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Incubo a seimila metri
Torna in libreria Richard Matheson con i suoi capolavori assoluti, diciassette racconti tra i più famosi del maestro americano del fantastico, tra cui pagine epocali come La preda, storia della lotta feroce tra una donna e un malvagio bambolotto esotico, diventata un film televisivo notissimo in Italia. E poi Incubo a seimila metri, fonte di uno degli episodi più amati di Ai confini della realtà. E una serie di classici della paura, della paranoia, del disagio contemporaneo, quali Il vestito di seta bianca e I figli di Noè, che hanno sancito la fama di Richard Matheson come uno dei più radicali narratori della zona d’ombra. I suoi racconti, accanto alla maestria nel tratteggiare il soprannaturale e la suspense, sono caratterizzati da un rigoroso realismo e da una paradossale ‘credibilità’, da un’attenzione commossa verso quell’umanità marginale e soggiogata da un potere, da un sistema, da una volontà che assume caratteri ‘mostruosi’.
308 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Richard Matheson
760 books4,768 followersBorn in Allendale, New Jersey to Norwegian immigrant parents, Matheson was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1943. He then entered the military and spent World War II as an infantry soldier. In 1949 he earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and moved to California in 1951. He married in 1952 and has four children, three of whom (Chris, Richard Christian, and Ali Matheson) are writers of fiction and screenplays.
His first short story, "Born of Man and Woman," appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1950. The tale of a monstrous child chained in its parents' cellar, it was told in the first person as the creature's diary (in poignantly non-idiomatic English) and immediately made Matheson famous. Between 1950 and 1971, Matheson produced dozens of stories, frequently blending elements of the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres.
Several of his stories, like "Third from the Sun" (1950), "Deadline" (1959) and "Button, Button" (1970) are simple sketches with twist endings; others, like "Trespass" (1953), "Being" (1954) and "Mute" (1962) explore their characters' dilemmas over twenty or thirty pages. Some tales, such as "The Funeral" (1955) and "The Doll that Does Everything" (1954) incorporate zany satirical humour at the expense of genre clichés, and are written in an hysterically overblown prose very different from Matheson's usual pared-down style. Others, like "The Test" (1954) and "Steel" (1956), portray the moral and physical struggles of ordinary people, rather than the then nearly ubiquitous scientists and superheroes, in situations which are at once futuristic and everyday. Still others, such as "Mad House" (1953), "The Curious Child" (1954) and perhaps most famously, "Duel" (1971) are tales of paranoia, in which the everyday environment of the present day becomes inexplicably alien or threatening.
He wrote a number of episodes for the American TV series The Twilight Zone, including "Steel," mentioned above and the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"; adapted the works of Edgar Allan Poe for Roger Corman and Dennis Wheatley's The Devil Rides Out for Hammer Films; and scripted Steven Spielberg's first feature, the TV movie Duel, from his own short story. He also contributed a number of scripts to the Warner Brothers western series "The Lawman" between 1958 and 1962. In 1973, Matheson earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his teleplay for The Night Stalker, one of two TV movies written by Matheson that preceded the series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Fanatic (US title: Die! Die! My Darling!) starring Talullah Bankhead and Stefanie Powers.
Novels include The Shrinking Man (filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man, again from Matheson's own screenplay), and a science fiction vampire novel, I Am Legend, which has been filmed three times under the titles The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth and once under the original title. Other Matheson novels turned into notable films include What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, Bid Time Return (as Somewhere in Time), and Hell House (as The Legend of Hell House) and the aforementioned Duel, the last three adapted and scripted by Matheson himself. Three of his short stories were filmed together as Trilogy of Terror, including "Prey" with its famous Zuni warrior doll.
In 1960, Matheson published The Beardless Warriors, a nonfantastic, autobiographical novel about teenage American soldiers in World War II.
He died at his home on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
His first short story, "Born of Man and Woman," appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1950. The tale of a monstrous child chained in its parents' cellar, it was told in the first person as the creature's diary (in poignantly non-idiomatic English) and immediately made Matheson famous. Between 1950 and 1971, Matheson produced dozens of stories, frequently blending elements of the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres.
Several of his stories, like "Third from the Sun" (1950), "Deadline" (1959) and "Button, Button" (1970) are simple sketches with twist endings; others, like "Trespass" (1953), "Being" (1954) and "Mute" (1962) explore their characters' dilemmas over twenty or thirty pages. Some tales, such as "The Funeral" (1955) and "The Doll that Does Everything" (1954) incorporate zany satirical humour at the expense of genre clichés, and are written in an hysterically overblown prose very different from Matheson's usual pared-down style. Others, like "The Test" (1954) and "Steel" (1956), portray the moral and physical struggles of ordinary people, rather than the then nearly ubiquitous scientists and superheroes, in situations which are at once futuristic and everyday. Still others, such as "Mad House" (1953), "The Curious Child" (1954) and perhaps most famously, "Duel" (1971) are tales of paranoia, in which the everyday environment of the present day becomes inexplicably alien or threatening.
He wrote a number of episodes for the American TV series The Twilight Zone, including "Steel," mentioned above and the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"; adapted the works of Edgar Allan Poe for Roger Corman and Dennis Wheatley's The Devil Rides Out for Hammer Films; and scripted Steven Spielberg's first feature, the TV movie Duel, from his own short story. He also contributed a number of scripts to the Warner Brothers western series "The Lawman" between 1958 and 1962. In 1973, Matheson earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for his teleplay for The Night Stalker, one of two TV movies written by Matheson that preceded the series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Matheson also wrote the screenplay for Fanatic (US title: Die! Die! My Darling!) starring Talullah Bankhead and Stefanie Powers.
Novels include The Shrinking Man (filmed as The Incredible Shrinking Man, again from Matheson's own screenplay), and a science fiction vampire novel, I Am Legend, which has been filmed three times under the titles The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth and once under the original title. Other Matheson novels turned into notable films include What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, Bid Time Return (as Somewhere in Time), and Hell House (as The Legend of Hell House) and the aforementioned Duel, the last three adapted and scripted by Matheson himself. Three of his short stories were filmed together as Trilogy of Terror, including "Prey" with its famous Zuni warrior doll.
In 1960, Matheson published The Beardless Warriors, a nonfantastic, autobiographical novel about teenage American soldiers in World War II.
He died at his home on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews
July 18, 2011
8 Excellent short stories,
1 Boring short misfire, and
11 Dazzling, GRANDtastic short masterpieces
combine to make this one delicious helping of gumdrop goody goodness....in a scare you stool-less and leave you whimpering kind of way. This is a rare blend of literate, high quality prose and "oh shit" screaming terror. Matheson's story-telling is addictive and the heavy, meaty sense of tension-filled dread with which he is able to consistently imbue his stories is truly special. Yeah, I thought this collection was pretty terrific.
Of the 20 tales in this collection, the following are the 11 AWEgasm causing masterpieces that I thought Matheson just knocked out of the park:
NIGHTMARE AT 20000 FEET: I must have seen the Twilight Zone episode with a bucky young Captain Kirk a dozen times before finally reading/listening to this classic tale of a mentally troubled passenger seeing a “Gremlin” on the wing of an airplane. Well, as good as the James T. and Rod Serling were at the adaptation, it was a thin, pale shadow to the robustness of the original in its ability to create a rising, pulsating sense of terror. What a great way to lead off this collection as it showcases Matheson’s tremendous skill at layering on real terror with psychological perception so that the reader continues to ask themselves...how much of this is real?
DRESS OF WHITE SILK: Holy nutshakers people, this one had me waiting for the bomb to drop (metaphorically as well as in my shorts) from the very first line. Everything about this story of a seriously bizarre little girl and her strange obsession with dead mommy’s heirlooms (including the titular silk dress) spelled CREEPY with a capital AHHHHH!! This one reminded me a lot of Matheson’s "Born of Man and Woman" which is one of my all time favorites. Short, tension filled, engrossing and with the best last line of the entire collection.
BLOOD SON: This superb story concerns another very odd boy (I sense a pattern developing) who becomes OBSESSIONALLY “out of his nutty little mind” OBSESSED with vampirism after reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula. He wants to be one...very, very badly, making his family, school mates and neighbors “long tail cat in rocking chair room” nervous whenever he is around. Only an extraordinary writer like Matheson could have pulled this story off as it balances on the edge of “mental instability” and “genuine horror” all the way until another amazing ending.
THROUGH CHANNELS: If you want an absolute case study in the art of “let the readers imagination fill in the horror” than this may be it. I have heard from some that this was one of the lesser works in this collection but I would respectfully disagree (and give them a raspberry behind their back). This is a masterly piece. The story takes place in an interview room where a son is being questioned by police about the “horrific” murders of his parents and two of their friends. While I think by the end of the story, it is pretty clear “what happened” it is all slowly pieced together based on the reactions of the officers and the boy who have all seen the crime scene. I will remember this one for a while.
WITCH WAR: This 5th story makes it a stellar 5 out of 5 for Matheson in this collection. Despite being completely different from the others, the quality and imagination are superb. This one has a very “Village of the Damned” vibe to it and involves a group of prepubescent (but “holy shit” powerful witches absolutely demolishing an army of soldiers (with tanks, planes, etc.) sent to destroy them. Much more actiony than the previous stories, but the best part of the story is the casual, unemotional mind-set of the little girls who see this as nothing more than a fun game to play.
DISAPPEARING ACT: Another fantastic product by Matheson, this story involves a struggling writer who begins an affair with another woman. After arguing with his wife, he calls up his mistress only to discover that no one has ever heard of her. Thus begins a true piece of psychological terror as things begin to disappear from the characters life as if erased from history. This is masterful story-telling.
LEGION OF PLOTTERS: One of the most disturbing stories in the collection, this is a salty little psychology study of a man who has hit 11 on the paranoia scale and believes, literally, that everyone is out to get him. When this story is over, it will make you look at certain news stories in a whole new light.
DANCE OF THE DEAD:Arguably the most “important” story in the collection for its scathing and piercing commentary on loss of empathy and the ability to human beings to give up the ability to feel compassion for their fellow man. This is also, in my opinion, the most difficult story in the collection to navigate through as it is a futuristic tale full of a strange new vocabulary (which Matheson uses to great effect). In short, the story takes place in a post World War III America where a group of teens travel to a unique bar to see a very bizarre show. My advice: take your time with this one and even read some commentary on the story before you read it. The haunting image of the “show” will stay with me s good long while.
THE CHILDREN OF NOAH: This is as good an example of nasty, big city tourist driving through tiny “out of the way” town and having a bizarre run in with the locals. Think “The Wicker Man” or “The Children of the Corn” and you will be on the right track. However, Matheson brings a little extra oomph to this story through his understated writing, his unlikable main character and the slow, tension filled build up to the terror spewing climax...Ah satisfaction indeed!!
THE DISTRIBUTOR: Stephen King mentions in the introduction that without Richard Matheson, he would not be here and compared him to his father in the world of writing horror. Well Stevie boy sure must have found inspiration in this tale as it has some amazing parallels to his “Needful Things” (a book I really like but is not generally seen as one of King’s best...shows what I know). This a terrific little story about a man who comes to town and brings a whole bag of “fucking with your life” with him to distribute among the neighborhood. I loved, loved, loved the ending.
THE LIKENESS OF JULIE: Another example of absolutely pitch perfect narrative voice and an ending I did not see coming and still can not believe. A guy named Eddie becomes obsessed with a sweet girl in his physics class and can not stop thinking about her. He devises a vicious plan to drug her and black-mail her into being with him. The creep factor in this story approaches “I need a shower” level and Matheson’s portrayal of an out of control compulsion is amazing. Nasty, haunting and brilliantly written, this is a gem.
With the exception of Old Haunts, which for some reason I just did not care for, the remaining 9 stories are all better than good to excellent. Two of the stories “Long Distance Call” and “Prey” are among Matheson’s best known stories and I really enjoyed them. I think it just evidences how much I truly loved the 11 listed above that those two did not make the cut. For those interested the remaining nine stories are:
Madhouse
Long Distance Call
Slaughter House
Wet Straw
The Holiday Man
Old Haunts
Crickets
First Anniversary
Prey
Overall, a no doubt about it five 5 rating and Richard Matheson earns an immediate spot among the most impressive writers of speculative short fiction I have ever encountered. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!
March 5, 2020
Remember the Twlight Zone episode with William Shatner seeing gremlins on the wing of the plane? Well, that's the title story. And many others in this collection are just as good.
December 11, 2019
An audiobook in Portuguese. I only listened to the short story "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", not the full collection. For me, it was an OK text. WIKIPEDIA: "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is episode 123 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone, based on the short story of the same name by Richard Matheson, first published in Alone by Night (1961). It originally aired on October 11, 1963 and is one of the most well-known and frequently referenced episodes of the series. The story follows the only passenger on an airline flight to notice a hideous creature lurking outside the plane."
September 17, 2020
La verdad, no se me dan muy bien los relatos y antologías; me pasa que, por su extensión, no logran engancharme y mantenerme pendiente del desarrollo de una historia. Sin embargo, este libro tenía tan buenas críticas que fui por él.
Reconozco que me pasó igual que siempre, en el sentido que me costaba coger el libro por lo mismo que expliqué antes. Pero siendo objetiva, todos los relatos son excepcionales, incluso aquellos que me dejaron con un signo de interrogación en la cara. Matheson tiene una habilidad increíble para traspasarte la angustia de sus personajes, que se ven enfrentados a las situaciones más desquiciantes.
Tal como expresa Stephen King en un prólogo fabuloso, estos relatos son el equivalente literario del rock and roll, un porrazo rápido en la cabeza que te altera los nervios y hace que se queden agradablemente doloridos.
Y es que cómo no estremecerse cuando tu casa al completo te ataca porque año tras año la has impregnado de tu ira y frustración, o cuando eres detenido de madrugada por policías de tráfico en un pequeño pueblo y no sabes qué intenciones tienen, o cuando descubres el verdadero aspecto de tu pareja porque de tanta convivencia ya no puede mantener el control de tu mente y tus sentidos, o cuando en pleno vuelo sólo tú puedes ver a un ser destruyendo el ala del avión, o cuando día tras día va desapareciendo todo registro y recuerdos de tus seres queridos. Bueno, podría continuar pero mejor.... descúbranlos ustedes mismos. Son 20 relatos escritos entre 1951 y 1969 y que, dicho sea de paso, han envejecido muy bien.
Reto #42 PopSugar 2020: Un libro cuyo título contenga “20” o “veinte”
Reconozco que me pasó igual que siempre, en el sentido que me costaba coger el libro por lo mismo que expliqué antes. Pero siendo objetiva, todos los relatos son excepcionales, incluso aquellos que me dejaron con un signo de interrogación en la cara. Matheson tiene una habilidad increíble para traspasarte la angustia de sus personajes, que se ven enfrentados a las situaciones más desquiciantes.
Tal como expresa Stephen King en un prólogo fabuloso, estos relatos son el equivalente literario del rock and roll, un porrazo rápido en la cabeza que te altera los nervios y hace que se queden agradablemente doloridos.
Y es que cómo no estremecerse cuando tu casa al completo te ataca porque año tras año la has impregnado de tu ira y frustración, o cuando eres detenido de madrugada por policías de tráfico en un pequeño pueblo y no sabes qué intenciones tienen, o cuando descubres el verdadero aspecto de tu pareja porque de tanta convivencia ya no puede mantener el control de tu mente y tus sentidos, o cuando en pleno vuelo sólo tú puedes ver a un ser destruyendo el ala del avión, o cuando día tras día va desapareciendo todo registro y recuerdos de tus seres queridos. Bueno, podría continuar pero mejor.... descúbranlos ustedes mismos. Son 20 relatos escritos entre 1951 y 1969 y que, dicho sea de paso, han envejecido muy bien.
Reto #42 PopSugar 2020: Un libro cuyo título contenga “20” o “veinte”
November 2, 2021
En términos generales ha sido un buen libro de relatos cortos, a continuación una breve opinión sobre cada uno:
Pesadilla a 20000 Pies: 5/5.
Relato muy bueno, centrado en un pasajero que no puede evitar de ver a una persona en el ala del avión en pleno vuelo. La premisa es ya interesante por default.
Vestido de Seda Blanca: 4/5.
Relato interesante pero también ligeramente confuso, no entendí del todo el final, sin embargo, la historia está centrada en una niña cuya madre murió pero cada vez que la niña usa el vestido que fue el favorito de su mamá se siente su presencia.
Hijo de Sangre: 5/5.
Me gustó mucho, trata de un chico con problemas de adaptación y de disociación de la realidad que crece queriendo ser un vampiro, bastante siniestro.
A través de los Canales: 2/5.
De momento me ha parecido el más flojito de todos, sentí que fue una historia para rellenar, casi ni sentido tenía.
Guerra de Brujas: 5/5.
Excelente, un grupo de brujas se encuentran en uno de los bandos de una guerra y son enviadas para repeler el ataque de los enemigos, el resultado es devastador.
Una Casa Enloquecida: 5/5.
Me gusto mucho. El protagonista del cuento es una de esas personas que andan por la vida quejando se todo, sin embargo, cuando se encuentra en su casa siente que todos los objetos están en su contra, será psicosis suya o hay algo en la casa que actúa en su contra?
El Numero de la Desaparicion: 5/5.
Bueno. Fue como leer un episodio de la Dimensión Desconocida. Una desaparición inexplicable (no se puede comentar más ya que serría spoiler.
Legión de Conspiradores: 5/5.
Una persona se irrita y obsesiona con que todo las personas a su alrededor desean volverlo loco. Excelente desenlace.
Llamada a Larga Distancia: 5/5.
Una persona enferma empieza a recibir llamadas sin que nadie responda a su saludo, sin embargo, nadie le cree que este recibiendo dichas llamadas. Buen relato.
La Casa de Slaughter: 5/5.
Excelente relato sobre una casa endemoniada en la cual se van a vivir dos hermanos, buen inicio, buen desarrollo y buen final. Nada que modificarle porque logra que te metas en la historia y que sientas un poco de miedo.
Paja Húmeda: 2/5.
No me enteré muy bien de que trataba la historia, esta historia parece un poco más como de relleno.
El baile de los Muertos: 3.5/5
Creo que tuvo un muy inicio y buen desarrollo, sin embargo, el final me desencantó, no me pareció a la altura del relato que a venía.
Los Hijos de Noah: 5/5
Excelente relato. Se inicia cuando el protagonista excede el limite de velocidad permitida en un pueblo abandonado de solo 67 personas, es detenido. Lo que sucede luego es completamente impredecible pero muy bueno.
El Hombre de las Fiestas: 0/5
Aburrido, un relleno a todas luces.
Viejos Territorios: 2/5
Una historia con poco sentido a mi parecer, relata la historia de una persona recordando y viviendo cosas de su juventud... Pero no ha sido un acierto.
El Distribuidor: 5/5
Una historia muy muy buena que relata como una persona recién llegando a un vecindario implanta la semilla de la discordia y la riega cada día hasta florecer en cada una de las personas de la comunidad. Me hizo recordar mucho la novela La Tienda que escribió Stephen King años después.
Grillos: 3.5/5
Al principio parece un caso de obsesión, pero luego se torna un poco sombrío, lástima que sea tan corto.
Primer Aniversario: 3/5
El relato parece un poco extraño al principio, luego en los últimos párrafos es que se logra entender de que iba todo. Una parece recién cumple su primer aniversario, pero el hombre dia a dia siente que su pareja tiene un olor muy podrido mientras que para él el resto de las personas no tienen olor.
El Semblante de Julie: 4.5/5
Relato sobre un secuestro narrado desde el punto de vista del secuestrador, no es la primera vez que leo algo así (por ejemplo El Colecionista de John Fowles), pero ha sido interesante. Buen final.
Presa: 5/5
Me ha gustado bastante, excelente para cerrar con broche de oro el libro. De repente un especie de regalo que guarda el alma de un antiguo guerrero indio cobra vida y hace todo por dar cacería a su dueño. El final ha sido igual de bueno.
Pesadilla a 20000 Pies: 5/5.
Relato muy bueno, centrado en un pasajero que no puede evitar de ver a una persona en el ala del avión en pleno vuelo. La premisa es ya interesante por default.
Vestido de Seda Blanca: 4/5.
Relato interesante pero también ligeramente confuso, no entendí del todo el final, sin embargo, la historia está centrada en una niña cuya madre murió pero cada vez que la niña usa el vestido que fue el favorito de su mamá se siente su presencia.
Hijo de Sangre: 5/5.
Me gustó mucho, trata de un chico con problemas de adaptación y de disociación de la realidad que crece queriendo ser un vampiro, bastante siniestro.
A través de los Canales: 2/5.
De momento me ha parecido el más flojito de todos, sentí que fue una historia para rellenar, casi ni sentido tenía.
Guerra de Brujas: 5/5.
Excelente, un grupo de brujas se encuentran en uno de los bandos de una guerra y son enviadas para repeler el ataque de los enemigos, el resultado es devastador.
Una Casa Enloquecida: 5/5.
Me gusto mucho. El protagonista del cuento es una de esas personas que andan por la vida quejando se todo, sin embargo, cuando se encuentra en su casa siente que todos los objetos están en su contra, será psicosis suya o hay algo en la casa que actúa en su contra?
El Numero de la Desaparicion: 5/5.
Bueno. Fue como leer un episodio de la Dimensión Desconocida. Una desaparición inexplicable (no se puede comentar más ya que serría spoiler.
Legión de Conspiradores: 5/5.
Una persona se irrita y obsesiona con que todo las personas a su alrededor desean volverlo loco. Excelente desenlace.
Llamada a Larga Distancia: 5/5.
Una persona enferma empieza a recibir llamadas sin que nadie responda a su saludo, sin embargo, nadie le cree que este recibiendo dichas llamadas. Buen relato.
La Casa de Slaughter: 5/5.
Excelente relato sobre una casa endemoniada en la cual se van a vivir dos hermanos, buen inicio, buen desarrollo y buen final. Nada que modificarle porque logra que te metas en la historia y que sientas un poco de miedo.
Paja Húmeda: 2/5.
No me enteré muy bien de que trataba la historia, esta historia parece un poco más como de relleno.
El baile de los Muertos: 3.5/5
Creo que tuvo un muy inicio y buen desarrollo, sin embargo, el final me desencantó, no me pareció a la altura del relato que a venía.
Los Hijos de Noah: 5/5
Excelente relato. Se inicia cuando el protagonista excede el limite de velocidad permitida en un pueblo abandonado de solo 67 personas, es detenido. Lo que sucede luego es completamente impredecible pero muy bueno.
El Hombre de las Fiestas: 0/5
Aburrido, un relleno a todas luces.
Viejos Territorios: 2/5
Una historia con poco sentido a mi parecer, relata la historia de una persona recordando y viviendo cosas de su juventud... Pero no ha sido un acierto.
El Distribuidor: 5/5
Una historia muy muy buena que relata como una persona recién llegando a un vecindario implanta la semilla de la discordia y la riega cada día hasta florecer en cada una de las personas de la comunidad. Me hizo recordar mucho la novela La Tienda que escribió Stephen King años después.
Grillos: 3.5/5
Al principio parece un caso de obsesión, pero luego se torna un poco sombrío, lástima que sea tan corto.
Primer Aniversario: 3/5
El relato parece un poco extraño al principio, luego en los últimos párrafos es que se logra entender de que iba todo. Una parece recién cumple su primer aniversario, pero el hombre dia a dia siente que su pareja tiene un olor muy podrido mientras que para él el resto de las personas no tienen olor.
El Semblante de Julie: 4.5/5
Relato sobre un secuestro narrado desde el punto de vista del secuestrador, no es la primera vez que leo algo así (por ejemplo El Colecionista de John Fowles), pero ha sido interesante. Buen final.
Presa: 5/5
Me ha gustado bastante, excelente para cerrar con broche de oro el libro. De repente un especie de regalo que guarda el alma de un antiguo guerrero indio cobra vida y hace todo por dar cacería a su dueño. El final ha sido igual de bueno.
March 7, 2017
Good horror stories make you experience the world differently. Unexpected noises make you jumpy. Your slightly odd neighbour begins to look decidedly sinister. You lie in bed thinking that you'll be safe if you don't peek your head out from under your blankets. When you read a good horror story, fear leaks from its pages and infects you.
Richard Matheson’s collection Nightmare At 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories is mostly made up of these sorts of stories.
You’ve probably read I am Legend - Matheson’s story that was recently cinematically butchered by Will Smith. If you haven’t it’s one of the greats – a fantastic read that will blindside you, and blindside you hard. Matheson was a twilight zone writer and he excels at stories with surprising endings that will horrify you, and occasionally even make you laugh.
There are some real gems in here- the titular Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is a classic (and was made into an iconic twilight zone story, staring William Shatner), along with Prey, a bullet-fast tale of a murderous wooden doll. The Distributor, recommended to me here on Goodreads, is another winner, a chilling tale of urban terrorism that reads like Eric Frank Russell’s Wasp set in suburbia. It's a pacy, compelling tale that still reads very well.
There are also a few clangers too, stories that build well then flame out with an underwhelming ending (such as Witch War which really seemed to go nowhere). Is this common to horror? In my (admittedly limited) reading of the genre I've found that many horror stories start with genuinely atmospheric, palm-sweat inducing build-ups that end with cheesy, unconvincing twists. Several stories in Matheson’s book follow this anticlimactic path – a narrative rollercoaster than scales an ever steeper rise, promising an ever-scarier plummet, that arrives at the top of its arc to reveal a flat section of track and a gift shop.
Even Stephen king, that titan of horror whose name cannot fail to be mentioned when discussing his genre, occasionally flubs an ending after tantalising his readers with the sort of build-up that makes you scared to be alone in your own house (As an example I present It: a great story, but the ending… yeesh).
Despite all this, when Matheson nails a story, he nails it hard. He builds tension like a master, and he drives even his weaker stories along at a freight-train pace that had me flipping pages with fingertip-searing speed.
Matheson's influence on the horror genre is substantial, and several of the stories in Nightmare at 20,000... gave me a sense of déjà vu, reminding me of later works that have no doubt been inspired by his work. King himself is a big fan of Matheson’s, and one of the stories in this volume - Slaughter House - seemed to me to be a possible inspiration for the greatest of his novels (IMHO) The Shining.
Unlike say, H.P Lovecraft, Matheson’s short stories can be read together as a whole without his stylistic tics becoming irritating. Nightmare at 20,000... is varied enough in tone, settings and themes to keep things interesting and this is an entertaining compilation that is worth your time, especially if you are interested in the horror genre and the influence that Matheson has had on contemporary writers. Not every story in this book is a winner, but the best ones win big.
3.5 stars.
Richard Matheson’s collection Nightmare At 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories is mostly made up of these sorts of stories.
You’ve probably read I am Legend - Matheson’s story that was recently cinematically butchered by Will Smith. If you haven’t it’s one of the greats – a fantastic read that will blindside you, and blindside you hard. Matheson was a twilight zone writer and he excels at stories with surprising endings that will horrify you, and occasionally even make you laugh.
There are some real gems in here- the titular Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is a classic (and was made into an iconic twilight zone story, staring William Shatner), along with Prey, a bullet-fast tale of a murderous wooden doll. The Distributor, recommended to me here on Goodreads, is another winner, a chilling tale of urban terrorism that reads like Eric Frank Russell’s Wasp set in suburbia. It's a pacy, compelling tale that still reads very well.
There are also a few clangers too, stories that build well then flame out with an underwhelming ending (such as Witch War which really seemed to go nowhere). Is this common to horror? In my (admittedly limited) reading of the genre I've found that many horror stories start with genuinely atmospheric, palm-sweat inducing build-ups that end with cheesy, unconvincing twists. Several stories in Matheson’s book follow this anticlimactic path – a narrative rollercoaster than scales an ever steeper rise, promising an ever-scarier plummet, that arrives at the top of its arc to reveal a flat section of track and a gift shop.
Even Stephen king, that titan of horror whose name cannot fail to be mentioned when discussing his genre, occasionally flubs an ending after tantalising his readers with the sort of build-up that makes you scared to be alone in your own house (As an example I present It: a great story, but the ending… yeesh).
Despite all this, when Matheson nails a story, he nails it hard. He builds tension like a master, and he drives even his weaker stories along at a freight-train pace that had me flipping pages with fingertip-searing speed.
Matheson's influence on the horror genre is substantial, and several of the stories in Nightmare at 20,000... gave me a sense of déjà vu, reminding me of later works that have no doubt been inspired by his work. King himself is a big fan of Matheson’s, and one of the stories in this volume - Slaughter House - seemed to me to be a possible inspiration for the greatest of his novels (IMHO) The Shining.
Unlike say, H.P Lovecraft, Matheson’s short stories can be read together as a whole without his stylistic tics becoming irritating. Nightmare at 20,000... is varied enough in tone, settings and themes to keep things interesting and this is an entertaining compilation that is worth your time, especially if you are interested in the horror genre and the influence that Matheson has had on contemporary writers. Not every story in this book is a winner, but the best ones win big.
3.5 stars.
January 12, 2016
This is my first real foray into Matheson's work that I can remember (I read
I Am Legend
a very long time ago and can't quite recall it). I knew he was an important and influential author but I had no idea to what extent! It feels to me like he's the author that had the strongest influence on Stephen King. Their style of storytelling and pacing (at least in the short story work) is very similar! And you can also see why he was tapped to write The Twilight Zone episodes and why that show adapted a few of his stories. If you're a fan of the show, you'll love this collection as the stories have a very similar structure.
I listened to this on audiobook throughout the span of several months. I really enjoyed most of the tales in this collection and was constantly impressed with how clever and creative Matheson was in his storytelling. The concept and idea for each story is compelling and will keep you reading. And not only does Matheson show real skill in building upon these concepts in interesting and original ways and bringing it to a slam-bang ending, but he also has a great sense of what to show, what not to show, and when to do so. In the entire collection the writing has a great sense of mischief throughout, that same sense that King's writing has in his best creepy tales. The best example of Matheson's skill is the best story in the collection, the utterly creepy "Dress of White Silk," about a young girl obsessed with her dead mother's belongings. And that final couple of lines? Holy shit.
Other standout stories are: "Disappearing Act," "Legion of Plotters," "The Likeness of Julie," "First Anniversary," "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,""Through Channels," "Blood Son"...hell, who am I kidding? Just read 'em all. Definitely a recommendation if you're looking for some classic horror stories this Halloween season.
I listened to this on audiobook throughout the span of several months. I really enjoyed most of the tales in this collection and was constantly impressed with how clever and creative Matheson was in his storytelling. The concept and idea for each story is compelling and will keep you reading. And not only does Matheson show real skill in building upon these concepts in interesting and original ways and bringing it to a slam-bang ending, but he also has a great sense of what to show, what not to show, and when to do so. In the entire collection the writing has a great sense of mischief throughout, that same sense that King's writing has in his best creepy tales. The best example of Matheson's skill is the best story in the collection, the utterly creepy "Dress of White Silk," about a young girl obsessed with her dead mother's belongings. And that final couple of lines? Holy shit.
Other standout stories are: "Disappearing Act," "Legion of Plotters," "The Likeness of Julie," "First Anniversary," "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,""Through Channels," "Blood Son"...hell, who am I kidding? Just read 'em all. Definitely a recommendation if you're looking for some classic horror stories this Halloween season.
February 16, 2016
Nightmare at 20,000 feet is a collection of short stories by horror and weird fantasy genre trailblazing master Richard Matheson.
The collection begins with the title story, a favorite of Twilight Zone fans, both from the show and an episode starring a very young William Shatner and the film featuring John Lithgow in the lead.
This is an excellent way to begin because it highlights Matheson’s psychological style of horror blending the surreal and fantastic. Matheson’s genius is close, subtle, the kind of insanity that covers the distance between the face and the mirror. A stated favorite of Stephen King, Matheson serves as a literary bridge between King and the earlier horror master H.P. Lovecraft.
This can best be seen in the Lovecraftian “Children of Noah” and in “Mad House” which must have inspired Stephen King when he wrote The Shining. While some of these stories are little more than sketches like “Dress of White Silk” and “Disappearing Act”, others like “Bloodson”, a pre “I am Legend” and Bradburyesque narrative could be used to inspire longer works.
All in all, this is a good collection for a new reader of Matheson as it ranges from the darkly comedic “The Distributor” to the truly disturbing “Likeness of Julie”.
The collection begins with the title story, a favorite of Twilight Zone fans, both from the show and an episode starring a very young William Shatner and the film featuring John Lithgow in the lead.
This is an excellent way to begin because it highlights Matheson’s psychological style of horror blending the surreal and fantastic. Matheson’s genius is close, subtle, the kind of insanity that covers the distance between the face and the mirror. A stated favorite of Stephen King, Matheson serves as a literary bridge between King and the earlier horror master H.P. Lovecraft.
This can best be seen in the Lovecraftian “Children of Noah” and in “Mad House” which must have inspired Stephen King when he wrote The Shining. While some of these stories are little more than sketches like “Dress of White Silk” and “Disappearing Act”, others like “Bloodson”, a pre “I am Legend” and Bradburyesque narrative could be used to inspire longer works.
All in all, this is a good collection for a new reader of Matheson as it ranges from the darkly comedic “The Distributor” to the truly disturbing “Likeness of Julie”.
October 4, 2014
I love Richard Matheson. His short stories are some of the best examples of the craft I've ever seen. He has this way of making me feel like I am a part of the story in a way that works brilliantly, especially considering that Matheson loves an open ending. He lets the reader carry on where he leaves off, and that's one of my favorite things about reading his short stories.
Many of the stories in this collection are ones I've read elsewhere, but listening to them on audio this time was fantastic. Blood Son has a manic, urgent needy quality that the reader brought, and I loved it. Long Distance Call was creepy and made me turn on the lights, despite my knowing the story already... the raspy whispered "Hello?" gave me chills. In the best way.
Mad House is one of my favorite Matheson stories. It's so good, so detailed in the way that frustration builds and builds and builds... I seriously love this story, both for the psychological aspect, and the manifestation aspect.
There are a lot of psychological and paranoia stories in this collection, and they are some of Matheson's best, though back to back like this, it can feel a little bit overwhelming in how similar they are to each other. But, each taken individually, this is an excellent collection of stories.
Many of the stories in this collection are ones I've read elsewhere, but listening to them on audio this time was fantastic. Blood Son has a manic, urgent needy quality that the reader brought, and I loved it. Long Distance Call was creepy and made me turn on the lights, despite my knowing the story already... the raspy whispered "Hello?" gave me chills. In the best way.
Mad House is one of my favorite Matheson stories. It's so good, so detailed in the way that frustration builds and builds and builds... I seriously love this story, both for the psychological aspect, and the manifestation aspect.
There are a lot of psychological and paranoia stories in this collection, and they are some of Matheson's best, though back to back like this, it can feel a little bit overwhelming in how similar they are to each other. But, each taken individually, this is an excellent collection of stories.
May 28, 2020
Il più grande regalo di uno scrittore
Mica mi aspettavo che si trattasse di una raccolta di racconti con l’incubo a seimila metri come apripista. Avete paura di volare? Il racconto potrebbe interessarvi. Volate abitualmente senza preoccupazioni? Lo leggerete con curiosità ricordando quante volte avete scacciato un fantasma, non importa se indossasse la tunica, la Kefiah, il cappello da cow-boy o la bandana. Nel secondo racconto Matheson (come già nel primo e in buona parte di quelli successivi) prepara il terreno per la semina del terrore, il raccolto lascia che sia il lettore ad immaginare quanto sarà abbondante. Il terzo racconto finisce nelle braccia di un padre sconcertato, il quarto nelle fauci di grossi vermi verdi. Mi è occorsa la bella intervista in calce al libro per capire la differenza fra questi racconti e quelli raccolti in Duel
Cosa aveva in mente quando ha iniziato a scrivere?
Non saprei. Posso solo dire che sentivo come una compulsione a raccontare delle storie e, una volta finito il college, quando mi misi a scrivere iniziai dalla fantascienza. Non dimentichiamo che la fantasy e la fantascienza erano un settore molto vasto con una settantina di riviste di vario tipo sulle quali avevi la possibilità di esprimerti e all’epoca, oltre a essere una persona creativa, io ero anche una persona molto pratica. Ecco perché ho subito concentrato i miei sforzi su quel mercato. Va anche detto che ho sempre avuto un vero interesse per la fantasy, fin da quando ero bambino. Non posso dire altrettanto per la fantascienza.
La fantascienza in questi racconti è assente, per dirla sempre con le parole di Matheson:
Credo che la mia maggiore influenza su King stia nel fatto che lui, al pari di molti altri scrittori, prima di iniziare a leggere i miei libri scrivesse storie fantasy e horror su castelli, cimiteri, vampiri, mentre le mie storie raccontavano di fatti terribili che accadono nel quartiere e al supermercato.
In queste storie l’innesto del soprannaturale ha lo scopo di cercare una spiegazione all’inspiegabile, di far riflettere sulla nostra condizione di specie dominante e allo stesso tempo dominata da dubbi irrisolvibili.
Ci vogliono idee e capacità per trasportare l’egoismo e la cattiveria adolescenziale femminile in guerra, fare in modo che essa diventi un’arma (Guerra di streghe) o per far assorbire il malanimo di uno scrittore agli oggetti di casa sua e assistere alla restituzione della rabbia con la quale li aveva impregnati (La casa impazzita)
I racconti sono quasi tutti meritevoli, per non abbuffarmi ho interrotto temporaneamente la lettura, quando l’ho ripresa mi aspettavano I figli di Noè, ossia gli abitanti di un posto sperduto dell’America rurale sulla costa del Maine. Una sottile perdurante angoscia pervade tutta la narrazione che non si intuisce come si evolverà, si immagina che vi sarà un finale nefasto, non quale sarà. Anche in “Grilli” la quota minacciosa è mantenuta costante pur non essendo scontato l’esito. “Il nuovo vicino di casa” è uno psicopatico che prende in affitto un’abitazione nel quartiere di una cittadina e inizia subito a mettere i vicini uno contro all’altro svolgendo una serie di azioni spregevoli. “Primo anniversario” è una chicca sul matrimonio, lo capirà meglio chi di anniversari sulle spalle ne ha ben più di uno.
Chiude la raccolta “La preda” che ha il ritmo del thriller e una certa somiglianza con Tre millimetri al giorno; al posto del ragno c’è un fantoccio che ha ereditato lo spirito di un guerriero Zuni.
Chiude la raccolta una bonus track finale, un intervista del 2003 dove Matheson svela, fra l’altro, come nacque l’idea di scrivere Duel.
Chiude la raccolta… no, questa frase chiuderà la mia recensione
State attenti: siete nelle mani di uno scrittore che non chiede pietà e non ne concede. Vi spremerà fino all’osso, e quando chiuderete questo libro vi lascerà con il più grande regalo che uno scrittore possa offrirvi: il desiderio di leggerlo ancora. - Stephen King -
(He’s right)
Mica mi aspettavo che si trattasse di una raccolta di racconti con l’incubo a seimila metri come apripista. Avete paura di volare? Il racconto potrebbe interessarvi. Volate abitualmente senza preoccupazioni? Lo leggerete con curiosità ricordando quante volte avete scacciato un fantasma, non importa se indossasse la tunica, la Kefiah, il cappello da cow-boy o la bandana. Nel secondo racconto Matheson (come già nel primo e in buona parte di quelli successivi) prepara il terreno per la semina del terrore, il raccolto lascia che sia il lettore ad immaginare quanto sarà abbondante. Il terzo racconto finisce nelle braccia di un padre sconcertato, il quarto nelle fauci di grossi vermi verdi. Mi è occorsa la bella intervista in calce al libro per capire la differenza fra questi racconti e quelli raccolti in Duel
Cosa aveva in mente quando ha iniziato a scrivere?
Non saprei. Posso solo dire che sentivo come una compulsione a raccontare delle storie e, una volta finito il college, quando mi misi a scrivere iniziai dalla fantascienza. Non dimentichiamo che la fantasy e la fantascienza erano un settore molto vasto con una settantina di riviste di vario tipo sulle quali avevi la possibilità di esprimerti e all’epoca, oltre a essere una persona creativa, io ero anche una persona molto pratica. Ecco perché ho subito concentrato i miei sforzi su quel mercato. Va anche detto che ho sempre avuto un vero interesse per la fantasy, fin da quando ero bambino. Non posso dire altrettanto per la fantascienza.
La fantascienza in questi racconti è assente, per dirla sempre con le parole di Matheson:
Credo che la mia maggiore influenza su King stia nel fatto che lui, al pari di molti altri scrittori, prima di iniziare a leggere i miei libri scrivesse storie fantasy e horror su castelli, cimiteri, vampiri, mentre le mie storie raccontavano di fatti terribili che accadono nel quartiere e al supermercato.
In queste storie l’innesto del soprannaturale ha lo scopo di cercare una spiegazione all’inspiegabile, di far riflettere sulla nostra condizione di specie dominante e allo stesso tempo dominata da dubbi irrisolvibili.
Ci vogliono idee e capacità per trasportare l’egoismo e la cattiveria adolescenziale femminile in guerra, fare in modo che essa diventi un’arma (Guerra di streghe) o per far assorbire il malanimo di uno scrittore agli oggetti di casa sua e assistere alla restituzione della rabbia con la quale li aveva impregnati (La casa impazzita)
I racconti sono quasi tutti meritevoli, per non abbuffarmi ho interrotto temporaneamente la lettura, quando l’ho ripresa mi aspettavano I figli di Noè, ossia gli abitanti di un posto sperduto dell’America rurale sulla costa del Maine. Una sottile perdurante angoscia pervade tutta la narrazione che non si intuisce come si evolverà, si immagina che vi sarà un finale nefasto, non quale sarà. Anche in “Grilli” la quota minacciosa è mantenuta costante pur non essendo scontato l’esito. “Il nuovo vicino di casa” è uno psicopatico che prende in affitto un’abitazione nel quartiere di una cittadina e inizia subito a mettere i vicini uno contro all’altro svolgendo una serie di azioni spregevoli. “Primo anniversario” è una chicca sul matrimonio, lo capirà meglio chi di anniversari sulle spalle ne ha ben più di uno.
Chiude la raccolta “La preda” che ha il ritmo del thriller e una certa somiglianza con Tre millimetri al giorno; al posto del ragno c’è un fantoccio che ha ereditato lo spirito di un guerriero Zuni.
Chiude la raccolta una bonus track finale, un intervista del 2003 dove Matheson svela, fra l’altro, come nacque l’idea di scrivere Duel.
Chiude la raccolta… no, questa frase chiuderà la mia recensione
State attenti: siete nelle mani di uno scrittore che non chiede pietà e non ne concede. Vi spremerà fino all’osso, e quando chiuderete questo libro vi lascerà con il più grande regalo che uno scrittore possa offrirvi: il desiderio di leggerlo ancora. - Stephen King -
(He’s right)
May 28, 2018
Absolutely excellent collection of horror short stories. Starting from the first story At 20,000 Feet (you'll easily see how much impact that story made on Stephen King when reading his Langoliers) over Long Distance Call, Slaughter House, The Children of Noah, The Likeness of Julie, Prey... just killers and no fillers. Matheson is an absolute master of short story. You can't put down this volume and you'll cry out for more. Top read!
September 28, 2023
Lo primero de todo, os diré que no me gustan demasiado los libros de relatos, me suelo cansar fácilmente y además es bastante difícil un libro de estas características en el que todos sus relatos me gusten.
Por eso, ha sido una gran sorpresa este libro para mí, todos sus relatos me han gustado, aunque yo puntualizaría que no hay relatos de terror, son de suspense, fantasía y paranormales.
Ya había leído otro libro de Richard Matheson, y me encantó su narrativa sencilla y ágil.
Mi relato favorito de este libro, por supuesto es Presa, aunque todos los relatos son muy buenos, mi única pega es que no entendí del todo el relato El baile de los muertos.
Seguiré leyendo al autor.
Por eso, ha sido una gran sorpresa este libro para mí, todos sus relatos me han gustado, aunque yo puntualizaría que no hay relatos de terror, son de suspense, fantasía y paranormales.
Ya había leído otro libro de Richard Matheson, y me encantó su narrativa sencilla y ágil.
Mi relato favorito de este libro, por supuesto es Presa, aunque todos los relatos son muy buenos, mi única pega es que no entendí del todo el relato El baile de los muertos.
Seguiré leyendo al autor.
August 11, 2019
Fine Creepfest collection....with no gore.
These 20 works of horror by Richard Matheson kick off with an introduction by Stephen King who says "Without Richard Matheson, I wouldn't be around." And a book dedication that reads "To Stephen King, with much admiration for taking the ball and running with it all the way."
Aside from the iconic first story, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet and last Prey, the remaining 18 were all new for me....the oldest from 1951 and newest 1969, with the majority written in the 50's.
My top four favorites:
...The Distributor - reminiscent of Stephen King's Needful Things.
...Wet Straw - revenge at its most deadly best....hehehe. So well deserved.
...Long Distance Call - the creepiest most chilling kind.
...Through Channels - when F E E D turns to F E D........
Definitely recommend. NIGHTMARE would make a great October pick, but nothing really frightening here....for me.
March 5, 2017
Podés encontrar esta y otras reseñas en mi blog.
Relatos incluidos en la colección:
1° - Pesadilla a 20.000 pies
2° - Vestido de seda blanca
3° - Hijo de sangre
4° - A través de los canales
5° - Guerra de brujas
6° - Una casa enloquecida
7° - El número de la desaparición
8° - Legión de conspiradores
9° - Llamada a larga distancia
10° - La casa Slaughter
11° - Paja húmeda
12° - El baile de los muertos
13° - Los hijos de Noah
14° - El hombre de las fiestas
15° - Viejos territorios
16° - El distribuidor
17° - Grillos
18° - Primer aniversario
19° - El semblante de Julie
20° - Presa
Hacía tiempo que tenía pendiente leer relatos cortos de Richard Matheson, así que elegí esta colección que recoge algunos de sus cuentos más conocidos.
Matheson es un autor que me enganchó desde el momento que leí Soy Leyenda (la primera reseña que subí al blog es acerca de ese libro, pueden leerla en este enlace y reírse un poco). Es un autor que claramente inspiró a muchos autores contemporáneos del género del terror, concretamente a Stephen King, quien lo considera uno de sus grandes maestros y principal fuente de inspiración. Por eso es muy probable que si te gustan las historias de King, también disfrutarás de los libros de Matheson.
«Pesadilla a 20.000 pies...» tiene altibajos como toda colección de relatos, pero en general ninguno de ellos me pareció malo.
Curiosamente, la historia que le da el título a la colección fue la que menos me gustó y considero que es la más floja de todas. Posiblemente esto se debe a que es una historia muy conocida y no se diferencia mucho de la excelente parodia de los Simpson, salvo por el final. Por suerte esta historia es apenas el aperitivo y el resto de la colección es muy buena pues abarca diferentes temas clásicos en el género del terror de manera fresca y utilizando diferentes estilos narrativos.
En esta colección encontrarás cuentos de vampiros, fantasmas, casas embrujadas, historias apocalípticas y otros relatos muy bizarros.
Como mencioné anteriormente, Matheson se luce en cada relato al utilizar diferentes técnicas para contar sus historias. Algunas son narradas a partir de transcripciones de diarios íntimos o de conversaciones por radio, una técnica que en lo personal me encanta y siempre disfruto porque le da un toque diferente a las historias de terror.
Mi cuento favorito fue «El baile de los muertos», una historia que transcurre en un mundo postapocalíptico en el que la guerra bacteriológica ha dejado terribles secuelas. Es un relato sumamente perturbador porque es narrado desde la perspectiva de una chica inocente que se va de fiesta con un grupo de amigos de la universidad y es testigo de un espectáculo bastante desagradable. Este relato tiene una adaptación televisiva; la pueden encontrar en Youtube con subtítulos en español en este enlace.
Lo que más destaco de esta colección es cómo muchas de estas historias influyeron en autores de terror contemporáneo. Anne Rice dice que «Vestido de seda blanco» fue una de sus mayores inspiraciones para escribir sus novelas de vampiros. También es notorio cómo «Los hijos de Noah» y «El distribuidor» inspiraron a Stephen King, ya que son relatos que se asemejan mucho a la idea de «Desesperación» y «La Tienda», respectivamente.
Calificación 9/10
Salvo por un par de relatos que no me convencieron del todo (pero que no son para nada malos), «Pesadilla a 20.000 pies...» es una excelente colección de cuentos de terror que permiten conocer el estilo de uno de los principales autores de terror y ciencia ficción contemporáneos. En estos 20 relatos encontrarás toda clase de historias sobre vampiros, espectros, súcubos, casas embrujadas, virus mortales e incluso grillos asesinos.
Matheson es un autor espectacular y lo recomiendo, sobre todo si te gustan las historias de Stephen King.
Relatos incluidos en la colección:
1° - Pesadilla a 20.000 pies
2° - Vestido de seda blanca
3° - Hijo de sangre
4° - A través de los canales
5° - Guerra de brujas
6° - Una casa enloquecida
7° - El número de la desaparición
8° - Legión de conspiradores
9° - Llamada a larga distancia
10° - La casa Slaughter
11° - Paja húmeda
12° - El baile de los muertos
13° - Los hijos de Noah
14° - El hombre de las fiestas
15° - Viejos territorios
16° - El distribuidor
17° - Grillos
18° - Primer aniversario
19° - El semblante de Julie
20° - Presa
Hacía tiempo que tenía pendiente leer relatos cortos de Richard Matheson, así que elegí esta colección que recoge algunos de sus cuentos más conocidos.
Matheson es un autor que me enganchó desde el momento que leí Soy Leyenda (la primera reseña que subí al blog es acerca de ese libro, pueden leerla en este enlace y reírse un poco). Es un autor que claramente inspiró a muchos autores contemporáneos del género del terror, concretamente a Stephen King, quien lo considera uno de sus grandes maestros y principal fuente de inspiración. Por eso es muy probable que si te gustan las historias de King, también disfrutarás de los libros de Matheson.
«Pesadilla a 20.000 pies...» tiene altibajos como toda colección de relatos, pero en general ninguno de ellos me pareció malo.
Curiosamente, la historia que le da el título a la colección fue la que menos me gustó y considero que es la más floja de todas. Posiblemente esto se debe a que es una historia muy conocida y no se diferencia mucho de la excelente parodia de los Simpson, salvo por el final. Por suerte esta historia es apenas el aperitivo y el resto de la colección es muy buena pues abarca diferentes temas clásicos en el género del terror de manera fresca y utilizando diferentes estilos narrativos.
En esta colección encontrarás cuentos de vampiros, fantasmas, casas embrujadas, historias apocalípticas y otros relatos muy bizarros.
Como mencioné anteriormente, Matheson se luce en cada relato al utilizar diferentes técnicas para contar sus historias. Algunas son narradas a partir de transcripciones de diarios íntimos o de conversaciones por radio, una técnica que en lo personal me encanta y siempre disfruto porque le da un toque diferente a las historias de terror.
Mi cuento favorito fue «El baile de los muertos», una historia que transcurre en un mundo postapocalíptico en el que la guerra bacteriológica ha dejado terribles secuelas. Es un relato sumamente perturbador porque es narrado desde la perspectiva de una chica inocente que se va de fiesta con un grupo de amigos de la universidad y es testigo de un espectáculo bastante desagradable. Este relato tiene una adaptación televisiva; la pueden encontrar en Youtube con subtítulos en español en este enlace.
Lo que más destaco de esta colección es cómo muchas de estas historias influyeron en autores de terror contemporáneo. Anne Rice dice que «Vestido de seda blanco» fue una de sus mayores inspiraciones para escribir sus novelas de vampiros. También es notorio cómo «Los hijos de Noah» y «El distribuidor» inspiraron a Stephen King, ya que son relatos que se asemejan mucho a la idea de «Desesperación» y «La Tienda», respectivamente.
Calificación 9/10
Salvo por un par de relatos que no me convencieron del todo (pero que no son para nada malos), «Pesadilla a 20.000 pies...» es una excelente colección de cuentos de terror que permiten conocer el estilo de uno de los principales autores de terror y ciencia ficción contemporáneos. En estos 20 relatos encontrarás toda clase de historias sobre vampiros, espectros, súcubos, casas embrujadas, virus mortales e incluso grillos asesinos.
Matheson es un autor espectacular y lo recomiendo, sobre todo si te gustan las historias de Stephen King.
October 21, 2009
I found Nightmare at 20, 000 Feet and Other Stories at my excellent public library. The titular story is the basis for The Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner. Well if you like the show, read the book. Your heartbeat stays erratic the whole time. I love the detail in which Matheson describes the harrowing experience the protagonist has. He knows the gremlin is there but the darn thing disappears when he tries to point him out. The flight crew gets more and more convinced that the protagonist is off his rocker. But he knows he's sane. He is frightened out of his wits, but knowing that he's the only hope for the plane. The reluctant hero comes up with a plan to save the plane because the gremlin is steadily and I must add gleefully, tearing it apart. The climax is short, quick, wonderfully executed.
You heave a sigh of relief when the story ends. This volume has other classic stories. Another truly affecting story is Slaughter House. Two very close brothers buy and lovingly restore a Victorian house which is possessed by a spirit with nefarious intent. The spirit slowly drives a wedge between brothers and ends up causing a tragic end for one of the brothers. As usual you can see Matheson's skill in writing. He takes his time to build things up to an exquistive level of terror. You feel the pain of the older brother as he fights to save his sibling. I felt it more intensely because I am very close to my sister and I can imagine how much anguish it was causing the protagonist to watch his brother turn into a stranger. For me the end was satisfying although tragic. I won't give it away. But suffice it to say you walk away with a poignant feeling that will stay with you for days.
Another memorable tale is about a young boy who so intensely identifies with the tale of Dracula by Bram Stoker that his life goes in an interesting direction. This story leaves you with almost an upset stomach.
As I read more and more horror, I realize how conventional I am. I think this is the power of horror, that it can drive home how settled we are into our normal, nice worlds blithely unaware of how ugly the other reality is. Matheson definitely seems to understand this. He uses the tools available to him to craft this into his stories. It could be circumstances that are horrible. It could be the protagonist that is the real horror, or it could be the fate of the protagonist. And even in the case of one story where a guy murders his wife and then is subsequently haunted by her ghost, you still feel shocked at the comeuppance his wife's spirit delivers to him.
In some of the stories you find yourself thinking, that's not fair. And maybe that's the real kind of horror that we face everyday, that bad things happen to the normal, everyday person, the not especially good or bad, person. I think that Matheson really impresses me in his skill with the short story because writing a short story is such an art. I haven't read anything from him longer than a novella, but I will definitely look forward to reading a full length novel by him. However, I know I'll have to gird my loins because it will be a very bumpy, if satisfying ride.
You heave a sigh of relief when the story ends. This volume has other classic stories. Another truly affecting story is Slaughter House. Two very close brothers buy and lovingly restore a Victorian house which is possessed by a spirit with nefarious intent. The spirit slowly drives a wedge between brothers and ends up causing a tragic end for one of the brothers. As usual you can see Matheson's skill in writing. He takes his time to build things up to an exquistive level of terror. You feel the pain of the older brother as he fights to save his sibling. I felt it more intensely because I am very close to my sister and I can imagine how much anguish it was causing the protagonist to watch his brother turn into a stranger. For me the end was satisfying although tragic. I won't give it away. But suffice it to say you walk away with a poignant feeling that will stay with you for days.
Another memorable tale is about a young boy who so intensely identifies with the tale of Dracula by Bram Stoker that his life goes in an interesting direction. This story leaves you with almost an upset stomach.
As I read more and more horror, I realize how conventional I am. I think this is the power of horror, that it can drive home how settled we are into our normal, nice worlds blithely unaware of how ugly the other reality is. Matheson definitely seems to understand this. He uses the tools available to him to craft this into his stories. It could be circumstances that are horrible. It could be the protagonist that is the real horror, or it could be the fate of the protagonist. And even in the case of one story where a guy murders his wife and then is subsequently haunted by her ghost, you still feel shocked at the comeuppance his wife's spirit delivers to him.
In some of the stories you find yourself thinking, that's not fair. And maybe that's the real kind of horror that we face everyday, that bad things happen to the normal, everyday person, the not especially good or bad, person. I think that Matheson really impresses me in his skill with the short story because writing a short story is such an art. I haven't read anything from him longer than a novella, but I will definitely look forward to reading a full length novel by him. However, I know I'll have to gird my loins because it will be a very bumpy, if satisfying ride.
July 3, 2016
NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET: ****
DRESS OF WHITE SILK: *****
BLOOD SON: ****
THROUGH CHANNELS:****
WITCH WAR: **
MAD HOUSE: ****
DISAPPEARING ACT: *****
LEGION OF PLOTTERS: **
LONG DISTANCE CALL: *****
SLAUGHTER HOUSE: ***
WET STRAW: ****
DANCE OF THE DEAD: ****
THE CHILDREN OF NOAH: ***
THE HOLIDAY MAN: ****
OLD HAUNTS: *****
THE DISTRIBUTOR: ****
CRICKETS: ***
FIRST ANNIVERSARY: ****
THE LIKENESS OF JULIE: ****
PREY: ***
I think it's needless to talk about the way Matheson wrote his stories. The above ratings have nothing to do with his writing style and were given while always having his brilliance in storytelling as an undeniable fact. That is to say that the 2 and 3-star stories were also good but simply not as good as the rest.
As I was reading this amazing collection, I couldn't help marveling at how many later films, novels and shows were inspired by this brilliant author (beside the ones that became episodes of The Twilight Zone). Without extreme horror, splatter, profanity and all these techniques used (to no avail most times) by contemporary horror authors to scare the readers, Matheson manages to deliver some intense thrills proving that it's purely a matter of talent to write stories that can cut those who read them as well as the one who wrote them. Such stories simply never get old.
DRESS OF WHITE SILK: *****
BLOOD SON: ****
THROUGH CHANNELS:****
WITCH WAR: **
MAD HOUSE: ****
DISAPPEARING ACT: *****
LEGION OF PLOTTERS: **
LONG DISTANCE CALL: *****
SLAUGHTER HOUSE: ***
WET STRAW: ****
DANCE OF THE DEAD: ****
THE CHILDREN OF NOAH: ***
THE HOLIDAY MAN: ****
OLD HAUNTS: *****
THE DISTRIBUTOR: ****
CRICKETS: ***
FIRST ANNIVERSARY: ****
THE LIKENESS OF JULIE: ****
PREY: ***
I think it's needless to talk about the way Matheson wrote his stories. The above ratings have nothing to do with his writing style and were given while always having his brilliance in storytelling as an undeniable fact. That is to say that the 2 and 3-star stories were also good but simply not as good as the rest.
As I was reading this amazing collection, I couldn't help marveling at how many later films, novels and shows were inspired by this brilliant author (beside the ones that became episodes of The Twilight Zone). Without extreme horror, splatter, profanity and all these techniques used (to no avail most times) by contemporary horror authors to scare the readers, Matheson manages to deliver some intense thrills proving that it's purely a matter of talent to write stories that can cut those who read them as well as the one who wrote them. Such stories simply never get old.
September 20, 2020
Buenos relatos de terror, algunos geniales, cómo Pesadilla a 20000 pies, la casa Slaughter, LLamada a larga distancia o El distribuidor.
Buena lectura 3,5.
Buena lectura 3,5.
April 6, 2012
I expected to like this collection, but I did not expect to love it since I am not generally a lover of short stories. However, Matheson does such a great job of instantly giving you enough background that you feel completely pulled into the story. I found I was able to become vested in the story right away, and that allowed me to connect with the stories.
The stories themselves are amazing. My personal favorites were the title story, "Dress of White Silk," "Through Cannels" and "Blood Son." Great writing and a very imaginative creep factor. I loved it.
The stories themselves are amazing. My personal favorites were the title story, "Dress of White Silk," "Through Cannels" and "Blood Son." Great writing and a very imaginative creep factor. I loved it.
May 24, 2023
12/2022
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is the story dramatized for the Twilight Zone series. I actually have not seen the episode, which I believe starred William Shatner. But it is the best part of Twilight Zone: the Movie, which has John Lithgow as the Shatner character. It is surprisingly not supernatural, for a Richard Matheson story, and is just a man losing his mind in a plane. There is no Man on the Wing.
My favorite story was Disappearing Act. It. reminded me of his book 7 Steps to Midnight, which I did not finish. They are both about everything in your life changing, going away, and you can't solve it or figure out what's happening. 7 Steps to Midnight just kept going on and I thought it was too long and I stopped reading. But, as a story, Disappearing Act is briefer and tighter and the plot functions well.
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet is the story dramatized for the Twilight Zone series. I actually have not seen the episode, which I believe starred William Shatner. But it is the best part of Twilight Zone: the Movie, which has John Lithgow as the Shatner character. It is surprisingly not supernatural, for a Richard Matheson story, and is just a man losing his mind in a plane. There is no Man on the Wing.
My favorite story was Disappearing Act. It. reminded me of his book 7 Steps to Midnight, which I did not finish. They are both about everything in your life changing, going away, and you can't solve it or figure out what's happening. 7 Steps to Midnight just kept going on and I thought it was too long and I stopped reading. But, as a story, Disappearing Act is briefer and tighter and the plot functions well.
February 19, 2017
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories by Richard Matheson should be required reading for all fans of horror. Not just because Mr. Matheson was one of the first Grand Masters of Horror, inducted in 1993 by The World Horror Convention, or because he has been the influence of such authors as Stephen King (Also a Grand Master), but because so many of these short stories were the basis of amazing movies and TV anthologies that we have all enjoyed.
• Nightmare at 20,000 feet (Twilight Zone TV series and movie)
• Disappearing Act (Twilight Zone TV series)
• Long Distance Call (Twilight Zone TV series)
• Dance of the Dead (Masters of Horror TV Series)
• The Likeness of Julie (Tales of Terror Movie)
• Prey (Tales of Terror Movie)
Mr. Matheson is in his element when he is writing true horror. The psychological horror stories were for me hit and miss, but the true horror was chilling. For me the three stand-outs in this series were “Crickets,” “The Distributor,” and “Dance of the Dead.” I’m throwing in "Witch War" for honorable mention because it was another standout.
I read “Crickets” alone in the dark and could not get the idea out of my mind when finished. The sound of the cricket is so ubiquitous here in the country that one almost doesn’t hear it anymore, but what if they were communicating to us through those chirps, or worst yet communicating with something else.
“The Distributor” was probably the stand-out in the psychological terror stories in this series. There is somethings so disturbing about the character of Theodore Gordon, who destroys the lives of his new neighbors so completely and with such glee and zeal. It was truly terrifying, and when he posts the results in his book and the reader realizes just how many times he had done this, it was just another level of horror. Sublime.
Masters of Horror: Season 1, episode 3
I was first introduced to “Dance of the Dead” by Showtime’s amazing Anthology Series “Masters of Horror.” Although only 2 seasons long, it was an amazing introduction to the horror genre and included 1 hour movies from some of the greatest names in horror ever assembled. You should check them out, several can be found on youtube.com. But I digress, but only slightly. The thing is, I was mesmerized by the story when I first saw it. It was horrifying and tragic, heart breaking sad and a coming of age story all wrapped up in one. I immediately ran out and found the story and read it, I was disappointed because the short story was markedly different from the TV series I had just watched. Now ten years later and vastly more well-roundingly (sp) read, I was able to read this story with fresh eyes. The only thing the screen writer (who incidentally was Richard Matheson’s son Richard Christian Matheson) did was expand on the themes his father laid out in the short story. I just loved it on this second reading.
I have to be honest in “Witch War,” I just liked the juxtaposing of the giggling teenage girls and the destruction of the army. It was a revelation to read.
5 of 5 stars
• Nightmare at 20,000 feet (Twilight Zone TV series and movie)
• Disappearing Act (Twilight Zone TV series)
• Long Distance Call (Twilight Zone TV series)
• Dance of the Dead (Masters of Horror TV Series)
• The Likeness of Julie (Tales of Terror Movie)
• Prey (Tales of Terror Movie)
Mr. Matheson is in his element when he is writing true horror. The psychological horror stories were for me hit and miss, but the true horror was chilling. For me the three stand-outs in this series were “Crickets,” “The Distributor,” and “Dance of the Dead.” I’m throwing in "Witch War" for honorable mention because it was another standout.
I read “Crickets” alone in the dark and could not get the idea out of my mind when finished. The sound of the cricket is so ubiquitous here in the country that one almost doesn’t hear it anymore, but what if they were communicating to us through those chirps, or worst yet communicating with something else.
“The Distributor” was probably the stand-out in the psychological terror stories in this series. There is somethings so disturbing about the character of Theodore Gordon, who destroys the lives of his new neighbors so completely and with such glee and zeal. It was truly terrifying, and when he posts the results in his book and the reader realizes just how many times he had done this, it was just another level of horror. Sublime.
Masters of Horror: Season 1, episode 3
I was first introduced to “Dance of the Dead” by Showtime’s amazing Anthology Series “Masters of Horror.” Although only 2 seasons long, it was an amazing introduction to the horror genre and included 1 hour movies from some of the greatest names in horror ever assembled. You should check them out, several can be found on youtube.com. But I digress, but only slightly. The thing is, I was mesmerized by the story when I first saw it. It was horrifying and tragic, heart breaking sad and a coming of age story all wrapped up in one. I immediately ran out and found the story and read it, I was disappointed because the short story was markedly different from the TV series I had just watched. Now ten years later and vastly more well-roundingly (sp) read, I was able to read this story with fresh eyes. The only thing the screen writer (who incidentally was Richard Matheson’s son Richard Christian Matheson) did was expand on the themes his father laid out in the short story. I just loved it on this second reading.
I have to be honest in “Witch War,” I just liked the juxtaposing of the giggling teenage girls and the destruction of the army. It was a revelation to read.
5 of 5 stars
October 28, 2025
hard to review a book of short stories. there are some really good ones here. from the horror master and favorite author of mine Richard Matheson. author of i am legend, and the reason i gave Stephen King another shot!
November 20, 2023
Me gustaron varios cuentos, sin embargo, considero que son más los que pronto olvidaré, para mí ese es el mayor indicativo de qué tanta impresión me causó un libro o un autor.
El primer cuento lo había visto alguna vez en "La dimensión desconocida" y cada vez que vuelo me acuerdo de él, así que he disfrutado mucho con ese cuento. Punto y aparte es que lo leí mientras viajaba en avión y pues, no lo hagan, jajajaja.
Otros cuentos que también me han gustado fueron "Acto de desaparición", que creo que le pusieron otro nombre en español, y "El baile de los muertos".
Le dejo tres estrellas, pero me gustaría volver a leer algunas de estas historias en otro momento.
El primer cuento lo había visto alguna vez en "La dimensión desconocida" y cada vez que vuelo me acuerdo de él, así que he disfrutado mucho con ese cuento. Punto y aparte es que lo leí mientras viajaba en avión y pues, no lo hagan, jajajaja.
Otros cuentos que también me han gustado fueron "Acto de desaparición", que creo que le pusieron otro nombre en español, y "El baile de los muertos".
Le dejo tres estrellas, pero me gustaría volver a leer algunas de estas historias en otro momento.
September 9, 2019
17 racconti senza sbavature, inquietanti, disturbanti, claustrofobici. In queste storie l’orrore si annida nella routine di una vita borghese (un viaggio d’affari, un regalo al fidanzato, una multa per eccesso di velocità, una normale serata davanti alla TV…) in cui si insinua un elemento che scardina l’apparente tranquillità del vivere e ne rivela la sostanziale fragilità. Brrrrrr!!
September 4, 2020
Me encantó! No pude dejar de leerlo hasta terminarlo 🥰
November 8, 2012
Todavía recuerdo aquella película de los 80 que vi siendo un niño, ‘En los límites de la realidad’, dividida en cuatro episodios, el último de los cuáles estaba basado en un relato de Richard Matheson. Esa escena en la que el pasajero protagonista descubre a un extraño ser sobre el ala del avión en el que viaja, me dejó realmente impactado. Pero también me vienen a la mente otras películas en las que el talento de Matheson estaba muy presente, como el primer film de Steven Spielberg, ‘El diablo sobre ruedas’, y ese terrorífico camión que no dejaba de perseguir a otro coche. O aquellas viejas películas dirigidas por Roger Corman basadas en los relatos de Edgar Allan Poe, con un enorme Vincent Price como malvado, que fueron adaptados para la pantalla por Matheson. O esa otra película, ‘El increíble hombre menguante’, basada en su novela, con esa escena en la que el protagonista luchaba contra una araña “gigante” con una aguja como única arma. Y es que Matheson fue una gran influencia para un buen puñado de autores, tanto en el género fantástico, como, sobre todo, en el de terror.
En palabras de Stephen King: ”El género de horror, es el equivalente literario del rock and roll, un porrazo rápido en la cabeza que te altera los nervios y hace que se queden agradablemente doloridos”. Y esto es lo que nos ofrece la antología ’Pesadilla a 20.000 pies y otros relatos insólitos y terroríficos’, un buen montón de relatos donde la maestría de Matheson queda muy patente. Matheson no nos abruma, y va al grano en sus cuentos, perfectamente hilvanados para provocar estupor y desasosiego, las más de las veces en un golpe de efecto final que te deja impactado, y otras veces por el desarrollo propio de la historia, que te va envolviendo.
En los cuentos de Matheson encontramos fantasmas, brujas, seres sobrenaturales, vampiros y otras historias más atípicas y misteriosas, a veces cotidianas. En ‘Llamada a larga distancia’ y ‘La casa Slaughter’ nos encontramos con espíritus, siendo historias de corte más clásico. Relatos como ‘Una casa enloquecida’ o ‘Viejos territorios’, nos acercan más la parte psicológica e introspectiva de los protagonistas. Otros cuentos, como ‘Legión de conspiradores’ y ‘El número de la desaparición’, con una construcción y desarrollo geniales, reflejan los miedos interiores y las obsesiones, mostrándonos que lo cotidiano puede verse invadido por lo sobrenatural en cualquier momento.
Estos son los 20 relatos incluidos en ’Pesadilla a 20.000 pies y otros relatos insólitos y terroríficos’:
- Pesadilla a 20.000 pies
- Vestido de seda blanca
- Hijo de sangre
- A través de los canales
- Guerra de brujas
- Una casa enloquecida
- El número de la desaparición
- Legión de conspiradores
- Llamada a larga distancia
- La casa Slaughter
- Paja húmeda
- El baile de los muertos
- Los hijos de Noah
- El hombre de las fiestas
- Viejos territorios
- El distribuidor
- Grillos
- Primer aniversario
- El semblante de Julie
- Presa
En fin, nos encontramos ante una recopilación excelente, que hará las delicias de cualquier aficionado al género.
En palabras de Stephen King: ”El género de horror, es el equivalente literario del rock and roll, un porrazo rápido en la cabeza que te altera los nervios y hace que se queden agradablemente doloridos”. Y esto es lo que nos ofrece la antología ’Pesadilla a 20.000 pies y otros relatos insólitos y terroríficos’, un buen montón de relatos donde la maestría de Matheson queda muy patente. Matheson no nos abruma, y va al grano en sus cuentos, perfectamente hilvanados para provocar estupor y desasosiego, las más de las veces en un golpe de efecto final que te deja impactado, y otras veces por el desarrollo propio de la historia, que te va envolviendo.
En los cuentos de Matheson encontramos fantasmas, brujas, seres sobrenaturales, vampiros y otras historias más atípicas y misteriosas, a veces cotidianas. En ‘Llamada a larga distancia’ y ‘La casa Slaughter’ nos encontramos con espíritus, siendo historias de corte más clásico. Relatos como ‘Una casa enloquecida’ o ‘Viejos territorios’, nos acercan más la parte psicológica e introspectiva de los protagonistas. Otros cuentos, como ‘Legión de conspiradores’ y ‘El número de la desaparición’, con una construcción y desarrollo geniales, reflejan los miedos interiores y las obsesiones, mostrándonos que lo cotidiano puede verse invadido por lo sobrenatural en cualquier momento.
Estos son los 20 relatos incluidos en ’Pesadilla a 20.000 pies y otros relatos insólitos y terroríficos’:
- Pesadilla a 20.000 pies
- Vestido de seda blanca
- Hijo de sangre
- A través de los canales
- Guerra de brujas
- Una casa enloquecida
- El número de la desaparición
- Legión de conspiradores
- Llamada a larga distancia
- La casa Slaughter
- Paja húmeda
- El baile de los muertos
- Los hijos de Noah
- El hombre de las fiestas
- Viejos territorios
- El distribuidor
- Grillos
- Primer aniversario
- El semblante de Julie
- Presa
En fin, nos encontramos ante una recopilación excelente, que hará las delicias de cualquier aficionado al género.
December 22, 2024
My 4-star rating is very slightly generous (mainly due to what does work here rather well). Nevertheless...
As I mentioned when I recently wrote about Matheson's novel 'A Stir of Echoes' (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...),
I've been aware of the author's name for many years - though mostly by way of his tv / film work (adapting his own work or the work of others).
Reading what he put to paper is (no surprise) a different matter. In print, Matheson can fashion a wizardry with words. Clearly he has a solid place as one of the founders of modern horror.
Yet there is a significant distinction between the novel I just read and the stories in this volume. 'A Stir of Echoes' - even though it was published in 1958 - can boast of a certain modernity. To a large degree, it doesn't feel all that dated. On the other hand, what's in this collection (a gathering of simple but disturbing ideas) seems to fit comfortably in the realm known as 'vintage'.
Overall, the tone here is old-school horror. If the writing is still solid, the content can often now feel overly familiar. A good number of the tropes were later re-fashioned by others, though Matheson's personal 'take' remains in evidence.
Below here, the collection is broken down into 5 sections, with stories numbered in accordance with their appearances. IMO, the last 3 sections can easily be skipped (though things can be a matter of taste):
Effective:
'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet' (1) - as iconic as ever and my 2nd favorite in the collection; terrifically adapted in the preferred 1983 film version, directed by George Miller (for 'Twilight Zone: The Movie').
'Blood Son' (3)
'Witch War' (5)
'Mad House' (6)
'Slaughter House' (10) - now *this* is a haunted house story!; the sort of gothic nightmare that something like Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House' can only hint at. My favorite in this collection, with standout, propulsive writing unlike any other story in the book.
'Wet Straw' (11)
'Old Haunts' (15) - Honorable Mention
'The Distributor' (16)
'Crickets' (17)
'First Anniversary' (18)
'The Likeness of Julie' (19) - Honorable Mention
'Prey' (20)
Somewhat Effective:
'Legion of Plotters' (8)
'Long Distance Call' (9)
Vague / Unsatisfying:
'Dress of White Silk' (2)
'Dance of the Dead' (12)
'The Children of Noah' (13)
Vague / Peculiar:
'Through Channels' (4)
'The Holiday Man' (14)
Frustrating 'Logic':
'Disappearing Act' (7)
As I mentioned when I recently wrote about Matheson's novel 'A Stir of Echoes' (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...),
I've been aware of the author's name for many years - though mostly by way of his tv / film work (adapting his own work or the work of others).
Reading what he put to paper is (no surprise) a different matter. In print, Matheson can fashion a wizardry with words. Clearly he has a solid place as one of the founders of modern horror.
Yet there is a significant distinction between the novel I just read and the stories in this volume. 'A Stir of Echoes' - even though it was published in 1958 - can boast of a certain modernity. To a large degree, it doesn't feel all that dated. On the other hand, what's in this collection (a gathering of simple but disturbing ideas) seems to fit comfortably in the realm known as 'vintage'.
Overall, the tone here is old-school horror. If the writing is still solid, the content can often now feel overly familiar. A good number of the tropes were later re-fashioned by others, though Matheson's personal 'take' remains in evidence.
Below here, the collection is broken down into 5 sections, with stories numbered in accordance with their appearances. IMO, the last 3 sections can easily be skipped (though things can be a matter of taste):
Effective:
'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet' (1) - as iconic as ever and my 2nd favorite in the collection; terrifically adapted in the preferred 1983 film version, directed by George Miller (for 'Twilight Zone: The Movie').
'Blood Son' (3)
'Witch War' (5)
'Mad House' (6)
'Slaughter House' (10) - now *this* is a haunted house story!; the sort of gothic nightmare that something like Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House' can only hint at. My favorite in this collection, with standout, propulsive writing unlike any other story in the book.
'Wet Straw' (11)
'Old Haunts' (15) - Honorable Mention
'The Distributor' (16)
'Crickets' (17)
'First Anniversary' (18)
'The Likeness of Julie' (19) - Honorable Mention
'Prey' (20)
Somewhat Effective:
'Legion of Plotters' (8)
'Long Distance Call' (9)
Vague / Unsatisfying:
'Dress of White Silk' (2)
'Dance of the Dead' (12)
'The Children of Noah' (13)
Vague / Peculiar:
'Through Channels' (4)
'The Holiday Man' (14)
Frustrating 'Logic':
'Disappearing Act' (7)
March 17, 2024
4 well-deserved stars!!!
Richard Matherson still is one of my all-time favorite authors...
"Somewhere in time", "What dreams May come", or "I Am Legend" are my absolute number one and five stars novels written by him, the master himself...
Great, awesome collection of horror short stories!!!
Inteligent and subtle, full of wit and never dull or boring.
"Mad House" and "The Distributor" being two of my favourites' ones...
If you like me loves horror fiction and short stories, then go for it my friend!!!
Richard Matherson still is one of my all-time favorite authors...
"Somewhere in time", "What dreams May come", or "I Am Legend" are my absolute number one and five stars novels written by him, the master himself...
Great, awesome collection of horror short stories!!!
Inteligent and subtle, full of wit and never dull or boring.
"Mad House" and "The Distributor" being two of my favourites' ones...
If you like me loves horror fiction and short stories, then go for it my friend!!!
September 15, 2020
Este libro es una serie de relatos con tintes terroríficos, que no se relacionan entre sí y en muchos sorprende el final.
Al ser relatos cortos, la lectura es muy amena y engancha, me ha encantado.
Entre mis relatos favoritos figura:
☆ Hijo de sangre
☆ Una casa enloquecida
☆ El número de la desaparición
☆ Llamada a larga distancia
☆ La casa Slaughter
Muy recomendado transmite suspenso, escalofríos y en algunos casos sorprende el giro que toma la última parte de los relatos.
Al ser relatos cortos, la lectura es muy amena y engancha, me ha encantado.
Entre mis relatos favoritos figura:
☆ Hijo de sangre
☆ Una casa enloquecida
☆ El número de la desaparición
☆ Llamada a larga distancia
☆ La casa Slaughter
Muy recomendado transmite suspenso, escalofríos y en algunos casos sorprende el giro que toma la última parte de los relatos.
March 11, 2016
Holy *crap*, was this a punch in the gut! This collection is for anyone who loves horror. It'll knock your socks off. All kinds of stories: some admittedly better than others, but none of them bad. Many of them exceptional.
June 22, 2018
3.5 Stars
A couple of really good stories and quite a few not so good stories. Although I might have my expectations set a little too high after reading I am Legend and Hell House.
A couple of really good stories and quite a few not so good stories. Although I might have my expectations set a little too high after reading I am Legend and Hell House.
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