small people and fantastical creatures. The novel is steeped in a whimsical tone, rich descriptions of nature, and an exploration of the consequences of tampering with magic. The opening of the book presents a detailed account of the protagonist's mystical experience in a remote wood. After falling asleep by a stream, he dreams of a peculiar plant, which he later finds and collects. This discovery leads him to a round pool of water, where he interacts with the spring and gathers valuable silver. As he delves deeper into his adventure, he uncovers a buried box containing five jars, each inscribed with Latin phrases that suggest they hold extraordinary powers. The opening sets an enchanting atmosphere, introducing readers to the protagonist's curiosity and the magical world that awaits him, paving the way for a tale of discovery and wonder.
Read the opening
Chapter I
THE DISCOVERY
My Dear Jane,
You remember that you were puzzled when I told you I had heard something from the owls—or if not puzzled (for I know you have some experience of these things), you were at any rate anxious to know exactly how it happened. Perhaps the time has now come for you to be told.
It was really luck, and not any skill of mine, that put me in the way of it; luck, and also being ready to believe more than I could see. I have promised not to put down on paper the name of the wood where it happened: that can keep till we meet; but all the rest I can tell exactly as it came about.
It is a wood with a stream at the edge of it; the water is brown and clear. On the other side of it are flat meadows, and beyond these a hillside quite covered with an oak wood. The stream has alder-trees along it, and is pretty well shaded over; the sun hits it in places and makes flecks of light through the leaves.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Five Jars by M. R. James comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #24089, released 2007-12-31. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Science-Fiction & Fantasy, Novels, British Literature.
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