The Uncommon Prayer-Book (Fantasy and Horror Classics)


Book Description

M. R. James was born in Kent, England in 1862. James came to writing fiction relatively late, not publishing his first collection of short stories - Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904) - until the age of 42. Modern scholars now see James as having redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and he is seen as the founder of the 'antiquarian ghost story'. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions with a brand new introductory biography of the author.




A Book of Uncommon Prayer


Book Description

Brian Doyle was a one-of-a-kind author who wrote one-of-a-kind prayers about everyday subjects that help readers change the way they see the world. Prayers for cashiers and good shoes; for shorter sermons and better senators; prayers for the bruised, foolish, glorious, stumbling, brilliant Church; for chaplains and mathematicians; for idiot authors and muddy dogs: These are the most heartfelt and headlong prayers you will ever read and share—the grinning, snarling prayers we mouth quietly in the car and the shower and the pub, the small chapels of our everyday life. Doyle said he aimed to write short pieces that functioned like “arrows to the heart.” This book is a quiver full of those sharp arrows, "stealth theology” that explores everyday encounters—from nuns to possums, from Chet Baker to Port-A-Potties—through a Catholic, sacramental imagination. Since Doyle’s death in 2017 from a brain tumor, enthusiasm for his award-winning writing has only swelled, whether it’s his quirky prayers, kinetic essays, or magical novels such as Mink River and The Plover. This tenth anniversary edition of A Book of Uncommon Prayer includes a new foreword from his wife, Mary, and an afterword from his good friend Peter Boland, who delivered the eulogy at Doyle’s funeral.




A Warning to the Curious - A Collection of Ghostly Tales (Fantasy and Horror Classics)


Book Description

M. R. James was born in Kent, England in 1862. James came to writing fiction relatively late, not publishing his first collection of short stories - Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904) - until the age of 42. Modern scholars now see James as having redefined the ghost story for the 20th century and he is seen as the founder of the 'antiquarian ghost story'. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions with a brand new introductory biography of the author.




The Captain of the Pole-Star (Fantasy and Horror Classics)


Book Description

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of detective Sherlock Holmes, is the father of crime fiction. However, he was also an accomplished teller of tales featuring the weird, the supernatural, and the horrific, and 'The Captain of the Pole-Star' is one of the best examples of his weird fiction. Many of the earliest and most interesting vampire stories, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.




60 GOTHIC CLASSICS - Boxed Set: Dark Fantasy Novels, Supernatural Mysteries, Horror Tales & Gothic Romances


Book Description

The '60 GOTHIC CLASSICS - Boxed Set' encompasses an unparalleled collection of dark fantasy novels, supernatural mysteries, horror tales, and gothic romances, offering an expansive exploration of the Gothic tradition that has shaped much of the literary landscape from the 18th century to the early 20th century. This anthology encapsulates the varied narrative structures, themes of transgression, decay, and the sublime, and the richly painted settings of isolation and melancholy inherent in Gothic literature. The selection thrives on its diversity, featuring foundational texts of the genre alongside lesser-known gems that collectively underscore the depth and complexity of Gothic fiction. The inclusion of works from a broad spectrum of authors, ranging from the brooding landscapes of the Brontë sisters to the psychological depths explored by Edgar Allan Poe, showcases the genres ability to evolve and adapt, remaining vibrant and profoundly influential over the decades. The contributing authors and editors of this collection are titans in the literary world, whose individual and collective contributions have not only defined the contours of Gothic fiction but also influenced numerous cultural and literary movements. The backgrounds of these authors, encompassing the transformative periods of Romanticism, Victorianism, and early modernism, offer a rich tapestry of socio-political contexts that deeply inform their Gothic creations. This diversity of perspective enriches the collection, allowing readers to traverse the manifold expressions of Gothic tension and terror while engaging with the historical conditions that spurred their creation. '60 GOTHIC CLASSICS - Boxed Set' is essential reading for anyone eager to delve into the shadowy corridors of Gothic literature. It presents a unique opportunity to experience the multifaceted dimensions of fear, obsession, and longing that characterize the genre. This anthology not only serves as a comprehensive educational resource but also invites readers to witness the dialogues between different epochs, cultural shifts, and literary styles. It is a testament to the enduring allure and relevance of Gothic fiction, making it a must-have for scholars, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike.




The Chronic Argonauts (Fantasy and Horror Classics)


Book Description

H. G. Wells is regarded as one of the greatest science-fiction writers of all time. First published in 1888, 'The Chronic Argonauts' features the first properly developed 'time machine' in all of science fiction. Many of the finest stories of magic and fantasy, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.




The Big Book of Classic Fantasy


Book Description

A FINALIST FOR THE 2020 WORLD FANTASY AWARD Unearth the enchanting origins of fantasy fiction with a collection of tales as vast as the tallest tower and as mysterious as the dark depths of the forest. Fantasy stories have always been with us. They illuminate the odd and the uncanny, the wondrous and the fantastic: all the things we know are lurking just out of sight—on the other side of the looking-glass, beyond the music of the impossibly haunting violin, through the twisted trees of the ancient woods. Other worlds, talking animals, fairies, goblins, demons, tricksters, and mystics: these are the elements that populate a rich literary tradition that spans the globe. A work composed both of careful scholarship and fantastic fun, The Big Book of Classic Fantasy is essential reading for anyone who’s never forgotten the stories that first inspired feelings of astonishment and wonder. INCLUDING: *Stories by pillars of the genre like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Mary Shelley, Christina Rossetti, L. Frank Baum, Robert E. Howard, and J. R. R. Tolkien *Fantastical offerings from literary giants including Edith Wharton, Leo Tolstoy, Willa Cather, Zora Neale Hurston, Vladimir Nabokov, Hermann Hesse, and W.E.B. Du Bois *Rare treasures from Asian, Eastern European, Scandinavian, and Native American traditions *New translations, including fourteen stories never before in English PLUS: *Beautifully Bizarre Creatures! *Strange New Worlds Just Beyond the Garden Path! *Fairy Folk and Their Dark Mischief! *Seriously Be Careful—Do Not Trust Those Fairies!




A Prayer for the Dying


Book Description

A deadly epidemic threatens the lives and sanity of a Civil War veteran and his family in this “new masterpiece of American literature” (Dennis Lehane). Set in Friendship, Wisconsin, just after the Civil War, A Prayer for the Dying tells of a horrible epidemic that is suddenly and gruesomely killing the town’s residents and setting off a terrifying paranoia. Jacob Hansen, Friendship’s sheriff, undertaker, and pastor, is soon overwhelmed by the fear and anguish around him, and his sanity begins to fray. Dark, poetic, and chilling, Stewart O’Nan’s A Prayer for the Dying examines the effect of madness and violence on the morality of a once-decent man. Praise for A Prayer for the Dying New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year “A Prayer for the Dying reads like the amazing, unrelenting love child of Shirley Jackson and Cormac McCarthy. It’s twisted proof that God will do worse to test a faithful man than the devil would ever do to punish a sinner.”―Chuck Palahniuk “O’Nan again proves himself a writer of dazzling virtuosity and imagination. . . . A mesmerizing story and a brilliant tour de force.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)




Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror


Book Description

A comprehensive bibliography of books and short fiction published in the English language.




Ghost Stories of an Antiquary


Book Description

Eight classics by great Edwardian scholar and storyteller. "Number Thirteen," "The Mezzotint," "Canon Alberic's Scrapbook," more. Renowned for their wit, erudition and suspense, these stories are each masterfully constructed and represent a high achievement in the ghost genre.