tmawhir's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leigh_reidelberger's review against another edition
4.0
Pro: This collection was a lot of fun to read.
Con: I was very disappointed to find this book is merely edited by Stephen King and there wasn't any kind of introduction to each story from his POV. However, that is the *only* con :).
My husband and I recently listened to a panel of author's discuss the importance of short stories. The next day, Six Scary Stories popped up on the Goodreads Deal of the Day, I had to get it. I had so much fun reading it!
I've really been in the mood for something creepy and/or scary. A book that will make me paranoid, uncomfortable, maybe create some lasting mental images that make sleeping difficult.
1. Wild Swimming
So good. So creepy. Exactly why I'm not keen on swimming in water that hides the bottom. You never know what is lurking down there.
2. Eau de Eric
This story got an actual, audible gasp from me. I was so surprised.
3. The Spots
Dread. With a capital D.
4. The Unpicking
Creeeepyyyyy and awesome. And unsettling.
5. La Mort De L'amant
La Mort was a story that was easy to see played out in my mind. The images were so clear.
6. The Bear Trap
YES. Very enjoyable.
Con: I was very disappointed to find this book is merely edited by Stephen King and there wasn't any kind of introduction to each story from his POV. However, that is the *only* con :).
My husband and I recently listened to a panel of author's discuss the importance of short stories. The next day, Six Scary Stories popped up on the Goodreads Deal of the Day, I had to get it. I had so much fun reading it!
I've really been in the mood for something creepy and/or scary. A book that will make me paranoid, uncomfortable, maybe create some lasting mental images that make sleeping difficult.
1. Wild Swimming
So good. So creepy. Exactly why I'm not keen on swimming in water that hides the bottom. You never know what is lurking down there.
2. Eau de Eric
This story got an actual, audible gasp from me. I was so surprised.
3. The Spots
Dread. With a capital D.
4. The Unpicking
Creeeepyyyyy and awesome. And unsettling.
5. La Mort De L'amant
La Mort was a story that was easy to see played out in my mind. The images were so clear.
6. The Bear Trap
YES. Very enjoyable.
deepfreezebatman's review
3.0
This book is a great collection of horror short stories from a variety of writers ranging from Edgar Allen Poe and Stephen King to Joyce Carol Oates and Roald Dahl.
My favorites of the book would have to be:
Kittens - Dean Koontz
Miriam - Truman Capote
The Tell-Tale Heart - Edgar Allen Poe (all-time fav)
Genesis and Catastrophe - Roald Dahl
The Terrible Old Man - H.P. Lovecraft
The Lottery - Shirley Jackson
My favorites of the book would have to be:
Kittens - Dean Koontz
Miriam - Truman Capote
The Tell-Tale Heart - Edgar Allen Poe (all-time fav)
Genesis and Catastrophe - Roald Dahl
The Terrible Old Man - H.P. Lovecraft
The Lottery - Shirley Jackson
teriboop's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a selection of six stories selected by Stephen King for a competition he judged to promote his collection Bazaar of Bad Dreams. All six are well written short stories. The collection reminded me of a mini Creepshow collection. Worth reading if you're a horror fan. None of them were very gruesome, except for the last one.
mad_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
As with his own writing, Stephen King strikes a chord here by prefacing the stories with his experience reading them. Whenever I read a book, especially if I plan on writing a review, I read everything… the Introduction, Preface, Acknowledgements, Afterwards, and sometimes even the copyright information. Why? Because I find that these extras provide incite or a connection to the writer or editor. Stephen King, in particular, with his acknowledgement to his Constant Reader, creates a personal connection to his reader. Do yourself a favor and don't skip over King's Introduction.
The stories in this short anthology, along with their authors, are…
"Wild Swimming" by Elodie Harper
"Eau-De-Eric" by Manuela Saragosa
"The Spots" by Paul Bassett Davies
"The Unpicking" by Michael Button
"La Mort De L'amant" by Stuart Johnstone
"The Bear Trap" by Neil Hudson
Reviewing an anthology presents the unique problem of not retelling the story in a way that longer forms do not. I am loathe to writing spoilers, no matter how innocuous, because I truly believe the next reader should have the same opportunity of discovery I had. I actually avoid reading blurbs, and only picking out certain words that interest me.
Here are six stories that the "king" of horror felt deserved publication and his personal endorsement. I am in agreement with Stephen King that "Wild Swimming" is the best of the six. There is one that was a fun read, but I found it too obscure for my taste. The main point of this little anthology seems to be the introduction of six British authors to an American audience. We all know that Constant Reader will read anything upon which King has put his stamp of approval. Most difficult for me is the 1 to 5 star rating system. SIX SCARY STORIES is definitely more than a 4 but not quite a five. The law of averages dictates that if it's more than a four and a half, I have to bump it up.
All of King's readers will find something to their liking here and may just find that new author to follow.
The stories in this short anthology, along with their authors, are…
"Wild Swimming" by Elodie Harper
"Eau-De-Eric" by Manuela Saragosa
"The Spots" by Paul Bassett Davies
"The Unpicking" by Michael Button
"La Mort De L'amant" by Stuart Johnstone
"The Bear Trap" by Neil Hudson
Reviewing an anthology presents the unique problem of not retelling the story in a way that longer forms do not. I am loathe to writing spoilers, no matter how innocuous, because I truly believe the next reader should have the same opportunity of discovery I had. I actually avoid reading blurbs, and only picking out certain words that interest me.
Here are six stories that the "king" of horror felt deserved publication and his personal endorsement. I am in agreement with Stephen King that "Wild Swimming" is the best of the six. There is one that was a fun read, but I found it too obscure for my taste. The main point of this little anthology seems to be the introduction of six British authors to an American audience. We all know that Constant Reader will read anything upon which King has put his stamp of approval. Most difficult for me is the 1 to 5 star rating system. SIX SCARY STORIES is definitely more than a 4 but not quite a five. The law of averages dictates that if it's more than a four and a half, I have to bump it up.
All of King's readers will find something to their liking here and may just find that new author to follow.
rimaw's review against another edition
4.0
☆ 4/5 ☆ - all i can say is .. i wish these short stories were full blown novels because i'd buy them in a heartbeat (some more than others tbh). i'd say 'wild swimming' was my favourite out of the bunch, but i definitely did expect more out of them. honestly, i would expect stephen king to have chosen stories with a bigger scare-factor.
howaverage's review against another edition
1.0
Did King intentionally choose garbage? I'm not sure what his obsession with toys is about either. This collection had one good story and calling it good is generous. Save your time and your money by keeping away from this one.