Christmas is just around the corner

[Mike Brough]

I love the idea of Christmas but I hate the actualité.  Partly based on this intro by Otto Penzler

It is no great profundity to exclaim that Christmas is the happiest time of the year for all but the most churlish, those who claim that they can't wait for the season to be over because they hate the forced (to them) cheerfulness, the religious aspects of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ (though, of course, there is no biblical or other evidence to suggest that Jesus was born on December 25) or the crass commercialism of the whole thing.


These curmudgeons will love this book.


While most of us are shopping for gifts for those we love, or decorating a home and putting up a Christmas tree and hanging mistletoe, and generally enjoying the extra warmth of hellos from friends and shopkeepers, these unsympathetic souls will find solace in the fact that crime, violence, and even murder continue to flourish at what should be a time of peace, joy, and love.

I've just bought 


 
Does anyone know of something similar for we horror afficionados?

[dem bones]

If not, there really ought to be.

Richard Dalby has edited at least four (very good) Xmas themed anthologies,Ghosts For Christmas, Chillers For Christmas, Shivers For Christmas, and Horrors For Christmas. Peter Haining gave us Christmas Spirits, and then there's Kathryn Kramer & David G. Hartwell's Christmas Ghosts, but they are none of them full-on misery fests (Mr. Haining's effort is despicably jovial).

For a cheerless anti-celebration of festive gloom, you're maybe best to go for your own DIY selection. There are a few suggestions on this thread, Merry Bloody Christmas, though, in truth, it needs an overhaul, if only to include all the ghastly Yuletide tales featured on the five Vault advent calendars.

[Mike Brough]

Thanks, dem.  That Merry Bloody Christmas thread looks just the ticket.  


And I followed the 2014 advent calendar at the time.  Disgusting stuff - I've never felt like taking so many showers.  Although you said so at the time, I'd forgotten that there were previous years' calendars to peruse.  I've some catching up to do.

[dem bones]

There are at least ten Christmas themed stories over the five calendars, most of 'em 100% devoid of joy. I've said it before, but the festive season really brings out the best in Craig!

'Roland Caine' (Michel Parry) - Red Christmas
Paul Finch - A Christmas Yet To Come
Paul Finch - Snow Joke
Craig Herbertson - Gift
Craig Herbertson - It Was Christmas Eve In The Workhouse
Craig Herbertson - Layby
Johnny Mains - Mrs Claus and the Unfortunate Immaculate Conception
Franklin Marsh - Stille Nacht
Thana Niveau - And May All Your Christmases ...
John Llewellyn Probert - Last Christmas

[ripper]

Just to complete the Richard Dalby 'for Christmas' anthologies...'Crime for Christmas' and 'Mystery for Christmas.' Neither contain much in the way of horror but they may be of interest.