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More Stories from the Twilight Zone
The second paperback volume of Serling novelized Twilight Zone scripts was published in Spring 1961 by Bantam Books containing 7 of his episodes: The Lonely, Mr. Dingle The Strong, A Thing About Machines, The Big Tall Wish, A Stop At Willoughby, The Odyssey of Flight 33, & Dust. Again, in addition to the original content, the reprint edition has a volume specific foreword by daughter Anne.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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504 people want to read
About the author
Rod Serling
202 books388 followersRodman 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 30, 2024
Another 7 stories/episodes from The Twilight Zone collected here, first published in 1961. All of them were fun to read, but like most collections, some stood out from the pack. One of the things I enjoy most about these concerns how most of them probe deeply into the notion of the individual and society at large, and how just a few things can undermine the veneer of civilization.
"The Lonely." One of the better stories here, tells the tale of a guy serving time for murder on an desert asteroid; think of it as solitary times three! He gets three or four visits each year for resupplies, and that is it. Yet, one supply trip, his 'buddy' dropped of a female robot... 4 stars
"Mr. Dingle the Strong." Fun, but not the best here. Mr. Dingle represents the weaklings of the world, and starts the tale being beaten up in the neighborhood bar for daring to voice his opinion on sports to some loudmouths. An invisible alien shoots him with a special ray that gives him the strength of 300 men... 3 stars
"A Thing about Machines." Again, fun, but not outstanding. Our protagonist, a loner who writes essays on the social set and such, keeps smashing his machines as they just do odd things. The repair guys tell him to treat the stuff better, but maybe there really is something hinky about his machines! 3 stars.
"The Big, Tall Wish." A very touching story about an aging boxer and his number one fan, a young boy who lives in the same tenement. The boy makes a Big, Tall Wish that he will win and be ok. Really about the loss of innocence. 4 stars.
"A stop at Willoughby." My favorite of the collection. A middle age guy working for an advertising company is just fed up with the rat race. His boss is an asshole, his wife a nagging B***H, and he just wants something simpler out of life... 5 glowing stars!!
"The Odyssey of Flight 33." Probably the creepiest of the lot. A transatlantic 707 heading to NYC from London encounters something strange; suddenly, their airspeed becomes really fast and they see and odd light flash. We are not in Kansas any more! 4 stars.
"Dust." Another good story, but not that profound. In a small western town in the frontier days, a Mexican boy is about to be hanged for drunkenly running over and killing a small girl with his wagon. Will their be any mercy shown?
Solid collection, but of these, I only remembered "A stop at Willoughby" vividly as it left a big impression on my young mind. Maybe that is why I do not work in a corporation. 4 nostalgic stars!!
"The Lonely." One of the better stories here, tells the tale of a guy serving time for murder on an desert asteroid; think of it as solitary times three! He gets three or four visits each year for resupplies, and that is it. Yet, one supply trip, his 'buddy' dropped of a female robot... 4 stars
"Mr. Dingle the Strong." Fun, but not the best here. Mr. Dingle represents the weaklings of the world, and starts the tale being beaten up in the neighborhood bar for daring to voice his opinion on sports to some loudmouths. An invisible alien shoots him with a special ray that gives him the strength of 300 men... 3 stars
"A Thing about Machines." Again, fun, but not outstanding. Our protagonist, a loner who writes essays on the social set and such, keeps smashing his machines as they just do odd things. The repair guys tell him to treat the stuff better, but maybe there really is something hinky about his machines! 3 stars.
"The Big, Tall Wish." A very touching story about an aging boxer and his number one fan, a young boy who lives in the same tenement. The boy makes a Big, Tall Wish that he will win and be ok. Really about the loss of innocence. 4 stars.
"A stop at Willoughby." My favorite of the collection. A middle age guy working for an advertising company is just fed up with the rat race. His boss is an asshole, his wife a nagging B***H, and he just wants something simpler out of life... 5 glowing stars!!
"The Odyssey of Flight 33." Probably the creepiest of the lot. A transatlantic 707 heading to NYC from London encounters something strange; suddenly, their airspeed becomes really fast and they see and odd light flash. We are not in Kansas any more! 4 stars.
"Dust." Another good story, but not that profound. In a small western town in the frontier days, a Mexican boy is about to be hanged for drunkenly running over and killing a small girl with his wagon. Will their be any mercy shown?
Solid collection, but of these, I only remembered "A stop at Willoughby" vividly as it left a big impression on my young mind. Maybe that is why I do not work in a corporation. 4 nostalgic stars!!
July 11, 2024
Rod Serling's writing is not of a mind stuck on the idea of a scene or set. This results from what happens every time the universe sends him a “what if,” he holds onto it and puts man to the test. Sometimes, it faired well, most of the time not, but he was willing to enter the Twilight Zone….
This collection speaks to the introverted daydreamer and the power of a wish.
The Lonely
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a favorite of mine, I think the episode has that rewatchibility factor.
I was a little worried since the story was so familiar, that reading it over would be kind of dull. But apparently not!
Even while writing this review, I’ve flipped through the pages just to read off a few lines.
The story focuses on the need for companionship.
As an introvert I can easily cross over the line where I feel like I’m the exception to the rule, happiest alone as they say. But we all have limits and given time loneliness can eat away at one’s soul.
What once was an intolerable barren planet, driving a prisoner to madness, quickly changed into days of peaceful solitude with someone he loves.
What makes this story unique is not only the idea of our need for company but his loneliness driving him to find it in technology.
We see in the beginning this transition from his hatred of “Alicia” for the mocking imagery of a woman to having genuine love for her- though he was not lost in the reasoning behind it.
“ I know that Alicia is simply an extension of myself. I hear my words coming from her. My emotions. The things that she has learned to love are the things that I have loved.” But it was love.
But how quickly he sees the disillusionment, which is easy once her face is shot off, exposing the wires and metal beneath. When moments ago, he was screaming she was human!
Mr. Dingle
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was fun - i mean come on, we have all wished to be something more, more of something, at one time or another.
Especially Dingle, the vacuum salesman who didn’t have an ounce of muscle, a lick of wit, or an smidge of hope of making it big. But what did Dingle have?
Apparently, his lack of everything was the cream of the crop, top of the litter, for the crucial human experimentation here on planet Earth.
Yes, the Roly poly-like alien creatures. Two-headed Martian. Venusians. They all took their turn dialing up different parts of Dingle and then dropping it as quickly as they blasted him with whatever “it” is.
Dialing up his IQ but just for a day. Super human strength, just until they collect the data. Love-making abilities. 😂
Yup, Dingle was hit with it all. I never found out how he learned to live with it, but I’m sure he’s doing fine.
Now, the story itself, felt confusing to follow at times. No particularly stand-out lines or twists, though the idea of an experiment to give and take superhuman abilities to a less-than-average man is such a funny little concept maybe it doesn’t need anything more than just being an interesting thought,
A Thing About Machines
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The man is an asshole. And machines just fuck with him.
He’s definitely less likable in the book.
“Get out of here, Finchley”
this story screams horror; I remember watching the episode, when the belly dancer on TV would stop between beats dancing, look at him, and repeat, “Get out of here, Finchley,” for some reason, gave me the creeeeps.
this particular story does not work as well as the others as stand-alone short story; the screen brings it to life.
Also, I have questions; he’s plagued by the car, typewriter, and TV but still owns and keeps them in his house; just why?? 😅😅 but I liked the last few pages, where the gardner is recounting a story of how his lawnmower got away from him and started ramming against Finchelay's headstone, it’s great; I don’t think that’s in the episode if I’m not mistaken?
Oh, and when the typewriter torments him and write out the phase repeatedly, driving him mad it made me think of The Shining!
Another wish comes true with
As the name entails …
The Great Big Wish
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We have a boxer past his prime. But a support system in his building that cheer him on and a pat on the shoulder as he leaves before every fight. No one was a bigger fan than the neighbor kid. Who makes tiny wishes, staring up at the stars every night, and saved those great big wishes for great big things and this last match was one of them.
He went about changing the fabric of time and reality, so no… the boxer didn’t get knocked out… he never landed on the mat. he made it through the match. Right? No? Quantum mechanics at work,
A Stop at Willoughby
- a thousand stars
Gart is a shining star of the maladaptive daydreamer of an introverted depressive.
Like many of us he goes through life dreaming of a place where he can just be. No performative gestures or facade of putting on a good show to live up to the expectations of a stressful, demanding world.
He just wanted to find a small sunny little town and get away from a life he hates.
His dream of this place is the escape that he needs, until one day on his train ride home the conductor tells him that he’s at his stop, he’s made it to Willoughby.
Though he doesn’t realize or care that it’s the last stop. To the great beyond.
Odyssey of Flight 33
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m such a whore for any “something goes wrong on a plane” / people surviving after said plane wrongness
Manifest, lost, into the night - if it’s ticking the boxes, I’m turning it on and binging the crap out of it!
I mean, there’s something freaky deeky on how we’re just up there, flying through the clouds while sipping on ginger ale and in this weird limitless space of a nonexistent timeline until we arrive back on that tarmac.
I think Serling would have gotten a big kick out of the video “that motherfucker is not Real,” Lady, oh … and I’m sure he would appreciate all the shows that I mentioned above and many others, I mean they have to tip their hat to Serling, we wouldn’t have anyone of it without him!
Anyway, this …. Was surprising! I enjoyed reading it more than I liked watching it! The disbelief and the characters with the pilots/crew's inner thoughts as he wrested wirh each update through the intercom to the cabin. Gah! I was glued to each page.
Cliff hanger done right!
Dust
⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️
The writing felt like a nice change of pace.
Ya know, in those westerns when the guy shows up, and there’s not a soul in sight, and then a tumbleweed rolls on by? And that Western whistle song starts playing? Yeah, it’s that vibe.
Actually I turned on “western whistle song” on YouTube while writing this and ended up listening to the playlist for a good two hours after. 😂
A man sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a small child. But then a man comes into town, causing him to have a glimmer of hope.
A word that this godforsaken town has scarcely ever seen.
And the stuff he’s selling? Powdered magic.
“It’s magic,” he whispered hoarsely. “Magic … it is for love. It is for love. The magic is for love.”
The town, still ugly and full of squalor, prepared itself for the night. It was small, misery-laden, and this had been the day of a hanging. Of little historical consequence, really. But if there was any moral to be drawn … it might be said that in any quest for magic, in any search for sorcery … it might be wise to first check the human heart. For inside this deep place is a wizardry that costs far more than a few pieces of gold. It was, of course, a fact that no one in the town could articulate this thought. But there was a feeling. There was a mood. And there were questions now where before no questions had existed. “
This collection speaks to the introverted daydreamer and the power of a wish.
The Lonely
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a favorite of mine, I think the episode has that rewatchibility factor.
I was a little worried since the story was so familiar, that reading it over would be kind of dull. But apparently not!
Even while writing this review, I’ve flipped through the pages just to read off a few lines.
The story focuses on the need for companionship.
As an introvert I can easily cross over the line where I feel like I’m the exception to the rule, happiest alone as they say. But we all have limits and given time loneliness can eat away at one’s soul.
What once was an intolerable barren planet, driving a prisoner to madness, quickly changed into days of peaceful solitude with someone he loves.
What makes this story unique is not only the idea of our need for company but his loneliness driving him to find it in technology.
We see in the beginning this transition from his hatred of “Alicia” for the mocking imagery of a woman to having genuine love for her- though he was not lost in the reasoning behind it.
“ I know that Alicia is simply an extension of myself. I hear my words coming from her. My emotions. The things that she has learned to love are the things that I have loved.” But it was love.
But how quickly he sees the disillusionment, which is easy once her face is shot off, exposing the wires and metal beneath. When moments ago, he was screaming she was human!
Mr. Dingle
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was fun - i mean come on, we have all wished to be something more, more of something, at one time or another.
Especially Dingle, the vacuum salesman who didn’t have an ounce of muscle, a lick of wit, or an smidge of hope of making it big. But what did Dingle have?
Apparently, his lack of everything was the cream of the crop, top of the litter, for the crucial human experimentation here on planet Earth.
Yes, the Roly poly-like alien creatures. Two-headed Martian. Venusians. They all took their turn dialing up different parts of Dingle and then dropping it as quickly as they blasted him with whatever “it” is.
Dialing up his IQ but just for a day. Super human strength, just until they collect the data. Love-making abilities. 😂
Yup, Dingle was hit with it all. I never found out how he learned to live with it, but I’m sure he’s doing fine.
Now, the story itself, felt confusing to follow at times. No particularly stand-out lines or twists, though the idea of an experiment to give and take superhuman abilities to a less-than-average man is such a funny little concept maybe it doesn’t need anything more than just being an interesting thought,
A Thing About Machines
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The man is an asshole. And machines just fuck with him.
He’s definitely less likable in the book.
“Get out of here, Finchley”
this story screams horror; I remember watching the episode, when the belly dancer on TV would stop between beats dancing, look at him, and repeat, “Get out of here, Finchley,” for some reason, gave me the creeeeps.
this particular story does not work as well as the others as stand-alone short story; the screen brings it to life.
Also, I have questions; he’s plagued by the car, typewriter, and TV but still owns and keeps them in his house; just why?? 😅😅 but I liked the last few pages, where the gardner is recounting a story of how his lawnmower got away from him and started ramming against Finchelay's headstone, it’s great; I don’t think that’s in the episode if I’m not mistaken?
Oh, and when the typewriter torments him and write out the phase repeatedly, driving him mad it made me think of The Shining!
Another wish comes true with
As the name entails …
The Great Big Wish
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We have a boxer past his prime. But a support system in his building that cheer him on and a pat on the shoulder as he leaves before every fight. No one was a bigger fan than the neighbor kid. Who makes tiny wishes, staring up at the stars every night, and saved those great big wishes for great big things and this last match was one of them.
He went about changing the fabric of time and reality, so no… the boxer didn’t get knocked out… he never landed on the mat. he made it through the match. Right? No? Quantum mechanics at work,
A Stop at Willoughby
- a thousand stars
Gart is a shining star of the maladaptive daydreamer of an introverted depressive.
Like many of us he goes through life dreaming of a place where he can just be. No performative gestures or facade of putting on a good show to live up to the expectations of a stressful, demanding world.
He just wanted to find a small sunny little town and get away from a life he hates.
His dream of this place is the escape that he needs, until one day on his train ride home the conductor tells him that he’s at his stop, he’s made it to Willoughby.
Though he doesn’t realize or care that it’s the last stop. To the great beyond.
Odyssey of Flight 33
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m such a whore for any “something goes wrong on a plane” / people surviving after said plane wrongness
Manifest, lost, into the night - if it’s ticking the boxes, I’m turning it on and binging the crap out of it!
I mean, there’s something freaky deeky on how we’re just up there, flying through the clouds while sipping on ginger ale and in this weird limitless space of a nonexistent timeline until we arrive back on that tarmac.
I think Serling would have gotten a big kick out of the video “that motherfucker is not Real,” Lady, oh … and I’m sure he would appreciate all the shows that I mentioned above and many others, I mean they have to tip their hat to Serling, we wouldn’t have anyone of it without him!
Anyway, this …. Was surprising! I enjoyed reading it more than I liked watching it! The disbelief and the characters with the pilots/crew's inner thoughts as he wrested wirh each update through the intercom to the cabin. Gah! I was glued to each page.
Cliff hanger done right!
Dust
⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️
The writing felt like a nice change of pace.
Ya know, in those westerns when the guy shows up, and there’s not a soul in sight, and then a tumbleweed rolls on by? And that Western whistle song starts playing? Yeah, it’s that vibe.
Actually I turned on “western whistle song” on YouTube while writing this and ended up listening to the playlist for a good two hours after. 😂
A man sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a small child. But then a man comes into town, causing him to have a glimmer of hope.
A word that this godforsaken town has scarcely ever seen.
And the stuff he’s selling? Powdered magic.
“It’s magic,” he whispered hoarsely. “Magic … it is for love. It is for love. The magic is for love.”
The town, still ugly and full of squalor, prepared itself for the night. It was small, misery-laden, and this had been the day of a hanging. Of little historical consequence, really. But if there was any moral to be drawn … it might be said that in any quest for magic, in any search for sorcery … it might be wise to first check the human heart. For inside this deep place is a wizardry that costs far more than a few pieces of gold. It was, of course, a fact that no one in the town could articulate this thought. But there was a feeling. There was a mood. And there were questions now where before no questions had existed. “
October 18, 2022
Well. See, I was going to read this for the novelty of it but these stories are good. “The Lonely,” “The Big, Tall Wish” (definitely “The Big, Tall Wish”!) and “Dust” especially. My dirty secret: I would rather read this again than Hemingway or Raymond Carver.
August 21, 2020
Rod Serling wasn’t a classic writer, although his converted scripts from The Twilight Zone were certainly evidence of his ability. The second collection of “novelized” stories from the show, More Stories from the Twilight Zone showcases the diversity of Serling’s imagination. The collection includes seven stories: “The Lonely,” “Mr. Dingle, The Strong,” “A Thing about Machines,” (which, as I note on my blogpost Sects and Violence in the Ancient World, anticipates Stephen King) “The Big, Tall Wish,” “A Stop at Willoughby,” “The Odyssey of Flight 33,” and “Dust.”
It’s always difficult to categorize collections, and some people know that “Twilight Zone” is a genre of its own. Still, if I were to try to generalize here I’d have to say that sad is the word I would use. Many episodes from the television show dealt with sad people, but that feeling pervaded this set of stories. I hadn’t read this particular book before; I had the first collection (upon which I posted earlier this summer) as a child, but this one I never found in a used book bin.
Those of us who grew up with the first run (or at least early re-runs) of the television show were profoundly influenced by it. Its measure of success can be assessed through the relevancy of the theme music even today to represent something weird happening. And since a weird pandemic is on, I think it certainly seems to qualify. The Twilight Zone became a frame of reference for many of us. Although our lives aren’t as strange as those depicted in these stories we can still relate to Serling’s realistic characters and see reflections of ourselves in that strange mirror.
It’s always difficult to categorize collections, and some people know that “Twilight Zone” is a genre of its own. Still, if I were to try to generalize here I’d have to say that sad is the word I would use. Many episodes from the television show dealt with sad people, but that feeling pervaded this set of stories. I hadn’t read this particular book before; I had the first collection (upon which I posted earlier this summer) as a child, but this one I never found in a used book bin.
Those of us who grew up with the first run (or at least early re-runs) of the television show were profoundly influenced by it. Its measure of success can be assessed through the relevancy of the theme music even today to represent something weird happening. And since a weird pandemic is on, I think it certainly seems to qualify. The Twilight Zone became a frame of reference for many of us. Although our lives aren’t as strange as those depicted in these stories we can still relate to Serling’s realistic characters and see reflections of ourselves in that strange mirror.
May 31, 2023
I do love Rod Serling with all my heart, but God, what a step down from the first collection. The prose is flimsy and uninspired, the dialogue is horrid (how many times do you address by name a person you're speaking to? Because Serling uses names so liberally that it sounds like I'm listening to an AI-generated conversation), and the overall choice of stories told is questionable at best.
Sad to say it, but don't waste your time with this one.
Sad to say it, but don't waste your time with this one.
September 18, 2023
Still a strong collection of short stories, but not quite as strong as the first iteration. "Dust" was by far the most powerful, and a great note to end on.
Rod Serling's fascination with madness and his affection for the better parts of humanity are what make him such a strong writer. This wasn't my first visit to his work, and it certainly won't be my last.
Rod Serling's fascination with madness and his affection for the better parts of humanity are what make him such a strong writer. This wasn't my first visit to his work, and it certainly won't be my last.
September 9, 2019
It may not be as consistent as the first collection, but there are no bad stories here amongst the seven. Two I'd say are classics. The Lonely, in which a man is banished to an asteroid, shows Serling to be a great stylist - setting up a desolate and atmospheric situation and placing within it a desperate character who is at the end of his tether. A Stop At Willoughby sees a man ground down by his boss at work ("It's a push, push, push business," "Push, push, push.") only to come home to an unsympathetic wife. This is my other favourite here. Again, great characters, dialogue and situation. The Big Tall Wish, in which a young boy sees his hero lose in a boxing ring, is another good character story with the usual gentle Twilight Zone fantasy air.
Some of the other stories are strange selections to choose from his episode oeuvre. The Odyssey Of Flight 33 simply sees an airliner go back in time and the passengers witness dinosaurs through the window. This is just a basic idea. You expect more from Serling.
Still, this is a fine book.
Some of the other stories are strange selections to choose from his episode oeuvre. The Odyssey Of Flight 33 simply sees an airliner go back in time and the passengers witness dinosaurs through the window. This is just a basic idea. You expect more from Serling.
Still, this is a fine book.
January 30, 2018
This book is very nostalgic for me because of watching the Twilight Zone series on TV. Certainly there are some things that are dated because of the year it was written. I find that interesting in itself. Progress made against prejudice/racism for example and the prices of things. The stories all contain that element of the mysterious, magical, weird and strange. Many tell the stories of regular people caught up in the dilemma of their life story. Some endings are tragic, others magical. Still a good read.
July 28, 2015
The Twilight Zone is just as good in short story format as it is on television. I love absolutely not knowing what is going to happen, but knowing that some strange twist is about to occur. The lead story The Lonely I read the day after watching Star Trek's Requiem for Methuselah, so the female android theme was funny to see repeated. My favorite story was The Odyssey of Flight 33.
November 30, 2025
Practically all of the concepts and ideas that comprise the themes in this short story collection would be considered basic antiquated relics by today’s standards. Human vs. machine. Extraterrestrial beings. Time machine. Keeping in mind that More Stories From The Twilight Zone by Rod Serling was published in the early sixties, the situations and predicaments faced by the protagonists in these short stories gives a historical glimpse into the existential angsts and anxieties during that time. Rod Serling was a gifted writer and storyteller, and mentally “hearing” him tell each story only sustained my interest even more.
My personal favorite: “The Odyssey of Flight 33”, in which a commercial plane breaks the sound barrier and takes the flight crew and the passengers to an unexpected destination.
I highly recommend this book to those who want to dip their toe in entry-level science fiction and fantasy to see if this genre is for them, as well as to aficionados of all genre persuasions who appreciate great storytelling.
My personal favorite: “The Odyssey of Flight 33”, in which a commercial plane breaks the sound barrier and takes the flight crew and the passengers to an unexpected destination.
I highly recommend this book to those who want to dip their toe in entry-level science fiction and fantasy to see if this genre is for them, as well as to aficionados of all genre persuasions who appreciate great storytelling.
June 2, 2018
Aunque la calificación sería más bien un 4 1/2 de nuevo en este volumen encontramos una gran colección de relatos novelizados que se presentaron en la serie original, el primer volumen tiene las 5 estrellas para mi porque incluye algunos de mis relatos/episodios favoritos, aunque este no se queda atrás con "The odyssey of flight 33" otro de mis preferidos, ahora lo sentí un compendio más dedicado al ser humano, a los motivos, anhelos y deseos, esos otros temas que tocaba The Twilight Zone, no solo de terror, suspenso o ciencia ficción, sino que también llenas de corazón, alma y que a pesar de la tristeza te podían dejar con una sonrisa en la cara y con el tema pensándolo por días, de nuevo si eres fan de la serie, consíguelo, está barato en amazon y vale totalmente la pena.
December 29, 2020
Another collection of seven more adaptations of some of the best of Serling’s scripts. Though several tend to drag on, get over described, or suffer from characters that speak in that absurdly over-sophisticated dialog that Serling seems to enjoy using every so often, the best in this batch are The Lonely and Flight 33.
The challenge with any of these short tales is that the stories are so familiar to fans of the TV show that it’s hard to appreciate the short story adaptation and the patented twist endings that most have. They plod through the script, without the addition of any new scenes, characters or enhancements. In other words, if there was no TV show preceding them, would these stand alone as famously and as popular if this is all there was? Hard to say.
The challenge with any of these short tales is that the stories are so familiar to fans of the TV show that it’s hard to appreciate the short story adaptation and the patented twist endings that most have. They plod through the script, without the addition of any new scenes, characters or enhancements. In other words, if there was no TV show preceding them, would these stand alone as famously and as popular if this is all there was? Hard to say.
July 14, 2021
Mr. Serling’s Writing is Amazing
I’ve seen almost all of the Twilight Zone episodes through various sources and a few years ago, I purchased the complete series on DVD. As in most cases, the written story is superior to the visual presentation. Within each of these stories there are nuances that are not readily discernible from the televised episodes but are clearly shown in his great writing. Mr. Serling’s usage of language is extraordinary as he truly paints a picture with his words. Even if you know all the episodes by heart, you will find gems within each of these stories that weren’t as apparent in the TV episodes.
I’ve seen almost all of the Twilight Zone episodes through various sources and a few years ago, I purchased the complete series on DVD. As in most cases, the written story is superior to the visual presentation. Within each of these stories there are nuances that are not readily discernible from the televised episodes but are clearly shown in his great writing. Mr. Serling’s usage of language is extraordinary as he truly paints a picture with his words. Even if you know all the episodes by heart, you will find gems within each of these stories that weren’t as apparent in the TV episodes.
March 17, 2023
The Short Answer
A solid collection of short stories, a couple of which are real treats.
The Long Answer
This was a really enjoyable collection of stories. All of the stories here are good, but only a couple of them are truly excellent. I particularly liked "The Odyssey of Flight 33" and "Dust", but I enjoyed all of them.
I wouldn't call this book an essential read, but if you come across a copy you won't be disappointed!
A solid collection of short stories, a couple of which are real treats.
The Long Answer
This was a really enjoyable collection of stories. All of the stories here are good, but only a couple of them are truly excellent. I particularly liked "The Odyssey of Flight 33" and "Dust", but I enjoyed all of them.
I wouldn't call this book an essential read, but if you come across a copy you won't be disappointed!
February 5, 2021
All great stories. I remembered all but one of these from episodes, reading them made the stories just that much better. Highly recommend for all twilight zone fans, especially Dust and Stop at Willoughby.
May 27, 2017
full reviews of each story can be found onmy blog.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
October 19, 2017
Classic stories. Some of them were turned into tv show episodes
February 24, 2018
Some nice and entertaining short stories with more or less interesting plots. A quick read for cold days.
October 17, 2020
This collection didn't pass the test of time.
January 9, 2021
another light, fun read
January 31, 2022
More from the master of the Twist of Fate.
January 2, 2023
When The Twilight Zone was popular, I enjoyed reading all the stories, those written by Rod Serling as well as those written by others.
March 21, 2025
Always a pleasure!
I've always been a fan of the Twilight Zone. I will be excited to find and read more. It's just genius, and Rod Serling is its orchestrator.
I've always been a fan of the Twilight Zone. I will be excited to find and read more. It's just genius, and Rod Serling is its orchestrator.
February 6, 2022
The Twilight Zone is a favorite on its own, so much packed into each little episode. The words on the page add so much more - get inside characters heads a bit more and even some of the descriptions convey Serling's outlook more explicitly (for example, talking about the pilot as fatherly or God-like). It's a surprisingly wonderful treat and supplement to the shows.
August 15, 2016
More Stories from the Twilight Zone, sequel to Stories from the Twilight Zone, is an entertaining collection of seven short stories from Rod Serling, mastermind behind the famed television series of the same name.
In this volume, Serling once again gives his literary take on several of the stories he originally wrote as teleplays for the series. This slight but significant change of medium gives the reader a fresh look at these tales, allowing for more use of your own imagination vs. seeing the images and performances that ultimately made it to the screen.
Serling, with his own unique style, proves himself to be a solid short story writer. The tales he submits for your approval include:
“The Lonely”: a science fiction study of loneliness and the meaning of human companionship.
“Mr. Dingle, The Strong”: an interesting little fable dealing with the downtrodden and the limits of human capabilities.
“A Thing About Machines”: examining paranoia and the pitfalls of modern gadgetry.
“The Big, Tall Wish”: a fascinating look at miracles and the power of belief.
“A Stop at Willoughby”: a haunting excursion into an idyllic village that may or may not exist, by a man who can no longer cope with his own reality.
“The Odyssey of Flight 33”: a classic jaunt into Twilight Zone territory.
“Dust”: another study of miracles and the value of human life.
All in all, this is a nice collection of stories with Serling’s usual strong themes and moral questioning of things. More Stories from the Twilight Zone is not to be missed by fans of the TV series or anyone looking to enjoy some interesting fantasy and science fiction tales.
In this volume, Serling once again gives his literary take on several of the stories he originally wrote as teleplays for the series. This slight but significant change of medium gives the reader a fresh look at these tales, allowing for more use of your own imagination vs. seeing the images and performances that ultimately made it to the screen.
Serling, with his own unique style, proves himself to be a solid short story writer. The tales he submits for your approval include:
“The Lonely”: a science fiction study of loneliness and the meaning of human companionship.
“Mr. Dingle, The Strong”: an interesting little fable dealing with the downtrodden and the limits of human capabilities.
“A Thing About Machines”: examining paranoia and the pitfalls of modern gadgetry.
“The Big, Tall Wish”: a fascinating look at miracles and the power of belief.
“A Stop at Willoughby”: a haunting excursion into an idyllic village that may or may not exist, by a man who can no longer cope with his own reality.
“The Odyssey of Flight 33”: a classic jaunt into Twilight Zone territory.
“Dust”: another study of miracles and the value of human life.
All in all, this is a nice collection of stories with Serling’s usual strong themes and moral questioning of things. More Stories from the Twilight Zone is not to be missed by fans of the TV series or anyone looking to enjoy some interesting fantasy and science fiction tales.
February 17, 2017
Provocative, eloquent, and every bit as good as the show.
January 6, 2018
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 second installment, 1961’s More Stories From The Twilight Zone. Three short stories appeared as episodes in the inaugural season, and four appeared as episodes in the second 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...
To read the rest of this review go to https://drewmartinwrites.wordpress.co...
February 14, 2014
the first two stories were episodes i head seen and just didn't seem to offer much beyond what i remembered. as kept going though, i was pleasantly surprised at how much i enjoyed the writing of the stories i was unfamiliar with. the story of the boxer and the wishes was particularly week done i thought and demonstrated all the best aspects of the show. the stories are your classic twilight zone formula with a twist at the end, but there's a reason it's still remembered so fondly, despite the formula the stories are just plain good
October 25, 2013
I am a complete lover of the Zone. Mystical, inviting, thought provoking, sometimes subversive. Rod Serling was a consumate story teller and left us all too soon.
There stories, culled from the show, are an interesting attempt to bring new audiences to the Zone. Sometimes they work, sometimes they do not. And sometimes they open up a blocked writer and allow new thoughts to enter and restart a stalled creative process.
Good ReaD.
There stories, culled from the show, are an interesting attempt to bring new audiences to the Zone. Sometimes they work, sometimes they do not. And sometimes they open up a blocked writer and allow new thoughts to enter and restart a stalled creative process.
Good ReaD.
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