Books matching: dark short stories
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- #1
Save:'Her Body and Other Parties' by Carmen Maria Machado is a collection of dark and compelling short stories that delve into themes of horror, body autonomy, feminism, and sexuality. The stories range from eerie retellings of urban legends to surreal summaries of Law and Order SVU episodes, all with a focus on the struggles faced by women and LGBTQ people. Machado's writing style is described as colorful, compelling, and powerful, with each story offering a unique perspective on the female experience.
In the beginning, I know I want him before he does. This isn’t how things are done, but this is how I am going to do them. I am at a neighbor’s party with my parents, and I am seventeen. I drink half ... - #2
Save:'Skeleton Crew' by Stephen King is a collection of short stories that showcases the author's mastery in the horror genre. The book features a variety of tales that range from unsettling and gruesome to chilling and thought-provoking. King's writing style immerses readers in stories that explore the depths of human psyche, often leaving them feeling scared, paranoid, and fascinated by the twists and turns in the narratives. The collection includes stories that delve into horror, science fiction, and elements of regular human drama, offering a well-rounded genre experience for readers.
This is what happened. On the night that the worst heat wave in northern New England history finally broke—the night of July 19—the entire western Maine region was lashed with the most vicious thunder... - #3
Save:'The Best Horror of the Year: 1' edited by Ellen Datlow is an anthology of horror stories from various authors. The collection spans different sub-genres of horror, from traditional ghost stories to modern tales involving zombies and supernatural beings. The book showcases a mix of established authors and emerging talents, providing a diverse range of narratives that aim to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of unease. Ellen Datlow's curation brings together a selection of chilling and thought-provoking stories that explore the darker aspects of human nature and the unknown.
Katherine MacDonald, sitting beside the bed and attaching one of the four TENS units to his scrawny thigh just below the basketball shorts he now always wore, did not look up. Her face was carefully b... - #4
Save:'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a short story that delves into a woman's descent into madness as she stays confined in a room with yellow wallpaper, growing obsessed with it. The book explores themes of women's mental health issues in the late 19th century, particularly postpartum depression, and the mistreatment of women by society and the medical profession. The narrative is a powerful commentary on women's lack of power in a male-dominated world, showcasing the consequences of isolation and confinement on one's mental state.
The writing style in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is often described as gothic, haunting, and psychological. It effectively portrays the slow deterioration of the main character's mental state, capturing the reader's attention with vivid descriptions and a sense of impending madness. The story is lauded for its thought-provoking exploration of societal norms and the repression of women, offering a chilling and impactful read in just a few pages.
If a physician of high standing, and one's own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—wha... - #5
Save:Lazarus is one of Andreyev's best known stories, about a man who comes back from the dead after three days to reveal his experiences and "evil peculiarities." "Wisdom and folly are the same, for the Infinite knows them not."
Leonid Nikolaievich And
... - #6
Save:'Things We Lost in the Fire' by Mariana Enriquez is a collection of 12 short stories set in Argentina that delve into horror, both supernatural and psychological. The stories explore themes of poverty, fear, heartbreak, and the supernatural, offering a glimpse into the darker side of present-day life in Argentina. The writing style is described as haunting, addictive, and beautifully written, with each story presenting a unique and unsettling perspective on Argentinean struggles and poverty.
My family thinks I’m crazy, and all because I choose to live in our old family home in Constitución, in the house that once belonged to my paternal grandparents. It’s an imposing stone building on Cal... - #7
Save:'Haunted' by Chuck Palahniuk is a collection of short stories woven together by a central narrative. The book follows 23 aspiring authors who are locked away in a writer's retreat to find their muse. As they stay longer, their stories become more revealing and disturbing, leading them to descend into madness. The stories range from wild and crazy accounts, including graphic and grotesque elements, to a central focus on the entertainment-driven culture. Palahniuk's writing style is described as wicked brilliant, engaging, and horrifying, with a unique blend of humor and darkness that captivates readers.
The book is structured in a Canterbury Tales format, with each participant having a nickname and sharing a poem and a story. The narrative explores themes of depravity, insanity, desperation, and other vices typical of the author. The stories are blackly humorous, macabre, and at times shocking, challenging readers to consider the darker aspects of humanity while showcasing Palahniuk's ability to craft compelling and disturbing narratives.
When the bus pulls to the corner where Comrade Snarky had agreed to wait, she stands there in an army-surplus flak jacket—dark olive-green—and baggy camouflage pants, the cuffs rolled up to show infan... - #8
Save:In "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison, readers are taken on a journey through a series of short stories, mostly horror, that showcase the author's creativity and excellent storytelling abilities. The titular story, a terrifying science fiction tale, imagines a future where humanity is on the brink of extinction, tormented by a sadistic supercomputer named AM. The collection delves into themes of human suffering, the nature of hell, and loneliness, presenting a dark and thought-provoking exploration of existential horror.
Ellison's writing style is described as brutal, jarring, fast-moving, and chaotic, with a unique insight into humanity and the future. The book features a mix of haunting and thought-provoking stories, such as "Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes" and "Lonelyache," that captivate readers with their imaginative and provocative narratives. Despite some stories feeling dated or uneven, the title story stands out as a masterpiece of torment that leaves a lasting impact on readers, making it a classic in the realm of science fiction and horror.
Limp, the body of Gorrister hung from the pink palette; unsupported—hanging high above us in the computer chamber; and it did not shiver in the chill, oily breeze that blew eternally through the main ... Neil Gaiman's collection of short fiction, 'Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances', offers a mix of dark and unique stories that showcase the author's wit and originality. The book includes tales featuring well-known characters like Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, and Shadow from 'American Gods', along with original stories that range from strange and edgy to creepy and thought-provoking. The writing style is described as engaging, imaginative, and inventive, with each story bringing a sense of unease or darkness that keeps readers on edge.
SHE HAD BEEN RUNNING for four days now, a harum-scarum tumbling flight through passages and tunnels. She was hungry, and exhausted, and more tired than a body could stand, and each successive door was...- #10
Save:"Stay Awake: Stories" by Dan Chaon is a collection of dark and haunting short stories that delve into themes of loss, grief, abandonment, and the supernatural. The author masterfully weaves together realistic domestic drama with elements of horror, creating an atmosphere of dread and foreboding. Chaon's writing style is described as beautifully haunting, with stories that are unsettling, disturbing, and deeply engaging, focusing on damaged characters plagued by deep emotions and behaving in strange ways.
Gene’s son Frankie wakes up screaming. It has become frequent, two or three times a week, at random times: midnight—three A.M.—five in the morning. Here is a high, empty wail that severs Gene from his...
