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A review by paperbackstash
October Dreams: A Celebration of Halloween by Robert Morrish, Richard T. Chizmar
Adding thoughts on stories and essays as I get through them.
The book opens with a fictional story from Dean Koontz focusing on getting a creepy pumpkin from a mysterious carver. Called "The Black Pumpkin", it worked well to open the anthology on a menacing note. It fit in well with the childlike wonder of the season when innocence meets sinister paranormal. Clever story rated 4/5
"In the night, your brother's jack-o'-lantern will grow into something other than what it is now. Its jaws will work. Its teeth will sharpen. When everyone is asleep, it'll creepy through your house...and give what's deserved. It'll come for you last of all. What do you think you deserve, Tommy?"
"What are you?" Tommy asked.
The carver smiled. "Dangerous."
The second story is....not sure if it's a true-life essay or actual story. A Moonlit Night with Rats by Elizabeth Engstrom is very brief, and not really related to Halloween. It was related to a girl tormented by trying to fit in with older brothers until she finds herself suddenly. 2/5
Lantern Marsh by Poppy Z. Brite does the anthology justice by focusing on mysterious lanterns lining a marsh, drawing the attention of a mournful and unique kid on Halloween nights every year. It's a blend of ghost stories, small towns, magic of memories, music and growing of age stuff, and the suitable revenge endings. 4/5
NICKNAMES by Rick Hautala is an essay subtitled "A Hallowe'en Reminiscence'. Focusing on the fun of nicknames as a kid - toward other kids and adults - it ends with a childhood prank on Halloween that almost went severely wrong.
Likewise, A Condemned Man by Steve Rasnic Tem is an essay about remembering masks on Halloween. The author tells of the last time he went trick or treating and a creepy moment that has unsettled him since.
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The book opens with a fictional story from Dean Koontz focusing on getting a creepy pumpkin from a mysterious carver. Called "The Black Pumpkin", it worked well to open the anthology on a menacing note. It fit in well with the childlike wonder of the season when innocence meets sinister paranormal. Clever story rated 4/5
"In the night, your brother's jack-o'-lantern will grow into something other than what it is now. Its jaws will work. Its teeth will sharpen. When everyone is asleep, it'll creepy through your house...and give what's deserved. It'll come for you last of all. What do you think you deserve, Tommy?"
"What are you?" Tommy asked.
The carver smiled. "Dangerous."
The second story is....not sure if it's a true-life essay or actual story. A Moonlit Night with Rats by Elizabeth Engstrom is very brief, and not really related to Halloween. It was related to a girl tormented by trying to fit in with older brothers until she finds herself suddenly. 2/5
Lantern Marsh by Poppy Z. Brite does the anthology justice by focusing on mysterious lanterns lining a marsh, drawing the attention of a mournful and unique kid on Halloween nights every year. It's a blend of ghost stories, small towns, magic of memories, music and growing of age stuff, and the suitable revenge endings. 4/5
NICKNAMES by Rick Hautala is an essay subtitled "A Hallowe'en Reminiscence'. Focusing on the fun of nicknames as a kid - toward other kids and adults - it ends with a childhood prank on Halloween that almost went severely wrong.
Likewise, A Condemned Man by Steve Rasnic Tem is an essay about remembering masks on Halloween. The author tells of the last time he went trick or treating and a creepy moment that has unsettled him since.
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