New Stories from the Twilight Zone

by Martin H. Greenberg

Collects twenty-one fantasy and science fiction short stories which were the basis for episodes of the New Twilight zone television series

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1991

About the author

Martin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.

For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.

Reviews

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

English Review Below.

مجموعة قصصية لكتاب مختلفين من عالم مسلسلات وأفلام "توايلايت زون" القديم والشاسع واللي معرفش عنه كتير بس تشجعت أدخله بعد قراءة المجموعة دي. قصص خيال على خيال علمي، أغلبها رعب وأغلبها جيد مع بعض القصص العادية وشوية قصص مبهرة. القصص دي كلها اتعمل منها حلقات قديمة في السبعينيات أو التمانينيات فخطتي أني أتفرج عليهم وبعدها ممكن تبقى مدخل للعالم ده.
مجموعة قصص قوية ورغم أنها قديمة، بعضها حسيت أنه يتفوق على بعض كتابات الخيال العلمي الأحداث، تستحق القراءة.

The world of The Twilight Zone is so massive that I won't even attempt to make it seem like I know where it begins and ends, I know there's an old a show, some films, a new show maybe? I'm really making a mental note to get into this world and watch some of the episodes, I might even start with the episodes that were adapted from the stories in this collection.

This is a short stories anthology by different authors of stories that were all adapted into Twilight Zone episodes back in the day. All Sci-fi/fantasy, some were quirky, most are horror. Some were good, others were okay, and some really blew my mind. It was a mixed bag but an enjoyable experience nonetheless and though it was an older collection some of the stories were superior to new and modern sci-fi, so that was good too, and it make me excited to just dip my toes into this world, since I can tolerate reading horror a bit more than I can tolerate watching it!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this anthology on my travels many years ago and I will admit that even though I am constantly collecting new books to read there are still some titles that call me back. It may be one of several reasons, from the fact that I vaguely remember it and want to read it again to be sure, to the fact that something reminds me of it and suddenly I am compelled to read it again even though I know every twist and turn to the story. What can I say – books mean many things to me from challenging me to reassuring me.

This book as the write up says – is a series of short stories collected together and used as source material for the short running “new” twilight zone series. I remember seeing a number of them (particularly Theodore Sturgeons “saucer of loneliness”) and being amazed at not only the quality of their production but also the depth of the story.

Years later I discovered the stories had been collected together and knew that I wanted to read them. even if you have no contact with Rod Serling and his Twilight Zone – these 21 short stories are a brilliant and eclectic mix. Some of them by current standards may seem dated and their plot lines well worn – but at the time they were challenging and thought provoking – like the Dangerous Visions series at the time of their publication they were pretty revolutionary (ironic then that many of the authors appear both here and in the Dangerous visions books)

So if you are ever looking for a series of short stories with nothing more in common than a great tale to tell this should be considered.

[Seton Catholic Central High · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains some interesting short stories, my personal favorite being "Button, button" in this story a package is left on the doorstep of a couple named Norma and Arthur, after opening the box containing a locked button, a man shows up and explains that if the button is pressed they will receive $50,000 but someone they don't know will die. Norma wants to press the button arguing that it could kill someone who is already suffering and they need the money, however Arthur becomes angry with her and says he doesn't want to talk about it any more and that they're not going to press the button because an innocent baby cold be the one that gets killed. The next morning when Arthur leaves for work Norma presses the button, moments latter she receives a phone call from her insurance company saying that Arthur had been in an accident and passed away and she'll receive $50,000 as a part of their insurance policy. When the stranger returns to take back the button she asks him why her husband died if it was supposed to be someone she didn't know and he responded "Did you really think you knew your husband?". This story is my favorite one in the book because is shows different human perspectives on greed as well as making you think about how genuine Norma and Arthur's relationship was.

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this brand-new when it came out - in 1991 - and read them over that Christmas break. I even highlighted each title on the table of contents as I read them, since I was reading them out of order and at random. Wow.

I've since lost my copy - I think I bookcrossed it - but I stumbled by the title the other day and it reminded me of how wonderful it was (or at least it was when I was young.)

Some are screenplays, some are short stories, all are vintage Twilight Zone goodies! Some of these are fabulous, especially "The Star," by Arthur C. Clarke, "Sorry, Right Number," by Stephen King, and "A Message from Charity," by an author whose name escapes me.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all, very much in the spirit of the the original Twilight Zone: some of the stories were astounding, mind bending, moving, others entertaining and whimsical, with a few scattered duds. All in all, an experience worthy of the Twilight Zone...

[Richard Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good ones in here.

[Jeff Baker]

I found this in hardback about thirty years ago and snapped it up and read through it on successive evenings. The 80s series didn't hit the mark every time but the original stories did. My very favorite is the very spooky "Everlasting Club" which for many years I would read around Halloween/Eve of All Souls. (Glad my college reunions never go like that!) Highest recommendation for the book and the neglected 80s version of the series!

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of almost all of the original stories that were adapted into teleplays for the revival of "The Twilight Zone" (1985-87), from well-known names in SF and fantasy. Lovely stories by experts in their craft. A pure delight.

[N.J. Gallegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories from greats such as Robert McCammon and Richard Matheson. Nothing's better than easy to digest short stories and the fact that these have been adapted to The Twilight Zone? Even better!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tales from the twilight zone as featured in the 1980's TV show of the same name. Some are truly scary.

[Howard]

5