From the Twilight Zone

by Rod Serling

Fourteen short stories which were bases for episodes of the original Twilight Zone TV series:

1. The Mighty Casey
2. Escape Clause
3. Where Is Everybody?
4. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
5. Walking Distance
6. The Whole Truth
7. The Lonely
8. Dust
9. The Midnight Sun
10. Mr. Dingle, the Strong
11. The Odyssey of Flight 33
12. The Big, Tall Wish
13. The Rip Van Winkle Caper
14. The Shelter

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Science Fiction, Anthologies, Fiction

314 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Rodman Edward "Rod" Serling (December 25, 1924–June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter and television producer, best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his science fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone.

Reviews

[Jo Anne]

These stories are from episodes from the first three seasons of the show. I don't know if the stories were written first and then adapted into scripts, but the stories are wonderfully written. Serling paints incredible word pictures and I found him to be as elegant as Ray Bradbury. Yes, both wrote in the Horror and Science Fiction genres, which is often discredited by readers of "fine literature." But readers recognize a carefully crafted turn of phrase and Serling was no hack. In The Big, Tall Wish, about an aging boxer, he writers about the boxer's final bout "in the legal slaughterhouse of professional prize fighting..."

Growing up female in the 60s and 70s, I was often insulted for my choice of reading matter which is probably why I'm taking the time to "sell" Rod Serling now. If there are youngsters out there looking for well-written horror and SF stories, please give Twilight Zone short stories a try.

[Kris]

Serling could really write. I had obviously seen all the episodes before reading these but it didn't matter. His descript are in all of the stories were hilarious! I was actually snickering out loud while reading some of them. He really brought you into the story and give you a feel for what the characters were thinking and doing. Definitely a recommended book for anyone who loves the series!

[evelyn]

as someone who’s favorite show ever is the original twilight zone series, this is the perfect book. if i can’t watch the episodes, i have the next best thing

[Eddie Sparks]

Yea so i am not sure if it was a twilight zone story but i think back in middle school i read a short story of people living on another planet and the people eating the food started changing their dna and physical apearence and they ended up looking like the aliens on the planet. If anyone knows of this short story please let me know i would like to get a copy of that story if it is real is this was just my imagination.

[Jennifer]

So pretty much these were Twilight Zone episodes in written form. I had mixed feelings on these stories as some were really good but some were just so so. My favorites were the stories with twists at the ends but even the ones that were more moral lessons were still enjoyable.

[Stephanie Evans]

I love the show, and the book is awesome!! 👻💚

[Luca Madison]

honestly read a good 70% of it in mr serling’s voice lol

[Barry]

Original TZ episodes in short story form. If you love TZ you'll love this too.

[Megan Anderson]

Absolutely brilliant. During the introductory and prose sequences, I could hear the man himself narrating. Each had the perfect twist. I would definitely use them in class to show proper use of hyperbole, metaphor, and other types of figurative language. Very highly recommended.

[Jerry]

These were some great stories. Pretty much followed the tv show episodes. Each story had it's classic twilight zone twist at the end.

[Steven Skidmore]

"The Midnight Sun", "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street", and "The Shelter" are must reads :)