Who Would Like This Book:
If you're into horror that's more unsettling than outright gory, and you love your short stories weird, experimental, and sometimes meta, "Growing Things and Other Stories" is right up your alley. Tremblay isn't afraid to play with structure, voice, or narrative style - you'll find everything from found-footage and journal entries to choose-your-own-adventure formats. Fans of ambiguity, psychological tension, and stories that linger in your mind will be especially pleased. It's perfect for readers who like horror that makes you think (and occasionally squirm), and for those who enjoyed Tremblay's novels or are just starting to dip their toes into his world.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer clear resolutions and traditional story arcs, you might find yourself frustrated here. Some stories can feel a bit too abstract or ambiguous, with endings that leave plot threads intentionally unresolved. Not every story is a home run - expect some unevenness in quality, with certain tales that might feel confusing, more experimental than enjoyable, or a bit disconnected emotionally. If you want straight scares or neatly tied-up horror, this collection may not hit the mark.
About:
'Growing Things and Other Stories' by Paul Tremblay is a collection of short stories that blend horror, the supernatural, paranormal, and basic fiction. The stories feature unique premises and formats, such as a Choose Your Own Adventure style narrative and stories told by unreliable narrators. Tremblay's writing style keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with some stories leaving a lasting impact and others exploring dark and ambiguous themes.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include mental health themes, addiction, grief, trauma, suicidal ideation, and other intense emotional experiences.
From The Publisher:
A New York Times Notable Book
Winner of the Bram Stoker Award
"One of the best collections of the 21st century." - Stephen King
A chilling collection of psychological suspense and literary horror from the multiple award-winning author of the national bestseller The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts.
A masterful anthology featuring nineteen pieces of short fiction, Growing Things is an exciting glimpse into Paul Tremblay's fantastically fertile imagination.
In "The Teacher," a Bram Stoker Award nominee for best short story, a student is forced to watch a disturbing video that will haunt and torment her and her classmates' lives.
Four men rob a pawn shop at gunpoint only to vanish, one-by-one, as they speed away from the crime scene in "The Getaway."
In "Swim Wants to Know If It's as Bad as Swim Thinks," a meth addict kidnaps her daughter from her estranged mother as their town is terrorized by a giant monster . . . or not.
Joining these haunting works are stories linked to Tremblay's previous novels. The tour de force metafictional novella "Notes from the Dog Walkers" deconstructs horror and publishing, possibly bringing in a character from A Head Full of Ghosts, all while serving as a prequel to Disappearance at Devil's Rock. "The Thirteenth Temple" follows another character from A Head Full of Ghosts-Merry, who has published a tell-all memoir written years after the events of the novel. And the title story, "Growing Things," a shivery tale loosely shared between the sisters in A Head Full of Ghosts, is told here in full.
From global catastrophe to the demons inside our heads, Tremblay illuminates our primal fears and darkest dreams in startlingly original fiction that leaves us unmoored. As he lowers the sky and yanks the ground from beneath our feet, we are compelled to contemplate the darkness inside our own hearts and minds.
Ratings (6)
Incredible (1) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (16):
Read It (6) | |
Want To Read (7) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
There were a few good ones, but overall I didn't care for this collection. Disjointed does not mean creepy! It just felt like the author couldn't think of a way to actually connect all his random thoughts most of the time, so he just threw them into a short story with the thinnest of connections and said "Yeah, good enough."
What can you read after
Growing Things and Other Stories?
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