From Library Journal
According to Barron, his survey is "partly designed to avoid the deficiencies" of Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide ( LJ 8/81), edited by Marshall Tymn. Barron annotates almost 800 novels and collections, Tymn about 1100. The difference results primarily from Tymn's emphasis on "classic" Gothic literature. Barron also faults Tymn's lack of "critical rigor," but his own survey is not without problems. Space is devoted to contemporary writers of dubious importance, while others (Ballard, Golding) seem distinctly out of place. On the plus side, Barron pays far more attention to critical and biographical works (some 700 additional annotations to Tymn's some 300). Up until now Tymn's has been the standard, and libraries collecting in the field should probably have both books. Barron's is recommended with minor reservations, particularly for the edge it has in current titles, which go up to 1988. For a review of Barron's Fantasy Literature: A Reader's Guide , see p. 78.--Ed.
-Grove Koger, Boise P.L., Id.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
-Grove Koger, Boise P.L., Id.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
