unusualsoda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
vampirehelpdesk's review
4.0
This book was a lot denser than I imagined when first opening, but the read was overall enjoyable. I’m not sure if it’s my mental state, but no story in this gripped me as right as I wanted it to. The writing itself, spanning several authors, was well thought out, and it was amusing to see what each country’s horror contribution was. My only complaint is a subjective one; I didn’t find any of these stories remotely scary or creepy, which I don’t NEED from horror but it was something I was holding out for since many horror films that terrify me are those not from the US. I know that says nothing if a book is good or bad, but I do think it could have packed a few stronger punches. Overall, I can envision myself picking this up again to re-read some of the more elaborate tales and I would recommend people to give it a try!
seedssown's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This Valancourt anthology had a lot of potential. Such a collection of translated horror stories is incredibly unique, and I went into it very open minded and excited about the different approaches to horror I would undoubtedly read. I knew I wouldn't love every horror story -- that was inevitable, but I was left a bit disappointed.
The first few stories, and some others, were quite good. The first story in the book, Uironda by Luigi Musolino, was a fantastic way to get started, and the third story, The Time Remaining by Attila Veres, was especially phenomenal and left me feeling delightfully uneasy. I enjoyed that the editors included little blurbs about the authors before each story. There were stories with magic, creatures, realism, and twilight-zone like worlds. I very much enjoyed that aspect of it. Overall, the translation of the stories seemed to be well-done, though occasionally the word-choices seemed a bit literal or off.
I think, the most disappointing part of all of it all, was the actual quality of the physical book. I purchased the paperback new for nearly $20 --- part of the last fourth of the book was literally falling apart. I was gentle with the book, but there were many pages that were not bound to the spine. I know these are small publishers, and I really wanted to support them, but that quality of printing is unacceptable. I'm hoping I just got a bad copy and that this isn't their standard.
Additionally, though I have no problem with sex-themed horror in stories, there seemed to a little too much representation of this type of horror. It got a bit tiring starting a new story, and realizing that, yeah, sex plays a part again in this one. It felt like a greater variety of horror would have been so easy to accomplish with this type of book, but I think the mark was missed there -- especially since the editors admit at one point that one of more sex-focused stories isn't actually horror, but they felt it was worth including anyway. I understand that sex is a very common element in horror and I usually embrace it, but there are only so many short stories I can read in a row where "someone has or wants sex or is horny, bad things happen" until it feels repetitive. All in all, I would say I liked about half the stories, loved a handful of those, while about a third were felt "meh", and one or two I actively disliked. That said, there are some really excellent stories in the book that left me feeling content with having read the full book, and I would consider reading an eBook version of the second one.
The first few stories, and some others, were quite good. The first story in the book, Uironda by Luigi Musolino, was a fantastic way to get started, and the third story, The Time Remaining by Attila Veres, was especially phenomenal and left me feeling delightfully uneasy. I enjoyed that the editors included little blurbs about the authors before each story. There were stories with magic, creatures, realism, and twilight-zone like worlds. I very much enjoyed that aspect of it. Overall, the translation of the stories seemed to be well-done, though occasionally the word-choices seemed a bit literal or off.
I think, the most disappointing part of all of it all, was the actual quality of the physical book. I purchased the paperback new for nearly $20 --- part of the last fourth of the book was literally falling apart. I was gentle with the book, but there were many pages that were not bound to the spine. I know these are small publishers, and I really wanted to support them, but that quality of printing is unacceptable. I'm hoping I just got a bad copy and that this isn't their standard.
Additionally, though I have no problem with sex-themed horror in stories, there seemed to a little too much representation of this type of horror. It got a bit tiring starting a new story, and realizing that, yeah, sex plays a part again in this one. It felt like a greater variety of horror would have been so easy to accomplish with this type of book, but I think the mark was missed there -- especially since the editors admit at one point that one of more sex-focused stories isn't actually horror, but they felt it was worth including anyway. I understand that sex is a very common element in horror and I usually embrace it, but there are only so many short stories I can read in a row where "someone has or wants sex or is horny, bad things happen" until it feels repetitive. All in all, I would say I liked about half the stories, loved a handful of those, while about a third were felt "meh", and one or two I actively disliked. That said, there are some really excellent stories in the book that left me feeling content with having read the full book, and I would consider reading an eBook version of the second one.
raforall's review
4.0
Review in the October 2020 issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe this Book: translation, meticulously researched, wide range of scares
Draft Review:
Known for their updated editions of classic horror stories, editors Jenkins and Cagle have taken on a new mission, collecting contemporary, acclaimed horror authors from around the world, translating may of them into English for the first time, adding a short introduction to each story in order to place them a context to be best enjoyed by a new, wider audience. This collection is stellar from top to bottom, but standouts include Christien Boomsma [Netherlands] with a nightmarish story of guilt spiraling out of control, and Bathie Ngoye Thiam [Senegal] who brings the rab [evil spirits] from his country’s oral history tradition to the page, terrifying readers near and far.
Verdict: This desperately needed anthology is meticulously researched and translated, offering stories from a variety of perspectives across five continents, and representing the broad range of storytelling styles and tropes that are used by all horror storytellers regardless of nationality. Readers will be clamoring for these fresh tales by current authors they probably didn’t know existed. Consider pairing it with A WORLD OF HORROR edited by Eric Guignard.
Three Words That Describe this Book: translation, meticulously researched, wide range of scares
Draft Review:
Known for their updated editions of classic horror stories, editors Jenkins and Cagle have taken on a new mission, collecting contemporary, acclaimed horror authors from around the world, translating may of them into English for the first time, adding a short introduction to each story in order to place them a context to be best enjoyed by a new, wider audience. This collection is stellar from top to bottom, but standouts include Christien Boomsma [Netherlands] with a nightmarish story of guilt spiraling out of control, and Bathie Ngoye Thiam [Senegal] who brings the rab [evil spirits] from his country’s oral history tradition to the page, terrifying readers near and far.
Verdict: This desperately needed anthology is meticulously researched and translated, offering stories from a variety of perspectives across five continents, and representing the broad range of storytelling styles and tropes that are used by all horror storytellers regardless of nationality. Readers will be clamoring for these fresh tales by current authors they probably didn’t know existed. Consider pairing it with A WORLD OF HORROR edited by Eric Guignard.
spooky_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Evil faeries, creepy landlords, spiritualistic seances, and superstitions. Whether you’re a fan of international horror or brand new to the terrifying tales that lie beyond your own borders, you’re gonna wanna get your hands on this fantastic collection.
As someone who has very recently fallen in love with short stories during these long months in quarantine, this beautiful anthology was a real treat. THE VALANCOURT BOOK OF WORLD HORROR STORIES is an assemblage of chilling tales from nineteen countries, translated from thirteen different languages, and packaged in this stunning edition.
I really have to commend Valancourt Books for all the work, care, and love that went into this amazing book. There was clearly a mission to focus solely on horror from non-English speaking countries, stories usually only enjoyed by their local audiences and yet to be introduced to readers such as myself. Valancourt really searched the hidden crevices of the globe in order to find these horror gems that varied in style and culture.
My personal favorites in this anthology were:
The Time Remaining (Hungary)
Down, in Their World (Romania)
Senor Ligotti (Mexico)
The Collector (Peru)
The Bones in her Eyes (Netherlands)
Donation ( Denmark)
Mechanisms (Catalonia)
This was an impressive and very much appreciated achievement for editors James D. Jenkins and Ryan Cagle. The world is vast and I’m eagerly anticipating three or even four more amazing volumes of terror and fright from more countries! I can’t wait!
(Special thanks to Valancourt Books and Night Worms for sending this review copy for this #NightWormsBookParty)
As someone who has very recently fallen in love with short stories during these long months in quarantine, this beautiful anthology was a real treat. THE VALANCOURT BOOK OF WORLD HORROR STORIES is an assemblage of chilling tales from nineteen countries, translated from thirteen different languages, and packaged in this stunning edition.
I really have to commend Valancourt Books for all the work, care, and love that went into this amazing book. There was clearly a mission to focus solely on horror from non-English speaking countries, stories usually only enjoyed by their local audiences and yet to be introduced to readers such as myself. Valancourt really searched the hidden crevices of the globe in order to find these horror gems that varied in style and culture.
My personal favorites in this anthology were:
The Time Remaining (Hungary)
Down, in Their World (Romania)
Senor Ligotti (Mexico)
The Collector (Peru)
The Bones in her Eyes (Netherlands)
Donation ( Denmark)
Mechanisms (Catalonia)
This was an impressive and very much appreciated achievement for editors James D. Jenkins and Ryan Cagle. The world is vast and I’m eagerly anticipating three or even four more amazing volumes of terror and fright from more countries! I can’t wait!
(Special thanks to Valancourt Books and Night Worms for sending this review copy for this #NightWormsBookParty)
johnlynchbooks's review
4.0
Horror isn’t exclusive to one country, one language, or one culture. It’s world wide. No matter where you’re from, you may have been exposed to a few pieces of horror from other countries, but I’d be willing to be that even if you’ve read translated works, the average reader isn’t doing so with much frequency.
That’s where valencourt books comes in. They’ve scoured the globe to bring you translations of horror stories from all over there world. There is something for everyone from every corner of the globe within this book, and it’s very likely that this is the first time you’ll read something by most, if not all of the authors in this book.
The premise is there, but the question to be asked is “Did the editors find GOOD stories. Stories worth sharing with others?” I believe they did, and this is a worthy entry in any horror fans anthology collection. A few of the standouts for me were
“All the birds” by Yvette Tan (Philippines)
Señor Ligotti by Bernardo Esquinca (Mexico)
The Bones in Her Eyes by Christien Boomsma
There really is something for everyone here. The book is labeled as volume one, and I really hope that Valancourt continues with this excellent premise, and that the execution can remain top notch. PICK THIS ONE UP
That’s where valencourt books comes in. They’ve scoured the globe to bring you translations of horror stories from all over there world. There is something for everyone from every corner of the globe within this book, and it’s very likely that this is the first time you’ll read something by most, if not all of the authors in this book.
The premise is there, but the question to be asked is “Did the editors find GOOD stories. Stories worth sharing with others?” I believe they did, and this is a worthy entry in any horror fans anthology collection. A few of the standouts for me were
“All the birds” by Yvette Tan (Philippines)
Señor Ligotti by Bernardo Esquinca (Mexico)
The Bones in Her Eyes by Christien Boomsma
There really is something for everyone here. The book is labeled as volume one, and I really hope that Valancourt continues with this excellent premise, and that the execution can remain top notch. PICK THIS ONE UP
bookworm1909's review
4.0
I normally do not read horror stories, but I enjoyed this volume! Nice selection of countries and interesting stories.
readingvicariously's review
4.0
I have to applaud the editors at Valancourt for the immense time and effort it must have taken to not only comb the globe for great stories, but to also translate them for this book. The magnitude of such an endeavor is overwhelming to me. Luckily it was all worth it as this is a fantastic collection of horrifying short stories from around the world!
The stories vary widely in their plots and the type of horror they contain, so there is truly something for everyone here. It was exciting reading this collection as each new story also introduced me to a new author, many of whom I would love to read more from. As with all anthologies there are hits and misses, but overall this is a solid group of entertaining and terrifying tales!!
Some stand outs for me are:
“Mater Tenebrarum” by Pilar Pedraza (Spain)
“The Time Remaining” by Attila Veres (Hungary)
“Señor Ligotti” by Bernardo Esquinca (Mexico)
“The Bones in Her Eyes” by Christien Boomsma (Netherlands)
“All the Birds” by Yvette Tan (Philippines)
The stories vary widely in their plots and the type of horror they contain, so there is truly something for everyone here. It was exciting reading this collection as each new story also introduced me to a new author, many of whom I would love to read more from. As with all anthologies there are hits and misses, but overall this is a solid group of entertaining and terrifying tales!!
Some stand outs for me are:
“Mater Tenebrarum” by Pilar Pedraza (Spain)
“The Time Remaining” by Attila Veres (Hungary)
“Señor Ligotti” by Bernardo Esquinca (Mexico)
“The Bones in Her Eyes” by Christien Boomsma (Netherlands)
“All the Birds” by Yvette Tan (Philippines)
eggp's review against another edition
3.0
Save your dying toys
live your sexiest nightmares
squeeze down creepy caves.
live your sexiest nightmares
squeeze down creepy caves.