The appearance of another trusty new horror anthology edited by the remarkable Stephen Jones is reason enough to celebrate. THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR 20 marks the china anniversary milestone for the franchise — no mean feat for such an annual effort! While the occasion is acknowledged ever so subtly on the cover, there are plenty of other reasons why you should own this particular edition. (That is, assuming you need convincing.)
For one, among the star names tempting you on the front is none other than the Big Kahuna of Horror, Stephen King. His first contribution to the yearly anthology is “The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates,” a fine, old-fashioned chiller about a recently widowed woman who receives the cell-phone call her husband made the moment before he died. King has always had a sure touch in his shorter works, and this might be a revelation to those familiar only with his novels.
Neil Gaiman weighs in again this year with “Feminine Endings,” an eerie love letter from a human statue performer to one who passes his stance in the park. As the letter continues, we see how the performer quietly invades the life of his love object.
Ghosts and haunted houses were a favorite subject of several notable authors last year. Brian Lumley proves that the shrouded English moors are still excellent settings for horror in “The Place of Waiting,” his longish meditation on the making of ghosts and what happens just after death. Ramsey Campbell’s “The Long Way” is an effective, almost nostalgic story of the old, abandoned house found in everyone’s neighborhood that everyone thinks is haunted and takes the extra effort to avoid. And Peter Crowther’s “Front-Page McGuffin and the Greatest Story Never Told” recalls the career of a legendary newspaper reporter whose desire to save his dying wife’s life turns him into a spirit.
Other stories include contributions by both established and up-and-coming horror authors such as Michael Bishop, Tanith Lee, Sarah Pinborough, Paul Finch and even the wonderful Christopher Fowler (whom we never see enough of in any year), with the crazy-weird, Gothic-tinged “Arkangel.”
All of this is started off by Jones’ mega-comprehensive “Introduction: Horror in 2008.” In this essay, which ends up longer than most of the stories that follow, Jones notates every — and that means every — event that occurred in horror, dark fantasy and all related genres that year. We’re talking every publication, new or reissued, no matter what format or how limited; every film, TV or theatrical production; every magazine, newsletter or blog; every lawsuit filed or settled; and every staff alteration at every publishing house. Everything! If you thought ’08 was a slow year in horror, think again!
As is traditional in these annuals, the final pages include the “Necrology” listing of those in the field who we lost that year, and the “Useful Address” listings for both fans and writers alike. Both of these extras are Jones-comprehensive, just like the Introduction. Yet amazingly, this whole package fits comfortably in your hand without straining your wrists, and will cost you less than 15 bucks.
Think of it as a birthday celebration where you buy yourself a gift. What are you waiting for? —Alan Cranis
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• THE BEST HORROR FROM FANTASY TALES edited by Stephen Jones and David Sutton
• CREEPSHOWS: THE ILLUSTRATED STEPHEN KING MOVIE GUIDE by Stephen Jones
• HORROR: ANOTHER 100 BEST BOOKS edited by Stephen Jones & Kim Newman
• H.P. LOVECRAFT’S BOOK OF THE SUPERNATURAL edited by Stephen Jones
• THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR: VOL. 19 edited by Stephen Jones
• SUMMER CHILLS edited by Stephen Jones
Related posts:
- The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror: Vol. 19
- The Mammoth Book of Best Horror Comics
- The Horror in the Museum
- The Mammoth Book of Zombie Comics
- The Mammoth Book of Best New Manga 3
