Synopses & Reviews
This sophisticated, scary anthology collects the best horror fiction published between 1984 and 2005, one of horrors most innovative eras. These exceptionally diverse stories, hand-picked by horror-expert editor Ellen Datlow, are tales of the subtly psychological, the unpredictably mischievous, and the disturbingly visceral.
Here are classics, such as horror master Stephen Kings Chattery Teeth,” the tautly drawn account of a traveling salesman who unwisely picks up yet another hitchhiker; Peter Straubs eerie The Juniper Tree,” describing a man whose nostalgia for the movies of his childhood leads to his stolen innocence; and George R. R. Martins sinister The Pear-Shaped Man,” in which a young woman encounters a neighbor who likes her a bit too much.
Whether you grew up on Clive Barkers Books of Blood; Joyce Carol Oatess Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”; Neil Gaimans Sandman; or are newly discovering Stephen Kings son, breakout author Joe Hill; there is something here for everyone who enjoys being more than just a little bit scared.
Review
"An anthology to be cherished and an invaluable reference for horror aficionados." Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
This diverse 25-story anthology is a superb sampling of some of the most significant short horror works published between 1985 and 2005. Editor extraordinaire Datlow (
Poe) includes classic stories from horror icons Clive Barker, Peter Straub, and Stephen King as well as SF and fantasy luminaries Gene Wolfe, Dan Simmons, Neil Gaiman, and Lucius Shepard. The full diversity of horror is on display: George R. R. Martins The Pear-Shaped Man about a creepy downstairs neighbor, and Straubs The Juniper Tree, which chronicles a drifters sexual molestation of a young boy, exemplify horrors sublime psychological power, while Barkers Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament and Poppy Z. Brites Calcutta, Lord of Nerves are audaciously gory masterworks. This is an anthology to be cherished and an invaluable reference for horror aficionados.”
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Darkness promises to please both longtime fans and readers who have no clue what splatterpunk was supposed to mean.”
San Francisco Chronicle
Make sure you are in a safe place before you open it up.”
New York Journal of Books
Datlow is a high-calibre anthologist.”
Innsmouth Free Press
About as close to horror perfection as any fan could ask for in an anthology.”
Choate Road Horror Blog
Eclectic...a complete overview of some of the best horror stories published in the last
twenty years.”
SF Site
I cant recommend this book highly enough and no, thats not just the rabid fanboy inside me talking. This is my serious critics voice. I know it doesnt translate well in the written word, but trust me. I give my highest recommendation for this book.”
Hellnotes.com
Synopsis
Compiling the finest in frightening tales, this unique anthology offers a diverse selection of horror culled from the last 25 years. Hand selected from cutting-edge authors, each work blends subtle psychology and mischievousness with disturbingly visceral imagery. In the classic Chattery Teeth,” Stephen King provides a tautly drawn account of a traveling salesman who unwisely picks up yet another hitchhiker, while in Peter Straubs eerie The Juniper Tree,” a man whose nostalgia for the movies of his childhood leads to his stolen innocence. Renowned fantasy author George R. R. Martin weaves a sinister yarn about a young woman encountering a neighbor who is overly enamored with her in The Pear-Shaped Man.” Combining acclaimed masters of the macabre, such as Clive Barker, Poppy Z. Brite, and Thomas Ligotti, with bold new talents to the genre, including Kelly Link, Neil Gaiman, and Stephen Kings son, Joe Hill, this distinctive collection of stories will delight and terrify.
About the Author
Ellen Datlow has edited more than 50 anthologies, including The Dark, The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Inferno, Little Deaths, Poe, Twists of the Tales, and The Years Best Fantasy and Horror. She coedited The Coyote Road, Salon Fantastique, and Trolls Eye View and has won the Locus Award, the Hugo Award, the Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award, and the World Fantasy Award for her editing. She lives in New York City.