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The Boris Karloff Horror Anthology
Stories include: The Thirteenth Floor by Gruber; Child of the Winds by Hamilton; The Cask of Amontillado by Poe; The Opener of the Crypt by Jakes; The Thing That Walked on the Wind by Derleth; The Scarlet King by Hunter ; The Graveyard Reader by Sturgeon; The Mind Worm by Kornbluth; Back From The Grave by Robrt Silverberg; Man From the South by Dahl; The Opener of the Way by Bloch; and The Haunter of the Dark by H. P. Lovecraft
175 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1965
About the author
Boris Karloff
89 books16 followersBoris Karloff was an English actor who emigrated to Canada in the 1910s. He is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the 1931 film Frankenstein, 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, and 1939 film Son of Frankenstein. His popularity following Frankenstein in the early 1930s was such that for a brief time he was billed simply as "Karloff" or, on some movie posters, "Karloff the Uncanny".
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 31, 2022
A consistently entertaining collection of Boris Karloff’s favorite horror stories! My personal faves were The Opener of the Way by Robert Bloch, The Scarlet King by Evan Hunter, and The Haunter of the Dark by H.P. Lovecraft, but nearly every story in here was well worth reading. And that’s really quite impressive, given that these kinds of collections tend to be super uneven as a general rule. But Karloff definitely knew his shit! Highly recommended for fans of pulp that isn’t too pulpy.
Table of Contents:
•The Thirteenth Floor by Frank Gruber
•Child of the Winds by Edmond Hamilton
•The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
•The Opener of the Crypt by John Jakes
•The Thing That Walked on the Wind by August Derleth
•The Scarlet King by Evan Hunter
•The Graveyard Reader by Theodore Sturgeon
•The Mind Worm by C.M. Kornbluth
•Back from the Grave by Robert Silverberg
•Man from the South by Roald Dahl
•The Opener of the Way by Robert Bloch
•The Haunter of the Dark by H.P. Lovecraft
Table of Contents:
•The Thirteenth Floor by Frank Gruber
•Child of the Winds by Edmond Hamilton
•The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
•The Opener of the Crypt by John Jakes
•The Thing That Walked on the Wind by August Derleth
•The Scarlet King by Evan Hunter
•The Graveyard Reader by Theodore Sturgeon
•The Mind Worm by C.M. Kornbluth
•Back from the Grave by Robert Silverberg
•Man from the South by Roald Dahl
•The Opener of the Way by Robert Bloch
•The Haunter of the Dark by H.P. Lovecraft
March 19, 2025
Like the two other horror anthology collections from Boris Karloff, AND THE DARKNESS FALLS and TALES OF TERROR (both of which were exceptional!), all of the 12 stories in this one had been "read and approved" by the famous actor. Unlike those other two, the stories contained within the volume often read more like ones better suited for EC comics (such as TALES FROM THE CRYPT) or the more lurid pulp magazines.
Karloff had been obviously excited about the first two books and participated much more with comments and insights. I had the sense that many of the included stories had been favorites of his, and that he exercised more "veto power" in excluding tales that he felt didn't have sufficient merit.
THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY was published in 1965, a mere four-years before Boris Karloff left us. His introduction was very brief, and he didn't supply comments about each story. I felt that he was likely given 12 tales and asked if he had any objections. Given his health at the time, I doubt that he read them with a very critical eye as he had done for the previous volumes.
A bit of his former self did return in the final paragraph of his introduction:
"I'm sure that all of us have read, at one time or another and most likely many years ago, THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO by E. A. Poe, one of the very great tales in the field of English and American letters. But how many of us ever have read the sequel by another hand, THE OPENER OF THE CRYPT by John Jakes, which I first read when it was published some dozen years ago? Very few, I think, and therefore I include both stories in the pages that follow."
Well, that alone would assure that I would buy the book! Indeed, those two were among the four that I considered to be excellent choices (the others being MAN FROM THE SOUTH by Roald Dahl which was famously dramatized on Alfred Hitchcock's television series, and THE HAUNTER OF THE DARK by H. P. Lovecraft). I'd also give two Honorable Mentions to THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR by Frank Gruber and THE SCARLET KING by Evan Hunter. The remainder were "okay."
It didn't surprise me that I've never found mention of THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY in biographies about him. In essence, it could be equated with the four "Mexican quickie" horror movies that were released shortly after his death ... it was nice to spend time with him again, but the quality was a bit wanting.
Karloff had been obviously excited about the first two books and participated much more with comments and insights. I had the sense that many of the included stories had been favorites of his, and that he exercised more "veto power" in excluding tales that he felt didn't have sufficient merit.
THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY was published in 1965, a mere four-years before Boris Karloff left us. His introduction was very brief, and he didn't supply comments about each story. I felt that he was likely given 12 tales and asked if he had any objections. Given his health at the time, I doubt that he read them with a very critical eye as he had done for the previous volumes.
A bit of his former self did return in the final paragraph of his introduction:
"I'm sure that all of us have read, at one time or another and most likely many years ago, THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO by E. A. Poe, one of the very great tales in the field of English and American letters. But how many of us ever have read the sequel by another hand, THE OPENER OF THE CRYPT by John Jakes, which I first read when it was published some dozen years ago? Very few, I think, and therefore I include both stories in the pages that follow."
Well, that alone would assure that I would buy the book! Indeed, those two were among the four that I considered to be excellent choices (the others being MAN FROM THE SOUTH by Roald Dahl which was famously dramatized on Alfred Hitchcock's television series, and THE HAUNTER OF THE DARK by H. P. Lovecraft). I'd also give two Honorable Mentions to THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR by Frank Gruber and THE SCARLET KING by Evan Hunter. The remainder were "okay."
It didn't surprise me that I've never found mention of THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY in biographies about him. In essence, it could be equated with the four "Mexican quickie" horror movies that were released shortly after his death ... it was nice to spend time with him again, but the quality was a bit wanting.
Read
November 24, 2021Sólida antologia de contos de terror.
January 13, 2009
THE BORIS KARLOFF HORROR ANTHOLOGY is a fine collection of Weird Tales-era horror stories and serves as a fitting introduction to many of the authors collected herein. Most of the stories are straightforward pulp efforts, very easy to read and packed with spine-tingling encounters with the supernatural. There's also a strong Lovecraftian influence in the slim anthology which I was very appreciative of.
Things kick off on a deceptive note with Frank Gruber's THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR, a classic 'missing floor' thriller packed with taut realism - it's unlike any of the others in the collection. Edmond Hamilton's CHILD OF THE WINDS is more fantastic than horrific, but in terms of vivid visual description it takes some beating.
Poe's THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO makes an appearance, and it's another magnificent tale of psychological terror from the master of the genre. Poe's theme of folk being buried alive is reused once more with devastating consequences. Following this is a pseudo-sequel by John Jakes, entitled THE OPENER OF THE CRYPT, which is okay but no match for Poe.
THE SCARLET KING by Evan Hunter is an unusual effort detailing the horrors of warfare, examining the Korean War here. It's hard-hitting, powerful and one of the strongest stories in the collection. This story is bookended by two lesser works - August Derleth's THE THING THAT WALKED ON THE WIND, a Lovecraftian pastiche that entertains in a light, burger-bite way, and Theodore Sturgeon's THE GRAVEYARD READER, which is one of the author's more obscure and complicated effort.
C. M. Kornbluth's THE MIND WORM is another horrific piece that provides one of the most original vampires in fiction. Engaging and humorous, this is another classic. Robert Silverberg offers another variant on the classic 'buried alive' story in BACK FROM THE GRAVE and his crisp, no-nonsense style makes it a winner. Meanwhile, Roald Dahl belies his later reputation for children's books with MAN FROM THE SOUTH, a grisly and macabre yarn with a mean edge of humour running through it.
Robert Bloch has long been a favourite, a wonderful and prolific short story writer whose efforts are unfairly forgotten in favour of his PSYCHO novel. THE OPENER OF THE WAY is a fine Lovecraftian effort and details ancient Egyptian horrors in a fitting, fantastic way, complete with that fine 'pulp' feel. Closing the volume is H. P. Lovecraft with THE HAUNTER OF THE DARK, an effort originally written as a sort-of sequel to another story by Bloch. In that one, a character resembling Lovecraft himself fell foul of unnamable horrors; in this tale, one 'Robert Blake' similarly falls victim to some loathsome nasties in a crumbling church. This isn't one of Lovecraft's best, but it comes close on more than one instance.
So, there you have it - a servicable and highly entertaining collection of early 20th century pulp horror. I can't fault it.
Things kick off on a deceptive note with Frank Gruber's THE THIRTEENTH FLOOR, a classic 'missing floor' thriller packed with taut realism - it's unlike any of the others in the collection. Edmond Hamilton's CHILD OF THE WINDS is more fantastic than horrific, but in terms of vivid visual description it takes some beating.
Poe's THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO makes an appearance, and it's another magnificent tale of psychological terror from the master of the genre. Poe's theme of folk being buried alive is reused once more with devastating consequences. Following this is a pseudo-sequel by John Jakes, entitled THE OPENER OF THE CRYPT, which is okay but no match for Poe.
THE SCARLET KING by Evan Hunter is an unusual effort detailing the horrors of warfare, examining the Korean War here. It's hard-hitting, powerful and one of the strongest stories in the collection. This story is bookended by two lesser works - August Derleth's THE THING THAT WALKED ON THE WIND, a Lovecraftian pastiche that entertains in a light, burger-bite way, and Theodore Sturgeon's THE GRAVEYARD READER, which is one of the author's more obscure and complicated effort.
C. M. Kornbluth's THE MIND WORM is another horrific piece that provides one of the most original vampires in fiction. Engaging and humorous, this is another classic. Robert Silverberg offers another variant on the classic 'buried alive' story in BACK FROM THE GRAVE and his crisp, no-nonsense style makes it a winner. Meanwhile, Roald Dahl belies his later reputation for children's books with MAN FROM THE SOUTH, a grisly and macabre yarn with a mean edge of humour running through it.
Robert Bloch has long been a favourite, a wonderful and prolific short story writer whose efforts are unfairly forgotten in favour of his PSYCHO novel. THE OPENER OF THE WAY is a fine Lovecraftian effort and details ancient Egyptian horrors in a fitting, fantastic way, complete with that fine 'pulp' feel. Closing the volume is H. P. Lovecraft with THE HAUNTER OF THE DARK, an effort originally written as a sort-of sequel to another story by Bloch. In that one, a character resembling Lovecraft himself fell foul of unnamable horrors; in this tale, one 'Robert Blake' similarly falls victim to some loathsome nasties in a crumbling church. This isn't one of Lovecraft's best, but it comes close on more than one instance.
So, there you have it - a servicable and highly entertaining collection of early 20th century pulp horror. I can't fault it.
February 16, 2022
Boris Karloff had good taste (except for the Cthulu mythos stories...no thank you).
March 21, 2020
Recebi esta antologia pelo BookCrossing, tinha-a escolhido simplesmente pelo título. Fiquei agradavelmente surpreendida ao encontrar uma selecção de contos de terror, horror e weird, escolhidos por Frankenstein, isto é, Boris Karloff.
A antologia inclui contos "modernos" (isto é, dentro da sua época) que - não sendo aterrorizantes - são bastante bizarros e perturbadores. Todos eles me marcaram de certa forma, mas penso que o que mais gostei foi o primeiro deles, que fala de um estranho elevador numa department store.
Apesar de o livro em si conter muitos erros de tipografia e gralhas, é uma óptima escolha para quem quiser conhecer um pouco mais da cultura do terror pulp dos anos 60. Também estão inclusos um conto de Poe e um de Lovecraft, embora - para quem conheça as aventuras Lovecraftianas - este último seja mais fantástico que terrível.
Gostei imenso e gostaria que este livro continuasse a ser partilhado.
A antologia inclui contos "modernos" (isto é, dentro da sua época) que - não sendo aterrorizantes - são bastante bizarros e perturbadores. Todos eles me marcaram de certa forma, mas penso que o que mais gostei foi o primeiro deles, que fala de um estranho elevador numa department store.
Apesar de o livro em si conter muitos erros de tipografia e gralhas, é uma óptima escolha para quem quiser conhecer um pouco mais da cultura do terror pulp dos anos 60. Também estão inclusos um conto de Poe e um de Lovecraft, embora - para quem conheça as aventuras Lovecraftianas - este último seja mais fantástico que terrível.
Gostei imenso e gostaria que este livro continuasse a ser partilhado.
Want to Read
May 6, 2014My edition is entitled " Boris Karloff's FavorIte Horror Stories" published by Avon Books, first Avon printing May 1965.
October 4, 2024
A good collection of relatively short horror stories. Most are about 10 pages and pretty fast reads, so if you want a shot of "quickie" horror, this book provides a decent selection.
The book most notably contains Cask of Amontillado by Poe, and a sort of sequel written by John Jakes, who wrote the North and South Civil War trilogy. Not exactly a necessary sequel, but novel enough for a read. A story by Roald Dahl appears in this book, a rather good one too, which I think was one of the stronger entries and a more down-to-earth type of horror. The book finishes with an HP Lovecraft story: "The Haunter of the Dark." Although an earlier story, "The Thing That Walked on the Wind" by August Derleth, actually connects to the Lovecraft mythos by mentioning Cthulhu and several other such references. So there's a sense of a loose continuity throughout the entire anthology, which I thought was clever.
If you can trust the credits page of my worn-out Corgi Books edition, Boris Karloff actually picked these stories. So that's pretty cool.
Although the memorability of each entry varies, it's definitely worth a read, and a few of these stories will probably stick with you. Pick it up if you can find it. Mine was apparently 45 cents at the time of publication, which is equivalent to about $4.50 today - an absolute steal, tbh!
The book most notably contains Cask of Amontillado by Poe, and a sort of sequel written by John Jakes, who wrote the North and South Civil War trilogy. Not exactly a necessary sequel, but novel enough for a read. A story by Roald Dahl appears in this book, a rather good one too, which I think was one of the stronger entries and a more down-to-earth type of horror. The book finishes with an HP Lovecraft story: "The Haunter of the Dark." Although an earlier story, "The Thing That Walked on the Wind" by August Derleth, actually connects to the Lovecraft mythos by mentioning Cthulhu and several other such references. So there's a sense of a loose continuity throughout the entire anthology, which I thought was clever.
If you can trust the credits page of my worn-out Corgi Books edition, Boris Karloff actually picked these stories. So that's pretty cool.
Although the memorability of each entry varies, it's definitely worth a read, and a few of these stories will probably stick with you. Pick it up if you can find it. Mine was apparently 45 cents at the time of publication, which is equivalent to about $4.50 today - an absolute steal, tbh!
September 10, 2017
Os melhores contos:
- O décimo terceiro andar de Frank Gruber
- Aquele que abriu o sepulcro de John Jakes
- O rei de copas de Evan Hunter
- O homem que lia as campas de Theodore Sturgeon
- O regresso do túmulo de Robert Silverberg
- O homem do sul de Roald Dahl
- Aquele que abre o caminho de Robert Bloch
- A aparição das trevas de H. P. Lovecraft - 5*
- O décimo terceiro andar de Frank Gruber
- Aquele que abriu o sepulcro de John Jakes
- O rei de copas de Evan Hunter
- O homem que lia as campas de Theodore Sturgeon
- O regresso do túmulo de Robert Silverberg
- O homem do sul de Roald Dahl
- Aquele que abre o caminho de Robert Bloch
- A aparição das trevas de H. P. Lovecraft - 5*
January 30, 2025
Opah incrivel, coleção de histórias todas impecaveis. Custa é um bocado a acabar o livro como sao várias histórias demora a avançar mas foi top.
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October 17, 2019
Decent anthology of older horror stories, mostly from pulp magazines. Amusingly, it contains perhaps the only Cthulhu mythos story set in Manitoba (where I live), although I would like to point out that there is no such place as "Stillwater, MB" (maybe he means Clearwater, MB, which does exist, but I haven't been there and am thus unable to verify the presence of any cults in said location, although I suspect that there probably aren't any). Notes on the stories to come.
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