This highly acclaimed anthology traces the evolution of horror, from Nathaniel Hawthorn and Edgar Allan Poe to Stephen King. Adopted by colleges ac...
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Apr 01, 2009
Gabriel
rated it: 
I am SO looking forward to this tome. I found it in a outlet store for $6 and grabbed it as fast as I could. Stories from some of my favorites (Harlan Ellison's "Whimper of Whipped Dogs" plus a couple from Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, HP Lovecraft and one from Philip K. Dick) as well as from people who I need to read/read more of (Nathaniel Hawthorne, Clive Barker, I think Robert Bloch is also in here). If this is as good as it claims to be, I will be using it when I teach my Horr
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May 23, 2007
Lestat
rated it:
If you have any interest in horror fiction, The Dark Descent is essential. In fact, if you're new to horror, don't bother with anything else. This compilation will not only introduce some of the best works in short fiction of the last hundred years, but it will do so with a clarity of vision that actually allows you to survey how far we have come and what remains to be explored. Each work in this anthology represents an incredible peak in style and expression that has never been topped regard
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Oct 19, 2010
Alazzar
rated it: 
I technically should put this book on my “Abandoned” or “Hiatus” shelf, because I didn’t finish it. But I feel I’ve read everything I’m going to from this book (at least, for the time being), so we’ll call it “Read.”
I started out by reading from the beginning (as is the tradition with books, I hear). I went through the introduction and found that the guy who threw this anthology together had a massive boner for Stephen King. I’ve read Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot, and from those boo More...
I started out by reading from the beginning (as is the tradition with books, I hear). I went through the introduction and found that the guy who threw this anthology together had a massive boner for Stephen King. I’ve read Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot, and from those boo More...
Sep 15, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
If I may quote Forrest Gump for a moment, I'd like to say that The Dark Descent is like a box of chocolates. Not so much because you "never know what you're gonna get" - because these stories are almost uniformly well written - but because the best way to consume it is a few pieces (stories) at a time, so they don't get overwhelming and start tasting all the same (or make you sick).
The editor, David Hartwell, has divided the story collection into what he calls three "s More...
The editor, David Hartwell, has divided the story collection into what he calls three "s More...
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Mar 25, 2008
Aaron
rated it:
What's most interesting to me are the entries in this collection by author's who are not well known for writing horror (William Faulkner! Charles Dickens!). I haven't even finished reading the whole book yet and I feel strongly that it deserves a five star rating. This book is absolutely essential to anyone interested in the genre of horror. If there were going to be a college course on horror, I would highly recommend this book as the text.
If I have a complaint, it would be that the More...
If I have a complaint, it would be that the More...
Sep 23, 2011
Mike
rated it:
This may be, along with Kirby Macauley's anthology Dark Forces, one of the most important collections in the genre to be published in the last fifty years. Almost every story included is a knockout. The edition I have is the hardcover first printing, and let me tell you it's an unwieldy sucker. From what I understand, the subsequent paperback edition was divided into three volumes. Highly recommended.
Jun 24, 2011
Riju
rated it:
This top-notch collection of stories cover a very large ground in the landscape of horror. There are (too) well-known stories from the old masters and a few pleasantly unpleasant shocks in terms of omissions, there are classics as-well-as bizarre choices from the present big-guys. Overall, a massive collection that has something for all. Recommended.
May 19, 2009
Nicolas
rated it:
When I was a teenager this was my favorite horror story anthology (In Mexico "The Dark Descent" was released as "El Gran Libro del Terror" by Martinez Roca publishers). Among many jewels, it includes the best ghost story I've ever read, "Afterward" by Edith Warthon (yes, the same woman who wrote "The Age of Innocence").
Aug 13, 2011
Carles
rated it: 
Un recopilatorio de relatos contemporaneos que encontré regular, con buenos relatos y otros más flojos.
Me lo leí por partes a lo largo de casi un año.
Un libro de formato un punto demasido grande per llevarlo encima...
Me lo leí por partes a lo largo de casi un año.
Un libro de formato un punto demasido grande per llevarlo encima...
Sep 17, 2011
Mark
rated it:
One of the best summaries of Horror about, in my opinion. Not all stories are necessarily the author's best nor best known, yet as a primer to give a reader something to work at, this is about as good as it gets.
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Jan 23, 2011
Ed
rated it:
Excellent collection of Horror short stories. Personal favorites are Ray Bradbury's The Crowd, and Clive Barker's Dread
Oct 16, 2011
Justin
rated it:
One of the most comprehensive books on modern horror literature you're likely to find. An excellent read.
Mar 13, 2010
Les
rated it:
This is an excellent collection of horror short stories. One of the best anthologies I've read.
Dec 16, 2008
Kimi-chan
rated it:
I didn't even get halfway through it. Some of the stories were just downright BORING. I stopped reading once I got to "The Yellow Wallpaper."
The only good stories I liked were "The Monkey" by Stephen King; "If Damon Comes" by Charles L. Grant; "The New Mother" by Lucy Clifford; "The Crowd" by Ray Bradbury; "Vandy, Vandy" by Manly Wade Wellman; and "Bright Segment" by Theodore Stergeon. All the rest I found either extrem
The only good stories I liked were "The Monkey" by Stephen King; "If Damon Comes" by Charles L. Grant; "The New Mother" by Lucy Clifford; "The Crowd" by Ray Bradbury; "Vandy, Vandy" by Manly Wade Wellman; and "Bright Segment" by Theodore Stergeon. All the rest I found either extrem
Oct 08, 2009
Contains one of PB's All Time Greats :
"The Summer People" by Shirley Jackson (1950)
Old Shirl has got matter-of-fact horror down, she owns matter-of-fact horror, and it's a thing of wonder. Perfectly bland boring people do these ordinary things and it all plods on and plods on and you're looking at your watch and scratching your left ventricle until you realise this routine stuff is now involving immense cruelty and death. Come round to tea any day, Shirley Ja
"The Summer People" by Shirley Jackson (1950)
Old Shirl has got matter-of-fact horror down, she owns matter-of-fact horror, and it's a thing of wonder. Perfectly bland boring people do these ordinary things and it all plods on and plods on and you're looking at your watch and scratching your left ventricle until you realise this routine stuff is now involving immense cruelty and death. Come round to tea any day, Shirley Ja
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Apr 02, 2008
Bogydog
rated it:
I doubt any of my friends have any interest in this, but if you 're looking for a primer on some of the world's greatest short horror stories, this is the best I've found. The choices are crazy-smart, and it'll catch you up so you'll sound smart at your next horror short story function. I'll be there... actually, it'll just be me. I throw them in my attic. What'll you be wearing so I can recognize you? I'll be the one covered in jizz.
Oct 01, 2008
Angie
rated it:
A very good collection spanning the genre from classics (such as Poe and Hawthorne), to contemporary authors (King and Barker), and everything in between.
While certainly not comprehensive, this broad collection is a great addition to any horror collection, or for anyone wanting to get acquainted with the genre.
I only wish the order of stories was chronological, to see the progression of horror.
While certainly not comprehensive, this broad collection is a great addition to any horror collection, or for anyone wanting to get acquainted with the genre.
I only wish the order of stories was chronological, to see the progression of horror.
Jan 20, 2012
PM
rated it:
A huge anthology of horror stories featuring authors from Faulkner to King. Some stories are well known (Faulkner's A Rose for Emily) while others (King's The Reach) are more obscure. Having fun with it.
Jan 12, 2008
Caryn
rated it:
One of my favorite collections of horror short stories (with the exceptions of the Stephen King SS, not his best).
Feb 11, 2012
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