A Walk on the Darkside: Visions of Horror

Darkside #3

by John Pelan (Editor)

Take a walk on the dark side
21 all-new horror stories from CaitlA-n R. Kiernan, Brian Hodge, Tim Lebbon and more

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies

391 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 7, 2004

Reviews

[Nora Peevy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid collection from editor and author John Pelan. Three stories stole the show for me. Parting Jane by Mehitobel Wilson told the sad story of a young girl trapped in a hospital bed by her parents to harvest her body for her ailing sister. Tom Piccirilli wrote a disturbing tale called These Strange Lays about a man who encounters a crazed sex kitten while visiting his father's grave; he follows her back to the asylum and soon discovers just how depraved the insane really are. And Brian Hodge wrote An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Flesh, which while first published in this collection in 2004, still deals with the relevant topic of school bullying and how some seek revenge. I recommend this for a little light horror reading before bedtime.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I've read two of these stories. Caitlin Kiernan is bizarre, poetic, dreamy, surrealistic, and disturbing as always. The other story was about a man married to a Japanese woman who had bizarre night habits. He interrupts her and makes things a whole lot worse. This was a very horrifying story. I still think about it and shudder. I will read the rest of these stories when I'm in the mood for no holds barred scarefest reading.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brian Keene's ""The King" in Yellow" was the best story in this compilation. The rest of them... there were some definite hits and misses (once again, my biggest complaint being that a number of the "short" stories were just way to long).

[Snood · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, this anthology consists of a few great stories and a terrible one amid a sea of mediocrity.

The Good:

Fairy Fort: An unexpected change in culture for the collection, being based on Gaelic folk tales.

The “King” in Yellow: An avant-garde play in the shady part of town seems like just what a couple needs to spice up their relationship.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Flesh: Behind this mouthful of a title is an interesting story about a topic much more close to home now than when it was written.

The Bad:

These Strange Lays: Did the author think this was a fetish erotica collection? Occasionally mentioning a serial killer doesn’t make softcore porn scary.

The Disappointing:

Something in the Air: This seems like the start to a great novel/novella, but ends way too early.

The Abandoned: The author described a totally unique Hell in rich detail, but doesn’t seem to understand what rape is. His lead brushes it off (several times) as if it’s nothing. It’s like he wanted to shock the reader, but didn’t actually know how it affects someone.

[hemlet kiai · Rating 3 out of 5]

awesome book! some of the stories i can imagine in my head. like a movie. some i kinda got lost. maybe its too deep for me. overall a good collection of horror stories.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a bunch of mediocre horror stories. I was disappointed.

[Tara Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great Brad recommendation that I've decided to re-read in the Halloween spirit. Kudos to Brad.