Stranger: Dark Tales of Eerie Encounters

by Michele Slung

Don't talk to strangers: the advice everyone hears and few heed. Now its menace has inspired acclaimed anthologist Michele Slung to seek a haunting variety of interpretations reminding us why we ignore this counsel at our peril. Intrigued as well by the slippery definition of "stranger," Slung has looked to such masters of lingering discomfiture as Patricia Highsmith, Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, Mark Helprin, and Edith Wharton for memorable waking nightmares.Wherever each tale takes us -- to a greasy spoon somewhere off the highway or to an estate deep in the English countryside, to the basement lair of a suburban hobbyist or to an isolated Saharan oasis -- it sends us spiraling into that blackness yawning beyond its particular unseen trap door.Slung's choices are both old and new, real and surreal, noir and nervy. Once you've been introduced to the strangers she's sending your way, one thing is certain -- you'll regard everyone you encounter differently... including that very familiar person who stares back at you from the mirror.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction, Ghost Stories, Mystery Thriller

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kimberly]

I love horror short stories (I like short stories in general, but love horror/macabre ones).

This one filled the bill nicely with quite a few little strange tales that lingered a bit with the creepy bits.

Definitely recommend this if you like short stories, especially the ones that make you stay awake a little longer than normal.

[Vince Darcangelo]

Great anthology. I was in Baltimore for a conference, and during a break I went to a wonderful little book store, the Book Escape, and randomly came upon this collection in the farthest corner of the shop. I'm not even sure it was shelved in the right section, but that's why I always search every alcove and every shelf in a used bookstore.

This might be the most complete anthology I've ever read. Kudos to editor Michele Slung for bringing together a blend of legendary authors (Patricia Highsmith, Lovecraft, Edith Wharton, Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson), classic stories (Jack Ketchum's "The Box", Richard Matheson's "Button, Button") and new favorites.

What I like best is that the stories lean toward the philosophical. Mark Helprin's "Letters from the Samantha" is a tense, existential parable. "The Box" borrows elements of Stoicism and Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener" to lead the reader to the lip of the abyss. And Christopher Fowler's "Hated" captures the randomness of existence.

Wish I'd found this book 17 years ago, when it first came out, but better late than never.

[Neil McCrea]

There are some great stories here, and they tend to come from the authors you expect them to come from (Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, Jack Ketchum). The Lovecraft story is one of his lesser pieces but it doesn't lack for atmosphere. The work by lesser known authors is always at least competent and mildly diverting. The problem with this collection is entirely with the anthologist's introductions to the individual stories. She mimics Rod Serling but lacks his gifts. I found the introductions to be uniformly annoying.

[Ronald Wilcox]

Like many anthologies, this is a mixed bag of suspense/horror short stories. Some are very well done, others so-so. Most memorable for me: Hated, Two-Headed Man, and Hides

[Paulla]

I liked this book for the creepy factor. Some of the stories made me cringe while others had me looking over my shoulder. I love psychological thrillers and stories that mess with my mind. Good read!

[Sarah]

My favorite stories from this collection were:

The Women's Room by Tabitha King
After You've Gone by John Peyton Cooke
Meteor by John Wyndham
Shite-Hawks by Muriel Gray
Hides by Jay Russell

[Celia]

This was short story anthology. If I read short story collections, I usually prefer them from the same author. I can find it difficult jumping from one author to another.

As in all short story collections, I like some short stories better than others. These stories are a mixture of horror, suspense and sci-fi. In addition, these stories have a stronger plot line than many other short stories that I have read.

[Shalamar]

I don't typically read short stories but I wanted something creepy and decided to give this collection a try. The first story (Women's Room) was ok; it seemed a little underdeveloped thus a little underwhelming. I'm half way through the 2nd story and already bored. I'll finish it tonight and if I don't feel compelled to continue, it will be one other book filed under 'Another One Bites the Dust'. Not rating it because it's my first anothology, and not my typical read.

[Galo]

Cutting to the chase, the stand-outs are: Tabitha King's the Women's Room, Thomas Tessier's In the Desert of Deserts, Patricia Highsmith The Nature of the Thing, G.K. Wouri The General Store, Jack Ketchum's The Box, Christopher Fowler's Hated, John Wyndham Meteor, Muriel Gray's Shite-Hawks, Shirley Jackson's Jack the Ripper, Nancy A. Collins' The Two-Headed Man, and Jay Russel's Hides.

[Victor Rook]

I'm a short story fan. Quite a variety in this one.