Bestselling horror editor Ellen Datlow (Body Shocks) returns with her most eclectic anthology. Here are twenty-one stories of extreme psychological dread from horror icons such as Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen Graham Jones, Priya Sharma, Simon Bestwick, and more. The unsettling tales explore the nature of fear as it stirs in dysfunctional families, toxic friendships, and mismatched lovers, and culminates in relentless stalkers, remorseless killers, and perpetrators of savage rituals.
Your grandfather confesses his heinous crime to you alone. You try to save a young girl from sexual assault, but she’s not really a victim. Your child is sacrificed in compensation for your social misstep. You compete in a sick game to save your loved ones. Your mom is insane, your dad is dying, your brother is not your brother, and you’re stuck in the same house until one or all of you are dead.
Far below the unlikeliness of the supernatural lives something worse: the depths of human depravity. We live in fear of the cruelties of respected leaders and of the despicable crimes of neighbors who seem normal. We live with anxiety about our innermost desires and the unforgivable things we might do in a moment of passion. Or, if we fail to curb our urges, we live with the terrible secrets of our unfettered resentments.
In this uniquely unsettling anthology, editor Ellen Datlow has unearthed twenty-one exemplary tales of what humanity fears most: People.
I am a huge fan of horror anthologies so I was probably holding my breath from the time I requested this book from Edelweiss until the minute the approval came. It's not easy to scare me so I will not hold it against the title for being unable to arouse any fears in me. Still, it conjured up several other emotions and I have always said the stories I enjoy the most are the ones that can make me feel something.
Among my many favorites were The Pelt by Annie Neugebauer about a woman who finds the skin of an unidentified animal mysteriously draped over her fence.
A Sunny Disposition by Josh Malerman about a boy who is left to sit with grandpa while his parents are out. Grandpa has a secret he is dying to share and who would believe an imaginative child if he decided to spill the beans?
The Donner Party by Dale Bailey in which a woman of lower social standing gets a taste for the high class side of life.
Back Seat by Bracken MacLeod about a young girl whose desperate circumstances lead to a traumatic discovery.
Singing My Sister Down by Margo Lanagan is a story that ripped my heart out, about a cruel and unusual punishment that is customary among a particular group of people.
These were my favorites, yours may differ. That's what's great about anthologies, you can take what you like and leave the rest.
This looks great! I have a few anthologies edited by Ellen Datlow on my kindle that I need to read at some point. Great blog review, Irene! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie! I have read a few anthologies that she has edited before, and this one has been the best of them.
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