What do you think?
Rate this book
Eulogies: A Horror World Yearbook 2005
Put together by editor and webmaster Nanci Kalanta, Eulogies compiles countless stories, articles, interviews and antecdotes from the Horror World website during 2005. No need to keep those screen printouts -- you can now have a limited edition trade paperback full of your favorite previously-online-only memories. Stories * Thin Skin of the Soul Worn Away by Tom Piccirilli * Dead Beat by Randy Chandler * Thus Was His Death by Harry Shannon * And Baby, You Can Sleep While I Drive by Elizabeth Massie * George by Michael Laimo * The Secret Backs Of Things by Christopher Golden * With the Eyes of God by Matthew Warner * The Angel with the Sad Eyes by Steven Savile * Patience by Gary Braunbeck * The Witch House by Rick Hautala * Peekers by Kealan Patrick Burke * Traffic School by Simon Wood * Monster by Jack Ketchum Author’s Notes * I’ll Have One Large Blood Shake and a Side-Order of Stereotypes, Please * Now for the Moral of This Don’t Swim in the Company’s Pool With Your Manuscript * With the Eyes of a Writer * Hit the Books to Write a Hit * 10 Fun Things I’ve Done as a Horror Geek * To Be or Not To Be a Reader Interviews * A Few Words With Tom Piccirilli * A Few Words With F. Paul Wilson * A Few Words With Douglas Clegg * A Few Words With John Skipp * A Few Words With Christopher Golden * A Few Words With David Morrell Memories * Tom Piccirilli * Randy Chandler * Harry Shannon * Elizabeth Massie * Michael Laimo * Mark Sieber * Christopher Golden * Matthew Warner * Steven Savile * Gary Braunbeck * Rick Hautala * Kealan Patrick Burke * Simon Wood * Jack Ketchum * Nanci Kalanta
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 17, 2010
This is a fun volume designed after the fashion of a high school yerbook. There are several interesting non-fiction columns by Matthew Warner, a half-dozen short interviews with various authors, and one-page yearbook-style biographies with photographs of all the contributors, all in addition to an anthology of mostly good stories. My favorites were by Kealan Patrick Burke, Tom Piccirilli, and Christopher Golden. I'm sorry that they didn't keep doing a volume every year.
January 24, 2013
I don’t like reading stories online. Wait, scratch that, I loathe reading online. Call me old-fashioned, but the idea of attempting to snuggle up in my computer chair, squinting up against the screen, and constantly having to get up to go outside to smoke just sounds way too uncomfortable and far too irritating to even consider. Plus, the more I have to sit in the house, the more I have to yell at my kids. I dislike that even more; so do my kids.
No, no. I need the paper, the glue, and the shiny cover that travels. I need to be able to sit outside in my oh-so-cozy chair with a pack of smokes, a cup of coffee and a double-paned door separating me from the, “he’s looking at me, she’s touching me, What’s a ‘john’?” in order to really delve into a book. And just like that, Horror World read my mind and saved me from what was about to be called: The Summer My Mom Stuck Rusty Nails In Her Eyes In Order To Avoid Another Crappy, Badly-Written, Bullshit Book. Thank you Horror World, Thank you!!!
Being late to school with nothing but a torn tee-shirt and cut-offs, I swore that I wouldn’t get much out of this book since I don’t frequent the website all that much. But as I opened the book and read the first page, it was like meeting up with old friends.
Now, while I can’t really review the interviews and Mr. Warner’s column per se, I did enjoy them immensely. Plus, I don’t care how old you are, every time Warner writes fart, I still find myself snickering. And, oddly enough, I imagine him giggling even more every time he wrote it. Hey, don’t judge, people, we all have those words.
Now, on to the stories, shall we…
Thin Skin of the Soul Worn away - Tom Piccirilli
DAMN!! This baby earned a 5, hands down. Not only was the story disturbingly sad, but Piccirilli managed to do the one thing I didn’t think was possible – he made emotional and spiritual suicide hauntingly beautiful. Of all the stories, this one was my favorite.
Dead Beat - Randy Chandler
I have to admit, after reading the first few paragraphs, I assumed this one was going to be predictable and patterned. That is, until I read the next couple of paragraphs. It was at that point that Chandler hooked me and took me on an unseasoned ride. No doubt – 5.
Thus Was His Death – Harry Shannon
Mr. Shannon had no idea what he was up against – I hate war-centered stories. Lucky for the both of us, he captured my attention with his skillful writing and riveting tale. Again – 5.
And Baby, You Can Sleep While I Drive – Elizabeth Massie
Okay, while there were a few predictable spots, this story still had me turning pages so fast. I had to read it again just to soak more of it in. Plus, I really got a kick out of Massie’s humor. Minor issue – 4.
George – Michael Laimo
I think Mr. Laimo could have done better. Yes, his story did hold some creepiness and appealing aspects, but with a little tweak here and there, he would have had me…and kept me. As it stands – 3.
The Secret Backs of Things – Christopher Golden
Another favorite of mine. With an eerie atmosphere, a menacing cast, and a fabulous twist at the end, Golden creeps me out and earns my 5.
With the Eyes of God – Matthew Warner
Here’s another story that could have been better had Warner had a few more pages. While the plot is intriguing, the characters interesting, and the pace set at an exhilarating speed, not enough of the character's past was explored nor the events that were about to unfold to truly haunt the reader. Almost, but not quite – he gets a 4.
The Angel with the Sad Eyes – Steven Saville
Clever, provocative, original, intelligent; these are all words that describe this story, but still aren’t enough to truly get across the brilliant idea behind this story. To really get it, you’re going to have to read it. In the meantime– 5.
Patience – Gary Braunbeck
I’ll admit it, I cried. Mr. Braunbeck has a habit of stirring that emotion in me. In fact, he is one of only a few who can manage to do that. Now, while his stories aren’t all that scary, they are real and therein lies his power. He holds your eyes open with his fingertips and makes you bear witness to the horror that unfolds every day outside your door. With a shiver and a tissue, I give this one a 5.
The Witch House, A “Little Brothers” story – Rick Hautala
Being the skittish kitten I am, nothing pleases me more than a traditional horror story, complete with witches, monsters, and hellfire. So, imagine my unabashed glee when I read this little tale. In a style that reminds you of those early fall campfires, Hautala evokes every childhood fear and revels in it. Amazingly nostalgic – 5.
Peekers – Kealan Patrick Burke
Okay, this one was just creepy. Using your own imagination against you, Burke grips you with his ability to create a sinister atmosphere. Never truly going into detail, he manages to build up an intensity that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, only to leave you wanting more. Since I’m still fearful of looking up the steps before I begin my ascent – 5.
Traffic School – Simon Wood
First things first, a warning: Wood's style and character perspective does take some getting used to. And though this story tap dances on the line between horror and thriller, it is interesting. But, in my opinion, this story was a little too close to King’s Quitters, Inc. I found myself constantly making comparisons. And for that – 3.
Monster – Jack Ketchum
Of all the stories in this book, this is undoubtedly the weakest. Yes, I know it’s Jack-fuc*ing-Ketchum, but come on! First of all, it’s not horror. It’s not even close to horror. The main character is prosaic at best, the circumstances and connections were stretched like a rubber band ready to snap and the point of the story never even showed up. Actually, if you think about it, had Mr. Ketchum trimmed a little here and there and thrown in a couple feel-good moments, this could have been a pilot for The Fox Family Channel. And since the disappointment seems to have no end in sight – 2.
Now, just to end this review on a lighter note, let me just say I loved the Memories section!!! What is the Memories section, you ask? Seems Horror World had each author that contributed to the book fill out a yearbook-inspired questionnaire. They were hilarious. Hell, forget the stories, I’d grab this book for the high school pictures alone. Which reminds me, Mr. Golden – Mr. Kotter called, he wants his hairstyle back.
Now, even though Mr. Ketchum’s story just didn’t do it for me, I refuse to grade this one on a curve. With my school uniform packed, my lunch bagged, and my attitude in check, what can I say? I’m ready to go back to school! This one gets a 5. Now buy the damn book, ‘cause I hate selling those damn raffle tickets!!!
-As posted on Horror-Web.com
No, no. I need the paper, the glue, and the shiny cover that travels. I need to be able to sit outside in my oh-so-cozy chair with a pack of smokes, a cup of coffee and a double-paned door separating me from the, “he’s looking at me, she’s touching me, What’s a ‘john’?” in order to really delve into a book. And just like that, Horror World read my mind and saved me from what was about to be called: The Summer My Mom Stuck Rusty Nails In Her Eyes In Order To Avoid Another Crappy, Badly-Written, Bullshit Book. Thank you Horror World, Thank you!!!
Being late to school with nothing but a torn tee-shirt and cut-offs, I swore that I wouldn’t get much out of this book since I don’t frequent the website all that much. But as I opened the book and read the first page, it was like meeting up with old friends.
Now, while I can’t really review the interviews and Mr. Warner’s column per se, I did enjoy them immensely. Plus, I don’t care how old you are, every time Warner writes fart, I still find myself snickering. And, oddly enough, I imagine him giggling even more every time he wrote it. Hey, don’t judge, people, we all have those words.
Now, on to the stories, shall we…
Thin Skin of the Soul Worn away - Tom Piccirilli
DAMN!! This baby earned a 5, hands down. Not only was the story disturbingly sad, but Piccirilli managed to do the one thing I didn’t think was possible – he made emotional and spiritual suicide hauntingly beautiful. Of all the stories, this one was my favorite.
Dead Beat - Randy Chandler
I have to admit, after reading the first few paragraphs, I assumed this one was going to be predictable and patterned. That is, until I read the next couple of paragraphs. It was at that point that Chandler hooked me and took me on an unseasoned ride. No doubt – 5.
Thus Was His Death – Harry Shannon
Mr. Shannon had no idea what he was up against – I hate war-centered stories. Lucky for the both of us, he captured my attention with his skillful writing and riveting tale. Again – 5.
And Baby, You Can Sleep While I Drive – Elizabeth Massie
Okay, while there were a few predictable spots, this story still had me turning pages so fast. I had to read it again just to soak more of it in. Plus, I really got a kick out of Massie’s humor. Minor issue – 4.
George – Michael Laimo
I think Mr. Laimo could have done better. Yes, his story did hold some creepiness and appealing aspects, but with a little tweak here and there, he would have had me…and kept me. As it stands – 3.
The Secret Backs of Things – Christopher Golden
Another favorite of mine. With an eerie atmosphere, a menacing cast, and a fabulous twist at the end, Golden creeps me out and earns my 5.
With the Eyes of God – Matthew Warner
Here’s another story that could have been better had Warner had a few more pages. While the plot is intriguing, the characters interesting, and the pace set at an exhilarating speed, not enough of the character's past was explored nor the events that were about to unfold to truly haunt the reader. Almost, but not quite – he gets a 4.
The Angel with the Sad Eyes – Steven Saville
Clever, provocative, original, intelligent; these are all words that describe this story, but still aren’t enough to truly get across the brilliant idea behind this story. To really get it, you’re going to have to read it. In the meantime– 5.
Patience – Gary Braunbeck
I’ll admit it, I cried. Mr. Braunbeck has a habit of stirring that emotion in me. In fact, he is one of only a few who can manage to do that. Now, while his stories aren’t all that scary, they are real and therein lies his power. He holds your eyes open with his fingertips and makes you bear witness to the horror that unfolds every day outside your door. With a shiver and a tissue, I give this one a 5.
The Witch House, A “Little Brothers” story – Rick Hautala
Being the skittish kitten I am, nothing pleases me more than a traditional horror story, complete with witches, monsters, and hellfire. So, imagine my unabashed glee when I read this little tale. In a style that reminds you of those early fall campfires, Hautala evokes every childhood fear and revels in it. Amazingly nostalgic – 5.
Peekers – Kealan Patrick Burke
Okay, this one was just creepy. Using your own imagination against you, Burke grips you with his ability to create a sinister atmosphere. Never truly going into detail, he manages to build up an intensity that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, only to leave you wanting more. Since I’m still fearful of looking up the steps before I begin my ascent – 5.
Traffic School – Simon Wood
First things first, a warning: Wood's style and character perspective does take some getting used to. And though this story tap dances on the line between horror and thriller, it is interesting. But, in my opinion, this story was a little too close to King’s Quitters, Inc. I found myself constantly making comparisons. And for that – 3.
Monster – Jack Ketchum
Of all the stories in this book, this is undoubtedly the weakest. Yes, I know it’s Jack-fuc*ing-Ketchum, but come on! First of all, it’s not horror. It’s not even close to horror. The main character is prosaic at best, the circumstances and connections were stretched like a rubber band ready to snap and the point of the story never even showed up. Actually, if you think about it, had Mr. Ketchum trimmed a little here and there and thrown in a couple feel-good moments, this could have been a pilot for The Fox Family Channel. And since the disappointment seems to have no end in sight – 2.
Now, just to end this review on a lighter note, let me just say I loved the Memories section!!! What is the Memories section, you ask? Seems Horror World had each author that contributed to the book fill out a yearbook-inspired questionnaire. They were hilarious. Hell, forget the stories, I’d grab this book for the high school pictures alone. Which reminds me, Mr. Golden – Mr. Kotter called, he wants his hairstyle back.
Now, even though Mr. Ketchum’s story just didn’t do it for me, I refuse to grade this one on a curve. With my school uniform packed, my lunch bagged, and my attitude in check, what can I say? I’m ready to go back to school! This one gets a 5. Now buy the damn book, ‘cause I hate selling those damn raffle tickets!!!
-As posted on Horror-Web.com
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews