J. N. Williamson (1932–2005)

The older book, released in 1987, was a great treat to revisit. The plot is unique and not as cheesy as the back blurb makes it sound. You have two siblings who feel a need to return to the old house they grew up in, where they were raised by their intelligent, powerful, and twisted grandfather. Years ago, the house partially burned down, destroying both the grandfather and the sadistic, overweight ‘offspring’. The younger of the two siblings, Peggy, has huge gaps in her memory that she show more can’t fill while her brother, Eric, remembers but won’t tell.

Together they return to the house, along with Jennie, Eric’s girlfriend with a secret motive of her own, and Peggy’s protective but stereotypical jock boyfriend Danny. Once there nightmares await them, things they can’t put their fingers on, and they soon find that even if they wanted to, they couldn’t really leave. They have to stay and fight this thing to the finish…or else lose their lives in the process.

The plot, while nothing groundbreaking, is interesting and fun. The revelation of what the ‘offspring’ really is at the end is slightly confusing but it’s an imaginative fit. From the first to the last, mystery and intrigue coats the pages. It’s hard to figure out exactly what is going down, and this kept me reading. While not the most severe and violent incidents happened throughout the novel, they were all still disturbingly entertaining. The ending was a suitable finish, not a happy go lucky ending that’s sugar coated.

The villain itself is morbid, obese, and creepy. Regrettably, it is also slightly irritating, and I didn’t keep reading simply for it. The characters are realistic and with personality quirks of their own, being fun to read about and follow through. If a character died, I mourned their death; this is as it should be.
Haunted houses and the supernatural are always fascinating; we have everything from the classic séance, to the buried graves, to the strange poltergeist activities. But there’s more than the simple hocus pocus we’re all so familiar with – this story is full of unusual and surprising developments as well.

Williamsons’ style is clever. It’s stylish, arty, and easy to read. His ‘voice’ is endearing and well suited for this type of work.

If you’re a fan of the supernatural, I recommend finding an old copy of ‘The Offspring’. J.N. Williamson is a talented author who I understand is now ill. I pray for his well being, and thank him for leaving us so many books to enjoy for years to come. show less

Enjoyable collection of horror stories that apparently set on my various shelves for 30 years before being read, although some of the stories were familiar. These include Robert McCammon's unforgettable "Nightcrawlers," which was made into an equally unforgettable episode of the New Twilight Zone television series. F. Paul Wilson's "Soft" also makes an appearance here, and would later be quite appropriate reprinted in the Vandermeers' unsurpassed anthology THE WEIRD. Not all the stories are show more that good, but they are generally of high quality and by an all-star bunch. Stephen King's contribution, "Popsy," is a great story of someone getting his just reward. And there is a story by Ray Russell, who, as always delivers. When will ALL his short fiction be collected? show less

What sets this book apart is that rather being a advice from a single author it's a collection of essays by prominent authors. The introduction alone, by Robert Bloch, was a wonderfully written and entertaining read. I think that's the first time I've ever said that about an introduction. The contributors consist of a Who's Who of speculative fiction circa 1987. Science fiction, fantasy and horror all get attention. There seemed to be a little extra attention paid to horror. It seems it was show more undergoing a bit of an identity crisis and wanted to be referred to as "dark fantasy".

The end of the book, while valuable, will drag on if you're trying to read it straight through. The last 40 pages are lists of recommended and best-loved novels and short stories. A good reference for choosing something to read next.

Really this is the kind of book you pick up and read an essay here or there rather than read in a linear fashion. It's an entertaining look into the minds of well known authors and a peek back to a different era. show less

This is an anthology of short stories by some of the top fantasy writers. First time in print, compiled and published in 1984 are works by McCammon, Matheson, Williamson, Bloch,Bradbury, Beaumont and more. Writers who have publishing creds with Playboy, Penthouse, Esquire, Ellery Queen and numbers of anthology collections. Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactia, The A-Team, The Saint and Alfred Hitchcock to name a few.

I am more of a mystery fan than fantasy, but these stories have mystery in show more them in that you wonder how they happened and if they really could. The first one may make you sleep uneasy at night during stormy weather. "Nightcrawlers" by Robert R. McCammon, is a tale about a Viet Nam vet and his dreams, taking place in a diner in an out of the way area during a raging storm. Is the resulting damage caused by the storm or by ???

Another one to make you think is "Angel's Exchange" by Jessica Amanda Salmonson. A conversation between Death and Sleep and how they feel their existences are similar, different, the good and the bad. A short two pages that sticks with you.

There is also a tribute to Charles Beaumont, one of the masters of the genre who died quite young. Also is the first time printing of an early short story titled "My Grandmother's Japonicas".

There are stories in here that will really haunt your mind. I know they are still chasing around in mine. show less