3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime, Chilling Anthology, October 10, 2011
This review is from: Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves and Ghosts: 25 Classic Stories of the Supernatural (Mass Market Paperback)
When even the introduction is enthralling, you know you have a strong collection of stories. I had only read one story before, "The Company of Wolves," but I was well-acquainted with some of the authors and looked forward to the stories by, from my point of view, newcomers. Each story starts with a brief author bio, and I would have liked maybe for the editors to have said why they chose the particular stories they did, but that's a minor complaint.
Don't let the "Signet Classic" talk you out of it. Sure, Henry James and Rudyard Kipling are in most English class textbooks, but if you have imagination and are willing to let yourself be swept off into these worlds, no one story disappoints. Fans of "The Turn of the Screw" will love Joyce Carol Oates' companion piece, "Accursed Inhabitants of the House of Bly," and I found "For the Good of All" by Yvonne Navarro nightmare-inducing.
Best of all, as the title suggests, this book doesn't endorse just one type of horror story. There are Gothic thrillers, stories bordering on science fiction, others reminiscent of dark forest folklore, and some with as much mystery as scares. Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice, Jane Yolen--there is something for everyone and most of the stories are at a friendly length. If you want to curl up in a chair on a dark and stormy night and feel your eyes widen in fear, a quick shudder here and there, pick up this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
