The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories

Jeff VanderMeer,
Ann VanderMeer

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Who Would Like This Book:

This anthology is a treasure chest for fans of the strange, dark, and imaginative. With over a hundred stories spanning a century and voices from all over the globe, it's perfect for anyone who loves their fiction a little (or a lot) off-center, from Lovecraft and Kafka devotees to curious newcomers eager to discover literary oddities. The thoughtfully curated selection, rich introductions, and bite-sized format also make it a dream for those who like to dip into a story or two before bed. If you enjoy horror, speculative fiction, or just stories that leave you going “what did I just read?” - this book is for you.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Not every story is a hit, and the sheer size can be intimidating (maybe invest in the ebook!). Some readers found parts dated, overly surreal, or simply too ambiguous. If you need clear resolutions, a strong throughline, or struggle with experimental fiction, a few entries may frustrate you. Also, if you were hoping for a comprehensive history or more background info in the intros, a handful of folks wanted more context than what's offered.

A landmark anthology for weird fiction fans, packed with odd and unforgettable tales - just expect a wild and uneven ride (and a great arm workout).

About:

'The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories' is a vast anthology featuring a collection of weird and uncanny tales from various authors spanning different time periods and geographical locations. The stories range from surreal dream sequences to dark rituals, exploring themes such as time travel, alien worlds, and supernatural phenomena. The writing style varies from descriptive and atmospheric to surreal and hypnotic, offering a diverse reading experience for fans of weird fiction.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, ranging from deeply introspective to archetypal figures, often serving to enhance the surreal or horrifying elements of the stories.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is varied and eclectic, showcasing a rich tapestry of prose from descriptive and lyrical to stark and straightforward.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features an expansive and chronologically arranged collection of strange stories, chronicling the development of weird fiction across different eras and styles.

Setting:

Settings are diverse and atmospheric, ranging from recognizable localities to fantastical and unsettling environments.

Pacing:

The pacing differs across stories, with some following a slow buildup while others deliver quick, impactful narratives.

An irresistible sleeping sickness had Pearl in its grip. It broke out in the Archive and from there spread across the whole of the Realm. It was an epidemic and no one could resist. One minute a man w...

Notes:

The Weird contains over 110 stories spanning from 1908 to 2010.

The anthology is 1100+ pages long, making it a substantial read.

Stories are arranged chronologically, reflecting the evolution of weird fiction.

The collection includes renowned authors like H.P. Lovecraft, Jorge Luis Borges, and Stephen King.

Many stories are lesser-known but exhibit significant literary merit.

Several new translations were commissioned for this collection.

The book covers a global range of authors, featuring works from countries like India, Japan, and Nigeria.

It includes works of various lengths, from short stories to novel excerpts.

The foreword by Michael Moorcock provides historical context for the weird tale.

The introduction by the VanderMeers elaborates on the qualities that define weird fiction.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Trigger warnings for the anthology include themes of violence, existential dread, mental illness, and body horror, making it suitable for readers who are sensitive to disturbing content.

From The Publisher:

From Lovecraft to Borges to Gaiman, a century of intrepid literary experimentation has created a corpus of dark and strange stories that transcend all known genre boundaries. Together these stories form The Weird, and its practitioners include some of the greatest names in twentieth and twenty-first century literature.

Exotic and esoteric, The Weird plunges you into dark domains and brings you face to face with surreal monstrosities. You won't find any elves or wizards here...but you will find the biggest, boldest, and downright most peculiar stories from the last hundred years bound together in the biggest Weird collection ever assembled.

The Weird features 110 stories by an all-star cast, from literary legends to international bestsellers to Booker Prize winners: including William Gibson, George R. R. Martin, Stephen King, Angela Carter, Kelly Link, Franz Kafka, China Miéville, Clive Barker, Haruki Murakami, M. R. James, Neil Gaiman, Mervyn Peake, and Michael Chabon.

The Weird is the winner of the 2012 World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology

2010

Ratings (6)

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Loved It (5)

Reader Stats (33):

Read It (5)
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Want To Read (19)
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About the Author:

Jeff VanderMeer's New York Times - bestselling Southern Reach trilogy has been translated into over 35 languages. The first novel, Annihilation, won the Nebula Award and Shirley Jackson Award, and was made into a movie by Paramount in 2018. Recent works include Dead Astronauts, Borne (a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award), and The Strange Bird. These novels, set in the Borne universe, are being developed for TV by AMC. Called "the weird Thoreau" by The New Yorker, VanderMeer frequently speaks about issues related to climate change and storytelling. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife Ann, cat Neo, and a yard full of native plants.

ANN VANDERMEER is the Hugo Award-winning former editor of Weird Tales magazine and has worked with her husband, Hugo-nominated and World Fantasy Award-winning writer JEFF VANDERMEER on the genre-defining anthologies The New Weird, Steampunk, and The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities, and the World Fantasy Award-winning The Weird. They live in Tallahassee, Florida.

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