The Book of Lists: Horror: An All-New Collection Featuring Stephen King, Eli Roth, Ray Bradbury, and More, with an Introduction by Gahan Wilson

434 Pages·2008·2.37 MB·English

by  Amy Wallace

THE
BOOK OF LISTS
HOR ROR

An All-N ew Collection Featuring
Stephen King, Eli Roth, Ray Bradbury, and More,
with an Introduction by Gahan Wilson
AMY WALL ACE , SCOT T BR ADLE Y,
AND DEL HOWISON
To my soul brother, Ned Claflin. “In the middle of the journey of
our life I came to myself in a dark wood where the straight way
was lost.” Thanks for the flashlight, Ned. I love you.
—A.W.
For my mother, Linda Bradley (1942–2006), and my father,
Scott G. Bradley, Ph.D. As all other words fail, I can only say:
“I love you and thank you for everything.” And in loving memory
of my grandparents: Sherman and Gladys Bradley, and James
“Jiggs” Brake.
—S.B.
To the group at Champs. May this instigate a bunch of drunken
arguments.
—D.H.
“Horror, at least in its artistic presentations, can be a comfort.
And, like any agent of enlightenment, it may even confer—if
briefly—a sense of power, wisdom, and transcendence, es-
pecially if the conferee is a willing one with a true feeling for
ancient mysteries and a true fear of the skullduggery which a
willing heart usually senses in the unknown.”
—Thomas Ligotti, “The Consolations of Horror”
“ ‘The horror! The horror!’ ”
—Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

CONTENTS

Epigraph iii
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction xi
The Book of Lists: Horror Writing Staff xi v
A Note on Spoilers xv
1 “Keep Repeating . . . ‘It’s Only a Movie’ . . . !” 1
FEAR ON THE SILVER SCREEN
2 “For the Love of God, Montresor!” 218
THE LITERATURE OF DREAD
3 “They Did the Monster Mash . . .” 311
A LIT TLE NIGHTMARE MUSIC
4 “And He Answered, ‘Legion . . .’ ” 324
A MISCELL ANY OF TERRORS
5 “I’m Your Biggest Fan.” 388
SHRIEKS FROM THE GALLERY
About the Authors
Other Books by Amy Wallace
Credits
Cover
Copyright
About the Publisher
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to collectively thank the following indi-
viduals: our agent, Wendy Schmalz, who made the deal; at Harper-
Collins: our editor, Rakesh Satyal, for his patience and guidance;
Rob Crawford, always on top of things; and Kolt Beringer and Pa-
tricia Fernandez for genius copyediting; Gahan Wilson, for his won-
derful introduction; and John Skipp, the “Fifth Beatle” of The Book
of Lists: Horror, for his boundless wisdom and amazing contribu-
tions to this endeavor.
Amy Wallace’s Acknowledgments
Thanks to the tireless Scott Bradley, who is almost solely respon-
sible for steering this book into the light (or should I say dark?),
and to Del Howison, who generously called on friends and acquain-
tances, and brought in wonderful contributions. To the inimitable
Wendy Schmalz, my favorite agent ever, who as usual made a perfect
marriage. Of friends, associates, and helpers, there are too many
to name. Emily Bradley and Kevin Kelly, who brought energy and
peace when each was needed; to Master John Skipp, who got his
hands dirty at the crucial stages, and cooked a killer shepherd’s
pie, thus dirtying them again. Richard Stanley, who inspired me to
watch all with my third eye; Scarlett Amaris, instant new friend.
Sophie Duriez, always happy for me; Susan Rosner Pierson, always
loving and cheering; Don Cushman, ever dear; Adam Parfrey and
Jodi Wille, there are no words; all my friends at Skylight Books, too
many to name; Mes Amis, Chip and Laurence, with gratitude; Irene
Miracle, muse, beautiful artist, and sublime friend; F. X. Feeney,
a wonderful writer whose continuous friendship and support has
been a blessing; Joseph of the Best Fish Taco in Ensenada (www.best
fishtacoinensenada.com); Linda Ramone and John Cafiero, Satan’s
Little Helpers, for their boundless generosity; Will, off in Roma-
nia but here in spirit; inspirational Ted and Erik; Tom and Nancy;
Charles Black; Danny Fields, generous never to a fault; Michael,
Michelle, and Luca, the Perfect Neighbors for a Writer. William
Dailey, an angel always, especially at the eleventh hour. Lisa Tuttle,
long-lost friend discovered, who inspires me in every way and knows
what’s creepy. T. E. D. Klein, one of the coolest guys ever—he is
splendid and he answers the phone sounding like Alfred Hitchcock.
My cousin Danny, I love you! My brother, who I knew would write
a perfect list, all while he said, “I don’t know anything about it!”—I
love you. To the spirit of Robert Aickman, who opened my heart and
soul to whatever that thing is they call horror, or “strange stories.”
Finally, to the peerless Hank and Bella, who slept on my computer
and notebooks at the most inopportune times—I love you.
Scott Bradley’s Acknowledgments
First and foremost thanks go to my coauthors, Amy Wallace and Del
Howison, as well as our esteemed contributors, for helping unleash
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS