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The Nightmare Chronicles
It begins in an old tenement with a horrifying crime. It continues after midnight, when a young boy, held captive in a basement, is filled with unearthly visions of fantastic and frightening worlds. How could his kidnappers know that the ransom would be their own souls? For, as the hours pass, the boy's nightmares invade his captors like parasites-and soon, they become real.
This audiobook also contains the short stories "Underworld," "O Rare and Most Esquisite," "The Rendering Man," "The Fruit of Her Womb," "The Hurting Season," "Chosen," "The Night Before Alec Got Married," "Only Connect," "The Little Mermaid," "Damned if You Do," and "The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon." You can also listen to the acclaimed novelettes, "White Chapel" and "I am Infinite, I Contain Multitudes."
This audiobook also contains the short stories "Underworld," "O Rare and Most Esquisite," "The Rendering Man," "The Fruit of Her Womb," "The Hurting Season," "Chosen," "The Night Before Alec Got Married," "Only Connect," "The Little Mermaid," "Damned if You Do," and "The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon." You can also listen to the acclaimed novelettes, "White Chapel" and "I am Infinite, I Contain Multitudes."
360 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
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663 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 15, 2011
There is not a single story in the collection I did not like, and there are at least three that really stand out. What I like about Clegg, or at least about these stories, is that they are well written, patiently constructed, with a healthy emphasis on characterization. The stories are framed by a narrative in which a woman named Alice and her two sons have kidnapped a boy for ransom. It turns out that this boy is not quite of this world, and has the ability to project nightmares onto his captors. The nightmares he projects are the thirteen stories. While the framing narrative is unnecessary, and not as well constructed as the stories themselves, it is still nonetheless interesting.
There are a number of themes & ideas that appear throughout the work. There is emphasis on religion, relationships and skin. Religion appears in various forms, from misled zealots to avenging angel-monsters. Relationships vary throughout, from unfaithful lovers to masculine prison love, and all forms of familial relations, and its the tightness of some of the relationships that makes the threats in the stories all the more frightening.
Finally, skin makes several appearances throughout. Clegg deals frequently with human skin and the strange worlds that we hide underneath. We have skins acting as trophies, metamorphosing, housing other creatures and even embodying strange worlds. We even receive brief lessons regarding insects and exoskeletons, that, unlike us, have their soft spots safely on the inside. Overall, the skins in these stories generated a better framework than the story of Alice and the kidnapped boy-devil, and I enjoyed Clegg's ideas regarding skin so much that I waited for its appearance in each piece.
For my full-length review of the collection & its individual stories, please visit Casual Debris.
There are a number of themes & ideas that appear throughout the work. There is emphasis on religion, relationships and skin. Religion appears in various forms, from misled zealots to avenging angel-monsters. Relationships vary throughout, from unfaithful lovers to masculine prison love, and all forms of familial relations, and its the tightness of some of the relationships that makes the threats in the stories all the more frightening.
Finally, skin makes several appearances throughout. Clegg deals frequently with human skin and the strange worlds that we hide underneath. We have skins acting as trophies, metamorphosing, housing other creatures and even embodying strange worlds. We even receive brief lessons regarding insects and exoskeletons, that, unlike us, have their soft spots safely on the inside. Overall, the skins in these stories generated a better framework than the story of Alice and the kidnapped boy-devil, and I enjoyed Clegg's ideas regarding skin so much that I waited for its appearance in each piece.
For my full-length review of the collection & its individual stories, please visit Casual Debris.
January 27, 2016
Thirteen chilling tales of terror from one of the masters of the horror story.
Like many anthologies, this one focuses around one central story, and boy is this story creepy! A small boy has been kidnapped by merciless and rather ignorant captors, who soon find they may as well have captured the devil himself. Through cruel teasing, surreal visions and deep insight, the little lad delights in terrifying his tormentors by filling their minds with various stories.
Underworld stands out the most. Effectively chilling and almost supernaturally eerie, it focuses on the young couple expecting their first child. Sounds normal enough until they run into an empty restaurant, and the young woman soon disappears. The ending of this story hints at much more to come, and seems to tie end with the boy himself.
White Chapel is one of the more unusual tales, digging into some pretty unchartered territory with a unique ending. Longer and more intense than some of the others, this one shows human sickness is its many twisted forms, as we! ll as a fascinating connection with myths and gods.
Rare and Most Exquisite, being a favorite of mine, has a young boy being told by an older man in a nursing home his past and "true love". Several emotions are strongly conveyed, from bittersweet infatuation, envy, greed, betrayal, hunger, and more. I assure you, the ending will make your stomach drop.
Only Connect is a slightly confusing telling where I wasn't sure where I was from one minute to the next. It all weaves together at the end and leaves a satisfying taste in the mouth.
The Fruit of her womb is more of a ghost/possession type and also holds its share of surprises. The main character, James, is interesting and I enjoyed going through the changes with him. There were some creepy spots, such as with the pig, and I loved hearing about the theories and background involved in the story. In the end I wasn't sure what I thought of the ending definitely not a happy-ever-after scenario.
The Rendering Man, disturbing on multiple levels, was about the sickest of them all. One of the more memorable segments as well, this story tells of Thalia, a woman whose tale is told from early childhood years to old age, all surrounding the same man. Entertaining to sift through, and the ending made it worth the wait of slower parts.
The Night Before Alec got married is another favorite. Told through the eyes of Alec's best friend, a man getting together a surprise "gift" for his best friend as a bachelor party present, this one is so off the wall that you could never expect the turnout. Great ending too, and the characters humor seeps through the pages.
The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon was one I enjoyed least, although it wasn't a bad idea. A man returns to his hometown after finding religion and wanting repentance. The pace was a little slow and the ending a bit! sudden and grim. I didn't comprehend as much as I would have liked to and found myself wanting to jump forward to the next story.
Chosen is about Rob, a man in an apartment building who encounters some of the most bizarre stuff imaginable. His next-door neighbor isn't all she seems, and as I read through it I was repulsed, then fascinated, then surprised. All great emotions to be evoked in a reader, especially in such a short period of time.
The Little Mermaid was also darkly morbid, following in the same vein as many of the previous stories. Molly is a woman who meets this great guy on the beach or so she assumes. The whole scenario is wicked and depressing; I can't give away more without spoiling but this is also one of the better ones.
Damned If You Do wasn't bad but I didn't find it too interesting after the first few pages. Told basically through one character we get a feel for why he does what he does, but other than that there wasn't much substance.
The Hurting Season, my least favorite, is unique like the others.
A friend recommended Clegg to me and I can see now why he's so popular. This man doesn't do amateur play; this short story collection is a carnival ride that will leave you screaming for more.
C hocked full of amazingly different stories that don''t hold anything back, keeping the imagination running in overdrive, overfilling the senses, almost to the point of a nervous breakdown.
R ich in atmosphere, eerie scenes, some suspenseful, dark and morbid.
E asily read, written in a simple to understand style, with poetic-like prose used when it benefits.
E xcellent themes and ideas, the majority of them original, many surprising.
P owerful characters, most of them easily latched on to.
Y ields when it needs to, speeds up when its better for the stories. Pace is tight and used for the maximum impact.
Like many anthologies, this one focuses around one central story, and boy is this story creepy! A small boy has been kidnapped by merciless and rather ignorant captors, who soon find they may as well have captured the devil himself. Through cruel teasing, surreal visions and deep insight, the little lad delights in terrifying his tormentors by filling their minds with various stories.
Underworld stands out the most. Effectively chilling and almost supernaturally eerie, it focuses on the young couple expecting their first child. Sounds normal enough until they run into an empty restaurant, and the young woman soon disappears. The ending of this story hints at much more to come, and seems to tie end with the boy himself.
White Chapel is one of the more unusual tales, digging into some pretty unchartered territory with a unique ending. Longer and more intense than some of the others, this one shows human sickness is its many twisted forms, as we! ll as a fascinating connection with myths and gods.
Rare and Most Exquisite, being a favorite of mine, has a young boy being told by an older man in a nursing home his past and "true love". Several emotions are strongly conveyed, from bittersweet infatuation, envy, greed, betrayal, hunger, and more. I assure you, the ending will make your stomach drop.
Only Connect is a slightly confusing telling where I wasn't sure where I was from one minute to the next. It all weaves together at the end and leaves a satisfying taste in the mouth.
The Fruit of her womb is more of a ghost/possession type and also holds its share of surprises. The main character, James, is interesting and I enjoyed going through the changes with him. There were some creepy spots, such as with the pig, and I loved hearing about the theories and background involved in the story. In the end I wasn't sure what I thought of the ending definitely not a happy-ever-after scenario.
The Rendering Man, disturbing on multiple levels, was about the sickest of them all. One of the more memorable segments as well, this story tells of Thalia, a woman whose tale is told from early childhood years to old age, all surrounding the same man. Entertaining to sift through, and the ending made it worth the wait of slower parts.
The Night Before Alec got married is another favorite. Told through the eyes of Alec's best friend, a man getting together a surprise "gift" for his best friend as a bachelor party present, this one is so off the wall that you could never expect the turnout. Great ending too, and the characters humor seeps through the pages.
The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon was one I enjoyed least, although it wasn't a bad idea. A man returns to his hometown after finding religion and wanting repentance. The pace was a little slow and the ending a bit! sudden and grim. I didn't comprehend as much as I would have liked to and found myself wanting to jump forward to the next story.
Chosen is about Rob, a man in an apartment building who encounters some of the most bizarre stuff imaginable. His next-door neighbor isn't all she seems, and as I read through it I was repulsed, then fascinated, then surprised. All great emotions to be evoked in a reader, especially in such a short period of time.
The Little Mermaid was also darkly morbid, following in the same vein as many of the previous stories. Molly is a woman who meets this great guy on the beach or so she assumes. The whole scenario is wicked and depressing; I can't give away more without spoiling but this is also one of the better ones.
Damned If You Do wasn't bad but I didn't find it too interesting after the first few pages. Told basically through one character we get a feel for why he does what he does, but other than that there wasn't much substance.
The Hurting Season, my least favorite, is unique like the others.
A friend recommended Clegg to me and I can see now why he's so popular. This man doesn't do amateur play; this short story collection is a carnival ride that will leave you screaming for more.
C hocked full of amazingly different stories that don''t hold anything back, keeping the imagination running in overdrive, overfilling the senses, almost to the point of a nervous breakdown.
R ich in atmosphere, eerie scenes, some suspenseful, dark and morbid.
E asily read, written in a simple to understand style, with poetic-like prose used when it benefits.
E xcellent themes and ideas, the majority of them original, many surprising.
P owerful characters, most of them easily latched on to.
Y ields when it needs to, speeds up when its better for the stories. Pace is tight and used for the maximum impact.
July 13, 2016
Awesome stories, had me hooked!
April 15, 2022
От романите на Дъглас Клег съм останал с впечатлението за доста приятен посткинг автор, но комерсиален. Този сборник разкази обърна това ми мнение на 180 градуса. Ясно е защо има стокър за 1999. Разказите са много добри, не са турбо новаторски в хоръра, но определено авторът не е спрял да се развива за десетилетия писане и се държи на пика на модерните тенденции в жанра.
Попаднах на изключителни боди хорър и черна еротика, на които си мислех, че е способен само Браян Ходж.
Underworld – Добра загрявка, като за начало на сборник. Клег ни предлага призрачна история, която отива лееекинко в друга посока.
Един мъж губи бременната си приятелка и след години, когато отново се обвързва попада на ресторант, който го няма. Звучи малко несвързано, но повярвайте ми всичко си идва на мястото.
White Chapel – Брутално добър разказ, обхващащ много добре (според мен) дъха на Индия, където се развива действието (да, не е онзи лондонски Уайт Чапъл).
Една журналистка е решена на всичко да се срещне с един индийски гуру, който одира живи последователите си. Внимавай, естествено, какво си пожелаваш.
O, rare and Most Exquisite – Една изповед в старчески дом ще ни разкрие брутална, изпълнена с еротика и насилие история. Един от по-добрите боди хоръри в сборника, заедно с предходния.
The Little Mermaid – Кратък и шокиращ. По същество история за сериен убиец, но батко, толкова подтекст има тук. Момиче си навяхва глезена при сутрешно бягане. За неин късмет един добър самарянин ще се погрижи за нея. ХЕ-ХЕ-ХЕ!
The Rendering Man – Още от ранно детство Талия има странна връзка с един човек, който изкупува умрели животни в техния край. Той се появява година след година в живота ѝ. Постепенно разбираме как са свързани. Бавна и напоителна история, но финалният обрат е един от най-болните на които съм попадал, без да е брутален.
The Fruit of Her Womb – Финалът на тази история ми беше малко незадоволителен, но…. Един мъж е обсебен от историята на къщата, която купуват с жена му. Колкото по-надълбоко навлиза в нея, толкова повече се променя.
The Night Before Alec Got Married – Бърз и потресаващ. Момчета, внимавайте какви момичета си поръчвате по разни ергенски партита. И като сутеньорът каже само свирки, не се шегува.
Only Connect - По-скоро фантастична история, доста завързана и обещаваща сякаш повече, от колкото дава, но като цяло много добра. Страдащ от постоянни мигрени мъж започва да има видения, че е в тялото на друг човек. Тези моменти се засилват и той започва да разбира, че не е сам.
The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon – Прекалено много недоизказано имаше в тази история. Референциите с библията бяха малко поотнесени. Все пак давам точки за изключително мрачната фантазия, която се заформи. И да, градът беше по-интересен от сюжетната линия.
Chosen – Отново боди хорър и то доста добър. В евтиния апартамен на Роб се случват доста необичайни неща и май са свързани със странната некомуникативна съседка. Връзката между двамата прераства в приятелство, но никога няма да познаете какво.
Damned if You Do – Този е много добре развит. Като цяло пак е за сериен убиец, но порциите на които се подава информацията го правят пристрастяващ.
The Hurting Season – Отново бие леко на импресия. Хоръра го има, но някак недоизказаното не му се получава на Клег, поне при мен. Един журналист се набутва в дълбокия юг, там едно младо момче ще се опита да му помогне, или ще го накара той да помогне на него. ХЕ-ХЕ-ХЕ.
I Am Infinite, I Contain Multitudes – Финалният разказ е чук. Отново имаме бавна и внимателна градация и брутално изкъртващ финален обрат. Затворен в лудница убиец получава предложение да се измъкне. Любовникът му психопат не иска да го пусне, но май не е само заради егоистични подбуди. Няма такова излизане от лудницата, няма такъв финал.
Попаднах на изключителни боди хорър и черна еротика, на които си мислех, че е способен само Браян Ходж.
Underworld – Добра загрявка, като за начало на сборник. Клег ни предлага призрачна история, която отива лееекинко в друга посока.
Един мъж губи бременната си приятелка и след години, когато отново се обвързва попада на ресторант, който го няма. Звучи малко несвързано, но повярвайте ми всичко си идва на мястото.
White Chapel – Брутално добър разказ, обхващащ много добре (според мен) дъха на Индия, където се развива действието (да, не е онзи лондонски Уайт Чапъл).
Една журналистка е решена на всичко да се срещне с един индийски гуру, който одира живи последователите си. Внимавай, естествено, какво си пожелаваш.
O, rare and Most Exquisite – Една изповед в старчески дом ще ни разкрие брутална, изпълнена с еротика и насилие история. Един от по-добрите боди хоръри в сборника, заедно с предходния.
The Little Mermaid – Кратък и шокиращ. По същество история за сериен убиец, но батко, толкова подтекст има тук. Момиче си навяхва глезена при сутрешно бягане. За неин късмет един добър самарянин ще се погрижи за нея. ХЕ-ХЕ-ХЕ!
The Rendering Man – Още от ранно детство Талия има странна връзка с един човек, който изкупува умрели животни в техния край. Той се появява година след година в живота ѝ. Постепенно разбираме как са свързани. Бавна и напоителна история, но финалният обрат е един от най-болните на които съм попадал, без да е брутален.
The Fruit of Her Womb – Финалът на тази история ми беше малко незадоволителен, но…. Един мъж е обсебен от историята на къщата, която купуват с жена му. Колкото по-надълбоко навлиза в нея, толкова повече се променя.
The Night Before Alec Got Married – Бърз и потресаващ. Момчета, внимавайте какви момичета си поръчвате по разни ергенски партита. И като сутеньорът каже само свирки, не се шегува.
Only Connect - По-скоро фантастична история, доста завързана и обещаваща сякаш повече, от колкото дава, но като цяло много добра. Страдащ от постоянни мигрени мъж започва да има видения, че е в тялото на друг човек. Тези моменти се засилват и той започва да разбира, че не е сам.
The Ripening Sweetness of Late Afternoon – Прекалено много недоизказано имаше в тази история. Референциите с библията бяха малко поотнесени. Все пак давам точки за изключително мрачната фантазия, която се заформи. И да, градът беше по-интересен от сюжетната линия.
Chosen – Отново боди хорър и то доста добър. В евтиния апартамен на Роб се случват доста необичайни неща и май са свързани със странната некомуникативна съседка. Връзката между двамата прераства в приятелство, но никога няма да познаете какво.
Damned if You Do – Този е много добре развит. Като цяло пак е за сериен убиец, но порциите на които се подава информацията го правят пристрастяващ.
The Hurting Season – Отново бие леко на импресия. Хоръра го има, но някак недоизказаното не му се получава на Клег, поне при мен. Един журналист се набутва в дълбокия юг, там едно младо момче ще се опита да му помогне, или ще го накара той да помогне на него. ХЕ-ХЕ-ХЕ.
I Am Infinite, I Contain Multitudes – Финалният разказ е чук. Отново имаме бавна и внимателна градация и брутално изкъртващ финален обрат. Затворен в лудница убиец получава предложение да се измъкне. Любовникът му психопат не иска да го пусне, но май не е само заради егоистични подбуди. Няма такова излизане от лудницата, няма такъв финал.
December 15, 2012
I remember casually browsing a thrift book store (the best stores in the world) and asking the cashier where the horror section was. She pointed me in the direction and I followed. I glanced through the various horror books looking for something interesting to read. The Nightmare Chronicles caught my eye, so I read the back flap and flipped through it a bit. I purchased the book and starting reading. While the book took me a long while to finish, I can safely say that it is probably the best horror book I have read. It’s been years since I’ve read it, so my memory may be rusty though the book is quite outstanding.
The Nightmare Chronicles is a collection of 13 short horror stories tied in with an actual story. A group of criminals capture a young boy in order to collect an amount of ransom money. However, one of them, Alice, soon discovers that the young boy has terrifying powers. He has some sort of psychic ability that allows him to project nightmarish visions into Alice’s head and thus the nightmare begins.
The stories vary in quality, but what Douglas Clegg writes it just as good as any short story Clive Barker ever wrote. His stories are very strange but that’s what makes them good. They’re so odd and unique that they leave quite an impression on the reader when they’re done. Some of them do suffer from being too long, such as “White Chapel” and “Only Connect.” Some of them such as “The Night Before Alec Got Married,” “I am Infinite; I Contain Multitudes,” and “The Little Mermaid” rely on shock value to entertain the reader. Even though his stories are rather disturbing, they don’t rely on gore or bloodshed, but rather mental imagery that the reader cannot forget. None of the stories, except for maybe “Hurting Season” ever really seem run-of-the-mill and Douglas Clegg always seems to have fresh and interesting ideas. Just read “Damned If You Do,” a rather fun horror story that doesn’t appear like any other I’ve read.
There’s not a whole lot I can say about the book without re-reading it and refreshing my memory except that any fan of short horror stories or Creepypasta should pick up this underrated gem from an overlooked author because his stories are simply magnificent.
The Nightmare Chronicles is a collection of 13 short horror stories tied in with an actual story. A group of criminals capture a young boy in order to collect an amount of ransom money. However, one of them, Alice, soon discovers that the young boy has terrifying powers. He has some sort of psychic ability that allows him to project nightmarish visions into Alice’s head and thus the nightmare begins.
The stories vary in quality, but what Douglas Clegg writes it just as good as any short story Clive Barker ever wrote. His stories are very strange but that’s what makes them good. They’re so odd and unique that they leave quite an impression on the reader when they’re done. Some of them do suffer from being too long, such as “White Chapel” and “Only Connect.” Some of them such as “The Night Before Alec Got Married,” “I am Infinite; I Contain Multitudes,” and “The Little Mermaid” rely on shock value to entertain the reader. Even though his stories are rather disturbing, they don’t rely on gore or bloodshed, but rather mental imagery that the reader cannot forget. None of the stories, except for maybe “Hurting Season” ever really seem run-of-the-mill and Douglas Clegg always seems to have fresh and interesting ideas. Just read “Damned If You Do,” a rather fun horror story that doesn’t appear like any other I’ve read.
There’s not a whole lot I can say about the book without re-reading it and refreshing my memory except that any fan of short horror stories or Creepypasta should pick up this underrated gem from an overlooked author because his stories are simply magnificent.
August 5, 2012
Rightful winner of a Stoker for Best Horror Collection, this book is great. A word of advice: Don't get distracted by the wraparound story. It's like The Illustrated Man: The wraparound is a MacGuffin to get you on your way. It's like the rocket boosters a space shuttle uses that fall away after launch. It's scaffolding.
Anyway, the stories: Note: Semi-spoilers here.
"Underworld." Urban ghost story that's pretty predictable, although the end gives things an interesting twist.
"White Chapel." Stellar work--easily something that could have been in one of Clive Barker's Books of Blood (in terms of quality, content, and themes).
"O Rare and Most Exquisite." Erotic fantasy with a nasty touch; combines pathos and rage and dread all in one fable of love. The sort of work that shows "dark fantasy" isn't just a euphemism for horror.
"The Fruit of Her Womb." Kinda like Bradbury's "The Scythe," only more horrific in its denouement.
"The Rendering Man." Many people consider this story a masterpiece. It is very, VERY good; I think it's a little too long and disjointed, but YMMV.
"The Night Before Alec Got Married." Or, American Wedding as written and directed by David Cronenberg. EARLY Cronenberg. This is a hilarious sendup of fratboy sexuality, and a repellent body-horror story.
I'll add the restlater.
Anyway, the stories: Note: Semi-spoilers here.
"Underworld." Urban ghost story that's pretty predictable, although the end gives things an interesting twist.
"White Chapel." Stellar work--easily something that could have been in one of Clive Barker's Books of Blood (in terms of quality, content, and themes).
"O Rare and Most Exquisite." Erotic fantasy with a nasty touch; combines pathos and rage and dread all in one fable of love. The sort of work that shows "dark fantasy" isn't just a euphemism for horror.
"The Fruit of Her Womb." Kinda like Bradbury's "The Scythe," only more horrific in its denouement.
"The Rendering Man." Many people consider this story a masterpiece. It is very, VERY good; I think it's a little too long and disjointed, but YMMV.
"The Night Before Alec Got Married." Or, American Wedding as written and directed by David Cronenberg. EARLY Cronenberg. This is a hilarious sendup of fratboy sexuality, and a repellent body-horror story.
I'll add the restlater.
November 2, 2017
A variety of short stories ranging from creepy, to weird, to damn disturbing. I loved it! There were a few that were kind of so-so, and a few that were amazing and a lot of just really good yarns. Highly recommend!
August 28, 2015
Did I read the right book? This was a collection of 13 stories. No intro or afterward, and nothing about a demon boy being held captive unloading these nightmares on his captors. That being said, the stories themselves were indeed creepy and well written. I hated the endings on almost every single one of them. There wasn't an ending at all. Each and every one left me asking, "What the hell?!" Maybe I have outgrown horror. Right now there is so much more horror in sci-fi than anywhere else.
March 12, 2016
I was so frustrated with this book where was the horror. Every story ended without a actual ending.
February 10, 2008
There were some pleasantly creepy moments in this short story collection I found for $2.95 in the dark, dank basement of Chicago's historic used store, Myopic Books. Highlights include stories about a retiree and his wife settling into a house that had previously been the setting for a father's dismemberment and hiding of the body parts of his family, a depression-era girl's fateful encounter with the town renderer, a town hero returning to try and attone for his sins, which were cause for a mandatory curfew, the consequences of which breaking are a fate worse than death, a guy who is really into mermaids, a man who digs holes in his backyard while listening to talk radio really loud, and "The Hurting Season," which is just a good title.
July 23, 2015
These stories are so good! Each time I finished a story, I told myself to remember the title because that one was going to deserve mention as my favorite. They're all my favorites, that's how good these stories are!
I don't think I would want to spend so much time in the dark parts of my heart to be able to produce such stories as these, but I'm glad that Mr. Clegg can do it. A few of these stories had to be painful to write.
What sets this author apart from other horror writers is his extreme literacy -- glorious words just flow one after the other. And yet the work is completely approachable. Anybody can read it and follow it, because it's just that well crafted.
I've called Mr. Clegg the master of the novella. It would seem that he is the master of the short story as well.
I don't think I would want to spend so much time in the dark parts of my heart to be able to produce such stories as these, but I'm glad that Mr. Clegg can do it. A few of these stories had to be painful to write.
What sets this author apart from other horror writers is his extreme literacy -- glorious words just flow one after the other. And yet the work is completely approachable. Anybody can read it and follow it, because it's just that well crafted.
I've called Mr. Clegg the master of the novella. It would seem that he is the master of the short story as well.
July 19, 2008
Loaned to me by my brother. (Well, actually, he left it at Mum and Dad's house and I commandeered it knowing I'd be able to finish reading it before I met up with him next!)
I was able to finish it and enjoyed almost all of the stories in there. I will have to look for more books by Douglas. I didn't find them scary, but I did find some of them super creepy! And if it doesn't rain tomorrow, my brother will get his book back!!
I was able to finish it and enjoyed almost all of the stories in there. I will have to look for more books by Douglas. I didn't find them scary, but I did find some of them super creepy! And if it doesn't rain tomorrow, my brother will get his book back!!
April 3, 2011
Okay, so it didn't just completely mess me up this time, and I'm not even sure exactly why it did ten or so years ago. I don't see in the ending, the major whatever I was sure was going to be there.
Now, it did seriously mess with my Chi on the way through. Some of these stories are---whew.
But. More on that when I finally catch up in A Writer's Gotta Read. I now owe it five reviews.
Now, it did seriously mess with my Chi on the way through. Some of these stories are---whew.
But. More on that when I finally catch up in A Writer's Gotta Read. I now owe it five reviews.
July 5, 2015
Clegg writes stories no one else could tell. Each of these short stories seems like a tale plucked from a longer work, with worlds created that could hold a novel-length work with ease. As with any short story compilation there are exceptional shorts and acceptable shorts, thankfully this one had more of the former. A worthwhile - if demented - read.
September 16, 2008
pretty good book. you can describe it as being half supernatural and half psychosis. some of what is written is really twisted. just a note: it is sort of a full story, yet a bunch of short stories at the same time.
May 26, 2012
"The Little Mermaid" disturbed me on so many levels. Most of Clegg's word does, but that story has stayed with me for a long, long time. Good collection of stories. All of which will haunt you a little bit.
August 22, 2007
Hit or miss short story collection. The bad ones were random and poorly written, as in my opinion was the story that bridged them all together. The good ones were close to Clive Barker standards.
November 22, 2011
My favorite Clegg book. His style is fresh and scary. These intertwined stories work on your nerves. Wholly original. Great fun, and a lot of bang for your buck -- he packs the pages with scares.
August 3, 2024
A fantastic collection of stories by a very underrated author.A few of the stories reminded me of the classic Books Of Blood by Clive Barker.
October 12, 2020
I found this kind of a mixed read which is appropriate considering that I have mixed feelings on Clegg as an author. (I like Clegg when his stories/novels are sequential but I have problems when his novels involve a lot of flashbacks. I find those novels just don't read as nicely.) This book is a compilation of 13 short stories, all wrapped by a cover story. While I applaud the effort on the wrapper story, I don't think that it added anything at all and could have been avoided. The stories themselves were mostly good, only a few were slow and not interesting. The ones that really stuck out though are listed below.
"O, Rare and Most Exquisite" - A man recounts his love and what he did for her
"The Fruit of Her Womb" - A man finds an urn in his house and unravels a mystery
"The Little Mermaid" - A woman helps a man relive his youth
"Damned If You Do" - A radio talk show DJ helps a man to deal with death
"O, Rare and Most Exquisite" - A man recounts his love and what he did for her
"The Fruit of Her Womb" - A man finds an urn in his house and unravels a mystery
"The Little Mermaid" - A woman helps a man relive his youth
"Damned If You Do" - A radio talk show DJ helps a man to deal with death
April 13, 2021
This is certainly the most accomplished collection of horror stories that I have recently encountered. Too often they, especially the self-published ones, rely on excessive gore: what Stephen King memorably labelled 'the gross-out'. Being gross is easy: it takes far more art to raise a shiver than it does to raise the bile. These stories are more disturbing than scary and none will remain with me very long. Nevertheless it's a pleasure to read a horror writer that has put effort into crafting his tales of unease.
December 10, 2020
Brilliant!
This is the first ever book of short stories I have ever read and it didn't disappoint. I like the way the chapters are structured and the stories are creepy just how they should be in my opinion. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
This is the first ever book of short stories I have ever read and it didn't disappoint. I like the way the chapters are structured and the stories are creepy just how they should be in my opinion. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
November 4, 2017
This had to be the strangest group of stories I have ever read. The title is very appropriate, some of the themes are things from which nightmares are made. I wanted to put it down, but just couldn't stop from reading the next and the next.
June 18, 2020
I read a few stories then stopped. Just felt icky even tho I love King, Barker, Simmons. I can do without slaughter of monkeys and peoples faces scrubbed off and other horrifics. Just not in the mood these days
June 4, 2018
Eh. One or two stories stood out as good, but most just left me saying "well ok then" at the end.
September 1, 2025
Hell of an imagination on that guy
May 10, 2020
Truly horrifying
This is true horror. If you like stories that will stick with you forever, this is it. Highly recommended. Read it.
This is true horror. If you like stories that will stick with you forever, this is it. Highly recommended. Read it.
November 25, 2020
A deeply ditsturbing, but exquisitely dreadful and compelling collection - it is, after all called The Nightmare Chronicles! I was so drawn into this dark and in some cases gruesome work, that I literally couldn't put it down. (However, I should point out that the version of the Nightmare Chronicles I have read - which came as part of the 'Halloween Chillers Box Set' - doesn't have the story which seems to open (another?) version of the collection, which mentions the story of a kidnapped boy, who projects nightmares into his captors.) I sadly feel I may have missed yet another gem, because every single one of these stories are superbly written.
To quote the amazingly talented author himself, in his beautifully revealing and insightful foreword to this collection, I concur with his summary...
"Enjoy these 13 stories of the dark. Let them sink in. I don't believe any of them are stories of the surface of things, but of the 'underneath', perhaps even the unspoken. To some, they will be "horror", to others "mystery" (but in a more mystical sense than a traditional mystery) and perhaps to some "dark fable".
They are weird.
Strange.
Impossible.
The chronicles of nightmare and its logic..."
They are, each and every one of them, everything he promises, and so much more. I have never enjoyed an anthology of short stories so much since I first read Night Shift, by Stephen King, so many years ago, now. I honestly believe I have already been drawn so far into this dreadfully horrific nightmare world that Douglas Clegg has torn from the darkest recesses of his imagination, that I am going to be compelled to revisit it, from time to time, just as I have gone back to my favourite Stephen King books, so many times.
I must agree with Douglas, as he so wisely suggests about these stories, "Let them sink in".
But please...not too deeply! I add that last caveat, as there are some of the darkest horrors I have ever had the chilling thrills to enjoy, in this collection, and I can assure Douglas Clegg that I most certainly did 'enjoy this territory ' of his fiction.
If you love the darkest writings of Stephen King, James Herbert, Arthur Machen, Clive Barker, Thomas Harris, and other great writers in the genre like Shaun Hudson and Stephen Laws, Tim Lebbon, and so many such great talents, you will love this superb collection, albeit in an almost guilty way. I have the feeling that I have reached into the very stuff of someone's nightmares, by partaking of these stories. I sincerely hope they will not haunt me...but I don't think I have much choice, now. Once you glimpse the darkness, the 'underneath', and unspoken horrors awaiting you, you may well find they have already begun to sink in, in a way that is going to be very difficult to forget.
Douglas Clegg, I have the feeling that you are going to have a lot to answer for, when I lie awake all night, with the bedside light on. These shadows you have woven are exquisitely dark indeed, and I have a feeling I will be searching out more of your superbly crafted tales, very soon!
Thank you for your Nightmares...(I think!).
To quote the amazingly talented author himself, in his beautifully revealing and insightful foreword to this collection, I concur with his summary...
"Enjoy these 13 stories of the dark. Let them sink in. I don't believe any of them are stories of the surface of things, but of the 'underneath', perhaps even the unspoken. To some, they will be "horror", to others "mystery" (but in a more mystical sense than a traditional mystery) and perhaps to some "dark fable".
They are weird.
Strange.
Impossible.
The chronicles of nightmare and its logic..."
They are, each and every one of them, everything he promises, and so much more. I have never enjoyed an anthology of short stories so much since I first read Night Shift, by Stephen King, so many years ago, now. I honestly believe I have already been drawn so far into this dreadfully horrific nightmare world that Douglas Clegg has torn from the darkest recesses of his imagination, that I am going to be compelled to revisit it, from time to time, just as I have gone back to my favourite Stephen King books, so many times.
I must agree with Douglas, as he so wisely suggests about these stories, "Let them sink in".
But please...not too deeply! I add that last caveat, as there are some of the darkest horrors I have ever had the chilling thrills to enjoy, in this collection, and I can assure Douglas Clegg that I most certainly did 'enjoy this territory ' of his fiction.
If you love the darkest writings of Stephen King, James Herbert, Arthur Machen, Clive Barker, Thomas Harris, and other great writers in the genre like Shaun Hudson and Stephen Laws, Tim Lebbon, and so many such great talents, you will love this superb collection, albeit in an almost guilty way. I have the feeling that I have reached into the very stuff of someone's nightmares, by partaking of these stories. I sincerely hope they will not haunt me...but I don't think I have much choice, now. Once you glimpse the darkness, the 'underneath', and unspoken horrors awaiting you, you may well find they have already begun to sink in, in a way that is going to be very difficult to forget.
Douglas Clegg, I have the feeling that you are going to have a lot to answer for, when I lie awake all night, with the bedside light on. These shadows you have woven are exquisitely dark indeed, and I have a feeling I will be searching out more of your superbly crafted tales, very soon!
Thank you for your Nightmares...(I think!).
March 18, 2016
In ‘The Nightmare Chronicles’, a young boy has been kidnapped and held for ransom but his captors soon get a glimpse of his unexplainable morbid visions. Thus, they experience thirteen nightmares which they simply can’t escape from no matter how hard they try..
There were times when I found this book to be confusing since the stories seemed to begin out of nowhere and usually ended quite abruptly. Plus, the transition from the captors to the nightmares and vice versa was choppy. Some of the stories within the main story didn’t fit together perfectly due to the lack of flow and relevance to each other. As a result, I wasn’t completely engrossed in the book and found it easy to be distracted by other things around me. It didn’t help that the boy and the kidnappers had no personality whatsoever.
That being said though, I did enjoy some of the nightmares. As with most short stories, a handful will be pretty good while the rest tend to fall in the category of average or bad. That applied in this case. However, I did appreciate the diversity in terms of the content which explored the theme of life and death as well as featured fascinating subjects such as the obsession with myths and beliefs, insects, possession, murders, et cetera. Bear in mind that the stories were for the most part disturbing and there were a few memorable ones which made this book worth reading.
Overall, ‘The Nightmare Chronicles’ has a decent mix of dark tales which will most likely appeal to those looking for a dash of the supernatural and some mystery in horror books.
There were times when I found this book to be confusing since the stories seemed to begin out of nowhere and usually ended quite abruptly. Plus, the transition from the captors to the nightmares and vice versa was choppy. Some of the stories within the main story didn’t fit together perfectly due to the lack of flow and relevance to each other. As a result, I wasn’t completely engrossed in the book and found it easy to be distracted by other things around me. It didn’t help that the boy and the kidnappers had no personality whatsoever.
That being said though, I did enjoy some of the nightmares. As with most short stories, a handful will be pretty good while the rest tend to fall in the category of average or bad. That applied in this case. However, I did appreciate the diversity in terms of the content which explored the theme of life and death as well as featured fascinating subjects such as the obsession with myths and beliefs, insects, possession, murders, et cetera. Bear in mind that the stories were for the most part disturbing and there were a few memorable ones which made this book worth reading.
Overall, ‘The Nightmare Chronicles’ has a decent mix of dark tales which will most likely appeal to those looking for a dash of the supernatural and some mystery in horror books.
February 16, 2017
Inventive, creepy and very well written.
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