Return to the Twilight Zone

by Carol Serling

A collection of stories that feature the characteristic twist of "The Twilight Zone" includes works about a television set tuned in to the future, a kaleidoscope that repatterns human lives, a one-way train ride to destiny, and more

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Anthologies

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Born in 1929 as Carolyn Kramer. She is an actress. Died in 2020.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Return to the Twilight Zone" is another collection of original stories that recall the TV show of the same name. Unlike the previous volume in this series ("Journeys to the Twilight Zone"), this collection is filled with tales that faithfully bring the classic show's spirit to full life. These stories are engaging, with memorable characters and situations that will remain in your memory long after you put the book down. And like its predecessor, this volume includes a classic Rod Serling story from 1971, "The Soul Survivor." An extremely entertaining anthology, "Return to the Twilight Zone" is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of short stories written in the spirit of the series. Included at the end is a short by Serling himself, "Sole Survivor," which is wonderfully reminiscent of his style and penchant for making socially relevant moral statements. All of the stories are engaging, and some go further into the macabre or the fantastic than the TV series ever could in the 1960's.

[Sabrina Frang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to the Twilight Zone is, an overall, strong selection of short stories that could have come straight out of The Twilight Zone. It is no shock that the best story in this collection is from Rod Serling, the creator and host of the original The Twilight Zone tv series. But honestly, most of the stories are good. There were just a few that I did not connect with, but I enjoyed most of the stories.

Here is a brief breakdown of what I thought of each story:
1) "Survival Song" is a poem with an interesting concept, but poetry is, I am ashamed to say, a bit of a Waterloo for me. 2/5 stars
2) "Night of the Living Bra" is as absurd as it sounds, and "the absurd" is just not my thing. 1/5 stars
3) "The Kaleidescope" is the first story that really made me think of what I like about The Twilight Zone, and why it is my favorite tv series of all time. This story is about a burned-out man who finds a mysterious kaleidoscope that has a particular ability. 3/5 stars
4) "Big Roots" is a powerful story about a Native American woman who is trying to keep her father's cabin despite interest from land developers and pressure from her siblings to sell. 3,5/5 stars
5) The Midnight El" could make for a compelling tv series. A man waits to board a mysterious train with a specific purpose in mind. 3.5/5 stars
6) "Maybe Tomorrow" is a dark YA short story about a mysterious teacher and the effect that he has on some of his students. This was such a good story with an empowering message. 4/5 stars
7) "The Food Court" is absolutely the worst story in this collection. It involves a man who is trying to lose weight, and this body horror story is all about weight shaming. 1/5 stars
8) "The Garden" is the story in this collection that Rod Serling would have loved. An alien stops to visit a beautiful garden. That is all I will say. This was an emotional and beautiful story. It made me tear up, and the social commentary here would have pleased Serling. 5/5 stars
9) "Gordie's Pets" is a nasty and dark YA story about some boys that allow the school outcast to join their group with the sole purpose of playing a prank on him. 4/5 stars
10) "Lady in Cream-Colored Chiffon" is the most beautifully written and relatable story in this collection. The characters are developed enough where you actually care about them. This is a melancholic story, and I absolutely loved it. 5/5 stars
11) "Praying Lady" is the funnest story in the collection. This one is tongue-in-cheek and kind of hilarious. You will see "the twist" coming from a mile away, but, if you are in the mood for a cute Twilight Zone story, "Praying Lady" will fit the bill. 4.5/5 stars
12) "The Cure" I only read this story a day or two ago, and can't remember a thing about it, so that tells you everything you need to know about my "enjoyment" of it. 1/5 stars
13) "Still Waters" might remind you of a certain Bret Easton Ellis novel 3.5/5 stars
14) "Messenger" is the most emotional story in this collection-hands down. This is the heartbreaking story of a damaged and lonely young woman who finds a mysterious "message" in a bottle. While I did not cry reading this one, like I did "The Garden" I felt this story in my core. I would recommend this one to anybody who is so afraid of rejection that they have a hard time making human connections. 4/5 stars
15) "The Duke of Demolition Goes to Hell" was not particularly memorable for me, but I appreciate that the author puts a little twist on the end that I did not see coming. 3/5 stars
16) 'Salt" is a wicked little tale about salt miners who find the corpse of a mysterious woman. If you love folk horror or folklore horror, this story is must-read. I love these kinds of tales. 5/5 stars
17) "Always, in the Dark" is a short story about a man who is being followed by a man in a suit. This is a powerful story that slowly unfurls its mysteries, so I won't spoil anything. 4/5 stars
18) "Afternoon Ghost" would be the kind of humorous Twilight Zone episode that would not be my cup of tea, but it will appeal to those who enjoy the more comedic episodes of that series. 2/5 stars
19) "The Sole Survivor" is Twilight Zone at its very best. This is a slowburn story with a gut punch reveal. This is elevated horror at its finest. A ship spots a lone woman on a lifeboat, but the name on the lifeboat can't be anything but a hoax...can it? 10/5 stars, kidding, 5/5 stars. This story stands as one of many examples of Rod Serling as a master storyteller.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the collection here, I could see as an episode on the classic TV show.

[Stormcrow Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read more than half of this collection before abandoning it, but now it must be abandoned. The stories are either cheesy or bland or bleesy (that's both cheesy and bland). There may be some great story hidden within, but if that's the case, I will never discover it. I can't go on. This book doesn't deserve to have the Twilight Zone label placed upon it. Don't bother with this book.

(The only story of any note was Rod Serling's "Sole Survivor" and while the most entertaining to read, the twist is given away too soon and then continues on long after the "ah-ha" moment.)

[Betty Felon · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only decent story in this collection edited by Carol Serling [Rod Serling's wife] is "Sole Survivor" [by Rod Serling, ha]. All of the other stories remind me of really bad Goosebumps books. For shame, Mrs. Serling!

[Walt Trizna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting group of short stories in the Twilight Zone vein.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were maybe three good stories in the whole collection. You're better off just watching the show.