Masterpieces of Terror and the Unknown

This new treasury of terror will propel you through fifty-eight stories and poems of fear and nightmare. Like its companion volume, Masterpieces of Terror and the Supernatural, this collection intends to terrify the reader with the cosmic fear of the unknown, not merely horrify with blood and gore. The modern and classic authors represented are some of the most distinguished and popular of our time. Joyce Carol Oates writes about a man who starts to see long-dead acquaintances - alive. John Jakes recounts the unnatural desire of "The Man Who Wanted to Be in Movies" and Winston Churchill tells of the natural fear of a man lost at sea. Of special interest is the poem by W. S. Gilbert (of Gilbert & Sullivan) and the story by Gaston Leroux (author of The Phantom of the Opera). Other authors include Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Machen, Richard Matheson, Joanna Russ, Theodore Sturgeon, Guy de Maupassant, Michael Moorcock, Parke Godwin, Willa Cather, A. Merritt, Isaac Asimov, Frederick Pohl, and Jack Vance. Masterpieces of Terror and the Unknown is expertly compiled by Marvin Kaye, who provides fascinating notes with each selection and an Introduction that provides further insights into the genres of terror and horror.CONTENTS Gather Ye Nosegays • essay by Marvin KayeGhosts and Miscellaneous Nightmares • essay by Marvin Kayehe Others • (1987) • short story by Joyce Carol OatesTap Dancing • (1991) • short story by John Gregory BetancourtThe Hungry Stones • (1916) • short story by Rabindranath TagoreThe Southwest Chamber • (1903) • novelette by Mary E. Wilkins FreemanThe Lost Room • (1858) • short story by Fitz-James O'BrienThe Ghost to His Ladye Love • (1869) • poem by W. S. GilbertThe Happy Children • (1920) • short story by Arthur MachenDarby O'Gill and the Good People • (1901) • short story by Herminie Templeton KavanaghKeeping His Promise • (1906) • short story by Algernon BlackwoodA Day in the Life of Comrade Lenin • short story by Carole BuggéThe Throwing Suit • (1990) • short story by Darrell Schweitzer and Jason Van HollanderThe Man Who Wanted to Be in the Movies • (1962) • short story by John JakesThe Beast Within • essay by Marvin KayeFidel Bassin • (1925) • short story by W. J. StamperUnsigned Original • (1975) • short story by Parke GodwinThe Clemency of the Court • (1893) • short story by Willa CatherThe Empty Zoo • (1965) • short story by Edward D. HochBeyond Sleep • (1970) • short story by Barry N. MalzbergFinnegan's Wake • (unknown) • poem by TraditionalBianca's Hands • (1947) • short story by Theodore SturgeonThe Iron Man • (1940) • short story by Frederick LangSagittarius • (1962) • novella by Ray RussellWolf • (1966) • short story by Michael MoorcockAn Illusion in Red and White • (1900) • short story by Stephen CraneActs of God and Other Horrors • essay by Marvin KayeMan Overboard • (1899) • short story by Winston Churchill (variant of "Man Overboard!")The People of the Pit • (1918) • short story by A. MerrittIn the Avu Observatory • (1894) • short story by H. G. WellsIn the Valley of the Shades • short story by C. H. ShermanThe Thing in the Hall • (1912) • short story by E. F. BensonThe Inchcape Rock • (1802) • poem by Robert SoutheyMr. Wilde's Second Chance • (1966) • short story by Joanna RussThe Dreams in the Witch-House • (1933) • novelette by H. P. LovecraftThe Little Man on the Subway • (1950) • short story by Isaac Asimov and Frederik PohlThe Poems • (1945) • short story by Ray BradburyVision Quest • short story by Pat LoBruttoContes Cruelles • essay by Marvin KayeThe Man in the Bottle • (1973) • short story by Gustav MeyrinkA Diagnosis of Death • (1901) • short story by Ambrose BierceRemember Me • short story by Joan Vander PuttenThe Pardon • (1883) • short story by Emilia Pardo BazánThe One Thousand Dozen • (1903) • short story by Jack LondonCarmanda • (1976) • short story by Jessica Amanda SalmonsonThe Spirit of Hospitality • (1991) • poem by Saralee KayeThe Cripple • (1933) • short story by Maurice LevelThe Squaw • (1893) • short story by Bram StokerPictures • short story by Irving WernerThe Necklace • (1946) • short story by Jack MoffittFiends and Creatures • essay by Marvin KayeMidnight • (1946) • short story by Jack SnowMs. Lipshutz and the Goblin • (1978) • short story by Marvin KayeAmina • (1907) • short story by Edward Lucas WhiteSimpson's Lesser Sphynx • (1984) • short story by Esther M. FriesnerDress of White Silk • (1951) • short story by Richard MathesonThe Palace of the Mountain A Chinese Hansel and Gretel • short story by Toby SandersSnow White Waking • (1991) • poem by Adèle SlaughterThe Little Witch of Elm Street • (1956) • short story by Mildred ClingermanThe Brown Man's Servant • (1896) • novelette by W. W. JacobsPoppa Bear • (1989) • short story by Alvin VogelIn Letters of Fire • [L'homme qui ...