Books matching: unsettling encounters
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- #1
Save:"Randalls Round" by Eleanor Scott is a collection of 9 ghost stories first published in 1929. The tales delve into eerie folk dances, ancient rituals, cursed antiquaries, and haunted manor houses. The writing style is reminiscent of M.R. James and E.F. Benson, with a focus on quiet hauntings, hidden secrets, and a touch of folklore. The stories are characterized by their lively, witty, and utterly chilling narratives, often leaving room for the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps.
“OF COURSE, I don’t pretend to be aesthetic and all that,” said Heyling in that voice of half contemptuous indifference that often marks the rivalry between Science and Art, “but I must say that this ... - #2
Save:'The Other Side of the Mountain' by Michel Bernanos is a haunting and eerie tale of two survivors of a shipwreck who find themselves in surreal and bizarre surroundings that seem like a different planet. The story delves into themes of madness, friendship, and survival as the characters navigate through a post-apocalyptic-like world filled with dark perils and disturbing encounters. The writing style is described as easy to read yet deeply impactful, leaving vivid images in the minds of readers long after finishing the novella.
My memory of what proved to be the beginning of an appalling adventure is very vague, almost nonexistent. In truth, not until the following morning was I once again fully in touch with reality. Great... - #3
Save:The Tomb by H.P. Lovecraft is a short story that follows Jervas Dudley, a man obsessed with a mysterious mausoleum belonging to the Hyde family. He discovers their dark history and is compelled to uncover the secrets within. As he descends into madness, his obsession leads him to bizarre encounters, divine retribution, and ultimately institutionalization. The narrative hints at themes of reincarnation and the nature of insanity, culminating in a twist that ties him to his ancestral past.
Lovecraft's writing style in The Tomb features dense prose and run-on sentences, characteristic of his early work. The story presents an unreliable narrator, creating tension as the reader questions Jervas’s grasp on reality. There’s a blend of gothic elements and a focus on the unexplainable, which invites readers into Lovecraft’s world. While the text can be cumbersome, it sets the groundwork for themes in Lovecraft's later works, making it an interesting read for fans of weird fiction.
In relating the circumstances which have led to my confinement within this refuge for the demented, I am aware that my present position will create a natural doubt of the authenticity of my narrative.... - #4
Save:'Killer on the Road' by James Ellroy delves into the twisted mind of a serial killer named Martin Plunkett. The narrative follows Plunkett's journey from childhood to maturity, exploring the moments and events that shape his uncaring and evil nature. Ellroy's writing style captivates readers with its clipped, terse sentences and wild shifts in personality, convincing them that they are reading the musings of a real killer. The plot allows readers to see first-hand the twisted rationalizations and reasons that set the killer into motion, rather than just describing pure evil in the third person.
Despite starting out with an amazing first act, the book takes a dark turn as Plunkett begins his killing spree, losing the initial tension of when he will commit his first murder. As the story progresses, the book becomes a countdown to Plunkett's inevitable arrest and conviction, with the narrative interspersed with newspaper reports and the diary of an FBI agent tracking unsolved murders. Ellroy's exploration of evil in 'Killer on the Road' is chilling and hard to put down, showcasing the author's deft hand at characterization and story development.
- #5
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.
- #6
Save:Cold Eternity by S.A. Barnes is a gripping space horror novel that takes readers aboard the Elysian Fields, a spaceship filled with the cryogenically frozen bodies of the wealthy elite. Halley, the main character, accepts a job as a caretaker on this eerie vessel, where she must push a button every three hours while dealing with sleep deprivation and mysterious noises that hint at something sinister lurking aboard. The story builds tension slowly, immersing readers into Halley’s journey and her unsettling encounters that blur the line between reality and paranoia.
The writing style of Barnes is atmospheric and chilling, creating a sense of dread that captivates from the start. The plot is filled with suspense and unexpected twists, even though some elements may feel familiar. While Halley’s backstory and political past might not resonate with all readers, her character development is compelling. Cold Eternity delivers an engaging mix of sci-fi and horror, making it a perfect read for fans of thrilling space adventures and cozy horror.
- #7
Save:'Hell-O-Ween' by David Robbins is a horror novel that follows a group of high school students who decide to camp out in a cave on Halloween night. As they venture deeper into the cave, they find themselves hopelessly lost and not alone, encountering two demons described as 7' tall, muscular, and terrifying. The book is filled with gory death scenes, suspenseful moments, and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The writing style of 'Hell-O-Ween' is described as detailed and immersive, with readers mentioning that they couldn't put the book down. The characters, although not all likable, are vividly portrayed, and the monsters are so accurately described that readers feel a sense of fear and paranoia while reading about the teenagers' terrifying ordeal in the cave.
- #8
Save:'The Collector of Hearts' by Joyce Carol Oates is a collection of dark and disturbing short stories that delve into the realms of horror and the macabre. The stories explore themes such as abusive relationships within families, haunting dreams, eerie obsessions, and unsettling encounters with the grotesque. Oates' writing style is described as breathtakingly written, dark, and disturbed, with a relentless precision that cuts into the tender vulnerabilities of the readers' hearts.
- #9
Save:'The Ammonite Violin & Others' by Caitlin R. Kiernan is a collection of dark and powerful short stories that delve into the realms of strangeness, alien presences, and metamorphosis. Through vivid and descriptive writing, Kiernan takes readers on a journey that explores themes of sexuality, obsession, horror, dark fantasy, and the paranormal. The stories are visceral, intense, and often feature hypnotically powerful characters in unsettling situations, leaving readers pondering on the endings and questioning the reality of what they have read.
- #10
Save:Cold Hand in Mine by Robert Aickman is a collection of strange and eerie tales that verge on the supernatural, creating a melancholic and haunting atmosphere. The stories often lack clear conclusions, leaving readers with a sense of unease and mystery. Aickman's writing style is described as subtle, disquieting, and uniquely disturbing, focusing on the inner landscape of psychology and the uncanny in everyday settings.
My first experience was far more of a test than anything that has ever happened to me since in that line. Not more agreeable, but certainly more testing. I have noticed several times that it is to beg...
