THIS is a list of fifty great short stories. I have written a brief description of each story to pique interest, while trying not to divulge too many spoilers. All of the stories were written and published in the 19th and 20th Centuries and many are considered classics in their respective genres. They can all be found in their original magazine appearances, or in anthologies and single-author collections.
The list is alphabetical by author only, and not by title or ranking. I have added a few of my own pencil drawings where I thought they might be applicable.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM AMERICA.
Arlen, Michael. 1925, short story.
There is a story within this story that is about as frightening and gruesome as any terror tale ever told. Arlen's story was filmed in 1948 as The Fatal Night, and then adapted for television, first for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and then later for Boris Karloff's Thriller. All of these filmmations are worthwhile diversions, but it's the written story that speaks the loudest here.
There is a story within this story that is about as frightening and gruesome as any terror tale ever told. Arlen's story was filmed in 1948 as The Fatal Night, and then adapted for television, first for Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and then later for Boris Karloff's Thriller. All of these filmmations are worthwhile diversions, but it's the written story that speaks the loudest here.
THE FINALE.
Bell, Neil. 1946, short story.
A man teetering on the edge of unconsciousness has a sudden, half-lidded awareness, and then an incongruous reveal, which in essence is a horrifying revelation (at least to this reader). First published in Neil Bell's 1946 collection, Alpha and Omega, "The Finale" is one of many similar-struck horror tales (and O'Henry styled yarns) that are collected in that book. All of Bell's science-fiction and horror stories are rare and difficult to locate, but worth the effort. Bell's science-fiction novel Life Comes to Seathorpe (1946) is especially worthwhile, as is his 1953 collection of horror stories aptly titled, Who Walk in Fear.
A man teetering on the edge of unconsciousness has a sudden, half-lidded awareness, and then an incongruous reveal, which in essence is a horrifying revelation (at least to this reader). First published in Neil Bell's 1946 collection, Alpha and Omega, "The Finale" is one of many similar-struck horror tales (and O'Henry styled yarns) that are collected in that book. All of Bell's science-fiction and horror stories are rare and difficult to locate, but worth the effort. Bell's science-fiction novel Life Comes to Seathorpe (1946) is especially worthwhile, as is his 1953 collection of horror stories aptly titled, Who Walk in Fear.
POWERS OF THE AIR.
Beresford, J. D. (John Davys). 1915, short story.
Up for debate is whether or not deadly malign influences are permeating our physical world, or in this particular case, a towering seaside cliff. A strong devotee of H. G. Wells, English writer J. D. Beresford (1873- 1947) is credited with writing the first serious novel about an all-female society (Goslings, 1913, also published as A World of Women). His science fiction novel The Hampdenshire Wonder (1911), chronicled the life of a "super-child" and was a major influence on Olaf Stapledon's writing.
Up for debate is whether or not deadly malign influences are permeating our physical world, or in this particular case, a towering seaside cliff. A strong devotee of H. G. Wells, English writer J. D. Beresford (1873- 1947) is credited with writing the first serious novel about an all-female society (Goslings, 1913, also published as A World of Women). His science fiction novel The Hampdenshire Wonder (1911), chronicled the life of a "super-child" and was a major influence on Olaf Stapledon's writing.
THE LITTLE TOWN.
Beresford, J.D. (John Davys). 1912, short story.
St. Erth may the smallest town in existence, but traversing its streets and alleys after dark to find the center of town does take effort. When you do arrive in the town's square you won't be alone, and you'll be treated to a most unusual entertainment. Beresford was such a good writer that even when he forced an economy of length on his ideas he still conjured up visions of wonder, and strangeness. Powers of the Air and this story were both published in the author's excellent collection, Nineteen Impressions (1918).
St. Erth may the smallest town in existence, but traversing its streets and alleys after dark to find the center of town does take effort. When you do arrive in the town's square you won't be alone, and you'll be treated to a most unusual entertainment. Beresford was such a good writer that even when he forced an economy of length on his ideas he still conjured up visions of wonder, and strangeness. Powers of the Air and this story were both published in the author's excellent collection, Nineteen Impressions (1918).
FONDLY FAHRENHEIT.
Bester, Alfred. 1954, novelette.
Doppelgängers, robots, madness and murder... whew! Bester wrote two of science fiction's most respected novels, The Stars My Destination and The Demolished Man, but his short fiction is absolutely top drawer too.
Doppelgängers, robots, madness and murder... whew! Bester wrote two of science fiction's most respected novels, The Stars My Destination and The Demolished Man, but his short fiction is absolutely top drawer too.
THE WILLOWS.
Blackwood, Algernon. 1907, novelette.
Two men float the Danube by canoe and become menaced by an unseen presence. This lengthy, beautifully written yarn, has a perfectly controlled atmosphere and constantly mounting suspense, and is understandably one of the most admired stories in the supernatural genre.
Two men float the Danube by canoe and become menaced by an unseen presence. This lengthy, beautifully written yarn, has a perfectly controlled atmosphere and constantly mounting suspense, and is understandably one of the most admired stories in the supernatural genre.
THEY BITE.
Boucher, Anthony. 1943, short story.
The desert-dwelling Carkers wield a savage bite that can snap through bone. Recent irrefutable archeological evidence of cannibalism among the Anasazi people of the desert southwest make this old-fashioned yarn even more interesting, and deliciously un-PC.
The desert-dwelling Carkers wield a savage bite that can snap through bone. Recent irrefutable archeological evidence of cannibalism among the Anasazi people of the desert southwest make this old-fashioned yarn even more interesting, and deliciously un-PC.
SLIME.
Brennan, Joseph Payne. 1953, short story.
The first creeping slime story that influenced a generation of readers, writers and filmmakers. Steve McQueen's 1958 debut film The Blob, and its markedly improved 1988 remake were both inspired by Slime, as well as Dean Koontz's Phantoms and its subsequent 1998 film adaptation. Even Stephen King's gruesome short story The Raft, owes a gelatinous debt of gratitude to Joseph Payne Brennan's outstanding original yarn.
The first creeping slime story that influenced a generation of readers, writers and filmmakers. Steve McQueen's 1958 debut film The Blob, and its markedly improved 1988 remake were both inspired by Slime, as well as Dean Koontz's Phantoms and its subsequent 1998 film adaptation. Even Stephen King's gruesome short story The Raft, owes a gelatinous debt of gratitude to Joseph Payne Brennan's outstanding original yarn.
WHO GOES THERE.
Campbell, John W. 1938, novella.
An Antarctic research station finds itself menaced by a shape shifting intruder, of alien origin. In a 1973 poll conducted by SFWA (the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association of America), Who Goes There was voted as one of the best novellas ever written. In fact, the story has proven so popular that it was filmed not once but three times; in 1951 as The Thing from Another World (but without the shape shifting aspect); and then in 1982 as John Carpenter's The Thing (with Campbell's basic premise somewhat restored); and finally in 2011 as a sort of prequel to Carpenters version but with the same title.
An Antarctic research station finds itself menaced by a shape shifting intruder, of alien origin. In a 1973 poll conducted by SFWA (the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association of America), Who Goes There was voted as one of the best novellas ever written. In fact, the story has proven so popular that it was filmed not once but three times; in 1951 as The Thing from Another World (but without the shape shifting aspect); and then in 1982 as John Carpenter's The Thing (with Campbell's basic premise somewhat restored); and finally in 2011 as a sort of prequel to Carpenters version but with the same title.
THE STAR.
Clarke, Arthur C. 1955, short story.
Spacefarers discover the massive wreckage of inhabited worlds, destroyed by an apparent supernova. Clarke's reputation as a "nuts & bolts" science fiction writer is forever altered here, as he engages dramatically in theological semantics. Another of Clarke's famous short stories that follows a similar religious theme is The Nine Billion Names of God (1953).
Spacefarers discover the massive wreckage of inhabited worlds, destroyed by an apparent supernova. Clarke's reputation as a "nuts & bolts" science fiction writer is forever altered here, as he engages dramatically in theological semantics. Another of Clarke's famous short stories that follows a similar religious theme is The Nine Billion Names of God (1953).
EVENING PRIMROSE.
Collier, John. 1941, short story.
Strange goings on in a department store after hours. A psychologically acute, rather subversive moral tale, typical of this remarkable writers work.
Strange goings on in a department store after hours. A psychologically acute, rather subversive moral tale, typical of this remarkable writers work.
THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME.
Connell, Richard. 1924, short story.
A shipwreck survivor finds that his mysterious island host is a most unusual sportsman, and the possessor of a macabre, if somewhat insane, sense of humor. Connell's yarn, which was the basis for several movies and even a few television episodes, is pulp entertainment in its purest most perfect form.
A shipwreck survivor finds that his mysterious island host is a most unusual sportsman, and the possessor of a macabre, if somewhat insane, sense of humor. Connell's yarn, which was the basis for several movies and even a few television episodes, is pulp entertainment in its purest most perfect form.
THE UPPER BERTH.
Crawford, F. Marion. 1886, short story.
An unseen horrid thing occupies a steamship cabin, terrifying the men assigned to it. Marion's acknowledged classic is an excellent example of spectral horror.
An unseen horrid thing occupies a steamship cabin, terrifying the men assigned to it. Marion's acknowledged classic is an excellent example of spectral horror.
THE GOLDEN MAN.
Dick, Philip K. 1954, short story.
Survival of the fittest, or at least those with precognitive abilities and brightly colored feathers.
Survival of the fittest, or at least those with precognitive abilities and brightly colored feathers.
THE FATHER-THING.
Dick, Philip K. 1954, short story.
Neighborhood kids sense that beneath the surface of suburban tranquility all sorts of dark activities are going on. This story may have been the inspiration for Jack Finney's The Body Snatchers.
Neighborhood kids sense that beneath the surface of suburban tranquility all sorts of dark activities are going on. This story may have been the inspiration for Jack Finney's The Body Snatchers.
A BOY AND HIS DOG.
Ellison, Harlan. 1969, novella.
Love and loyalty in a post-holocaust environment. A decidedly anti-feminist tale of morality that still packs a punch after all these years.
Love and loyalty in a post-holocaust environment. A decidedly anti-feminist tale of morality that still packs a punch after all these years.
JEFFTY IS FIVE.
Ellison, Harlan. 1977, short story.
There may be consequences for holding on the past too firmly, which in little five-year-old Jeffty's case is an unnatural link to the 20th Century's incomparable "Golden Age." Voted by Locus readers in 1999 as the best short story of all time. I concur, and I'm just a "Silver Age" kid.
There may be consequences for holding on the past too firmly, which in little five-year-old Jeffty's case is an unnatural link to the 20th Century's incomparable "Golden Age." Voted by Locus readers in 1999 as the best short story of all time. I concur, and I'm just a "Silver Age" kid.
THE MICROSCOPIC GIANTS.
Ernst, Paul (Frederick). 1936, short story.
Mining engineers make a startling discovery at forty thousand feet underground. Ernst wrote primarily for the pulp magazines Weird Tales, Astounding and Amazing during their heyday, and was responsible for the original Avenger novels published under the house name Kenneth Robeson (24 in all), which were later reprinted by Bantam in the 1970's.
Mining engineers make a startling discovery at forty thousand feet underground. Ernst wrote primarily for the pulp magazines Weird Tales, Astounding and Amazing during their heyday, and was responsible for the original Avenger novels published under the house name Kenneth Robeson (24 in all), which were later reprinted by Bantam in the 1970's.
FUNGUS ISLE.
Fisher, Philip M. 1923, novelette.
Shipwreck survivors find themselves stranded on an island covered entirely with monstrous fungi, and their provisions are running out. Well, at least they won't be bothered by scurvy.
Shipwreck survivors find themselves stranded on an island covered entirely with monstrous fungi, and their provisions are running out. Well, at least they won't be bothered by scurvy.
THE YELLOW WALL PAPER.
Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. 1899, short story.
A tale of mental breakdown, narrated from the disintegrating point of view of its heroine, a sequestrated woman haunted by specters that dwell behind the elaborated patterns on the wall paper in her room. Gilman was one of the leading feminists and lecturers of her time (1860-1935).
A tale of mental breakdown, narrated from the disintegrating point of view of its heroine, a sequestrated woman haunted by specters that dwell behind the elaborated patterns on the wall paper in her room. Gilman was one of the leading feminists and lecturers of her time (1860-1935).
THE ISLAND.
Hartley, L. P. (Leslie Poles). 1924, short story.
Superbly controlled story of a visit to a ghostly house on a mist shrouded island, full of suggestive whispers and shadows.
Superbly controlled story of a visit to a ghostly house on a mist shrouded island, full of suggestive whispers and shadows.
THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT.
Hodgson, William Hope. 1907, short story.
Castaways are transformed by fungus they are obliged to eat. The basis of a 1960's overlooked masterpiece of weird cinema from Toho Films, titled, Matango, or The Attack of the Mushroom People (beware truncated prints!). Of course, Philip Fisher's Fungus Isle is of the same mold, if you'll pardon my expression.
Castaways are transformed by fungus they are obliged to eat. The basis of a 1960's overlooked masterpiece of weird cinema from Toho Films, titled, Matango, or The Attack of the Mushroom People (beware truncated prints!). Of course, Philip Fisher's Fungus Isle is of the same mold, if you'll pardon my expression.
MYTHAGO WOOD.
Holdstock, Robert. 1984, novelette.
Ryhope Wood is a primeval, intricate, labyrinth of trees, and home to Mythagoes: metamorphic figures that take their essence from the collective unconscious of the British people.
Ryhope Wood is a primeval, intricate, labyrinth of trees, and home to Mythagoes: metamorphic figures that take their essence from the collective unconscious of the British people.
BEYOND THE BLACK RIVER.
Howard, Robert E. 1935, novelette.
Conan enlists his sword to Aquilonian expansionists as they push further westward into hostile Pictish territory. This is essentially a colonial frontier story disguised as sword & sorcery, and generally thought to be Robert E. Howard's finest work--- it's my pick for best adventure story of all time. Howard excelled when writing the Conan yarns, but beware, except no substitutes, read the originals first before moving on to the comic and graphic adaptations, or any other pastiches. Big Bob was often imitated, but never equaled.
Conan enlists his sword to Aquilonian expansionists as they push further westward into hostile Pictish territory. This is essentially a colonial frontier story disguised as sword & sorcery, and generally thought to be Robert E. Howard's finest work--- it's my pick for best adventure story of all time. Howard excelled when writing the Conan yarns, but beware, except no substitutes, read the originals first before moving on to the comic and graphic adaptations, or any other pastiches. Big Bob was often imitated, but never equaled.
PIGEONS FROM HELL.
Howard, Robert E. 1936, short story.
Two young men take up lodging inside a desolate, decaying southern mansion, and find unexpected horror waiting for them in the dust laden rooms. One of the scariest stories ever written, and one of Robert E. Howard's most accomplished yarns, brilliantly incorporating his knowledge of regional ethnic folktales with classic horror tropes.
Two young men take up lodging inside a desolate, decaying southern mansion, and find unexpected horror waiting for them in the dust laden rooms. One of the scariest stories ever written, and one of Robert E. Howard's most accomplished yarns, brilliantly incorporating his knowledge of regional ethnic folktales with classic horror tropes.
MEN WITHOUT BONES.
Kersh, Gerald. 1954, short story.
Cosmic, Lovecraftian horror, lurking in the headwaters of the Amazon River. Gerald Kersh's most potent short story, substantiating my belief that he is a master of the fantastic, if not the macabre, and vastly underrated by the literary intelligentsia.
Cosmic, Lovecraftian horror, lurking in the headwaters of the Amazon River. Gerald Kersh's most potent short story, substantiating my belief that he is a master of the fantastic, if not the macabre, and vastly underrated by the literary intelligentsia.
VOICES IN THE DUST OF ANNAN.
Kersh, Gerald. 1958, short story.
A trader finds unexpected surprises in the decayed ruins of an ancient city. Yet another masterpiece from the much unheralded Kersh.
A trader finds unexpected surprises in the decayed ruins of an ancient city. Yet another masterpiece from the much unheralded Kersh.
THE PRINCESS OF ALL LANDS.
Kirk, Russell. 1979, novelette.
A super-normal woman finds herself abducted into a demonic realm of depravity and terror. Russell Kirk was a proponent (and father) of "traditionalist conservatism," which emphasized the principles of natural law, moral order, classicism and high culture, philosophies that are often spun into his ghost fiction but without lessening their impact on the reader---perhaps even enhancing their impact. His supernatural stories rest solidly in the classic tradition of M. R. James, Sheridan Le Fanu and and H. Russell Wakefield, and are strongly recommended.
A super-normal woman finds herself abducted into a demonic realm of depravity and terror. Russell Kirk was a proponent (and father) of "traditionalist conservatism," which emphasized the principles of natural law, moral order, classicism and high culture, philosophies that are often spun into his ghost fiction but without lessening their impact on the reader---perhaps even enhancing their impact. His supernatural stories rest solidly in the classic tradition of M. R. James, Sheridan Le Fanu and and H. Russell Wakefield, and are strongly recommended.
THERE'S A LONG, LONG TRAIL A-WINDING.
Kirk, Russell. 1977, novelette.
"All heads off but mine!" brayed the berserker. A tramp relives the ghostly events of a pivotal morning after taking refuge in an abandoned old mansion. Russell Kirk's story about the redemption of a wandering sinner was an unexpected winner of the 1977 World Fantasy Award for best short fiction.
"All heads off but mine!" brayed the berserker. A tramp relives the ghostly events of a pivotal morning after taking refuge in an abandoned old mansion. Russell Kirk's story about the redemption of a wandering sinner was an unexpected winner of the 1977 World Fantasy Award for best short fiction.
THE BODY.
King, Stephen. 1982, novella.
During their Summer break four boys set out to find a reported dead body in the woods and experience a rite of passage in the process as well as a stirring adventure. Stephen King's most heart felt story, a thick slice of pure Americana, served up like succulent watermelon on a plate.
During their Summer break four boys set out to find a reported dead body in the woods and experience a rite of passage in the process as well as a stirring adventure. Stephen King's most heart felt story, a thick slice of pure Americana, served up like succulent watermelon on a plate.
THE MIST.
King, Stephen. 1985, novelette.
An eerie mist envelopes a small town community causing fear and panic among the inhabitants. A siege story, by any other definition, in which the trapped citizens are besieged from within as well as without. I loved the masterful way Stephen King left his story open-ended...
An eerie mist envelopes a small town community causing fear and panic among the inhabitants. A siege story, by any other definition, in which the trapped citizens are besieged from within as well as without. I loved the masterful way Stephen King left his story open-ended...
THE GRAVEYARD RATS.
Kuttner, Henry. 1936, short story.
Justice is served when an greedy opportunist becomes terrorized while tunneling under a Salem cemetery. Henry Kuttner is largely under-appreciated by most horror aficionados, but early in his career he was briefly associated with the Lovecraft circle and produced quite a few nasty thrillers as a result. This atmospheric tale comes highly recommended, as does some of Kuttner's other early short stories; The Frogs, Four Frightful Men and the classic, "I, the Vampire".
Justice is served when an greedy opportunist becomes terrorized while tunneling under a Salem cemetery. Henry Kuttner is largely under-appreciated by most horror aficionados, but early in his career he was briefly associated with the Lovecraft circle and produced quite a few nasty thrillers as a result. This atmospheric tale comes highly recommended, as does some of Kuttner's other early short stories; The Frogs, Four Frightful Men and the classic, "I, the Vampire".
FEESTERS IN THE LAKE.
Leman, Bob. 1980, short story.
The sins of a father can be cast upon his children, as we have witnessed all too often throughout our history. Leman's family chronicle should be considered a bona fide classic of American Dark Fantasy, as much for what the story ultimately reveals to us, but also for what is not revealed to us. That kind of remarkable restraint coupled with decorum tells us that Leman was a master writer at the absolute peak of his game.
The sins of a father can be cast upon his children, as we have witnessed all too often throughout our history. Leman's family chronicle should be considered a bona fide classic of American Dark Fantasy, as much for what the story ultimately reveals to us, but also for what is not revealed to us. That kind of remarkable restraint coupled with decorum tells us that Leman was a master writer at the absolute peak of his game.
WINDOW.
Leman, Bob. 1981, short story.
Military scientists experimenting with telekinesis uncover a strange window to a Victorian past. Everything about the pastoral scene on the other side of the window seems tranquil, but looks are often deceiving. Bob Leman completed only 15 stories in his lifetime, but each one is remarkable for its imaginative summations and succinct invocation of rural America.
Military scientists experimenting with telekinesis uncover a strange window to a Victorian past. Everything about the pastoral scene on the other side of the window seems tranquil, but looks are often deceiving. Bob Leman completed only 15 stories in his lifetime, but each one is remarkable for its imaginative summations and succinct invocation of rural America.
TO BUILD A FIRE.
London, Jack. 1908, short story.
Ironically, London wrote his story about freezing to death in the Great White North while sitting comfortably in a bungalow in Hawaii, buffeted by the island's halcyon breezes. And yet for more than a century his chilling masterpiece has stood the test of time as the short-story form's finest example of naturalistic horror.
Ironically, London wrote his story about freezing to death in the Great White North while sitting comfortably in a bungalow in Hawaii, buffeted by the island's halcyon breezes. And yet for more than a century his chilling masterpiece has stood the test of time as the short-story form's finest example of naturalistic horror.
THE SPACE-EATERS.
Long, Frank Belknap. 1928, short story.
Even though Long was a writer and editor for seven decades, and a recipient of both the World Fantasy Award and Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement, and helped shape the Cthulhu Mythos with absurdly entertaining stories like The Space-Eaters and The Hounds of Tindalos, he died virtually impoverished, a casualty of the low-yield morass that is genre fiction. While that fact cannot be changed, we can rectify his legacy by reading his works whenever possible. Plus they're fun, and The Space-Eaters is the perfect place to begin.
Even though Long was a writer and editor for seven decades, and a recipient of both the World Fantasy Award and Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement, and helped shape the Cthulhu Mythos with absurdly entertaining stories like The Space-Eaters and The Hounds of Tindalos, he died virtually impoverished, a casualty of the low-yield morass that is genre fiction. While that fact cannot be changed, we can rectify his legacy by reading his works whenever possible. Plus they're fun, and The Space-Eaters is the perfect place to begin.
ENEMY MINE.
Longyear, Barry B. 1979, novella.
An alien creature at warring odds with aggressive human expansionism becomes isolated with its adversary on a harsh, primitive planet. During their ordeal some startling and unexpected developments occur that change the outcome of their relationship. Longyear's Hugo Award winning story is one of the genre's most memorable stories.
An alien creature at warring odds with aggressive human expansionism becomes isolated with its adversary on a harsh, primitive planet. During their ordeal some startling and unexpected developments occur that change the outcome of their relationship. Longyear's Hugo Award winning story is one of the genre's most memorable stories.
THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE.
Lovecraft, H. P. 1927, short story.
"What it is, only God knows." If you are willing to suspend your disbelief, then this Cthulhu tale from H.P. Lovecraft will surround you in glowing astral weirdness.
"What it is, only God knows." If you are willing to suspend your disbelief, then this Cthulhu tale from H.P. Lovecraft will surround you in glowing astral weirdness.
NOVEL OF THE BLACK SEAL.
Machen, Arthur. 1895, novella.
The little People of Wales have never received such a masterful (and frightening) literary treatment. Lovecraft considered Machen foremost among the four "modern masters" of supernatural horror (which includes Algernon Blackwood, Lord Dunsany and M. R. James), and Machen's reputation as the premier writer of fin-de-siècle supernatural literature remains solid to this day.
The little People of Wales have never received such a masterful (and frightening) literary treatment. Lovecraft considered Machen foremost among the four "modern masters" of supernatural horror (which includes Algernon Blackwood, Lord Dunsany and M. R. James), and Machen's reputation as the premier writer of fin-de-siècle supernatural literature remains solid to this day.
NOVEL OF THE WHITE POWDER.
Machen, Arthur. 1895, novella.
A prescription drug envelopes its user in a blasphemous metamorphosis. Another slice of Welsh weirdness by an author who's works should be considered essential reading by everyone who loves good fiction.
A prescription drug envelopes its user in a blasphemous metamorphosis. Another slice of Welsh weirdness by an author who's works should be considered essential reading by everyone who loves good fiction.
THE WHITE PEOPLE.
Machen, Arthur. 1899, novella.
A girls journal describes a series of nearly indescribable mystical visions involving supernatural presences in the woods. One of the fantasy genre's finest examinations of dark folklore.
A girls journal describes a series of nearly indescribable mystical visions involving supernatural presences in the woods. One of the fantasy genre's finest examinations of dark folklore.
SANDKINGS.
Martin, George R. R. 1979, novelette.
A foolish and dangerous preoccupation with some newly acquired alien pets brings ironic disaster upon its owner. George R.R. Martin (GRRM) has become enormously famous for his epic fantasy series A Song of Fire and Ice (the first book being the best), but for me his short fiction is much more rewarding to read.
A foolish and dangerous preoccupation with some newly acquired alien pets brings ironic disaster upon its owner. George R.R. Martin (GRRM) has become enormously famous for his epic fantasy series A Song of Fire and Ice (the first book being the best), but for me his short fiction is much more rewarding to read.
NIGHTCRAWLERS.
McCammon, Robert R. 1984, short story.
A Vietnam veteran can't prevent the war's horrific memories from materializing during his postwar travels, with sudden catastrophic results.
A Vietnam veteran can't prevent the war's horrific memories from materializing during his postwar travels, with sudden catastrophic results.
WHAT WAS IT?
O'Brien, Fitz-James. 1860, short story.
Wrestling with the unknown and the unseen, as the title so aptly states. Irishman turned U.S. emigrate Fitz-James O'Brien is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of science fiction. His much-anthologized short story The Diamond Lens, about a scientist's startling discovery of a microscopic human world living inside a single a drop of water, is one of the earliest known masterpieces of scientific-romance.
Wrestling with the unknown and the unseen, as the title so aptly states. Irishman turned U.S. emigrate Fitz-James O'Brien is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of science fiction. His much-anthologized short story The Diamond Lens, about a scientist's startling discovery of a microscopic human world living inside a single a drop of water, is one of the earliest known masterpieces of scientific-romance.
THE BECKONING FAIR ONE.
Onions, Oliver. 1911, novella.
Art itself becomes a supernatural phenomenon when the protagonist of this story submits to "the beckoning fair one", the woman of his art. I read a description of the ghostly woman here as in the "category of absolute things," though I'm not quite sure what that means. But this is a multilayered work, and it does represent one of the best efforts in the supernatural genre-- that much I do know!
Art itself becomes a supernatural phenomenon when the protagonist of this story submits to "the beckoning fair one", the woman of his art. I read a description of the ghostly woman here as in the "category of absolute things," though I'm not quite sure what that means. But this is a multilayered work, and it does represent one of the best efforts in the supernatural genre-- that much I do know!
THE TELL-TALE HEART.
Poe, Edgar Allan. 1840, short story.
"I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture-- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees-- very gradually-- I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever." For those few out there who may be skeptical about Edgar Allan Poe's vaulted reputation, or haven't actually read any Poe stories, this is the place to start. The Tell-Tale Heart is an almost pitch perfect story, guaranteed to win them over to the dark side.
"I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture-- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees-- very gradually-- I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever." For those few out there who may be skeptical about Edgar Allan Poe's vaulted reputation, or haven't actually read any Poe stories, this is the place to start. The Tell-Tale Heart is an almost pitch perfect story, guaranteed to win them over to the dark side.
THE HUMAN CHAIR.
Rampo, Edogawa. 1925, short story.
A furniture artisan's finest piece takes on a most bizarre treatment. Edogawa Rampo, the pseudonym of Japan's foremost mystery writer, Tarō Hira, liked to incorporate elements of eroticism, grotesqueness, and the nonsensical into his stories, and The Human Chair is one of his greatest examples.
A furniture artisan's finest piece takes on a most bizarre treatment. Edogawa Rampo, the pseudonym of Japan's foremost mystery writer, Tarō Hira, liked to incorporate elements of eroticism, grotesqueness, and the nonsensical into his stories, and The Human Chair is one of his greatest examples.
THE AUTOPSY.
Shea, Michael. 1980, short story.
A forensic scientist examines the corpses of a serial killer and his unfortunate victims with altogether terrifying results (in fact, this story might just be the scariest story ever written in the modern era). Michael Shea, who sadly passed away in 2014 at age 67, also won a World Fantasy Award for his fix-up heroic-fantasy novel Nift The Lean.
A forensic scientist examines the corpses of a serial killer and his unfortunate victims with altogether terrifying results (in fact, this story might just be the scariest story ever written in the modern era). Michael Shea, who sadly passed away in 2014 at age 67, also won a World Fantasy Award for his fix-up heroic-fantasy novel Nift The Lean.
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| NOTE: DRAWING INSPIRED BY MICHAEL WHELAN'S DISTANT STARS |
THE DWELLER IN THE GULF.
Smith, Clark Ashton. 1933, short story.
Earth astronauts exploring a deep cavern on the planet Mars discover sightless beings who worship an eidolon of their god. Smith, a poet and artist by natural inclination, was part of the "big three of Weird Tales" during the 1930's, and developed literary friendships with both Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft. His uncanny ability to describe unearthly realms and otherworldly dimensions is perhaps unmatched by any other writer, and he even invented new words along the way to describe his imaginative worlds.
Earth astronauts exploring a deep cavern on the planet Mars discover sightless beings who worship an eidolon of their god. Smith, a poet and artist by natural inclination, was part of the "big three of Weird Tales" during the 1930's, and developed literary friendships with both Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft. His uncanny ability to describe unearthly realms and otherworldly dimensions is perhaps unmatched by any other writer, and he even invented new words along the way to describe his imaginative worlds.
LEININGEN VERSUS THE ANTS.
Stephenson, Carl. 1938, short story.
A jungle plantation finds itself in the destructive path of a huge army of marching ants. The question now is: will man's ingenuity and courage (and arrogance) be enough to repel this rampaging aberration of nature? Stephenson's yarn was filmed in 1954 as The Naked Jungle (starring Charton Heston), but the best adaptations were made for radio-- in 1948 for the CBS radio series Escape, voiced by William Conrad-- and again in 1957 for the CBS radio series Suspense, with narration by Luis Van Rooten. Both dramatizations are excellent and worth listening to, especially if you haven't read the short story, or, even if you have.
A jungle plantation finds itself in the destructive path of a huge army of marching ants. The question now is: will man's ingenuity and courage (and arrogance) be enough to repel this rampaging aberration of nature? Stephenson's yarn was filmed in 1954 as The Naked Jungle (starring Charton Heston), but the best adaptations were made for radio-- in 1948 for the CBS radio series Escape, voiced by William Conrad-- and again in 1957 for the CBS radio series Suspense, with narration by Luis Van Rooten. Both dramatizations are excellent and worth listening to, especially if you haven't read the short story, or, even if you have.
[2008. © Revised in January, 2019, Jeffersen.]
