Things Left Behind

by Gary A. Braunbeck, Allen Koszowski (Illustrator)

One of horror's most admired short-story writers has released his first collection, and it's alternately terrifying, funny, heartbreaking, and nightmare-inducing. Highly recommended.

Genres: Horror

570 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Gary A. Braunbeck is a prolific author who writes mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream literature. He is the author of 19 books; his fiction has been translated into Japanese, French, Italian, Russian and German. Nearly 200 of his short stories have appeared in various publications.

His fiction has received several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award in 2003 for "Duty" and in 2005 for "We Now Pause for Station Identification"; his book Destinations Unknown won a Stoker in 2006. His novella "Kiss of the Mudman" received the International Horror Guild Award in 2005."

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braunbeck's first collection is a big, beautifully designed and produced volume. It includes a wide range of pieces; some fragments, some stories that are less-polished than his more recent works, and many of the well-known stories upon which his reputation is based. There's an early version of "Safe" (under the title "Searching for Survivors"), "After the Elephant Ballet," and "Union Dues," all of which are of particular note. Also included is "Afterthoughts," a really wonderful, quiet story that's like listening to "Eleanor Rigby" play on an old turntable. Overalll, it's a terrific collection, but almost all of it is now available in more recent, affordable, and easier-to-find books.