American Supernatural Tales

I'm not sure what criteria is applied in order to qualify for a superstitious book. Is it black magic? Ghosts? Tables levitating? Second sight? It seems that the editors just applied any criteria they liked, and it worked. Some stories were written in the 19th century; most were newer. And, some were about ghosts, some about magic, etc. Most were very enjoyable; a few too many were reprints and that always makes me feel... Read Full Review

I read so many paranormal series, among other novels, that I enjoy throwing in a short story between books. This clears my head and gives me something to contemplate before beginning the next -- this anthology was perfect. Through a gothic lit course my daughter was taking, I had the opportunity to read shorts in American Gothic Literature Edited by Joyce Carol Oates. That's what started my love of short stories and, since... Read Full Review

This collection of great horror fiction is a must read for everyone. The product shipped very quickly and is priced low enough that everyone should purchase it.

S.T. Joshi has done the reader a great service, taking several of the most accomplished supernatural tales that the American fictional tradition has to offer, and placing them together in just one 477-page book. With the exception of Robert E. Howard's "Old Garfield's Heart" (a clunker that is so poorly written that it comes off as humorous), all the tales are either competent or good... But the most satisfying stories in... Read Full Review

I found this at my university library. The first story I read was a T.E.D. Klein tale, and after that I was hooked. I grew up reading pulpy horror, and vividly remember being caught by my stern housemaster, hiding crouched in a coat closet with a copy of "The Doll Who Ate His Mother" when I should have been at congregation practice, and then being dragged down the hall while he reprimanded me for reading "this rubbish."... Read Full Review