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Post by andydecker on Oct 25, 2019 18:31:10 GMT
Stephen Jones The Mammoth Book of Nightmare Stories (Skyhorse Publishing, 2019) Contents (from ISFDb) In the Fourth Year of the War • (1979) • short story by Harlan Ellison Invasion from Inferno • (1937) • novelette by Hugh B. Cave The Viaduct • non-genre • (1976) • short story by Brian Lumley Spindleshanks (New Orleans, 1956) • (2000) • short story by Caitlín R. Kiernan Homecoming • (1975) • short story by Sydney J. Bounds Feeders and Eaters • (2002) • short story by Neil Gaiman Nothing of Him That Doth Fade • (2000) • short story by Poppy Z. Brite The Unfortunate • (2000) • novella by Tim Lebbon One of Us • (2001) • short story by Dennis Etchison Is There Anybody There? • (2000) • novelette by Kim Newman Dear Alison • (1997) • short story by Michael Marshall Smith The Gossips • (1973) • short story by Basil Copper Needing Ghosts • (1990) • novella by Ramsey Campbell The Art Nouveau Fireplace • (1989) • short story by Christopher Fowler These Beasts • (1995) • short story by Tanith Lee Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man's Back • (1986) • short story by Joe R. Lansdale Blurb by Am*z*n Winner of the British Fantasy Award
Sixteen rare terror tales not to be read at night—from Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, Tanish Lee, and more!
To sleep, perchance to dream . . . of horrors! Here are some of the stories that gave their own authors nightmares—things that go bump at night, hauntings that lurk in the back of the mind, skin-crawling moments between the realms of wakefulness and sleep. In this somnambulistic collection, award-winning editor Stephen Jones asks many of the biggest names in horror fiction to choose their own favorite stories and novellas which, for one reason or another, have been unjustly overlooked or ignored.
From Hugh B. Cave’s 1930s “shudder pulp” tale to Ramsey Campbell’s stunning novella of barely concealed hysteria and grim black humor, these are the “forgotten” stories ripe for rediscovery, by such acclaimed authors as Poppy Z. Brite, Basil Copper, Harlan Ellison®, Neil Gaiman, Caítlin R. Kiernan, Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Lebbon, Tanith Lee, and Michael Marshall Smith.
Be warned: do not try to read this book at night, because these superior horror stories—both supernatural and psychological—will leave a lasting chill down your spine long after you have put it down, shut off the lights, and ducked under the covers. As you try to get off to sleep, who knows what dreams may come . . .? |
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Post by dem on Jun 23, 2021 18:08:53 GMT
The editor evidently intended this as a tribute to Christine Campbell Thomson's Not At Night's, but I'm not sure how many of these stories square with her 'philosophy' (see signature at end of this post). Mr. Jones explains that, as was case with Dennis Etchison's Masters of Darkness series, the living authors were invited to submit stories which, on original publication had met with an indifferent reaction, but which they regarded as among their best work. Caitlín R. Kiernan - Spindleshanks (New Orleans, 1956): Reese Callicott and lover Emma lease a house in New Orleans for the summer as the former struggles to complete her latest novel. The white mansion overlooks Lafayette cemetery where, shortly after they arrive, a woman is murdered among the graves, her throat torn out to make the attack look like the work of a wild beast. Emma, restless in their new surrounds, takes to partying with beats, meets a comely voodoo priestess and brings home a copy of the Comte D'erlette's Cultes de Goules (heart sinks at prospect of miserable gibberish but, fortunately, author only mentions it to advance plot). Emma persuades Reece to stop being such a stick in the mud, forget her stupid book and have fun. At that night's party, one of the jazz layabouts produces a ouija board, and Emma insists they contact the murdered woman. Her priestess pal is set against this, but its majority rule and their pissed-up clowning summons something that writes its name on the wall in blood. And that seems to be that. "I kept the horrific and supernatural elements so low-key that, most of the time, they work more as subtext than overt themes." All very commendable, but subtext and subtlety are surplus to requirements as you can get in a Not At Night candidate. |
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jun 23, 2021 18:30:11 GMT
And that seems to be that. So it is more of a "mood piece," then? |
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Post by andydecker on Jun 23, 2021 18:44:12 GMT
New Orleans, jazz, writers, voodoo - but it surely is not pretentious.
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Post by dem on Jun 24, 2021 8:06:59 GMT
And that seems to be that. So it is more of a "mood piece," then? New Orleans, jazz, writers, voodoo - but it surely is not pretentious. "Understated" is the word I'd used. Michael Marshall Smith - Dear Alison: (Stephen Jones [ed], Mammoth Book of Dracula, 1997). Victim of Dracula's girlfriend - she works in publishing - pens apologetic confessional to the wife and kids he must leave behind now folk are remarking his seeming immunity to the aging process. On a farewell walk from Kentish Town to the West End, he realises none of these favoured haunts will remain when next he returns. Christopher Fowler - The Art Nouveau Fireplace: ( The Bureau of lost Souls, 1989). Unscrupulous estate agent Linnes Shipley wangles an attractive North London property for a pittance from client who seems strangely desperate to sell. Linnes and husband Simon plan to renovate the house and sell at massive profit. She is insistent they remove the superb ornate fireplace which previous owner has inexplicably walled over. As Simon strips away the brickwork, Linnes dreams of a man hauling an unconscious woman across the floor, through the grate and up inside the chimney. Properly macabre horror, would also have suited Peter Haining's Rogues Gallery, 1994). |
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Post by dem on Jun 25, 2021 6:55:29 GMT
Tanith Lee - These Beasts: (MFSF, June 1995). Carem, the world's most accomplished robber of the dead, defies a monstrous curse to successfully loot the inner chambers of the Tomb of the Black Dog. On returning home, one of his wives breaks the joyful news that she is with child ...
Hugh B. Cave - Invasion from Inferno: (Thrilling Mystery, May 1937). Flood River Valley is overrun by armies of red spiders, destroying crops, attacking livestock and children, one of whom, a little girl, dies in agony. Superstitious farmers, lead by local bully Clem Degnan, blame Arachne Reid, schoolmistress, on account of her strange name. Fada, Arachne's sister, beautiful of face, hideously deformed from the neck down, does all she can to stir up resentment against the "spider woman." Fada is infatuated with Arachne's fit fiancé, Andy Gale, and will stop at nowt to get her withered, warty hands into him. With the gruesome death of Niklus Brucker, part-time genius arachnologist, it seems all hope of defeating the red invasion is gone. Murder, treachery, insanity, torture by tarantula, spot the Mad Scientist intrigue, face melting death, minor globeswatch activity, and twist ending you guessed around three paragraphs into the action.
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Post by dem on Jun 26, 2021 7:04:12 GMT
Neil Gaiman - Feeders and Eaters: (Stephen Jones [ed], Keep Out The Light, 2002, as is most of this material. It's essentially a reprint with four bonus stories *). Old Miss Effie Corvier of Prince Regent Street is the cannibal equivalent of those discreet vampires who take regular tiny feeds, as opposed to the massive blow out feasts of blood of a Sir Francis Varney. Amiable labourer Eddie Barlow is her volunteer donor.
Dennis Etchison - One of Us: (Stephen Jones [ed], Keep Out The Light, 2002). Chauffeur cum hired assassin combines both occupations when he drives four snotty kids to a Black Metal festival.
* The extra stories are those by Elison, Fowler, Lansdale and Lee.
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Post by dem on Jun 29, 2021 12:18:38 GMT
Basil Copper - The Gossips: (From Evil’s Pillow:, 1973). Grisson, director of Napoli's Museum of Antiquities, arranges for the sculpture of three dancing women to be removed from a private cemetery and exhibited at London's Steinway Hall. 'The Gossips,' as the trio are known, were modelled by the three 'brides; of Leonardo, a seventeenth century demonologist and black magician. Death and destruction follow wherever they go.
Good when it gets going. and the statues, breaking into sadistic grins as they watch men die, are excellent. As with many a Copper novella, the impatient reader (me) may find themself wishing he'd ease up on the scene setting and get cracking with the action.
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Post by dem on Jun 30, 2021 7:18:00 GMT
Poppy Z. Brite - Nothing To Him That Doth Fade: ( Aqua Erotica. 2000). Sparring lovers Theo and Jack abandoned in shark infested waters along the Coral Reef. The diving instructor neglected to take a head count before returning the boat to Cairns. Harlan Ellison - In the Fourth Year of the War: ( Shatterday, 1979: Karl E. Wagner [ed.], Years Best Horror VIII, 1980). "Oh, you'll do it, all right. We have no problem on that score. As for my being crazy, I won't argue the point. One would have to be a bit crazy to share a mind with you." 'Jerry Olander,' a squatter in narrator's tormented brain, urges him to murder aged family members and ex-wife for perceived past wrongs.
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Post by cauldronbrewer on Jul 1, 2021 10:36:47 GMT
Basil Copper - The Gossips: ( From Evil’s Pillow:, 1973). Grisson, director of Napoli's Museum of Antiquities, arranges for the sculpture of three dancing women to be removed from a private cemetery and exhibited at London's Steinway Hall. 'The Gossips,' as the trio are known, were modelled by the three 'brides; of Leonardo, a seventeenth century demonologist and black magician. Death and destruction follow wherever they go. Good when it gets going. and the statues, breaking into sadistic grins as they watch men die, are excellent. As with many a Copper novella, the impatient reader (me) may find themself wishing he'd ease up on the scene setting and get cracking with the action. This one made an impression on me. I'm a Copper fan, but he can be a bit leisurely at times--I remember thinking The Great White Space was all build-up, followed by a brief, goofy climax. |
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Post by Swampirella on Jul 28, 2021 1:46:41 GMT
Stephen Jones The Mammoth Book of Nightmare Stories (Skyhorse Publishing, 2019) Contents (from ISFDb) In the Fourth Year of the War • (1979) • short story by Harlan Ellison Invasion from Inferno • (1937) • novelette by Hugh B. Cave The Viaduct • non-genre • (1976) • short story by Brian Lumley Spindleshanks (New Orleans, 1956) • (2000) • short story by Caitlín R. Kiernan Homecoming • (1975) • short story by Sydney J. Bounds Feeders and Eaters • (2002) • short story by Neil Gaiman Nothing of Him That Doth Fade • (2000) • short story by Poppy Z. Brite The Unfortunate • (2000) • novella by Tim Lebbon One of Us • (2001) • short story by Dennis Etchison Is There Anybody There? • (2000) • novelette by Kim Newman Dear Alison • (1997) • short story by Michael Marshall Smith The Gossips • (1973) • short story by Basil Copper Needing Ghosts • (1990) • novella by Ramsey Campbell The Art Nouveau Fireplace • (1989) • short story by Christopher Fowler These Beasts • (1995) • short story by Tanith Lee Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man's Back • (1986) • short story by Joe R. Lansdale Blurb by Am*z*n Winner of the British Fantasy Award
Sixteen rare terror tales not to be read at night—from Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, Tanish Lee, and more!
To sleep, perchance to dream . . . of horrors! Here are some of the stories that gave their own authors nightmares—things that go bump at night, hauntings that lurk in the back of the mind, skin-crawling moments between the realms of wakefulness and sleep. In this somnambulistic collection, award-winning editor Stephen Jones asks many of the biggest names in horror fiction to choose their own favorite stories and novellas which, for one reason or another, have been unjustly overlooked or ignored.
From Hugh B. Cave’s 1930s “shudder pulp” tale to Ramsey Campbell’s stunning novella of barely concealed hysteria and grim black humor, these are the “forgotten” stories ripe for rediscovery, by such acclaimed authors as Poppy Z. Brite, Basil Copper, Harlan Ellison®, Neil Gaiman, Caítlin R. Kiernan, Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Lebbon, Tanith Lee, and Michael Marshall Smith.
Be warned: do not try to read this book at night, because these superior horror stories—both supernatural and psychological—will leave a lasting chill down your spine long after you have put it down, shut off the lights, and ducked under the covers. As you try to get off to sleep, who knows what dreams may come . . .?I just finished the first few stories & thought I'd leave some teasers.
The Viaduct - Brian Lumley
John and David are playing around at a beach near a railway viaduct running 150 feet over a river. After foolishly throwing stones at the local mentally challenged teen fishing across the river, they leave him in frustrated rage. They then compound their stupidity by deciding that today's the day they will climb hand over hand along the viaduct's 160-rung walkway, after practicing at the school playground. Another winner from Lumley.
Homecoming - Sydney J. Bounds
A variation on the Frankenstein theme; satisfying even if not original.
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Post by andydecker on Jul 28, 2021 7:39:45 GMT
This is such a lousy, whiny cover. It would be better suited to "The Guide for better Sleeping - 100 herbal ways for restful Nights".
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Post by Swampirella on Jul 28, 2021 23:48:08 GMT
Is There Anybody There - Kim Newman
Another stand-out story, for me.
Madame Irena is psychic who hosts seances. Unlike many in her field though, she has the ability – for real. During a seance with one of her wealthier clients, Miss Walter-David who lost her fiance to the 1918 epidemic, Irena starts receiving strange replies. Instead of yes/no replies, she gets "Y" or "N". As their conversation continues, Irena fears she's talking to a demonic entity, and then realizes it might be a real person.
This real person is Boyd, who hangs out in chat rooms finding out all he can about the (usually) women he chats with, including their personal and financial details. A nasty piece of work, he enjoys stealing their identities, money and lives and gets sadistic pleasure from it. But he can't find anything about Irena, at least not until he's given the name of Miss Walter-David's fiance & finds his 1919 obituary, then the obits of the two ladies. Let's just say that Boyd richly deserves what happens to him.
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