Poe's Children: The New Horror (An Anthology)

When I read that Poe’s Children had such mixed reviews, I was baffled. Why wouldn’t any horror fan enjoy this twisted collection of dark humor, macabre stories and plain old scariness? I get that a lot of Stephen King fans aren’t as impressed with his newer works as they have been with older ones (I’m included in a couple of such instances, myself), and that as horror is gradually becoming a recognized genre of substance (when applicable), higher standards could be upheld; but what ever happened to just enjoying the ride?

Some dubbed it up to being “too philosophical.” Others say it doesn’t live up to its name—that the stories selected aren’t near the quality of Poe and don’t deserve to be attributed to him as such. Whatever the reason, most naysayers have remarked on the academic nature of the collection and not the value of a good story instead.

Are they good? I say hells yeah. Of course, I’m generally easy to please—particularly when it comes to Straub (who edited the collection and has a story featured in it), King, Gaiman and company. In fact, it may be the inclusion of so many “big names” that makes people cringe before picking it up. (Or the cover, which is pretty freaking twisted; I don’t recommend reading it around children. I had to keep covering it up when my daughter peeked at it.)

I’m just a sucker for a good, gripping story, and Poe’s Children has quite a few. Even discarding the “bigger names,” it’s full of disturbing stories that will creep along to bed with you whether you want them to or not.

“The Bees” actually gave me nightmares—I shiver recollecting the startling imagery even now—something that proves at least its scarability in my book. “The Voice of the Beach” is haunting in a classic way, though I’d agree that it’s drawn out a bit, and damn did “Cleopatra Brimstone” grab me. That story alone would make a great Tales From the Darkside short; centered on a bug scholar who is sexually assaulted, it describes her unique revenge in a terrifying blend of sci-fi and horror that makes you sweat.

Each of the twenty-four stories included is memorable in its own way, and while not everything suited my taste (which is common in a collection), overall it’s a buffet that I would return for second helpings and heartily recommend to anyone who wants to shiver, despite the cold.