What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Black
In this haunting debut collection of short stories, Sam Weller, authorized biographer of the legendary Ray Bradbury, blurs the boundaries between the weird, the outre, the paranormal, the Gothic, and old school punk rock. Dark Black features 20 tales, at turns chilling, melancholy, hilarious, and nightmarish.
A marine biologist at the end of his career embarks on his greatest field study to find the mythical sea beast he believes he witnessed as a young man, long ago.
A writing professor discovers the Clutter murder house, made infamous in Truman Capote's 1966 classic, In Cold Blood, is available on a vacation rental site. He books the home to finish his latest book with unexpected results.
A group of kids use a Ouija board to contact their beloved, deceased friend.
A punk rock musician writes a groundbreaking album, collaborating with the ghost of a musical legend.
A college student with subtle telekinetic abilities attempts to use her powers in the midst of a horrifying school shooting.
Sam Weller worked side by side with Ray Bradbury for over a decade. No surprise, then, that Dark Black is deeply inspired by Bradbury's dark and enduring 1955 collection, The October Country, mashed-up with modern influences, such as anthology television program “The Black Mirror” and “American Horror Story.” Dark Black ’s 20 short stories are made up of evanescent ghosts and inner demons, lost souls and lost love.
Featuring striking, original color artwork by renowned artist and printmaker Dan Grzeca, known for his concert prints for The Black Keys, Sharon Van Etten, U2, among others, Dark Black is art object as book, in this case of haunting new American Gothic fiction.
A marine biologist at the end of his career embarks on his greatest field study to find the mythical sea beast he believes he witnessed as a young man, long ago.
A writing professor discovers the Clutter murder house, made infamous in Truman Capote's 1966 classic, In Cold Blood, is available on a vacation rental site. He books the home to finish his latest book with unexpected results.
A group of kids use a Ouija board to contact their beloved, deceased friend.
A punk rock musician writes a groundbreaking album, collaborating with the ghost of a musical legend.
A college student with subtle telekinetic abilities attempts to use her powers in the midst of a horrifying school shooting.
Sam Weller worked side by side with Ray Bradbury for over a decade. No surprise, then, that Dark Black is deeply inspired by Bradbury's dark and enduring 1955 collection, The October Country, mashed-up with modern influences, such as anthology television program “The Black Mirror” and “American Horror Story.” Dark Black ’s 20 short stories are made up of evanescent ghosts and inner demons, lost souls and lost love.
Featuring striking, original color artwork by renowned artist and printmaker Dan Grzeca, known for his concert prints for The Black Keys, Sharon Van Etten, U2, among others, Dark Black is art object as book, in this case of haunting new American Gothic fiction.
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
254 pages, Hardcover
Published June 30, 2020
5 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Sam Weller
32 books52 followersSam Weller is the author of The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury (William Morrow, 2005) winner of the Society of Midland Author's Award for Best Biography of 2005. The book was also a finalist for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award. Sam is the former Midwest Correspondent for Publishers Weekly. He is a contributing writer for the Chicago Public Radio program, 848 and his work has appeared on the National Public Radio program, All Things Considered. Sam is a regular contributor to the Chicago Tribune Magazine, a frequent literary critic for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, as well as Punk Planet magazine. During his tenure as managing editor of Columbia College's Gravity, the publication was given Newsweek magazine's Robert Sibley award for best college magazine. As a staff writer for the Chicago alternative weekly, Newcity, Sam was the recipient of the Peter Lisagor Award for arts criticism. Sam is also a frequent lecturer. In 2006, he spoke across the country as part of the National Endowment for the Arts "Big Read" initiative. He is the author of Secret Chicago: The Unique Guidebook to Chicago's Hidden Sites, Sounds & Tastes (ECW Press) and his short fiction has appeared in Spec-Lit. He received his MFA in Fiction from Columbia College Chicago. Sam lives in Chicago with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 26, 2020
Mood. Sam Weller excels at establishing mood, which makes his exploration of the human condition a deeply immersive and profoundly personal experience for the reader. One experiences pure paranoia and terror while reading "The Peephole." "Song of the Cicada" is a Buddhist lesson for the soul. "The House They Used to Live In" is beyond bittersweet. "Eleven Messages from the Beyond to the Producers of Ghost Investigators on A&E" is as scathing as it his funny. The reader must let go the reins and undergo a descent into madness while navigating "Little Spells." "The Circumference of the Glare on the Patio" breaks the heart irreparably. And there is no more poignant a story to be found than "The Girl in the Funeral Parlor."
Dark Black is sincere, multifaceted and multilayered. Though there are quiet moments of respite, it never lets up. The "Summer" stories simultaneously reopen the old wounds of innocence lost and apply a healing balm to them. Though there are themes of tragic loss, it never repeats itself. "Conjuring Danny Squires" and "The Shadows Behind the Trees" cradle a special breed of anguish.
Sam Weller has respect for the intelligence of his audience. He trusts them. He doesn't serve everything up for them on a silver platter. He allows them to do their own thinking. Their own feeling. He manages to make the greatest thing about Dark Black not the mind of the writer, but the mind of reader.
The only thing to rival Sam Weller's establishment of mood is the bewitching artwork of illustrator Dan Grzeca. Each story from the mind of Weller is preceded by an image from the mind of Grzeca. They complement each other perfectly. Dark chocolate and red wine.
Be prepared for an abduction of the psyche and a tour through the districts of the mind and of the heart that are challenging to say the least.
-
post scriptum - keep your eye out for Sterling Springs and sterling silver baby rattles
Dark Black is sincere, multifaceted and multilayered. Though there are quiet moments of respite, it never lets up. The "Summer" stories simultaneously reopen the old wounds of innocence lost and apply a healing balm to them. Though there are themes of tragic loss, it never repeats itself. "Conjuring Danny Squires" and "The Shadows Behind the Trees" cradle a special breed of anguish.
Sam Weller has respect for the intelligence of his audience. He trusts them. He doesn't serve everything up for them on a silver platter. He allows them to do their own thinking. Their own feeling. He manages to make the greatest thing about Dark Black not the mind of the writer, but the mind of reader.
The only thing to rival Sam Weller's establishment of mood is the bewitching artwork of illustrator Dan Grzeca. Each story from the mind of Weller is preceded by an image from the mind of Grzeca. They complement each other perfectly. Dark chocolate and red wine.
Be prepared for an abduction of the psyche and a tour through the districts of the mind and of the heart that are challenging to say the least.
-
post scriptum - keep your eye out for Sterling Springs and sterling silver baby rattles
June 29, 2020
Sam Weller's short story collection, DARK BLACK, at points gave me chills, at others made me wish for my childhood again, and in one story (Night Summons), broke my heart. The writing flows like a gentle current... until you hit the rapids. Each story left you wanting just a little bit more. Fortunately, there are plenty of works gathered between the covers, enough for a long, leisurely feast.
Mr. Weller worked closely with legendary writer Ray Bradbury as Mr. Bradbury's biographer. I can almost see Ray's smile behind Sam's words. I think the man would have been proud of his friend.
Mr. Weller worked closely with legendary writer Ray Bradbury as Mr. Bradbury's biographer. I can almost see Ray's smile behind Sam's words. I think the man would have been proud of his friend.
August 10, 2020
I loved this book. It’s not out yet, but I got a review copy as pdf. Don’t believe some of the bad bot reviews for this you see here. They seem bogus. They never mentioned any of the stories specifically or the really cool art work that accompanies each story. Beautiful art.
This book is more gothic than it is horror. Although the story Böse creeped my right out. Many of the stories are really funny and dark, like Guided By Demons about a snotty punk rocker who composes a masterpiece album with a ghost of a dead musician.
But I think my favorite story is the title story about a guy who goes out on the ocean to find the Kraken.
A lot of of these stories are really haunting, sad and beautifully written. Really entertaining short stories.
This book is more gothic than it is horror. Although the story Böse creeped my right out. Many of the stories are really funny and dark, like Guided By Demons about a snotty punk rocker who composes a masterpiece album with a ghost of a dead musician.
But I think my favorite story is the title story about a guy who goes out on the ocean to find the Kraken.
A lot of of these stories are really haunting, sad and beautifully written. Really entertaining short stories.
August 11, 2020
Just got my book in the mail and read it cover to cover all day.
Ray Bradbury wrote to me many times before his passing in 2012. He was that cool. And I was just a kid. I know how much he loved and trusted Sam Weller and I can honestly say Ray looked over this book. Make no mistake, this is NOT a Bradbury book, it is a Sam Weller book. And it now resides in my top ten of all supernatural/weird short story collections. INCREDIBLE.
1/ The October Country by Ray Bradbury
2/ Night Shift by Stephen King
3/ Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
4/ 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
5/ Dark Black by Sam Weller
6/ Growing Things by Paul Tremblay
7/ The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
8/ North American Lake Monsters by Nathan Ballingrud
9/ New Moon on the Water by Mort Castle
10/ The Night Country by Stuart O’Nan
Ray Bradbury wrote to me many times before his passing in 2012. He was that cool. And I was just a kid. I know how much he loved and trusted Sam Weller and I can honestly say Ray looked over this book. Make no mistake, this is NOT a Bradbury book, it is a Sam Weller book. And it now resides in my top ten of all supernatural/weird short story collections. INCREDIBLE.
1/ The October Country by Ray Bradbury
2/ Night Shift by Stephen King
3/ Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
4/ 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
5/ Dark Black by Sam Weller
6/ Growing Things by Paul Tremblay
7/ The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
8/ North American Lake Monsters by Nathan Ballingrud
9/ New Moon on the Water by Mort Castle
10/ The Night Country by Stuart O’Nan
August 10, 2020
I put this book up there with the short stories of Charles Beaumont. So much range. Funny. Really sad. Lonely. Haunting. Scary. Punk. Beautiful. The story about the writer renting the “In Cold Blood” murder house is worth the price of admission alone. I first read that on www.crimereads.com.
Highly, highly recommended!
Highly, highly recommended!
August 10, 2020
The province of gothic literature has expanded ten-fold in recent times, notably with remarkable books such as “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia; “The Hunger” by Alma Katsu, and “Revenge” by Yoko Ogawa. Likely a derivative of these troubled times, gothic is in the midst of a resurgence to be certain.
Contributing to this new golden era is Sam Weller’s new collection, “Dark Black,” a book with a central semantic process heretofore deemed modern gothic. Weller has won the Stoker Award twice and is best known as the biographer of Ray Bradbury. While “Dark Black,” has some hallmarks of Bradbury (the Midwest, loss of innocence, nostalgia) it steers clear of the Freudian themes embedded in Bradbury’s early horror fictions. Instead, Weller looks at the cellar of contemporary society, drugs, school shootings, voyeurism, illness and much more. Woven throughout are some decidedly hilarious stories, the opening tale an indictment of academic pomposity and creative procrastinators.
The jazz tale, “Song of the Cicada,” first published in the Chicago Tribune’s literary journal, provides wonderful respite with sweet story of a legendary 1940s musician and his lost trumpet.
The spectrum of emotion on display in this belter of a collection is most alluring. There is as much wicked humour as there is overt scares.
Obsession is a prominent theme here too, another pillar of gothic literature.
For those that read Weller’s story “The Girl in the Funeral Parlor,” from the Stoker winning anthology, “Shadow Show,” you will be delighted by the consistent quality of the 20 stories in this collection. An added surprise—each story is illustrated with wood block cut artwork.
Contributing to this new golden era is Sam Weller’s new collection, “Dark Black,” a book with a central semantic process heretofore deemed modern gothic. Weller has won the Stoker Award twice and is best known as the biographer of Ray Bradbury. While “Dark Black,” has some hallmarks of Bradbury (the Midwest, loss of innocence, nostalgia) it steers clear of the Freudian themes embedded in Bradbury’s early horror fictions. Instead, Weller looks at the cellar of contemporary society, drugs, school shootings, voyeurism, illness and much more. Woven throughout are some decidedly hilarious stories, the opening tale an indictment of academic pomposity and creative procrastinators.
The jazz tale, “Song of the Cicada,” first published in the Chicago Tribune’s literary journal, provides wonderful respite with sweet story of a legendary 1940s musician and his lost trumpet.
The spectrum of emotion on display in this belter of a collection is most alluring. There is as much wicked humour as there is overt scares.
Obsession is a prominent theme here too, another pillar of gothic literature.
For those that read Weller’s story “The Girl in the Funeral Parlor,” from the Stoker winning anthology, “Shadow Show,” you will be delighted by the consistent quality of the 20 stories in this collection. An added surprise—each story is illustrated with wood block cut artwork.
August 28, 2020
Gillian Flynn is my favorite author. Her endorsement of this book (she doesnt give many) was all it took.
“It’s no surprise that Sam Weller, a renowned scholar of Ray Bradbury, would be such a beautiful storyteller in his own right. What IS a thrill is the depth and breadth of Dark Black’s tales—some of which deserve to be read aloud, crackling-campfire style; others meant to be savored slowly and quite gloriously alone. By turns haunting, mysterious, wickedly funny and deeply insightful, Dark Black is a truly mood-flipping, mind-tripping collection.' —Gillian Flynn
Dark Black lived up to this praise. Thnaks, Gillian! You are the best! I really loved the experimental stories, "Little Spells" and "Bose" in this book.
“It’s no surprise that Sam Weller, a renowned scholar of Ray Bradbury, would be such a beautiful storyteller in his own right. What IS a thrill is the depth and breadth of Dark Black’s tales—some of which deserve to be read aloud, crackling-campfire style; others meant to be savored slowly and quite gloriously alone. By turns haunting, mysterious, wickedly funny and deeply insightful, Dark Black is a truly mood-flipping, mind-tripping collection.' —Gillian Flynn
Dark Black lived up to this praise. Thnaks, Gillian! You are the best! I really loved the experimental stories, "Little Spells" and "Bose" in this book.
September 2, 2020
This is such a quality book, it is remarkable. What I mean is, the quality of the hardcover, it’s production, the printing, the illustrations. So well done. I wish more publishers made art objects like this.
Now to the writing—
Wow! Sam Weller has really made a point a point here to embrace his history working as Ray Bradbury’s biographer, but also declaring his arrival as a great fiction writer. There are passages in this book that are just beautiful.
A few favorite stories—
“11 Messages from Beyond the Grave for the Producers of Ghost Hunters on A & E“
This short piece is laugh out loud hilarious.
“Weird”
A sweet story about an idiosyncratic, misunderstood kid who is obsessed with the film “Harold and Maude.”
“The Girl in the Funeral Parlor.”
This was one of the best stories in Sam Weller and Mort Castle’s 2015 award-winning anthology, “Shadow Show.”
“Böse.”
This one will creep you right out. It’s about cancer turning into a real monster. No further spoilers.
“Live Forever”
A story that is Weller’s final tribute to Ray Bradbury. Here we see autobiography fused with fantasy. And Weller’s dialogue for Bradbury sounds just like vintage Bradbury.
The ideas here are so original, imaginative and often really funny. The balance between dark humor and sorrow in this book makes it a true gothic delight.
Great book. You won’t be disappointed.
Now to the writing—
Wow! Sam Weller has really made a point a point here to embrace his history working as Ray Bradbury’s biographer, but also declaring his arrival as a great fiction writer. There are passages in this book that are just beautiful.
A few favorite stories—
“11 Messages from Beyond the Grave for the Producers of Ghost Hunters on A & E“
This short piece is laugh out loud hilarious.
“Weird”
A sweet story about an idiosyncratic, misunderstood kid who is obsessed with the film “Harold and Maude.”
“The Girl in the Funeral Parlor.”
This was one of the best stories in Sam Weller and Mort Castle’s 2015 award-winning anthology, “Shadow Show.”
“Böse.”
This one will creep you right out. It’s about cancer turning into a real monster. No further spoilers.
“Live Forever”
A story that is Weller’s final tribute to Ray Bradbury. Here we see autobiography fused with fantasy. And Weller’s dialogue for Bradbury sounds just like vintage Bradbury.
The ideas here are so original, imaginative and often really funny. The balance between dark humor and sorrow in this book makes it a true gothic delight.
Great book. You won’t be disappointed.
November 26, 2020
Wonderfully weird in style, content, and variety. As in any collection of short stories, a few did not resonate with me, but the bulk are compelling, imaginative, and fun. These make the book worth reading in full.
October 22, 2020
This is an excellent collection of short stories with a nice variety of genres. These stories would be great to read any night of the year - but they are perfect for a cold autumn night as you sit by the fire.
Each story brims with energy and beauty - it's hard to pin point the best stories because they are all so good. My favorites are Monsters and Angels (a ghost story set in the Old West), Live Forever (A tribute to the great Ray Bradbury), Dark Black (there's an old man and possibly a Kraken), the Song of the Cicada (tribute to big band jazz!)... so many others.
Fantastic collection, and I hope Weller has some more books lined up and ready to publish because I want more.
And the artwork in this book is perfect - absolutely brilliant. I found myself leafing through the book just to see the drawings again.
Each story brims with energy and beauty - it's hard to pin point the best stories because they are all so good. My favorites are Monsters and Angels (a ghost story set in the Old West), Live Forever (A tribute to the great Ray Bradbury), Dark Black (there's an old man and possibly a Kraken), the Song of the Cicada (tribute to big band jazz!)... so many others.
Fantastic collection, and I hope Weller has some more books lined up and ready to publish because I want more.
And the artwork in this book is perfect - absolutely brilliant. I found myself leafing through the book just to see the drawings again.
September 18, 2020
So well-written. "End of Summer" is pure prose poetry. Art matches the brilliance of the stories. This book is gorgeous, too. Such a thoughtful production. Some stories are scary, some are really sad, some are laugh out loud hilarious. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 16, 2021
This book is such a wonderful addition to the modern gothic genre. Some of the stories are supernatural, others kind of balance on the edge of the weird and the outre. There are stories about magical objects and telekinetic powers. There are stories about weird but lovable kids, and there is beautiful story about a Kraken and and the scientist looking for it. The range of stories here is remarkable. I first read Weller's haunting short story "The Girl in the Funeral Parlor" in the terrific anthology, SHADOW SHOW. That story is in this book too. This is just a great collection. a real Halloween book.
July 20, 2021
This wonderful literary collection had all the feels: humor, sadness, fear, suspense and an overload of imaginative ideas. Mr. Weller is a remarkable storyteller and the stories have great momentum.
My favorite stories were the opening, about a snooty academic writer who rents the Clutter Murder House from "In Cold Blood" fame in order to finish his latest book. This story reflects upon the nature of voyeurism and the exploitation of tragedy.
I also adored the last tale, the title story, "Dark Black," about a marine biologist who goes out to find the elusive Kraken. This story is a bit "Moby-Dick," a bit "Jaws," and a bit "Godzilla."
There are other wonderful tales in this collection of the gothic and the supernatural. I can't recommend it more highly.
My favorite stories were the opening, about a snooty academic writer who rents the Clutter Murder House from "In Cold Blood" fame in order to finish his latest book. This story reflects upon the nature of voyeurism and the exploitation of tragedy.
I also adored the last tale, the title story, "Dark Black," about a marine biologist who goes out to find the elusive Kraken. This story is a bit "Moby-Dick," a bit "Jaws," and a bit "Godzilla."
There are other wonderful tales in this collection of the gothic and the supernatural. I can't recommend it more highly.
September 13, 2021
What can I say about Dark Black by Sam Weller. This book is just amazing. I admire writers who are so diverse and can cover everything from horror to punk rock. There's a heavy Bradbury influence (Sam was Ray's biographer) and I'm sure he would of loved this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for little worlds to escape into and get lost in something new. The illustrations are also stunning!
December 16, 2020
Such a beautiful book. At turns very sweet, tragic, hilarious, imaginative, creepy. I love short stories and this one was a new surprise with each story. I can see why Charles Yu (NBA Award) and Gillian Flynn loved this book. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2021
Sharp, intricate, gripping. Great stories from wonderful storyteller. If you read only one of the stories, read the one about the writer who finds himself inside the real-life house from Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.
August 2, 2020
I put it down after the first fifteen minutes and never felt the need to pick it back up. Drab and uninspired, while still managing to be pretentious.
August 2, 2020
What a disappointment. I love Bradbury, so naturally, I was really looking forward to this book. On paper, this should be right up my alley, but each story felt incredibly self-indulgent and lacking substance. Don’t bother.
December 30, 2020
This review has been long promised and now finally offered. I have been an admirer of Sam Weller for many years as the official biographer of Ray Bradbury. All who know him (as I do, in a small way) know the story of how Sam got to know Ray. And how a deep friendship was born between them. Through his biography, and more, Sam has kept alive the legacy of Brother Ray. And, naturally, Sam's fiction has also been informed by that legacy. Dark Black is his first collection of short fiction and it is as wonderful as I expected. Filled with quiet horror and heartache, these are stories to savor on dark lonely nights. That's why I chose to read it during Halloween. The October Country. If anybody doubts the value of physical books, look no further. Illustrated throughout by Dan Grzeca, this book is truly an work of art. In case I haven't made myself clear, I love this book. LIVE FOREVER!
May 28, 2022
I met Sam Weller at a private museum event a few months back and he was kind enough to share his email, he read one of my short stories, gave me feedback on it, and he sent me a signed copy of his book of short stories DARK BLACK--free of charge. He told me that Ray Bradbury used to send signed books to nice people as gifts and he wanted to carry that tradition on. Not only did he sign it, but he did the most ornate and beautiful Victorian-era occult-like iconography inside. It’s amazing and his doodles show he is quite the artist. I was so moved by his generosity. What a nice and inspiring human being in this time of COVID rage and a-hole hostility and everyone being mean to everyone else. But I digress.
And so I read DARK BLACK.
WOAH.
I would like to start by saying that I am a huge fan of Charles Yu. HOW TO LIVE SAFELY IN A SCIENCE FICTIONAL UNIVERSE is one of my favorite books, like, ever. INTERIOR CHINATOWN won the friggin’ National Book Award and it made me so happy!
Anyway, when I opened up Sam Weller’s book DARK BLACK, I saw an endorsement from none other than Charles Yu and I was so excited to barrel into the book.
There are 20 stories in DARK BLACK. A few stories are flash fiction, or vignettes. Two of these are gorgeous, one is hilarious. But I think that given what transpired this week in Uvalde, Texas, I will start with the second story in the book, “The Circumference of the Glare on the Patio.” This is a story about school shootings and what would happen if one of the students in one o these tragedies had telekinetic powers that might impact the event? Cool concept. Kind of X-Men torn from the headlines. The story looks at the idea, could even someone with super- powers stop the rash of mass shootings in America? This story is BEYOND poignant. I cried at the end.
I could single out every tale in this book. It is that good. But the story “Monsters and Angels” has haunted me ever since I read it. It is an old west fantasy story. It is about a man who, in a moment of rage, murders another man, and must contend with his sin. The story is a spiritual reckoning and one of deep, deep beauty.
The last story I will highlight is the title tale, “Dark Black,” about a scientist who dedicates his retirement to finding the mythic sea beast, the Kraken. This story is a pure work of beauty. It is sad, beautiful, meditative, and shows that man and beast are not that far removed.
I loved this book. I loved meeting Sam Weller who gave me a special edition signed and illustrated.
I can’t wait to see what Mr. Weller does next. When he wrote me, he said he was working on a screenplay that dealt with the occult for a producer at Paramount. I cannot wait to see what this great writer and kind human being does next.
And so I read DARK BLACK.
WOAH.
I would like to start by saying that I am a huge fan of Charles Yu. HOW TO LIVE SAFELY IN A SCIENCE FICTIONAL UNIVERSE is one of my favorite books, like, ever. INTERIOR CHINATOWN won the friggin’ National Book Award and it made me so happy!
Anyway, when I opened up Sam Weller’s book DARK BLACK, I saw an endorsement from none other than Charles Yu and I was so excited to barrel into the book.
There are 20 stories in DARK BLACK. A few stories are flash fiction, or vignettes. Two of these are gorgeous, one is hilarious. But I think that given what transpired this week in Uvalde, Texas, I will start with the second story in the book, “The Circumference of the Glare on the Patio.” This is a story about school shootings and what would happen if one of the students in one o these tragedies had telekinetic powers that might impact the event? Cool concept. Kind of X-Men torn from the headlines. The story looks at the idea, could even someone with super- powers stop the rash of mass shootings in America? This story is BEYOND poignant. I cried at the end.
I could single out every tale in this book. It is that good. But the story “Monsters and Angels” has haunted me ever since I read it. It is an old west fantasy story. It is about a man who, in a moment of rage, murders another man, and must contend with his sin. The story is a spiritual reckoning and one of deep, deep beauty.
The last story I will highlight is the title tale, “Dark Black,” about a scientist who dedicates his retirement to finding the mythic sea beast, the Kraken. This story is a pure work of beauty. It is sad, beautiful, meditative, and shows that man and beast are not that far removed.
I loved this book. I loved meeting Sam Weller who gave me a special edition signed and illustrated.
I can’t wait to see what Mr. Weller does next. When he wrote me, he said he was working on a screenplay that dealt with the occult for a producer at Paramount. I cannot wait to see what this great writer and kind human being does next.
September 13, 2021
I love this book! Its so good! There are so many good stories and good adventures! Follow Sam Weller! Also give him Five stars and order this amazing book he made!
September 13, 2021
Love the book! So good you guys should read it and give it 5 stars! Also review it so it would help the book grow!
November 13, 2021
THIS IS THE BEST! The Key to the City is so good! And more amazing stories! GET IT! Its super worth your money!
August 4, 2020
I had high hopes for this book and I was very disappointed. It was very verbose and pretentious but lacked substance.
It felt forced.
I didn't manage to finish it and abandoned it 3/4 of the way through.
It felt forced.
I didn't manage to finish it and abandoned it 3/4 of the way through.
August 10, 2020
It just didn't hook me. The language was flowery and sounded like the author selected words at random from a thesaurus. Don't recommend at all.
August 3, 2020
I love Bradbury, and was excited to get some of that flavor into my life.
This was disappointing and predictable, the stories were just... meh. He might have known Bradbury, but this doesn’t hold a candle to Bradbury
This was disappointing and predictable, the stories were just... meh. He might have known Bradbury, but this doesn’t hold a candle to Bradbury
March 12, 2024
Loved loved loved this book. It's as if Joey Ramone merged with Ray Bradbury. Punk AF. Fave story is "Guided By Demons" about a punk musician who writes and album with a ghost.
August 4, 2020
I don't have the words to describe all the ways in which I did not like this book. It left be bored and uninspired, so uninspired I can't even think of what more to say about it, really. I had such high hopes but was left very let down.
August 3, 2020
Not everyone can be Vonnegut, right?
If you’ve seen some popular fiction, you’ve already read this. The Life Aquatic. American Horror Story: Murder House. Goosebumps. Etc. Good effort but, there’s nothing new under the sun.
If you’ve seen some popular fiction, you’ve already read this. The Life Aquatic. American Horror Story: Murder House. Goosebumps. Etc. Good effort but, there’s nothing new under the sun.
August 3, 2020
The only thing that will haunt you about these stories are the cliches that are so worn out they’re actually disingenuous. This is not reminiscent of Bradbury, it tries to emulate Bradbury and while also misses so many opportunities to create the radical that is possible especially in the radical times of now. Don’t recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews