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I ask because we seem, as humans of the 21st century, to have an intrinsic need to be scared. Ghost stories and tales of dread have always been among us, from folk tales to Gothic novels, but one can't help but notice the startling proliferation of horror movies and magazines of late.
The magazine that I edit receives horror or suspense submissions four times out of five, and the Swamp is not a horror magazine. The small press seems to be largely driven by horror magazines, whether fiction or poetry. Horror and suspense, dark fantasy and noir have all become their own genres (among others). The last several television seasons have brought us a ridiculous amount of supernatural themes, characters and shows. Horror writers have an association, for God's sake!
So there's obviously a need for humans to feel scared. Sociologists have speculated that perhaps we need an artificial jolt of adrenaline, now that we're no longer out in the forest fighting the beasts on a daily basis, and perhaps this is a point. Perhaps the inundation of the media we face regularly, with the real world horrors right in our faces, has hardened us to the point where we need an over the top dose of badness to entertain us.
Whatever your reason for needing to be scared, I'm happy to report that this book should do the job for you. Gail Davis, Eric S. Brown, and John Grover have all entertained me with their stories in the Swamp, and many other publications, both on the web and in print. This collection of their tales cover a broad range of settings and experiences, and I have no doubt that the depth of the talents of these new stars on the scene will delight and disturb you.
Leave thenightlight on.
Anonymous
Posted March 20, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 12, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
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