Customer Reviews

The Monster Maker & Other Stories

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ambrose Bierce's partner in establishing a "fin-de-siécle" decadent/simbolist movement in America.

His tales are just astounding and simply unexpected endings lead the reader to unknown emotions.

The perspective of the doctor and his coldness in describing the horrors he sees (which are always extreme), together with a hint of cruel humour and the fabulous twists in the end are something else! How come this writer is so neglected?

I read his story The Monster Maker in a vintage horror anthology and was amazed. I searched online for his works and could find basically nothing. When this book came out I was elated and bought one of the numbered (460 were issued, I think) original hardcover copies.

Morrow is one of the best horror story writers who ever lived. I read many vintage horror anthologies and am familiar with many of the old-time authors (I can't stand the contemporary junk, it's not horror, it's trash). W. C. Morrow's stories are the kind that really do send a chill down your spine. They are genuinely CREEPY and UNSETTLING. In some ways his writing is like Poe's, except not as wordy. His stories are written in a clean, crisp manner but will leave you feeling ghastly. [Don't we know how many of the horror books say all over the cover, "Stories to chill your blood!" but usually they come far from it!] I guess one word to describe this master's writing, is understated.

Some of the stories in this volume are minor and not all that interesting but others like "Over an Absinthe Bottle" had me creeped out!

If you love vintage horror, get your hands on a copy of this book. You may find yourself searching for an original hard copy to add to your library. I do believe "The Monster Maker and Other Stories" is the only volume of Morrow's work out there. Thanks be to the editors who realized this incredible writer needed to be brought back to people's attention.