New Stories From The Twilight Zone

by Rod Serling

Rod Serling became a cultural icon of the 20th Century with his creation 'The Twilight Zone,' which more than 50 years later was nominated by the Writers Guild of America as the third best written television series of the past seventy years. Of the 156 Twilight Zone episodes, Serling wrote 92. In the early 1960s, Rod Serling, novelized nineteen (19) of his scripts and published them in three volumes - this is the third. In this volume, you will read about a con man inflicted with the necessity to tell the truth; the moral and ethical conflict of having to refuse your neighbor and their children a safe haven; a phoney braggart thrown into the midst of the reality of his pretensions; a drunken Santa Claus who understood the real meaning of Christmas; the desperation and futility of escaping from the end of the world; and how a band of thieves, despite a perfect plan of escape, succumbs to retributive justice through their own hands.

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

122 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

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

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another six stories from The Twilight Zone, but rather a mixed bag as collections of stories often are. "The Whole Truth" (3.5 stars) involves an unscrupulous used car salesman who receives a trade in, an old Model A Ford, but the owner tells him it is cursed. Thinking nothing of it, he takes the car, but suddenly finds out he cannot tell a lie...

"The Shelter" (4.5 stars) I found to be the stand out. Picture an average suburban street with neighbors having a dinner together. Suddenly, the radio announces it looks like the Ruskies launched some ICBMs. Only one family has a bomb shelter, and it only fits the four of them (mom, dad, two kids)....

"Showdown with Rance McGrew" (2 stars) features a cowboy TV star who suddenly finds himself back in a real Western town and real outlaws. Rance as a character-- what an asshole.

"The Night of the Meek" (2.5 stars) has an older, depressed guy playing Santa, getting drunk before work. After being fired, he finds in an alley an old burlap bag that seems to have just what everyone asks for...

"The Midnight Sun" (4.5) proved to be another stand out here. A lady in NYC and her landlord across the hall are trying to deal with the dramatic change in weather patterns when the Earth suddenly moves closer to the sun. The city is dying, everyone fleeing north, but everyone also knows it is futile. Awesome twist!

Lastly, "The Rip Van Winkle Caper" (3 stars) consists of four dubious but smart robbers how heist a train of gold going to Fort Knox. They take it and place themselves in suspended animation for 100 years ('no use in gold if we get caught!') and when they wake up, we have a classic greed and human condition tale.

I could read these all day!!

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born just a little too late (Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone books were all published before I was) to really know just how many collections of stories he “novelized.” I do know there were three main collections, the final of which is this one. I’m not sure that there’s any way for me to be objective about Serling stories—dated they may be, but they are hard-bitten, intelligent, and thought-provoking. As a kid I loved the Zone for its outspoken strangeness. Here was a man who understood the draw of the unusual.

The stories contained in this collection are “The Whole Truth,” “The Shelter,” “Showdown with Rance McGrew,” “The Night of the Meek,” “Midnight Sun,” and “The Rip Van Winkle Caper.” As I say in my blog post about it (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), I can’t recall if they’re familiar because I read them before or because I’d seen the episodes. In either case, revisiting them is a trip down an odd memory lane.

The Twilight Zone is undergoing a revitalization of sorts. I haven’t been able to watch the rebooted series, but I suspect part of the draw, for me at least, was Serling himself. He was so earnest and ironic. You couldn’t help but to believe him, no matter how strange the tale he told. I’d hoped to read through all three of his story collections (there may be more, but these three were recently reissued as a set) this year. It was like a trip to yesteryear to do so.

[Aaron Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vintage episodes of the classic tv show novelized for your reading entertainment. I remember a few of these from my childhood. Interestingly, foul language is included in print, made me think about the 1960's television censors. They would not allow it, LOL.

[M. Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rod Serling was an incredibly gifted storyteller, screenwriter, and author. Evidence of this is abundant in The Twilight Zone, but it is also evident in even this short anthology! I had seen all the episodes novelized in this collection, but reading them in short story form made them newly engaging somehow. Sterling’s prose is wonderful and vibrant, even despite his occasionally overdone analogies. My favorite episodes-turned-short-stories in this book were “The Shelter” and “The Night of the Meek”, while my least favorite was probably “Showdown with Rance McGrew”.

[Ernesto Juárez · Rating 5 out of 5]

La tercera entrega de la novelización de episodios de "La dimensión desconocida" creada y escrita en muchas ocasiones por Rod Serling, hay de todo, pero enfocado un poco más hacia el miedo, la fantasía y ciencia ficción. En éste tomo, incluye uno de mis episodios favoritos el cuál es el navideño Santa Claus, tenemos una vista de cómo era el mundo en los años 60, cuando fue creada la serie, la cual no ha cambiado mucho, las historias tienen una moraleja implícita como era en el show y es un ejemplo de por qué ha sido tan influyente hasta nuestros tiempos en la cultura, entretenimiento e incluso en la literatura ya que en ese show hubo grandes plumas: Serling, Matheson y King por mencionar algunos.

[Aaron N. Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rod's third collection of short stories isn't as electric as the first, but a slight step up from the second.

That being said, it's still incredibly good. Comparing Rod Serling's stories are like comparing Zelda games--you can't go wrong, but some are better than others.

As usual, I received stories that shocked me, warmed my heart, gave me chills, and made me think. That's what makes me such a fan of Rod Serling.

[Benjamin Hahs · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've watched The Twilight Zone, chances are you've probably seen at least one of these stories before, so it was fun to read them instead, especially The Midnight Sun

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the short stories was as entertaining as if I were watching The Twilight Zone. I really enjoyed reading Rod Serling’s writing and adding to the experience was his audible narration in the back of my mind. I recommend the collection of 6 episodes that were published in 1962, after their airing.

"There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone."

[Don Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six short stories from Rod Serling. I don't remember seeing all of these on Twilight Zone repeats, but either because they are not the 'best' episodes or maybe the publisher pulled a fast one. Some of the stories are classics - The Shelter (a neighborhood falls apart when a possible ICBM is coming their way and only one family was prepared), The Midnight Sun (New York falls apart as the earth unexpectedly starts falling towards the sun) and The Rip Van Winkle Caper (gold thieves put themselves into suspended animation). Others are not so great - The Whole Truth, Showdown with Rance McGrew; these two I do not remember seeing on reruns. Either way, these highlight Serling's ability to tap into great plot twists, to focus on human weaknesses, and to comment on our fragile mind.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A half-dozen prose adaptations of Twilight Zone episodes, with Rod Serling adapting his own tele-plays. None of these episodes were absolute classics, but all were good (though the twist at the end of "The Midnight Sun" was a little forced) and Serling does a great job of endowing each story with the necessary emotions to make them work. "The Whole Truth" is funny; "Night of the Meek" is sentimental; "The Shelter" is a cutting examination of the darker side of human nature; and so on. The Twilight Zone anthologies, much like the Star Trek anthologies written by James Blish, are a fun way of re-visiting a classic TV show through a different medium.

[Steve Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third collection of Twilight Zone stories based on episodes from the TV series is not perhaps as consistent as the first two, but it does contain one standout - The Shelter. It's a companion story to The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street (which is in the first collection), in that both show how quickly neighbour can turn on neighbour. The Shelter sees a man who has built a nuclear shelter have to fight off the frenzied householders in his street. The other stories are ok here, but I'd start with the first collection 'Stories From The Twilight Zone' before getting to this collection.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable reading...

This is an outstanding book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading the original short stories from which certain Twilight Zone Episodes are based. I have found Rod Serling to be a great writer within the short story genre. One should never think of Rod Serling as, oh The Twight Zone TV Series ! He is much more. His writing skills are truly, at times, beyond measure. This book is A RECOMMENDED READING EXPERIENCE ! ! !

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over the course of a day when I was sick, I liked how each story felt like watching an episode of the show (I know that's the point) and I enjoyed that since I didn't want to watch TV, but my sick self couldn't focus on a book that was too complex. I found the ending of the first short story very interesting (Khrushchev, really ?) and the book definitely showed its age in the way the male characters treated the women around them and some instances of racism. Those things aside the book was a nice quick read.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not really new Twilight Zone material. All of the stories featured in this collection were actual TZ episodes. The only real difference is that this version of the story is missing Serling's distinctive introductions and closing remarks.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked most of the stories in this book (except the one with the cowboy). The stories showed the abyss of human nature and how we possibly react under dire circumstances. Interesting read and can be recommended.

[Randolph Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of My Favorite Episodes in this Volume 3 of the Twilight Zone

The Night of the Meek is one of my favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone which is in this volume. The story itself is nothing special but the acting by Art Carney is what makes the televised episode so special.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read mass market pulpy stuff, but this was really fun. I love The Twilight Zone, and while some of these missed the mark a bit, a lot of them were perfect.

Recommended for people who want to escape the twilight zone of their actual lives.

[Philippos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice collection of the eternal and very imaginative Twilight Zone stories, provoking a caleidoscope of emotions. I enjoyed them all but I laughed a lot at the Showdown with Rance McGrew and cried a bit over the Night of the Meek. Recommended to my 13 year old daughter and my 19 year old son.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

When am I NOT vibing on some Twilight Zone?! Duh. This was great. Thanks Ronnie for the gifted vintage edition!

[Ray Palen · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WHOLE TRUTH
THE SHELTER
SHOWDOWN WITH RANCE MCGREW
THE NIGHT OF THE MEEK
THE MIDNIGHT SUN
THE RIP VAN WINKLE CAPER

'Nuff Said!

[Paul Triller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rainy day meander through a brilliant world of imagination.

[Paige Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant storytelling! Rod Serling was an incredibly gifted man and The Twilight Zone (the original series) is phenomenal.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/9i17-aaRodc

Enjoy!

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great boo, great stories. My favorite was the last story.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories, The Night of the Meek is especially touching at Christmas time when there are many with so much, and many more with so little.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5

An enjoyable collection of short stories from the twilight zone.
Not my favourites but still worth a read

[Rich Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorites: Midnight sun

[Jon Fellman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Definitely one of the weaker entries in the Twilight Zone collection. Nothing greatly memorable but passable as a short read

[Drew Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Twilight Zone: Complete Stories is a hardcover collector’s edition containing three smaller paperback volumes totaling 19 short stories written by Rod Serling. These 19 short stories are actual episodes of the iconic television series. This review takes a look at the third installment, 1962’s New Stories From The Twilight Zone. Of the six short stories, three appeared as episodes in the second season, and three appeared as episodes in the third season. I’ve included the episode numbers, original air date, and a synopsis along with review notes of the individual story...

To read the rest of this review go to https://drewmartinwrites.wordpress.co...

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six of Serling’s legendary tales, some better than others, that show off how the author’s talents went beyond the teleplay format, and could be beautifully transformed into well-written short stories. Serling captures, and in some cases expands on the detail of what was captured so historically in his TV series, in this collection. Although his light-hearted, comedic attempts sometimes fall flat, his dramatic excursions, namely “The Midnight Sun,” come through the best. Solid reads whether you are already familiar with the specific episodes or not.