The Tales from the Miskatonic University Library

Black Wings #5

by Darrell Schweitzer (Editor), John Ashmead (Editor)

Miskatonic University, in fabled Arkham Massachusetts, has long been described in the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft and his successors. Here in the library, under lock and key, are some of the world’s most dangerous books, most famously the dreaded Necronomicon of the mad Arab, Abdul Alhazred. There was a notably unpleasant incident in the late 1920s, when a certain Wilbur Whateley tried to steal that particular volume, and met a hideous fate. Fortunately, that time at least, the head librarian and his colleagues were able to save the Earth from the dreadful danger of the Dunwich Horror.
How safe are Miskatonic’s security precautions and what has perhaps disappeared from, or appeared in the collection since? What other creepy, maddening, extra-dimensional, or even sentient tomes reside on those forbidden shelves? What strange events have taken place among the stacks? Is there an inter-library loan system? Who, or what, comes after miscreants who fail to return books on time? In the modern, digital age, what would happen if some of the content escaped over the Internet? Are some of the books, or all of them, little more than slowly ticking time bombs? And what, dare we ask, can be found in the Cooking Section?
If you learn all the secrets of the Miskatonic University Library, will you go mad—or just wish you had?
A feast of bibliographical horrors by Don Webb, Adrian Cole, Dirk Flinthart, Harry Turtledove, P.D. Cacek, Will Murray, A.C. Wise, Marilyn Mattie Brahen, Douglas Wynne, Alex Shvartsman, James Van Pelt, Robert M. Price, and Darrell Schweitzer.
If you learn all the secrets of the Miskatonic University Library, will you go mad—or just wish you had?

Genres: Horror, Anthologies, Weird Fiction, Cthulhu Mythos, Lovecraftian, Short Stories, Fantasy

201 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Darrell Schweitzer is an American writer, editor, and essayist in the field of speculative fiction. Much of his focus has been on dark fantasy and horror, although he does also work in science fiction and fantasy.

Schweitzer is also a prolific writer of literary criticism and editor of collections of essays on various writers within his preferred genres.

Reviews

[Andrew “The Weirdling” Glos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthologies of Lovecraftian tales are famously uneven, but this one is an exception. Even the weaker entries were enjoyable enough to go through. All stories are variations on events at Miskatonic University’s library or books from there or books that belong there (even if the curators haven’t yet acquired a copy for their special collections).

[Richard Derus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 1.5* of five

DNF 29%

I've got too few eyeblinks left to me to waste them on mediocrity that cashes in on the Lovecraft Mythos without using it well.

[Richard Shewmaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegantly disturbing, exceptionally Lovecraftian

It was with a sinking feeling of regret that I found myself reading the final story of this collection of beautifully written entries. Unlike in some themed collections of stories, all remained true to the spirit of the basic premise. Several were so good I re-read them on the spot.

I don't want to give away anything about the stories and so am sticking to generalities: well-written, quirky, original, distressing, enthralling, sinister, darkly humorous, these all immediately come to mind as appropriate descriptions. Some left me at the end with that empty feeling of dread I expect from a good Lovecraftian tale, others with a sense of uneasy awe.

The premises and concepts were creative and original, precisely what I hoped for. Definitely worth buying! I'll enjoy re-reading all of them again and more than once.

[Rob Mensch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 13 short stories all related in some way to the iconic Miskatonic University Library. As with all short story collections I found some stories weaker and some stronger, but overall a good blend entertaining read. My top 3 favorite stories in the collection:
1- The 3rd Movement, I have yet to find a story by Adrian Cole I don't like!
2- To Be in Ulthar on a Summer Afternoon, have always enjoyed the realm of Ulthar in the dreamlands
3- A Trillion Young, probably the creepiest story in the collection
If you like the Cthulhu Mythos, you will likely enjoy this collection.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept behind this collection, but as with many anthologies of short stories, there were inconsistencies in style and content. The Library at Miskatonic University and its contents, especially it rare books and special collections, has great potential.

So while I applaud the concept, I was disappointed by the execution. Some stories struck me as send-ups spoofs. At least one story showed tremendous promise, but immediately ran out of steam, such that as I read a page and turned to the next, I was surprise I was into the next story. I felt the story ought to have ended, “And then I woke up.”

Reading a digital copy, I found no TOC. At the back there was a List of Contributors in alphabetic order. It was inconvenient having to flip back and forth to get details about the specific author I was reading.

And, honestly, I did not experience the frisson I experience when I read the master, Lovecraft.

Nice try, but ...

[robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is something about Lovecraft. If you don't like his story-telling or you just don't like him, himself, there's still this atmosphere that he created, this creepy, fuggy, dangerous small-town ambience with which he imbued New England, and the solid brick-and-mortar sense of reality that hangs around Miskatonic University, which is very powerful. And what better place for a really, really dangerous library, because Lovecraft loved listing books of dark omen. Start with the Necronomicon and that is only the beginning of the stories in this collection, with an endless variety of stories of close encounters of the book kind, some fatal, some merely upsetting.

That ideas are dangerous is known; that a book, in itself, may be physically or spiritually or emotionally dangerous is more traded on in fantasy novels, but Lovecraft's ouvre isn't precisely fantasy, and this library doesn't seem fantastic, not in the way that the library of books written in dreams (Gaiman) or the chained and grumbling Unseen University's shelves (Pratchett) do. You feel that you could visit Miskatonic University and take one of these books off its shelves, or that if you are very unlucky, like an M.R. James protagonist or one of the supremely unfortunate folk who come into posession of a Jurgen Leitner tome (Magnus Archives), one might find its way to you.

Uneven collection as all collections of short story homages are, but a couple of these are very good.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are innumerable books dealing with the 'mythos' created by HPL. This book occupies a special position in that pantheon. Books either belonging to, or deserving a vaunted shelf at the Miskatonic University Library, dominate and shape this collection.
All the stories were very well-written, with some having the dangerous glimmer of brilliance bordering madness. My favourites were~
1. Slowly Ticking Time Bomb— Don Webb;
2. To Be in Ulthar on a Summer Afternoon— Dirk Flinthart;
3. A Trillion Young— Will Murray;
4. The Paradox Collection— A. C. Wise;
5. The Way to a Man's Heart— Marilyn "Mattie" Brahen;
6. Recall Notice— Alex Shvartsman;
7. The Children's Collection— James Van Pelt.
If you are a bibliophile, with curiosity regarding the treasures lurking or moldering within MUL, this book is essential reading for you.
Recommended.

[Chad Anctil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well constructed anthology, the over-arching theme of Miskatonic Library - or occult libraries and mysterious books in general - is well played throughout, without seeming repetitive. Most of the stories were very good, with a few excellent stands outs, though there were a couple that just did not seem to reach the caliber of the overall anthology. 'The White Door' by Douglas Wynne and 'To Be in Ulthar on a Summer Afternoon' by Dirk Flintheart are real gems here.
If you're interested in interesting weird fiction about the fabled Miskatonic Library, well edited and engaging, this collection is a great place to start.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read almost a hundred anthologies containing mythos or weird fiction and it is not unkind to say the vast vast majority are like this one.

That is, it is a serviceable attempt at a theme within the Mythos...examining the great library at Miskatonic University but though it starts strong, it ambles towards mediocrity. There are no standouts, three or so 4 stars and then it dwindles down.

For the committed reader it is fine but I can't help feeling that the idea of exploring MU library had incredible potential which really was not found.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful collection of stories featuring the famous and infamous library of Miskatonic University and the dreaded tomes contained there-in. As with all collections of short fiction, some are more entertaining than others, but there are no real misses here. In addition to the expected stories of cursed books, readers also explore what happens when the Necronomicon is digitized, the horrors of the children's section, and much more. A must read for any fan of the Mythos.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the Lovecraft universe.
An anthology of stories about the Miskatonic library containing disturbing books talking about hidden knowledge, alien races who have lived before or along with man, and monstrous elder gods.
The stories overall are quite good with some very original material. If you are a Lovecraft universe lover, you will enjoy this book.

[Amir lampkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xcellent

Love the stories in their own rights. Very few grammatical or typographical errors. These are easier to read than the ”original” Lovecraft, but like all homages, they draw their power from the innovator. I thoroughly enjoyed each story! AGL

[T.M. Starnes]

Exceptional

Rather entertaining.
If you enjoy good tales of Lovecraftian origin this it.
However, every story was wrong.
We passed through the gate decades ago.
All hail the GREAT old ones!!!!

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection.

I enjoyed this collection. I like most of the stories. The book has a good variety of stories. Some stories have unsettling endings. I will be re-reading my favorites. Miskatonic Library is definitely a spooky place.

[Jim X Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great stories but it has many glaring editing errors. If this collection were properly edited it would be a solid 5 star read.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories

I have many books now containing short stories relating to the cthuhlu mythos and this was by far my favorite.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun for H.P. Lovecraft fans

I enjoyed this book because it had a variety of stories. I love stories that put me in spooky libraries with forbidden books.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too uneven in quality for me to really love, despite being heavily invested in the theme. James Van Pelt's contribution, The Children's Collection, was a charming standout.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all anthology books, there will be some very good stories and some stories that just make you want to give the writer a good smack for being s undisciplined. This collection had more good stories than bad, though it was by a tight margin. I can't really recommend the book as a whole, but there are a few excellent selections, and those moments of delighted surprise made the read tolerable.

[Bill Borre]

"The Way to a Man’s Heart" by Marilyn “Mattie” Brahen - Lorelei uses the Gastronomicon to prepare a meal with shoggoth powder for Tony which ends up infesting him with shoggoths.

"Not in the Card Catalog" by Darrell Schweitzer - Professor Gregson joins forces with librarian Mrs. Hoag to prevent an evil cult from acquiring the Book of Undying Hands.

"The Children’s Collection" by James Van Pelt - The Miskatonic University Library has a children's section where home schooled kids can peruse strange books.

"To Be in Ulthar on a Summer Afternoon" by Dirk Flinthart - A library proctor pursues a woman to Ulthar in order to retrieve an overdue book of spells.

"The White Door" by Douglas Wynne - The protagonist searches for a book titled "The White Door" which gives insight as to what lies beyond death.

"Interlibrary Loan" by Harry Turtledove - wc

[Paul Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love haunted libraries....

This was a fantastic book of short stories. If you read Lovecraft then there are plenty of references that you will feel you have insider knowledge. I was more than entertained and delighted. Well worth reading!