Books matching: horror fantasy collection
89 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:'The October Country' by Ray Bradbury is a collection of 19 horror fantasy short stories that showcase a range of dark, eerie, haunting, and twisted tales. The stories delve into macabre themes, odd occurrences, and bizarre situations that both entrance and repel readers. Through his poetic prose, Bradbury explores the nature of the human condition, mortality, and the mysteries of life, creating a haunting reading experience that lingers long after the stories are finished. The book is a blend of suspenseful, creepy, and unsettling narratives that evoke a sense of unease and contemplation about the world we live in.
The stories in 'The October Country' are known for their beautifully written and highly imaginative nature, capturing the reader's attention with vivid descriptions, vivid imagery, and engaging storytelling. Bradbury's writing style is characterized by its poetic evocations, sparse yet meaningful prose, and the ability to convey deep themes in a few words. The collection offers a mix of horror, fantasy, and suspense, with some stories exploring the darker aspects of human nature while others provide a whimsical and life-affirming perspective on existence. Overall, 'The October Country' presents a diverse range of narratives that touch on themes of love, death, fear, and the supernatural in a captivating and thought-provoking manner.
Tonight was one of those motionless hot summer nights. The concrete pier empty, the strung red, white, yellow bulbs burning like insects in the air above the wooden emptiness. The managers of the vari... - #2
Save:The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft is a classic horror tale that delves into madness, evil, and the dark gods. The story follows Charles Dexter Ward, a young man drawn to the dark arts of witchcraft in Rhode Island, who becomes increasingly deranged as he delves deeper into macabre subjects and obscurities of the underworld. Through the eyes of a third-person narrator, the readers witness the terrifying transformation of Charles as he uncovers the terrible deeds of Joseph Curwen, an ancient resident involved in sinister activities.
The narrative unfolds in a chillingly clinical precision, showcasing Lovecraft's talent for building a sense of creeping horror through a slow and careful buildup. The book immerses the readers in a frightful environment filled with madness and diabolic schemes, where the protagonist's descent into darkness is described step by step by a third-person narrator, creating a sense of dread and fascination throughout the story.
From a private hospital for the insane near Providence, Rhode Island, there recently disappeared an exceedingly singular person. He bore the name of Charles Dexter Ward, and was placed under restraint... - #3
Save:'Compulsory Games' by Robert Aickman is a collection of strange and vivid stories that stick with the reader, often ending with unexpected twists. The writing style is eloquent and eerie, capturing everyday experiences and transforming them into disturbing and surreal narratives. Aickman's stories delve into themes of control in relationships, the ordinary mingled with the bizarre, and the blurring of reality, leaving readers questioning the nature of fear and the boundaries of perception.
The book features a series of short stories and novellas that explore the complexities of human relationships, often with a dark and ambiguous tone. Aickman's writing style is poetic and evocative, drawing readers into a dreamlike world where the line between reality and nightmare is blurred. The stories range from subtle horror to unsettling surrealism, creating a sense of unease and mystery that lingers long after the final page.
- #4
Save:'The Compleat Werewolf and Other Stories of Fantasy and Science Fiction' by Anthony Boucher is a collection of short stories that span across various genres including fantasy, horror, and science fiction. The book features tales of werewolves, magicians, demons, robots, and other fantastical elements, all set in different time periods and locations. The stories are characterized by their imaginative plots, engaging characters, and a touch of humor that balances the fantastical and sometimes horrific nature of the narratives.
The book includes stories like 'The Compleat Werewolf' where a werewolf and a magician join forces during WWII, 'We Print the Truth' about a newspaper editor using magic to change the town's future, and 'Mr. Lupescu' where a young boy claims to have a fairy godfather. Each story presents a unique and intriguing plot, often with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing Boucher's versatility as a writer in blending different genres seamlessly.
Wolfe Wolf crumpled the sheet of paper into a yellow ball and hurled it out the window into the sunshine of the bright campus spring. He made several choice and profane remarks in fluent Middle High G... - #5
Save:'Dark Tales' by Shirley Jackson is a collection of unsettling and mysterious stories that evoke a sense of menace and suspense rather than outright fear. The tales are well-written, with a misleading sense of normality giving rise to strange and unexpected revelations. From haunted houses to dark woods, the stories in this collection explore themes of paranoia, haunting, and the sinister lurking within the mundane. Shirley Jackson's writing style is clean, vivid, and to the point, painting a vivid picture of a haunting world where nothing is as it seems.
Miss Adela Strangeworth stepped daintily along Main Street on her way to the grocery. The sun was shining, the air was fresh and clear after the night’s heavy rain, and everything in Miss Strangeworth... - #6
Save:'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter is a collection of dark and sensual retellings of classic fairy tales with a gothic and feminist twist. Carter's writing style is described as beautifully crafted, evocative, and rich in imagery, bringing new life to familiar stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, and Bluebeard. The stories explore themes of sexuality, agency of women, and the darker aspects of human nature, creating a complex and compelling fantasy world.
The book features ten adult adaptations of fairy tales, each with a macabre and feminist undertone. Carter's storytelling is praised for its unique voice, strong connections between tales, and its feminist reinterpretation of traditional themes. The collection is a blend of reimagined myths and original stories, challenging the reader to explore a more nuanced and morally complex version of fairy tales.
- #7
Save:'The King in Yellow' by Robert W. Chambers is a collection of short stories that range from horror to romance, with a central theme revolving around a mysterious and madness-inducing play called The King in Yellow. The first four stories are highly praised for their eldritch horrors, macabre dystopias, and Lovecraftian themes, while the remaining stories explore war, romance, and dream-like fragments set in Paris and other settings. Chambers weaves together a mix of horror, romance, and supernatural elements, creating a unique and eerie atmosphere throughout the book.
Chambers' writing style in 'The King in Yellow' is described as intricate and detailed, with a focus on creating a sense of mystery and tension. The stories are noted for their atmospheric descriptions, clever narratives, and thematic connections that delve into cosmic horror, psychological suspense, and the consequences of encountering the forbidden play, The King in Yellow.
Toward the end of the year 1920 the government of the United States had practically completed the programme, adopted during the last months of President Winthrop’s administration. The country was appa... - #8
Save:'Dreamsongs. Volume I' by George R.R. Martin is a collection of short stories that showcases the author's evolution as a writer, ranging from science fiction to fantasy to horror. The book contains early works that display Martin's commitment to storytelling, with elements of darkness, eldritch horrors, and intriguing characters. Readers can see the development of Martin's writing style over time, with some stories hinting at his later iconic works.
The book offers a mix of stories that vary in quality, from forgettable plots to standout pieces like 'Sandkings', 'The Way of Cross and Dragon', and 'The Pear Shaped Man'. Readers can appreciate the autobiographical introductions that provide insights into Martin's life and influences while writing these stories. Despite some mixed reviews, the collection overall presents a fascinating look at the career and growth of one of the prominent sci-fi fantasy writers of our time.
Most of them existed only in my head, but once I learned to read and write I would sometimes put down bits on paper. The oldest surviving example of my writing, which looks like something I might have... - #9
Save:Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson is a science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic Toronto where the inner city has been abandoned by the wealthy. The story follows Ti Jeanne, a young woman with a Caribbean heritage and magical abilities, who must navigate the dangerous world of the inner city. As she deals with family conflicts and faces off against local gangsters, Ti Jeanne embraces her ancestral powers to protect herself and her loved ones.
Hopkinson's writing style blends science fiction with Afro-Caribbean folklore, creating a rich and vivid world filled with complex characters and mystical elements. The book explores themes of family, heritage, and resilience in the face of adversity, offering a unique and engaging take on urban fantasy and magical realism.
Ti-Jeanne could see with more than sight. Sometimes she saw how people were going to die. When she closed her eyes, the childhood songs her grandmother had sung to her replayed in her mind, and dancin... - #10
Save:'Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse' is a collection of post apocalyptic short stories written by various renowned authors like Stephen King, Octavia E. Butler, and Orson Scott Card. The anthology explores different scenarios after the end of the world, ranging from terrifying to despondent to hopeful. The writing style varies, providing a mix of action-packed lone survivor stories and more contemplative pieces that examine the human condition in the face of catastrophe.
