Transients and Other Disquieting Stories [Paperback]

Darrell Schweitzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993

Transients and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Dark Fantasy veteran Darrell Schweitzer. It was nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Collection in 1994. Matthew Warner said of it: Aside from being "disquieting," these 15 tightly-written horror stories are tinged with a bittersweet melancholy that can only come from a writer who has written a lot, read a lot, and lived a lot. Illustrated by Stephen Fabian.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Here is another collection of stories from Schweitzer ( Tom O'Bedlam's Night Out and Other Strange Excursions , Ganley, 1985). These horror tales aim for disquiet rather than terror, but they evoke neither subtle unease nor even a grosser case of the shivers. Many of the stories open promisingly, and with an interesting premise, but the carry-through just isn't there. In the title story, a man's ordinary suburban life begins to dissolve around him, for no reason. When he realizes that he is gradually disappearing from the memory of his friends and family, he becomes a street person. Eventually, he meets other "transients" and tells them "Remember. That's all we have. Cling together and remember." No explanation for their transient state is given; no lesson is evident. Are the tales meant to illustrate what happens to men who opt out of everyday life? Who knows? The point is elusive. Disappointing.
- A.M.B. Amantia, Population Action International , Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: W Paul Ganley Pub; First Edition edition (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932445551
• ISBN-13: 978-0932445551
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,462,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent collection of fantasy and horror short stories., April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Transients and Other Disquieting Stories (Paperback)

An excellent collection of fantasy and horror short stories from an under-appreciated author. My only qualm about the book is that several of the stories hit the same note -- not enough differences in all of them -- but overall it's an excellent collection. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chills and Melancholia, June 16, 2001

By 

Matthew Warner (Staunton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transients and Other Disquieting Stories (Paperback)

Aside from being "disquieting," these 15 tightly-written horror stories are tinged with a bittersweet melancholy that can only come from a writer who has written a lot, read a lot, and lived a lot. A good example of this is "Clocks," which concerns a widower being visited by the spirit of his dead wife. He can't stop himself from resurrecting her spirit at the same time every year, making us wonder if we would do the same thing. It would be psychologically unhealthy to keep bringing back your loved one, but who would refrain from doing so? But don't worry; TRANSIENTS has the expected and enjoyable chills. Be prepared to drown in "Pennies from Hell" and to see new faces (you'll understand what I mean) in "Peeling It Off."