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Flight or Fright: 17 Turbulent Tales
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Horror (2018)Fasten your seatbelts for an anthology of turbulent tales curated by Stephen King and Bev Vincent. This exciting new anthology, perfect for airport or airplane reading, includes an original introduction and story notes for each story by Stephen King, along with brand new stories from Stephen King and Joe Hill.
Stephen King hates to fly. Now he and co-editor Bev Vincent would like to share this fear of flying with you.
Welcome to Flight or Fright, an anthology about all the things that can go horribly wrong when you're suspended six miles in the air, hurtling through space at more than 500 mph and sealed up in a metal tube (like—gulp!—a coffin) with hundreds of strangers. All the ways your trip into the friendly skies can turn into a nightmare, including some we'll bet you've never thought of before... but now you will the next time you walk down the jetway and place your fate in the hands of a total stranger.
Featuring brand new stories by Joe Hill and Stephen King, as well as fourteen classic tales and one poem from the likes of Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Dan Simmons, and many others, Flight or Fright is, as King says, "ideal airplane reading, especially on stormy descents... Even if you are safe on the ground, you might want to buckle up nice and tight."
Stephen King hates to fly. Now he and co-editor Bev Vincent would like to share this fear of flying with you.
Welcome to Flight or Fright, an anthology about all the things that can go horribly wrong when you're suspended six miles in the air, hurtling through space at more than 500 mph and sealed up in a metal tube (like—gulp!—a coffin) with hundreds of strangers. All the ways your trip into the friendly skies can turn into a nightmare, including some we'll bet you've never thought of before... but now you will the next time you walk down the jetway and place your fate in the hands of a total stranger.
Featuring brand new stories by Joe Hill and Stephen King, as well as fourteen classic tales and one poem from the likes of Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Dan Simmons, and many others, Flight or Fright is, as King says, "ideal airplane reading, especially on stormy descents... Even if you are safe on the ground, you might want to buckle up nice and tight."
332 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
About the author
Stephen King
2,583 books851k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 997 reviews
July 30, 2021
As my wife and I prepared for a trip to Italy, I was mainly focused on the sights, food, and wine we were about to experience. However, at some point, I realized I would be trapped in a metal tube for ten hours or so, to get to and from Rome. Being slightly masochistic, I decided it would be fun to read “Flight or Fright,” edited by Stephen King on the plane. A quick side note, we are now back from Italy and it was better than I imagined. Historic, beautiful, and eye opening; it was a trip of a lifetime. We saw Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Pisa, Vinci, Siena, Cinque Terre, San Gimignano, and Montecatini. We saw everything – Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, etc., etc. We ate wonderful food, drank fantastic wine, and met so many interesting people. Anyways, back to the review. In all honesty, I only read about three quarters of the book on the flights. The first flight was a tortuous attempt at sleep and the return trip I was exhausted and just did a marathon of movies to pass the time. But I did read many of the stories on the flight and it’s a great way to experience this collection of shorts.
I was surprised to find that this collection includes many older stories by such famed authors as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury, and Ambrose Bierce. I was expecting it to be all recent authors and works. I did run into a few stories I have read before, but only a few, and those were enjoyable as a reread. The collection is well selected and organized. I enjoyed the introduction by Stephen King (did you know he has a fear of flying?), as well as his short setup of each story. Bev Vincent lands the collection with a fun afterword.
The collection covers a wide range of plots and ideas for such a specific sub-genre. I enjoyed all the stories, with no big misses, imho. My favorite surprised me, but it stood out as the story that both moved me and creeped me out the most. It was “You Are Released” by Joe Hill. It’s timely and I found it delightfully disturbing. I recommend this collection, and I highly recommend you read it at 30,000 feet!
I was surprised to find that this collection includes many older stories by such famed authors as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury, and Ambrose Bierce. I was expecting it to be all recent authors and works. I did run into a few stories I have read before, but only a few, and those were enjoyable as a reread. The collection is well selected and organized. I enjoyed the introduction by Stephen King (did you know he has a fear of flying?), as well as his short setup of each story. Bev Vincent lands the collection with a fun afterword.
The collection covers a wide range of plots and ideas for such a specific sub-genre. I enjoyed all the stories, with no big misses, imho. My favorite surprised me, but it stood out as the story that both moved me and creeped me out the most. It was “You Are Released” by Joe Hill. It’s timely and I found it delightfully disturbing. I recommend this collection, and I highly recommend you read it at 30,000 feet!
July 25, 2018
Stephen King is afraid of something that I’m not. He’s afraid of flying. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of funky little fears and phobias, it’s just that flying isn’t one of them. So I saw this new anthology, aptly titled, Flight or Fright and I saw it as a personal dare from the King himself! Could he and his co-editor, Bev Vincent, curate a collection of stories that would seep through the cracks and unsettle my nerves enough to make me afraid to fly?
There is a definitive answer here but before I tell you, let’s unpack my reader’s experience, shall we?
The cover of the book reads, “17 Turbulent Tales” then you open the book to read the Table of Contents and a who’s who. Even though several of the stories are by some of my favorite authors, I was disappointed in the “Boys Only” guest list. There are several ladies of horror that I have enjoyed over the last few years that I would have loved to see a new story from, Ania Ahlborn, Kristi DeMeester, Nadia Bulkin or Alma Katsu just to name a few. A missed opportunity, for sure.
Moving on, Stephen King’s intro. Having been a Constant Reader since I was thirteen and owning everything he has ever put out, I can say with confidence that King’s intros are some of my favorite. This is no exception, I will never tire of sitting at his feet and hearing his personal anecdotes. It was informative to have his fingerprints on each story as well; introducing each author with a blurb about the tale.
Readers who love all kinds of genres, not just horror, will enjoy that there is something for everyone in this themed anthology: Something for sci-fi lovers, history buffs, thriller junkies...maybe you like social commentary, poetry, humor? I was really impressed with the wide range of voices, genres and styles represented here.
Of course many people, myself included, will want to buy this for the new, original stories by Stephen King and his son, Joe Hill.
A word about those two:
I’m a huge fan of both their careers. I read all of their books. I stay updated on everything they do and I watch all the movie adaptations, TV shows and graphic novelizations I can get my hands on. That being said, I don’t mind being critical of their work. I get to be a fangirl and a reviewer at the same time.
I was a little disappointed with both of their contributions to this collection. I wanted Stephen King’s offering to be meatier-the story felt like the bones of a good story but there was nothing to sink my teeth into--it was a bony tale with no fleshy bits.
Joe Hill’s story, was quite the opposite actually, it seemed that Hill had a lot to say but with this being a short story collection, there wasn’t ample time to say it and I felt like this social commentary/terrorism thriller could have been more impactful with more time spent on building the story and characters.
Overall, I loved spending time with several of my favorite authors including Dan Simmons, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury and Roald Dahl. Some standout stories for me was the first one, Cargo by E. Michael Lewis and Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson. As I closed the book, I asked myself, Flight or Fright? And the answer was clear: FLIGHT! There’s a whole world out there I want to see and flying is the safest way to get around but you take the challenge and see for yourself.
There is a definitive answer here but before I tell you, let’s unpack my reader’s experience, shall we?
The cover of the book reads, “17 Turbulent Tales” then you open the book to read the Table of Contents and a who’s who. Even though several of the stories are by some of my favorite authors, I was disappointed in the “Boys Only” guest list. There are several ladies of horror that I have enjoyed over the last few years that I would have loved to see a new story from, Ania Ahlborn, Kristi DeMeester, Nadia Bulkin or Alma Katsu just to name a few. A missed opportunity, for sure.
Moving on, Stephen King’s intro. Having been a Constant Reader since I was thirteen and owning everything he has ever put out, I can say with confidence that King’s intros are some of my favorite. This is no exception, I will never tire of sitting at his feet and hearing his personal anecdotes. It was informative to have his fingerprints on each story as well; introducing each author with a blurb about the tale.
Readers who love all kinds of genres, not just horror, will enjoy that there is something for everyone in this themed anthology: Something for sci-fi lovers, history buffs, thriller junkies...maybe you like social commentary, poetry, humor? I was really impressed with the wide range of voices, genres and styles represented here.
Of course many people, myself included, will want to buy this for the new, original stories by Stephen King and his son, Joe Hill.
A word about those two:
I’m a huge fan of both their careers. I read all of their books. I stay updated on everything they do and I watch all the movie adaptations, TV shows and graphic novelizations I can get my hands on. That being said, I don’t mind being critical of their work. I get to be a fangirl and a reviewer at the same time.
I was a little disappointed with both of their contributions to this collection. I wanted Stephen King’s offering to be meatier-the story felt like the bones of a good story but there was nothing to sink my teeth into--it was a bony tale with no fleshy bits.
Joe Hill’s story, was quite the opposite actually, it seemed that Hill had a lot to say but with this being a short story collection, there wasn’t ample time to say it and I felt like this social commentary/terrorism thriller could have been more impactful with more time spent on building the story and characters.
Overall, I loved spending time with several of my favorite authors including Dan Simmons, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury and Roald Dahl. Some standout stories for me was the first one, Cargo by E. Michael Lewis and Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson. As I closed the book, I asked myself, Flight or Fright? And the answer was clear: FLIGHT! There’s a whole world out there I want to see and flying is the safest way to get around but you take the challenge and see for yourself.
August 2, 2019
Flight or Fright
is a collection of sixteen short stories (and one poem) that tap into one of the most common fears; fear of air travel. Stephen King and his co-editor Bev Vincent have created an anthology featuring stories about the fear of flying and all the terrible things that could happen during air travel.
The collection features short stories from Joe Hill, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle among others. The best thing about the book is that covers all the scenarios you could think about; From Zombies to Gremlin, from murder mysteries to unknown demons in the clouds, from time travel to sci-fi thriller, it covers a very wide range of stories. There is something for everyone with different genres and styles.
Each story is introduced by Stephen King and that adds another dimension to each of them. Some of the stories which I really liked:
The Horror of the Heights by Arthur Conan Doyle – Set in the early days of flying. Reminded me of science fiction stories by Jules Verne.
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson – A man tries to make the stewardess aware of the gremlin on the wing of the plane. This story was also adapted for a Simpsons Halloween special.
Diablitos by Cody Goodfellow – The only genuine horror story from the collection. I liked it.
You Are Released by Joe Hill-- A plane stranded mid-air with a full-blown nuclear war going on.
The Flying Machine by Ray Bradbury—A story set in ancient China. A great story with a great moral.
Murder in the Air by Peter Tremayne – A nice murder mystery but a bit predictable.
The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King – An interesting concept narrated in Stephen King’s usual flair.
Overall, this collection was a bit of a mixed bag for me which left me a bit underwhelmed. Some of the stories were really great but many of them were OK. The variety in the stories though was really impressive and it did introduce me to the work of many new authors, which was a big plus for me. If you like short stories, this is a good collection to read.
Many thanks to the publishers Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for the ARC.
The collection features short stories from Joe Hill, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle among others. The best thing about the book is that covers all the scenarios you could think about; From Zombies to Gremlin, from murder mysteries to unknown demons in the clouds, from time travel to sci-fi thriller, it covers a very wide range of stories. There is something for everyone with different genres and styles.
Each story is introduced by Stephen King and that adds another dimension to each of them. Some of the stories which I really liked:
The Horror of the Heights by Arthur Conan Doyle – Set in the early days of flying. Reminded me of science fiction stories by Jules Verne.
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson – A man tries to make the stewardess aware of the gremlin on the wing of the plane. This story was also adapted for a Simpsons Halloween special.
Diablitos by Cody Goodfellow – The only genuine horror story from the collection. I liked it.
You Are Released by Joe Hill-- A plane stranded mid-air with a full-blown nuclear war going on.
The Flying Machine by Ray Bradbury—A story set in ancient China. A great story with a great moral.
Murder in the Air by Peter Tremayne – A nice murder mystery but a bit predictable.
The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King – An interesting concept narrated in Stephen King’s usual flair.
Overall, this collection was a bit of a mixed bag for me which left me a bit underwhelmed. Some of the stories were really great but many of them were OK. The variety in the stories though was really impressive and it did introduce me to the work of many new authors, which was a big plus for me. If you like short stories, this is a good collection to read.
Many thanks to the publishers Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Want to read
August 20, 2019I absolutely adore the synopsis!
I HATE flying with every fiber of my being.
Yep. This should be great for my travel anxiety. 😑😯😝😨
Me when I fly:
I HATE flying with every fiber of my being.
Yep. This should be great for my travel anxiety. 😑😯😝😨
Me when I fly:
February 20, 2019
There is a certain majestic nature to being far above the clouds, crossing the country or an ocean while receiving small bags of snacks and watered-down drinks. Air travel has long been the go-to means of getting from one place to another, especially with the ongoing technological advancements for the general public. However, Stephen King and Bev Vincent seek to dispel this bucolic myth with their collection of short stories about flying, all of which explore levels of fear or evil when it comes to being in the air. The collection of seventeen pieces keeps the reader enthralled, with stories from many authors who penned their works at different times during the progress of flight over the past century. From stories about cargo trips back from Jonestown, to ever-elusive gremlins on the wing, through to pieces about a nuclear war commencing during the middle of a continental flight and even the joys of having an airplane before a crime scene during an in-flight murder, King and Vincent seek to spook the reader just a little as they learn about the many ways in which flight could be anything but safe. With wonderfully gripping pieces, some as short as a single paragraph, the editors offer a jam-packed adventure that would put any security scanning line to shame when it comes to horrific experiences. A great anthology that will keep many a reader wanting to plant their feet on terra firms for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended for those who enjoy short stories that differ greatly from one another and those who are not put off by some of the predictable disasters that could await any airline passenger.
Having long been a fan of Stephen King—and an avid flier—I was eager to get my hands on this piece to see the sorts of authors and stories that were gathered to create this nightmarish collection. Not only are the pieces entirely unique from one another, but they span the entirety of the flight experience. Some authors penned their stories not long after the Wright Brothers made their brief sojourn into the air while others tackle topics of a Cold War era or even when travel was as sleek as could be imagined. This great cross-section of writing enriches the collection even more, though there is a theme of fear within each piece. As the editors offer a brief synopsis of the piece to come, the reader is able to place it into context and can—should they wish—notice the chronological and technological progresses made in air travel. As the reader is introduced to scores of characters in a variety of settings, they can relate to as many as they like while endeavouring not to scare themselves with vivid imaginings of what could go wrong. The choice of stories was wonderful, as was the varied lengths of the pieces on offer. However, perhaps I should not have read this days before I would board a plane. Now then, which button was actually used to bring down the plane and not summon assistance for additional pretzels?
Kudos, Messrs. King and Vincent, for this captivating collection. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope you’ll continue to collaborate again soon.
This book fulfils Topic #1:Collecting Words in the Equinox #6 Reading Challenge.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Having long been a fan of Stephen King—and an avid flier—I was eager to get my hands on this piece to see the sorts of authors and stories that were gathered to create this nightmarish collection. Not only are the pieces entirely unique from one another, but they span the entirety of the flight experience. Some authors penned their stories not long after the Wright Brothers made their brief sojourn into the air while others tackle topics of a Cold War era or even when travel was as sleek as could be imagined. This great cross-section of writing enriches the collection even more, though there is a theme of fear within each piece. As the editors offer a brief synopsis of the piece to come, the reader is able to place it into context and can—should they wish—notice the chronological and technological progresses made in air travel. As the reader is introduced to scores of characters in a variety of settings, they can relate to as many as they like while endeavouring not to scare themselves with vivid imaginings of what could go wrong. The choice of stories was wonderful, as was the varied lengths of the pieces on offer. However, perhaps I should not have read this days before I would board a plane. Now then, which button was actually used to bring down the plane and not summon assistance for additional pretzels?
Kudos, Messrs. King and Vincent, for this captivating collection. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope you’ll continue to collaborate again soon.
This book fulfils Topic #1:Collecting Words in the Equinox #6 Reading Challenge.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
September 10, 2018
Welcome Aboard....or maybe not! It all begins with a
scary as hell
introduction from KING. Yikes! What a horrific flying experience he had.
As for me, back in the olden days of 1969 on the way to Japan, we briefly stopped in Alaska and slid off the runway all the way to the fence. May not sound it, but it was indeed frightening. And, once on a flight from Los Angeles to Detroit, also in the late 60's, I experienced flying in a horrendous thunderstorm with lightening that seemed to last forever. We rocked and bobbed up and down; at times it felt like an elevator, but that wasn't the scariest part. I was flying without a companion and the big jetliner was practically empty....truly practically empty. Really felt alone....ominous flight for me.
Anyway, FLIGHT OR FRIGHT is a variety of horror, sci-fi and murder-mystery plus one poem. There are plenty of spooked passengers (for various reasons) zombies, aliens and some super weird and creepy monster stuff as you travel these skies.
My top six of seventeen favorites:
1) Joe Hill's - YOU ARE RELEASED. By far the best. (for me) Real life fear!
2) Roald Dahl's -YOU SHALL NOT GROW OLD. Memorable time travel.
3) Arthur Conan Doyle's - THE HORROR OF THE HEIGHTS. Wait till you see what's way up there in the danger zone!
4) Richard Matheson's - NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET. Remember the freakish Twilight Zone episode? Here you go.
5) E. Michael Lewis' - CARGO. Creepy sad.
6) Stephen King's - THE TURBULENCE EXPERT. Mortal fear of flying required!
Overall, a pretty darn fine anthology of old and new. Oh, and....Would I fly again? Absolutely! Just hope I don't forget to pack FLIGHT OR FRIGHT!
March 28, 2022
Hang on Tight and Buckle Up!
This book was interesting, but here is the nitty gritty, if you are a frequent flyer, I don't think it would be good idea to read this book on your flight. Actually I would advise against it as some of the stories within this book will make you wish that you hadn't read it and it might have you sleeping with the oxygen mask attached to your face the whole trip. There are 17 stories within these pages written by different authors, but I have some favorites listed below.
Favorite stories are:
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson
The Flying Machine by Ambrose Pierce
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds by Dan Simmons
Air Raid by John Varley
You Are Released by Joe Hill
Murder in the Air by Peter Tremayne
The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King
Thoughts:
Before I even made it to chapter one, I was already dreading what was ahead of me as the introduction by Stephen King was scary enough to where I never want to fly. Here is a small blurb from his introduction: "Yet you are entering what is basically a tube filled with oxygen and sitting atop tons of highly flammable jet fuel." Now if that doesn't send shivers down your spine, I don't know what will as now I cannot get that image out of my head!
I have flown one time when I was young, but after reading this book, I have decided that I don't even want to attempt stepping foot on a plane ever again.
So with that being said, I did enjoy the book though, but I only enjoyed them, because like I said, I know I won't be "flying the friendly skies". Giving this book four "Fly the Frightful Skies" stars!
For images on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
This book was interesting, but here is the nitty gritty, if you are a frequent flyer, I don't think it would be good idea to read this book on your flight. Actually I would advise against it as some of the stories within this book will make you wish that you hadn't read it and it might have you sleeping with the oxygen mask attached to your face the whole trip. There are 17 stories within these pages written by different authors, but I have some favorites listed below.
Favorite stories are:
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson
The Flying Machine by Ambrose Pierce
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds by Dan Simmons
Air Raid by John Varley
You Are Released by Joe Hill
Murder in the Air by Peter Tremayne
The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King
Thoughts:
Before I even made it to chapter one, I was already dreading what was ahead of me as the introduction by Stephen King was scary enough to where I never want to fly. Here is a small blurb from his introduction: "Yet you are entering what is basically a tube filled with oxygen and sitting atop tons of highly flammable jet fuel." Now if that doesn't send shivers down your spine, I don't know what will as now I cannot get that image out of my head!
I have flown one time when I was young, but after reading this book, I have decided that I don't even want to attempt stepping foot on a plane ever again.
So with that being said, I did enjoy the book though, but I only enjoyed them, because like I said, I know I won't be "flying the friendly skies". Giving this book four "Fly the Frightful Skies" stars!
For images on this review, please see my blog:
https://booknookretreat.blogspot.com/...
May 19, 2019
I haven't stepped foot on an airplane in 24 years following a very, very, very rough landing at KCI International during a storm. Those 10 minutes of silent, white knuckle terror ruined flying for me. I'm terrified to get on a plane. There isn't enough alcohol or happy pills to make a flight enjoyable for me. One lightning filled, turbulent, fast loss of altitude event ...... Done. Completely done. Soaring above the clouds strapped into a metal capsule that weighs upwards of 75 tons is just tempting fate. Not to mention I firmly fear that each of us only gets one extra life, do-over, miraculous save....whatever you want to call it. I got out of one scrape unscathed....the next one, my luck might not kick in. Game over. Know what I mean?
Stephen King has spent decades scaring the piss out of me. Vampires. Crazed killers. Telekinetic angry teenagers. Demons. Aliens. CLOWNS. Oh my god....clowns. Hate them! And now he pokes me in yet another fear factor -- flying. When I saw this story anthology, edited by King and Bev Vincent, I knew I had to read every single one of the 17 stories contained within. I can enjoy the horror....while safely on the ground.
I love this book! I knew I was going to love it the minute I saw the dedication list at the beginning. The story collection is dedicated to pilots who landed safely after a harrowing flight....and the list includes Ted Striker. There was absolutely no need for anyone to queue up to slap me as I lost control while reading....I was totally ready for in-flight horror. And, I didn't have the fish.
The stories are varied with selections from classic writers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Ambrose Bierce to the modern commercial era featuring stories by Joe Hill and E. Michael Lewis. Even Roald Dahl has a tale in this anthology. I enjoyed every single story....none of them crashed and burned. Some were less horrific....others were completely creepy. Each has an introduction giving info on the author and the story. Loved it!
While Stephen King has been scaring me for decades, Bev Vincent is a new author for me. He writes for the Cemetery Dance Magazine, authored the companion book to the Dark Tower series by King, and has an impressive list of magazine short stories listed in his bio. I'm definitely going to look for his work and do some very enjoyable reading! I love it when I discover a new-to-me author that writes in one of my favorite genres! I hope they collaborate on more story anthologies....I really enjoyed this one!
I recommend these tales for anyone who enjoys horror short stories, whether they love flying or hate it. As someone who refuses to get on a plane, I found these stories a bit more distressing than others might....made for a fun experience!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Scribner via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. What you make of this review is your own choice....but I recommend a hat, a broach or perhaps a terradactyl.**
Stephen King has spent decades scaring the piss out of me. Vampires. Crazed killers. Telekinetic angry teenagers. Demons. Aliens. CLOWNS. Oh my god....clowns. Hate them! And now he pokes me in yet another fear factor -- flying. When I saw this story anthology, edited by King and Bev Vincent, I knew I had to read every single one of the 17 stories contained within. I can enjoy the horror....while safely on the ground.
I love this book! I knew I was going to love it the minute I saw the dedication list at the beginning. The story collection is dedicated to pilots who landed safely after a harrowing flight....and the list includes Ted Striker. There was absolutely no need for anyone to queue up to slap me as I lost control while reading....I was totally ready for in-flight horror. And, I didn't have the fish.
The stories are varied with selections from classic writers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Ambrose Bierce to the modern commercial era featuring stories by Joe Hill and E. Michael Lewis. Even Roald Dahl has a tale in this anthology. I enjoyed every single story....none of them crashed and burned. Some were less horrific....others were completely creepy. Each has an introduction giving info on the author and the story. Loved it!
While Stephen King has been scaring me for decades, Bev Vincent is a new author for me. He writes for the Cemetery Dance Magazine, authored the companion book to the Dark Tower series by King, and has an impressive list of magazine short stories listed in his bio. I'm definitely going to look for his work and do some very enjoyable reading! I love it when I discover a new-to-me author that writes in one of my favorite genres! I hope they collaborate on more story anthologies....I really enjoyed this one!
I recommend these tales for anyone who enjoys horror short stories, whether they love flying or hate it. As someone who refuses to get on a plane, I found these stories a bit more distressing than others might....made for a fun experience!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Scribner via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. What you make of this review is your own choice....but I recommend a hat, a broach or perhaps a terradactyl.**
November 22, 2020
3.9 Stars (Average of the star ratings I gave each story)
I am actually a little surprised that this came in at 3.9 stars as it felt a bit lukewarm overall as a collection to me. Not a bad collection but seemed like more “just okay” stories than “mind blowing” ones. I am glad to see that it came in higher than I expected but go in knowing that it felt like the gems were few and far between for me.
Below is my play by play for each story – it might look familiar if you were following my status updates while I was reading. While it was marketed (or at least felt like it was marketed) as plane-based horror stories, I felt like overall it was more about the potential peril, mystery, and claustrophobia you may encounter when setting a story in a metal tube shooting through the air at hundreds of miles per hour several miles off the ground (not just horror). Just think – its not like a car where you can pull over for a break or a building in a city where you can call in reinforcements.
Cargo - 4 Stars
A chilling flight based on real events. Makes you think about who deals with the aftermath of disaster.
The Horror of the Heights - 4.5 Stars
What is the most amazing thing about this story is that it was written shortly after flight first became a thing and people and only barely begun to grasp what might be in the air above us. Doyle - who normally regales us with adventures of Sherlock Holmes - probably did a pretty good job of scaring the bajesus out of people who were still not so sure about this new travel.
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet - 5 Stars
Probably the best-known flight-based horror story of all time. A little bit dated due to the changes in flight security since it was written, but still a very good, spooky tale of the anxieties of flying.
The Flying Machine - 3 Stars
Kind of hard to rate as it is only three paragraphs and half a page long. But, an amusingly cynical take on humanity's desire for flight that leads to throwing caution - in the face of obvious dangers - to the wind.
Lucifer! - 4.5 Stars
A very good "what if?" story. And it shows that maybe it is best not to mess with what you don't understand - especially if you have a dark side. Karma will get you in the end!
The Fifth Category - 3 Stars
I felt like this was a whole lot of complex build up for nothing. A sort of interesting premise, but not many answers to the question "why?" - at least, not enough to make me care all that much.
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds - 2 Stars
Seems kind of pointless and not all that interesting. Doesn't really succeed in telling a whole story in just a few pages. I am left with more questions than answers.
Diablitos - 4 Stars
Creepy artifacts are always good for a scary story. Smuggle them into your carry on, and you are asking for big trouble!
Air Raid - 4.5 Stars
A unique take on post-apocalyptic speculative Sci-fi. A bit confusing at first but will keep you on the edge of your seat as the plot becomes clear.
You Are Released - 5 Stars
The best story in the collection so far. Very raw and real. Great characters and character development for a short story. I felt the suspense in my soul while reading.
Warbirds - 3 Stars
If you like WWII stories and/or have an interest in stories where the detailed and technical parts of combat are a main focus, this is the story for you. For me, there was a whole lot of cluttered build up for a sudden and somewhat odd payoff. Not bad, but not the best story from this book.
The Flying Machine - 5 Stars
Bradbury never needs many pages or many words to tell a great and impactful short story. He is a short story master! This is a tale of "Looks like we can, but should we?"
Zombies on a Plane - 3.5 Stars
Not a bad little story, but kind of a misleading title. If you are looking for a showdown between zombies and people on an aircraft, you will not find it here . . . maybe if there was a sequel, but not in this one.
They Shall Not Grow Old - 3.5 Stars
Decent story from Roald Dahl. I thought it was building to something bigger but didn't quite make it there. Very interesting story, though. One to make you think.
Murder in the Air - 4 Stars
Whodunnit in the air. Poirot fans will be pleased.
The Turbulence Expert - 4.5 Stars
A very good story from the King. Fascinating "What If" scenario - not scary but thought provoking.
Falling - 3.5 Stars
A poem based on a real-life situation where a flight attendant was sucked out of a plane. Interesting, but kind of an odd poetic structure. Still pretty good!
I am actually a little surprised that this came in at 3.9 stars as it felt a bit lukewarm overall as a collection to me. Not a bad collection but seemed like more “just okay” stories than “mind blowing” ones. I am glad to see that it came in higher than I expected but go in knowing that it felt like the gems were few and far between for me.
Below is my play by play for each story – it might look familiar if you were following my status updates while I was reading. While it was marketed (or at least felt like it was marketed) as plane-based horror stories, I felt like overall it was more about the potential peril, mystery, and claustrophobia you may encounter when setting a story in a metal tube shooting through the air at hundreds of miles per hour several miles off the ground (not just horror). Just think – its not like a car where you can pull over for a break or a building in a city where you can call in reinforcements.
Cargo - 4 Stars
A chilling flight based on real events. Makes you think about who deals with the aftermath of disaster.
The Horror of the Heights - 4.5 Stars
What is the most amazing thing about this story is that it was written shortly after flight first became a thing and people and only barely begun to grasp what might be in the air above us. Doyle - who normally regales us with adventures of Sherlock Holmes - probably did a pretty good job of scaring the bajesus out of people who were still not so sure about this new travel.
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet - 5 Stars
Probably the best-known flight-based horror story of all time. A little bit dated due to the changes in flight security since it was written, but still a very good, spooky tale of the anxieties of flying.
The Flying Machine - 3 Stars
Kind of hard to rate as it is only three paragraphs and half a page long. But, an amusingly cynical take on humanity's desire for flight that leads to throwing caution - in the face of obvious dangers - to the wind.
Lucifer! - 4.5 Stars
A very good "what if?" story. And it shows that maybe it is best not to mess with what you don't understand - especially if you have a dark side. Karma will get you in the end!
The Fifth Category - 3 Stars
I felt like this was a whole lot of complex build up for nothing. A sort of interesting premise, but not many answers to the question "why?" - at least, not enough to make me care all that much.
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds - 2 Stars
Seems kind of pointless and not all that interesting. Doesn't really succeed in telling a whole story in just a few pages. I am left with more questions than answers.
Diablitos - 4 Stars
Creepy artifacts are always good for a scary story. Smuggle them into your carry on, and you are asking for big trouble!
Air Raid - 4.5 Stars
A unique take on post-apocalyptic speculative Sci-fi. A bit confusing at first but will keep you on the edge of your seat as the plot becomes clear.
You Are Released - 5 Stars
The best story in the collection so far. Very raw and real. Great characters and character development for a short story. I felt the suspense in my soul while reading.
Warbirds - 3 Stars
If you like WWII stories and/or have an interest in stories where the detailed and technical parts of combat are a main focus, this is the story for you. For me, there was a whole lot of cluttered build up for a sudden and somewhat odd payoff. Not bad, but not the best story from this book.
The Flying Machine - 5 Stars
Bradbury never needs many pages or many words to tell a great and impactful short story. He is a short story master! This is a tale of "Looks like we can, but should we?"
Zombies on a Plane - 3.5 Stars
Not a bad little story, but kind of a misleading title. If you are looking for a showdown between zombies and people on an aircraft, you will not find it here . . . maybe if there was a sequel, but not in this one.
They Shall Not Grow Old - 3.5 Stars
Decent story from Roald Dahl. I thought it was building to something bigger but didn't quite make it there. Very interesting story, though. One to make you think.
Murder in the Air - 4 Stars
Whodunnit in the air. Poirot fans will be pleased.
The Turbulence Expert - 4.5 Stars
A very good story from the King. Fascinating "What If" scenario - not scary but thought provoking.
Falling - 3.5 Stars
A poem based on a real-life situation where a flight attendant was sucked out of a plane. Interesting, but kind of an odd poetic structure. Still pretty good!
October 9, 2018
3.5
Flight or Fright is a collection of horror/mystery short stories solely happening in midair.
It is edited by Stephen King and also includes one of his short stories.
My favorites were
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds by Dan Simmons,
You Are Released by Joe Hill
and obviously The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King.
Before each story there is also an introduction by the master himself.
So, buckle up and fly high!
Flight or Fright is a collection of horror/mystery short stories solely happening in midair.
It is edited by Stephen King and also includes one of his short stories.
My favorites were
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds by Dan Simmons,
You Are Released by Joe Hill
and obviously The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King.
Before each story there is also an introduction by the master himself.
So, buckle up and fly high!
February 6, 2019
I hate to fly (HATE). I am the textbook white-knuckle flyer who really believes gripping the seat rests and concentrating really hard is what keeps the plane from plummeting 40,000 feet straight into the ground or ocean (or into the side of a mountain). It hasn't gotten easier over the years, to the point where I have considered hypnotherapy -- but the woo-woo of hypnosis and the dreadful doors THAT could open also doesn't appeal to me.
So because flying is one of my lizard brain primal fears, it's no surprise an anthology wholly dedicated to this insane thing humans do thousands of times a day all over the world (let ourselves be hurtled through space defying gravity at crazy speeds in an object that weighs on average 87 tons) would have its dark, mesmeric appeal.
And it's an okay collection. I wish I could give it a more expansive, enthusiastic recommendation, but it's really just okay. King and Joe Hill fans will be pleased that there's new material here but even their contributions aren't anything to flip out over. Both men have written MUCH stronger short stories in the past. This isn't in league with their best work so curb your expectations going in.
Some stories are reprinted classics like Matheson's excellent Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, the source material for one of the best Twilight Zone episodes (it's always fun to re-visit that one). There's also an Arthur Conan Doyle entry that's a sharp departure from his Sherlock Holmes stuff and ventures into Lovecraftian territory.
My favorite entry comes from Dan Simmons called Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds. It's short, plays with time travel and packs a darkly fun punch that's very Twilight Zone, Night Gallery. And bonus -- I found it online for free if you want to read it without tracking down a copy of this collection.
Ooops! Made a mistake here that I have to fix - got my stories mixed up. My favorite is actually Lucifer! by E.C. Tubb available for free here. It's this classic short story (not the one by Dan Simmons) that plays with time travel and is very Twilight Zone, Night Gallery.
So make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright positions. Keep those seat belts fastened as we will be flying through some heavy turbulence. And whatever you do, do not look out the window. Happy flying!
So because flying is one of my lizard brain primal fears, it's no surprise an anthology wholly dedicated to this insane thing humans do thousands of times a day all over the world (let ourselves be hurtled through space defying gravity at crazy speeds in an object that weighs on average 87 tons) would have its dark, mesmeric appeal.
And it's an okay collection. I wish I could give it a more expansive, enthusiastic recommendation, but it's really just okay. King and Joe Hill fans will be pleased that there's new material here but even their contributions aren't anything to flip out over. Both men have written MUCH stronger short stories in the past. This isn't in league with their best work so curb your expectations going in.
Some stories are reprinted classics like Matheson's excellent Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, the source material for one of the best Twilight Zone episodes (it's always fun to re-visit that one). There's also an Arthur Conan Doyle entry that's a sharp departure from his Sherlock Holmes stuff and ventures into Lovecraftian territory.
Ooops! Made a mistake here that I have to fix - got my stories mixed up. My favorite is actually Lucifer! by E.C. Tubb available for free here. It's this classic short story (not the one by Dan Simmons) that plays with time travel and is very Twilight Zone, Night Gallery.
So make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright positions. Keep those seat belts fastened as we will be flying through some heavy turbulence. And whatever you do, do not look out the window. Happy flying!
July 20, 2019
This collection was a bit of a mixed bag for me and I was left feeling a little disappointed. Some of the stories were phenomenal but some were also a huge snooze fest. One thing I will say, I was quite impressed by the variety in the stories. There really is a little bit of everything from horror to science fiction and even poetry! My top three favourite stories would have to be the ones by Simmons, King and Hill, no big shock there! I was left wanting more from this collection though, it was just plain mediocre.
January 3, 2019
Turns out I don't really care for short stories, especially when there's not much to them. 2 of 10 stars
January 19, 2020
I'm not scared of flying. Not that I've experienced what a few of the characters in these stories saw, felt or heard. But, as the passenger seated next to our protagonist in Stephen King's story says, “Safest form of travel ever invented.” And we all believe that saying too. Even Bev Vincent, co-editor of this book states in the afterward that after flying all around the world on business he cannot recall anything truly scary occurring. Waiting in long lines at the check-in; seated aboard the plane that only stands still on the tarmac; Unruly, toxic passengers. No avoiding these annoying hazards (hopefully that toxic passenger is not seated next to you on your trip to Florida). So if it's safe to fly, why does that occasional terror of flying remain? Personally, I think it's because when we fly we simply have no control. A car may be much more likely to have an accident, but I'm the one driving – in control baby. Haha, yeah right. Others may say that while the birds were meant to fly, and an airplane is a giant hunk of metal thumbing her nose at mother nature.
All that said, how scary is the book Flight or Fright? A better question may be, Was it really meant to be scary? My guess is no, not all of it anyway, since only a few stories actually are. With just two of these seventeen stories newly written (King and Hill) for this anthology, the editors were working with what's available. My advice for those who have been thinking about reading Flight or Fright: Don't go into it looking for the scare factor. Instead, open the cover with the expectation of reading stories that branch across the genres: from a classic by Doyle, to a vintage Matheson (one that truly does pack a fright); from a thought-provoker by Dahl, to a new thrill ride from King. Yeah, I may have been personally looking for a book that would keep me out of the airports, but I'm okay with what it is.
Best of the bunch:
- Nightmare at 20,000 Feet! by Richard Matheson
- Lucifer! by E.C. Tubb
- They Shall Not Grow Old by Roald Dahl
Honorable mentions:
- The Fifth Category by Tom Bissell
- You Are Released by Joe Hill
- The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King
All that said, how scary is the book Flight or Fright? A better question may be, Was it really meant to be scary? My guess is no, not all of it anyway, since only a few stories actually are. With just two of these seventeen stories newly written (King and Hill) for this anthology, the editors were working with what's available. My advice for those who have been thinking about reading Flight or Fright: Don't go into it looking for the scare factor. Instead, open the cover with the expectation of reading stories that branch across the genres: from a classic by Doyle, to a vintage Matheson (one that truly does pack a fright); from a thought-provoker by Dahl, to a new thrill ride from King. Yeah, I may have been personally looking for a book that would keep me out of the airports, but I'm okay with what it is.
Best of the bunch:
- Nightmare at 20,000 Feet! by Richard Matheson
- Lucifer! by E.C. Tubb
- They Shall Not Grow Old by Roald Dahl
Honorable mentions:
- The Fifth Category by Tom Bissell
- You Are Released by Joe Hill
- The Turbulence Expert by Stephen King
October 12, 2022
Its local lights single homes lamps on barn roofs if she fell
Into water she might live like a diver cleaving perfect plunge p327 James L. Dickey "Falling"
FLIGHT OR FRIGHT edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent is an anthology of frightening airplane stories--horror stories, weird stories, you know the sort. I was honestly surprised to discover that some of the inclusions were old, as I was expecting previously unpublished work. While I did not get previously unpublished work, I was pretty delighted to read "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" by Richard Matheson, which I had seen on THE TWILIGHT ZONE, but never read. What a delight! Scary as hell.
Matheson's story was my favorite in the collection. I also really enjoyed Joe Hill's piece, "You Are Released," which made me gape for a good ten minutes I think while I read. And then, I just couldn't, with James L. Dickey's jarring poem, "Falling."
I picked this up because it was edited by Stephen King, whose work I love, and whose airplane horror novella, THE LANGOLIERS, I really enjoy. But I didn't enjoy King's story in this collection, "The Turbulence Expert." For me, it was mildly forgettable, as in, I couldn't tell you a thing about it.
It's like any anthology, really! Some great, some good, some forgettable. I'm really glad I got to read this because of the stories I mentioned. It was a good mix of classic and new stories. Worth a read.
Star rating 3 stars
Finished October 2022
Recommended for fans of Stephen King, horror shorts, weird stories, airplane horror stories, classic horror, thriller and suspense shorts
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
Into water she might live like a diver cleaving perfect plunge p327 James L. Dickey "Falling"
FLIGHT OR FRIGHT edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent is an anthology of frightening airplane stories--horror stories, weird stories, you know the sort. I was honestly surprised to discover that some of the inclusions were old, as I was expecting previously unpublished work. While I did not get previously unpublished work, I was pretty delighted to read "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" by Richard Matheson, which I had seen on THE TWILIGHT ZONE, but never read. What a delight! Scary as hell.
Matheson's story was my favorite in the collection. I also really enjoyed Joe Hill's piece, "You Are Released," which made me gape for a good ten minutes I think while I read. And then, I just couldn't, with James L. Dickey's jarring poem, "Falling."
I picked this up because it was edited by Stephen King, whose work I love, and whose airplane horror novella, THE LANGOLIERS, I really enjoy. But I didn't enjoy King's story in this collection, "The Turbulence Expert." For me, it was mildly forgettable, as in, I couldn't tell you a thing about it.
It's like any anthology, really! Some great, some good, some forgettable. I'm really glad I got to read this because of the stories I mentioned. It was a good mix of classic and new stories. Worth a read.
Star rating 3 stars
Finished October 2022
Recommended for fans of Stephen King, horror shorts, weird stories, airplane horror stories, classic horror, thriller and suspense shorts
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
June 3, 2019
I received a free e-copy of Flight or Fright by Stephen King from NetGalley for my honest review.
A very intense and interesting collection of 17 short stories. Each story is by a different author (one being Stephen King and another Joe Hill) and the book was edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent. All the stories are centered around flight and they are sure to give you a fright.
Happy reading my friends!
A very intense and interesting collection of 17 short stories. Each story is by a different author (one being Stephen King and another Joe Hill) and the book was edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent. All the stories are centered around flight and they are sure to give you a fright.
Happy reading my friends!
September 10, 2018
Eh. Definitely not worth the $9.99 I paid for this. A new anthology edited by Stephen King though equals I have to read it though. There were some truly what the hell did I just read reactions to some of the short stories, and a few good grief this is boring. I only really enjoyed four stories out of this collection (gave them five stars), and one of them is a story I am already familiar with. I did give some four stars, but the majority are three stars and below.
"Cargo" by E. Michael Lewis (3 stars)-An interesting take on those who had to fly back the dead from the Jonestown massacre. It just really didn't do a thing for me though. I just needed it to be scarier or something. I felt like I was missing some key points or something while reading.
"The Horror of the Heights" by Arthur Conan Doyle (2 stars)-I had to refresh my memory on this one since I didn't even recall it until I started my review. It was just a long form narrative about someone finding the notebook of a Mr. Joyce-Armstrong who was trying to break the height record of 30,000 feet. People who have tried to beat that record have been found dead.
"Nightmare at 20,000 feet" by Richard Matheson (5 stars)-This is the original short story that inspired Twilight Zone the show and the movie later on. It was good to read, but honestly many of the readers will be familiar with it so it doesn't feel like new material.
"The Flying Machine" by Ambrose Bierce (1 stars)- This story wasn't even a page. I initially thought I didn't get a full Kindle version of this book since the story just stops.
"Lucifer" by E.C. Tubb (4 stars)-This was pretty cool. I liked how a time machine (in ring form) comes out to play with an airplane. Don't want to spoil since the ending was so good. I would have loved to see this in a Twilight Zone episode.
"The Fifth Category" by Tom Bissell (1 star)-This whole thing seems to be a story about how torture is wrong and terribly and seems to be a long winded diatribe against the previous two Administrations. I don't know, it made zero sense to decide to go to such lengths against a man who wrote memos regarding acceptable forms of torture. Especially since these people murdered someone and I don't think you can claim the moral high ground there if you are using someone's life to make some random point. I was so annoyed when I finished this story I set this anthology aside for a few hours.
"Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds" by Dan Simmons (3 stars)-Everything looked pretty good until the ending. Once again it felt like a story which made no sense to me. Let's murder everyone on the plane to really take out these terrible human beings who you believe are the cause of others death. Why do I keep looking for logic in horror stories?
"Diablitos" by Cory Goodfellow (1 star)-Evil possessed mask plus a plane ride. I was bored. Sorry. I was hoping for something more.
"Air Raid" by John Varley (3 stars)-Interesting, I wish that there had been more detail in this one. It felt like Varley was more focused on the twisty ending than anything else.
"You are Released" by Joe Hill (5 stars)-Look, I get that King edited this and couldn't make it the first story here, but he should have. Next to Matheson's work this is among the best in this collection. I loved it. Hill seems to be taking real life things (Trump threatening nuclear war against North Korea) and showing what could happen if the world imploded while on a plane. I felt like this was a nice little send up to The Langoliers too.
"Warbirds" by David J. Schow (2 stars)-Way too technical for me and just boring honestly.
"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury (1 star)-....no. That's all I got at this point. I also at this point started sneak reading another book.
"Zombies on a Plane" by Bev Vincent (4 stars)-It was an interesting idea and I loved the callback to the Snakes on a Plane movie. It just needed a bit more oomph for me. I loved the idea of a zombie virus taking everyone as soon as you die, so you don't need to be bit to change. I think The Walking Dead has that same premise too right? Or it did. I don't know, I stopped watching that show this year because I got sick of it.
"They Shall Not Grow Old' By Richard Dahl (3 stars)-This story actually felt a little long and I lost interest in it half way through.
"Murder in the Air" by Peter Tremayne (5 stars)-A locked room murder mystery on a plane. Heck King even points out it's a double locked room murder mystery if you count the plane as being locked too. I loved it. That is all.
"The Turbulence Expert" by Stephen King (5 stars)- I liked the why behind this story. It also echoes some Richard Bachman in my eyes too.
"Falling" by James Dickey (1 stars)-It's a very long poem. My eyes glazed over two pages in unfortunately.
"Cargo" by E. Michael Lewis (3 stars)-An interesting take on those who had to fly back the dead from the Jonestown massacre. It just really didn't do a thing for me though. I just needed it to be scarier or something. I felt like I was missing some key points or something while reading.
"The Horror of the Heights" by Arthur Conan Doyle (2 stars)-I had to refresh my memory on this one since I didn't even recall it until I started my review. It was just a long form narrative about someone finding the notebook of a Mr. Joyce-Armstrong who was trying to break the height record of 30,000 feet. People who have tried to beat that record have been found dead.
"Nightmare at 20,000 feet" by Richard Matheson (5 stars)-This is the original short story that inspired Twilight Zone the show and the movie later on. It was good to read, but honestly many of the readers will be familiar with it so it doesn't feel like new material.
"The Flying Machine" by Ambrose Bierce (1 stars)- This story wasn't even a page. I initially thought I didn't get a full Kindle version of this book since the story just stops.
"Lucifer" by E.C. Tubb (4 stars)-This was pretty cool. I liked how a time machine (in ring form) comes out to play with an airplane. Don't want to spoil since the ending was so good. I would have loved to see this in a Twilight Zone episode.
"The Fifth Category" by Tom Bissell (1 star)-This whole thing seems to be a story about how torture is wrong and terribly and seems to be a long winded diatribe against the previous two Administrations. I don't know, it made zero sense to decide to go to such lengths against a man who wrote memos regarding acceptable forms of torture. Especially since these people murdered someone and I don't think you can claim the moral high ground there if you are using someone's life to make some random point. I was so annoyed when I finished this story I set this anthology aside for a few hours.
"Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds" by Dan Simmons (3 stars)-Everything looked pretty good until the ending. Once again it felt like a story which made no sense to me. Let's murder everyone on the plane to really take out these terrible human beings who you believe are the cause of others death. Why do I keep looking for logic in horror stories?
"Diablitos" by Cory Goodfellow (1 star)-Evil possessed mask plus a plane ride. I was bored. Sorry. I was hoping for something more.
"Air Raid" by John Varley (3 stars)-Interesting, I wish that there had been more detail in this one. It felt like Varley was more focused on the twisty ending than anything else.
"You are Released" by Joe Hill (5 stars)-Look, I get that King edited this and couldn't make it the first story here, but he should have. Next to Matheson's work this is among the best in this collection. I loved it. Hill seems to be taking real life things (Trump threatening nuclear war against North Korea) and showing what could happen if the world imploded while on a plane. I felt like this was a nice little send up to The Langoliers too.
"Warbirds" by David J. Schow (2 stars)-Way too technical for me and just boring honestly.
"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury (1 star)-....no. That's all I got at this point. I also at this point started sneak reading another book.
"Zombies on a Plane" by Bev Vincent (4 stars)-It was an interesting idea and I loved the callback to the Snakes on a Plane movie. It just needed a bit more oomph for me. I loved the idea of a zombie virus taking everyone as soon as you die, so you don't need to be bit to change. I think The Walking Dead has that same premise too right? Or it did. I don't know, I stopped watching that show this year because I got sick of it.
"They Shall Not Grow Old' By Richard Dahl (3 stars)-This story actually felt a little long and I lost interest in it half way through.
"Murder in the Air" by Peter Tremayne (5 stars)-A locked room murder mystery on a plane. Heck King even points out it's a double locked room murder mystery if you count the plane as being locked too. I loved it. That is all.
"The Turbulence Expert" by Stephen King (5 stars)- I liked the why behind this story. It also echoes some Richard Bachman in my eyes too.
"Falling" by James Dickey (1 stars)-It's a very long poem. My eyes glazed over two pages in unfortunately.
October 10, 2018
Once upon a time in a faraway decade there existed short story collections that would knock your socks off. If the book contained fourteen stories then at least eight of them would be considered decent and four of them would send you on a mission to find better fitting socks. Then one day the world got greedy and it was decided that everything was worth publishing and quantity became more valuable than quality. Readers found themselves beginning to doubt the authors they once trusted, not understanding how they could release amazing novels AND crap short stories at the same time. Leaving them to wonder, is the author to blame for agreeing to do it or is the publisher to blame for requesting and/or allowing it to be released?
It’s pretty obvious that I was not a fan of this book. I have decided to rate each individual story instead of my usual paragraph or two summarizing my overall feelings. It’s Wednesday and I’m feeling froggy:
1) “Cargo” by E. Michael Lewis (** A real life is scarier than fiction kind of story that doesn’t contain enough.)
2) “The Horror of the Heights” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (* Extremely boring.)
3) “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson (**** I didn’t love it as much as the movie version but it did educate me on the origin of the story.)
4) “The Flying Machine” by Ambrose Bierce (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
5) “Lucifer!” by E.C. Tubb (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
6) “The Fifth Category” by Tom Bissell (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
7) “Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds” by Dan Simmons (* Confusing until the end and it wasn’t exciting enough for me to care.)
8) “Diablitos” by Cody Goodfellow (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
9) “Air Raid” by John Varley (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
10) “You Are Released” by Joe Hill (***** The most terrifying story in the book. I loved this one.)
11) “Warbirds” by David J. Schow (** I remember this one which is worth one star but the story was weak.)
12) “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury (* Not entertaining.)
13) “Zombies” on a Plane by Bev Vincent (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
14) “They Shall Not Grow Old” by Roald Dahl (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
15) “Murder in the Air” by Peter Tremayne (*** Interesting premise but the length of the story killed the mystery buildup.)
16) “The Turbulence Expert” by Stephen King (*** Interesting premise but it needs more bang for my buck.)
17) “Falling” by James Dickey (* Poetry is not my jam and this one was very not my jam.)
Two stars to a book that really only entertained me 2 out of 17 times.
It’s pretty obvious that I was not a fan of this book. I have decided to rate each individual story instead of my usual paragraph or two summarizing my overall feelings. It’s Wednesday and I’m feeling froggy:
1) “Cargo” by E. Michael Lewis (** A real life is scarier than fiction kind of story that doesn’t contain enough.)
2) “The Horror of the Heights” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (* Extremely boring.)
3) “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson (**** I didn’t love it as much as the movie version but it did educate me on the origin of the story.)
4) “The Flying Machine” by Ambrose Bierce (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
5) “Lucifer!” by E.C. Tubb (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
6) “The Fifth Category” by Tom Bissell (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
7) “Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds” by Dan Simmons (* Confusing until the end and it wasn’t exciting enough for me to care.)
8) “Diablitos” by Cody Goodfellow (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
9) “Air Raid” by John Varley (* I don’t remember what this one was about.)
10) “You Are Released” by Joe Hill (***** The most terrifying story in the book. I loved this one.)
11) “Warbirds” by David J. Schow (** I remember this one which is worth one star but the story was weak.)
12) “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury (* Not entertaining.)
13) “Zombies” on a Plane by Bev Vincent (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
14) “They Shall Not Grow Old” by Roald Dahl (*** Interesting premise but it didn’t entertain me enough.)
15) “Murder in the Air” by Peter Tremayne (*** Interesting premise but the length of the story killed the mystery buildup.)
16) “The Turbulence Expert” by Stephen King (*** Interesting premise but it needs more bang for my buck.)
17) “Falling” by James Dickey (* Poetry is not my jam and this one was very not my jam.)
Two stars to a book that really only entertained me 2 out of 17 times.
November 7, 2018
I listened to the unabridged audiobook. I have to thank my library and Overdrive for saving me some cash, especially since too many of the stories here were a little meh for my liking.
This anthology features stories about the fear of flying and the terrible things the imagination and reality can cook up to speed up your demise. If you’re afraid of flying, this book isn’t going to help you out with that. There are coffins in the back and monsters on the wing!
I’m not going to go into the details of every story because I will lose the will to live and if you want to read this there is no point in me ruining it for you. I didn’t take notes because sometimes you just want to listen to a book without turning it into a homework assignment. Sorry. Sometimes you get a real review from me, other times you get this. There’s a decent mix here of old decrepit stories and newer ones. Many of them I had read already read so, yeah, glad I didn’t spend money on this. All of the writers are males because women aren’t afraid of flying, I guess. We are built of sterner stuff, lol. Anyhow, the results are mixed.
Stephen King writes a kick butt introduction, as always and his story here is one of the better ones. I only wish it had been a wee bit longer because I’m greedy. Still, that man knows how to write a short story. Now on to (some of) the others. CARGO starts things off and it is a good creeping dread tale but was so based in reality that it was more sad than scary for me, especially having just seen the Jonestown documentary. Then there’s NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET. You know that story made famous by Captain Kirk and that creepy-ass Twilight Zone episode? Yep, this is the source material and, because I was a creepy kid, I watched it a million times growing up so I knew how it all went down. One of the stories here had tentacles but don’t ask me which one because my brain is full. The tentacles were a nice little bonus in an otherwise bland story. Joe Hill’s contribution was a frightening read because, well, it could happen! It could happen any damned, cursed moment. You’ll know what I mean when you read it and especially if you live in the USA. There’s a tale about a dude who finds a time travelling ring and can’t keep his murderous hands to himself. He totally gets what is coming to him and what’s coming to him isn’t pleasant! I think I enjoyed DIABLITOS the most. It’s a sinister little tale about a guy who steals something from the wrong lady. The ending completely caught me off guard and created an image in my head that still lingers. Loved it. I also thought AIR RAID was fantastic and nailed the whole Twilight Zone vibe. MURDER IN THE AIR was a decent little murder mystery but not at all a horror story.
The problem with this collection is that many of the stories weren’t all that interesting to me personally. There are so very many boring war time stories and those don’t do it for me. Most are incredibly depressing or about guys agonizing about imminent death and I didn’t find them very gripping. In fact, my thoughts while listening to many of these stories wasn’t one of sympathy but more along the lines of “stop your whining and embrace your fate”. But I’m a jerk like that.
This anthology features stories about the fear of flying and the terrible things the imagination and reality can cook up to speed up your demise. If you’re afraid of flying, this book isn’t going to help you out with that. There are coffins in the back and monsters on the wing!
I’m not going to go into the details of every story because I will lose the will to live and if you want to read this there is no point in me ruining it for you. I didn’t take notes because sometimes you just want to listen to a book without turning it into a homework assignment. Sorry. Sometimes you get a real review from me, other times you get this. There’s a decent mix here of old decrepit stories and newer ones. Many of them I had read already read so, yeah, glad I didn’t spend money on this. All of the writers are males because women aren’t afraid of flying, I guess. We are built of sterner stuff, lol. Anyhow, the results are mixed.
Stephen King writes a kick butt introduction, as always and his story here is one of the better ones. I only wish it had been a wee bit longer because I’m greedy. Still, that man knows how to write a short story. Now on to (some of) the others. CARGO starts things off and it is a good creeping dread tale but was so based in reality that it was more sad than scary for me, especially having just seen the Jonestown documentary. Then there’s NIGHTMARE AT 20,000 FEET. You know that story made famous by Captain Kirk and that creepy-ass Twilight Zone episode? Yep, this is the source material and, because I was a creepy kid, I watched it a million times growing up so I knew how it all went down. One of the stories here had tentacles but don’t ask me which one because my brain is full. The tentacles were a nice little bonus in an otherwise bland story. Joe Hill’s contribution was a frightening read because, well, it could happen! It could happen any damned, cursed moment. You’ll know what I mean when you read it and especially if you live in the USA. There’s a tale about a dude who finds a time travelling ring and can’t keep his murderous hands to himself. He totally gets what is coming to him and what’s coming to him isn’t pleasant! I think I enjoyed DIABLITOS the most. It’s a sinister little tale about a guy who steals something from the wrong lady. The ending completely caught me off guard and created an image in my head that still lingers. Loved it. I also thought AIR RAID was fantastic and nailed the whole Twilight Zone vibe. MURDER IN THE AIR was a decent little murder mystery but not at all a horror story.
The problem with this collection is that many of the stories weren’t all that interesting to me personally. There are so very many boring war time stories and those don’t do it for me. Most are incredibly depressing or about guys agonizing about imminent death and I didn’t find them very gripping. In fact, my thoughts while listening to many of these stories wasn’t one of sympathy but more along the lines of “stop your whining and embrace your fate”. But I’m a jerk like that.
August 18, 2018
FLIGHT OR FRIGHT, edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent (who also each contributed a story of their own), is an anthology of plane-horror stories. While I would say that most of these stories were above average, the only thing that disappointed me was that I had already read the majority of them before--some of them several times.
Here you'll find classic reprints from Richard Matheson and Ambrose Bierce, to newer tales from Joe Hill and Cody Goodfellow. A solid collection from older flying machines to the newer jets, these 17 short stories will likely have something for every horror fan to enjoy. However, if you're a voracious reader, chances are good that you've read at least some of these contributions before.
Here you'll find classic reprints from Richard Matheson and Ambrose Bierce, to newer tales from Joe Hill and Cody Goodfellow. A solid collection from older flying machines to the newer jets, these 17 short stories will likely have something for every horror fan to enjoy. However, if you're a voracious reader, chances are good that you've read at least some of these contributions before.
January 6, 2022
3'5 / 5
Ha sido una buena lectura. Como en todos los libros de relatos, unos me han gustado más que otros.
De los 17 que hay en este libro estos han sido mis favoritos:
5⭐-Pesadilla a veinte mil pies (Richard Matheson)
5⭐-Asalto aéreo (John Varley)
5⭐-Asesinato en el aire (Peter Tremayne)
4⭐-¡Lucifer! (E.C.Tubb)
4⭐-Quedan liberados (Joe Hill)
4⭐-La máquina voladora (Ray Bradbury)
4⭐-El experto en turbulencias (Stephen King)
En general es un libro muy disfrutable. Algunos relatos son más de ciencia ficción, pero todos tienen ese componente de terror que no te deja indiferente.
Ha sido una buena lectura. Como en todos los libros de relatos, unos me han gustado más que otros.
De los 17 que hay en este libro estos han sido mis favoritos:
5⭐-Pesadilla a veinte mil pies (Richard Matheson)
5⭐-Asalto aéreo (John Varley)
5⭐-Asesinato en el aire (Peter Tremayne)
4⭐-¡Lucifer! (E.C.Tubb)
4⭐-Quedan liberados (Joe Hill)
4⭐-La máquina voladora (Ray Bradbury)
4⭐-El experto en turbulencias (Stephen King)
En general es un libro muy disfrutable. Algunos relatos son más de ciencia ficción, pero todos tienen ese componente de terror que no te deja indiferente.
February 10, 2023
✈️An excellent collection. All of the stories (and the poem) were highly enjoyable.
I cried a little during You Are Released by Joe Hill (it was my favourite in this collection, which is saying something, because I loved the whole book), enjoyed Air Raid by John Varley so much that his novel Millennium went immediately on my to be read list, was reminded how much I love Roald Dahl's short stories, read my first non-Sherlock story by Arthur Conan Doyle (really liked it) and read my very first Ray Bradbury story!
Of course, I enjoyed the Stephen King story, it was very good and I will probably reread it. What really pleased me about this book though was the number of authors that I now want to explore further - that's an exciting thought and I'm glad Stephen King and Bev Vincent brought them to my attention.
✈
I cried a little during You Are Released by Joe Hill (it was my favourite in this collection, which is saying something, because I loved the whole book), enjoyed Air Raid by John Varley so much that his novel Millennium went immediately on my to be read list, was reminded how much I love Roald Dahl's short stories, read my first non-Sherlock story by Arthur Conan Doyle (really liked it) and read my very first Ray Bradbury story!
Of course, I enjoyed the Stephen King story, it was very good and I will probably reread it. What really pleased me about this book though was the number of authors that I now want to explore further - that's an exciting thought and I'm glad Stephen King and Bev Vincent brought them to my attention.
✈
April 16, 2022
Empezó bien, pero me parece que algunos relatos no deberían haber llegado más allá del borrador de su autor.
April 22, 2019
Looking for a reason to be afraid of flying? Yeah, neither was I, but I saw this at the airport bookstore and couldn’t resist. A mix of fresh and classic tales, you’ll find yourself glancing out at the wing, eying the flight attendant, and maybe a little hesitant to strike up a conversation with the person next to you - none of these things leading down a pleasant path in these pages. King has always had a knack for taking the ordinary and spinning it on its head by adding a “what if.” With this collection, he found some like minds. And while I wouldn’t want any of them in the cockpit with the keys, they’re perfect flying companions. They’re exactly what you need to distract you from the fact that you’re thirty thousand feet from the ground moving at six hundred miles-per-hour in a flimsy metal tube with nothing but a stale bag of pretzels for comfort should something go wrong.
October 23, 2018
mmm, not sure what to say about this one.
I just presumed I would love it, but as we all know, going in with high expectations is usually a death knell. Plus I've recently read a couple of great King short story collections so the bar was set very high.
My reasons for having these high expectations were: I love SK in general, I relish unusual stories in particular and, I work in aviation - it seemed a foregone conclusion.
But, nope.
Well perhaps I am being a bit harsh - I did like quite a few of them, but a couple I found simply tedious, no other word for it. In fact I didn't even read one of the stories (Warbirds) - I started it, felt myself glazing over and thought 'I'll come back to that one at the end'. But I never did. Perhaps this was a mistake, and someone will tell me they thought that particular one was the best story in the collection! (unlikely 😉)
When I looked back, I liked more stories than I disliked so I started asking myself, 'why the pervading feeling of disappointment?' And came up with this reasoning:
It seemed a very 'male' book to me. I know that's not a very PC thing to say, but I don't know how else to put it. The stories were all written by men - but it wasn't just that, plenty of books I read are by men. It had the feel of one of those 'adventure stories for boys' books that were kicking around when I was a kid. I suppose that's because a few of the stories are vintage, and aircraft - especially wartime aircraft/aviation - was predominantly a male environment in days gone by. There were a couple of stories with political references too, which I never seem to enjoy.
Plus, because I deal with aircraft every day perhaps it was just a case of subject overload for me. I think if I'd have scattered the stories inbetween other reads I would have enjoyed it more. After all no-one wants to think about work when they're not there do they? (well I don't anyway).
I did enjoy Stephen King's introduction, along with his few words before each story - I can never get enough of him talking to us directly (being a constant reader).
If you liked the 'adventures for boys' style, and you love aircraft, then this one may be for you - sadly I'm just not the target audience this time.
So, I'm glad I borrowed this from the library instead of buying my own copy. I'm looking forward to SK's next offering 'Elevation' in a few weeks though, which I've ordered in advance - let's hope my high expectations don't ruin that one for me too... (unlikely 😉)
I just presumed I would love it, but as we all know, going in with high expectations is usually a death knell. Plus I've recently read a couple of great King short story collections so the bar was set very high.
My reasons for having these high expectations were: I love SK in general, I relish unusual stories in particular and, I work in aviation - it seemed a foregone conclusion.
But, nope.
Well perhaps I am being a bit harsh - I did like quite a few of them, but a couple I found simply tedious, no other word for it. In fact I didn't even read one of the stories (Warbirds) - I started it, felt myself glazing over and thought 'I'll come back to that one at the end'. But I never did. Perhaps this was a mistake, and someone will tell me they thought that particular one was the best story in the collection! (unlikely 😉)
When I looked back, I liked more stories than I disliked so I started asking myself, 'why the pervading feeling of disappointment?' And came up with this reasoning:
It seemed a very 'male' book to me. I know that's not a very PC thing to say, but I don't know how else to put it. The stories were all written by men - but it wasn't just that, plenty of books I read are by men. It had the feel of one of those 'adventure stories for boys' books that were kicking around when I was a kid. I suppose that's because a few of the stories are vintage, and aircraft - especially wartime aircraft/aviation - was predominantly a male environment in days gone by. There were a couple of stories with political references too, which I never seem to enjoy.
Plus, because I deal with aircraft every day perhaps it was just a case of subject overload for me. I think if I'd have scattered the stories inbetween other reads I would have enjoyed it more. After all no-one wants to think about work when they're not there do they? (well I don't anyway).
I did enjoy Stephen King's introduction, along with his few words before each story - I can never get enough of him talking to us directly (being a constant reader).
If you liked the 'adventures for boys' style, and you love aircraft, then this one may be for you - sadly I'm just not the target audience this time.
So, I'm glad I borrowed this from the library instead of buying my own copy. I'm looking forward to SK's next offering 'Elevation' in a few weeks though, which I've ordered in advance - let's hope my high expectations don't ruin that one for me too... (unlikely 😉)
September 27, 2018
Stephen King has spent his life frightening his readers, but what scares the world's best selling horror writer ? Flying it seems. So here, appropriatley, is a collection of short stories set around the world of flight.
It's a mixed bag of quality, but there are some real gems to be found here. Richard Matheson's Nightmare At 20,000 Feet has always been a favourite story of mine, as has the classic Twilight Zone episode it inspired. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Horror Of The Heights is a wonderful tale, all the more so when you realise it was written way back in 1913.
Almost all the tales here are new to me, & the editors have put together an eclectic group of authors who supply a very entertaining series of stories for horror lovers everywhere.
It's a mixed bag of quality, but there are some real gems to be found here. Richard Matheson's Nightmare At 20,000 Feet has always been a favourite story of mine, as has the classic Twilight Zone episode it inspired. Arthur Conan Doyle's The Horror Of The Heights is a wonderful tale, all the more so when you realise it was written way back in 1913.
Almost all the tales here are new to me, & the editors have put together an eclectic group of authors who supply a very entertaining series of stories for horror lovers everywhere.
September 27, 2018
Красота! Няма такава красота! Е, има и едно-две недоразумения (какво, в името на пресветата Дева, е „Летящата машина“ на Амброуз Биърс и кой дебил е решил да го включи в тази перла???? А за пишман-поемата в края не ми хрумва нищо, освен нецензурни думи...), но като цяло книгата мачка! Стивън Кинг, естествено, е на върха, но Джо Хил, Едуин Ч. Тъб, Дан Симънс (няма такъв майндфак, честно!), Дейвид Дж. Шоу (романтика!), Роалд Дал (просълзи ме...)... Препоръчвам горещо! Задължително четиво за всички... 🌞
April 28, 2021
I wanna start off by saying that I'm terrified of flying. I dont like heights. I dont like feeling out of control. The main reason I'm terrified of flying is because since I was a little kid 2 of my most dreaded recurring dreams have been about drowning and the other one is about dying in plane crash. I'm aware that these are just stress dreams and its irrational but it does stop me from feeling deep down in my soul that I'll die by drowning or in a plane crash.
So why you might ask would you read a book about plane rides gone wrong?
Because I love reading and watching things about what I fear the most.
Its always hard to rate a short story collection, because collections are usually a mixed bag. You like some, you love some and you hate some.
How do you decide on a proper rating?
With Flight or Fright I decided on a 4 star rating because I gave way more of these stories 4 stars and above. I had so much fun reading book. This book included Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson, which went on to become one of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone.
If you like short horror stories then I think you'll like this collection.
So why you might ask would you read a book about plane rides gone wrong?
Because I love reading and watching things about what I fear the most.
Its always hard to rate a short story collection, because collections are usually a mixed bag. You like some, you love some and you hate some.
How do you decide on a proper rating?
With Flight or Fright I decided on a 4 star rating because I gave way more of these stories 4 stars and above. I had so much fun reading book. This book included Nightmare at 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson, which went on to become one of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone.
If you like short horror stories then I think you'll like this collection.
December 16, 2021
Flight or Fright en su idioma original pero ya sabemos que aquí, en España, traducimos como nos sale de la parte gonadal. Stephen King hace ya tiempo entró en una dinámica de échate a dormir que los dólares caen solos del cielo. El presente libro es una idea del propio Stephen King que edita Bev Vincent. Stephen King llegó un día, en una cafetería cualquiera de esas de aeropuerto, entre viaje y viaje de promoción, y le propuso a su colega, también escritor, Bev:
—Oye, ¿qué te parece si hacemos una antología de relatos de terror que tengan lugar en las nubes? Lo que es decir, que tengan que ver con los aviones, con el miedo que nos da a todos volar. Y cuando digo hacemos, digo que lo haces tú.
—Pero Steve —Bev Vincent le llama Steve porque hay confianza—, apenas conozco unos pocos relatos que tengan que ver con eso.
—Nadie dijo que fuera fácil ganar dinerito —le dijo Stephen—. Yo pongo el nombre en la portada y eso vende. Para compensar meto un relato mío y otro de mi hijo (Joe Hill).
Al pobre Bev le costó Dios y ayuda encontrar los suficientes relatos como para hacer una antología que tuviera un poco de calidad. Él mismo confiesa al final que, aparte de sus pesquisas, tuvo que hacer un grupo de Facebook para que la gente le diera ideas. Cierto es que Steve le hace la introducción a cada uno de los relatos, así que ese mérito tiene.
Bev hizo un gran trabajo porque la recopilación de trabajos recoge a un buen montón de escritores de gran talento en un espacio que no es por lo que más se les conoce. Algunos relatos son mejores que otros. Yo pondría a la cola los que hacen exprofeso Stephen King, su hijo y el propio Bev. Confieso que abandoné la lectura del último al tratarse de poesía. La poesía traducida pierde todo su valor y es, a mi modo de ver, un padecimiento que me podía ahorrar.
Aquí os dejo el listado de los 17 relatos de la antología.
1.Cargamento. E. Michael Lewis.
2.El horror de las alturas. Arthur Conan Doyle. El escritor de Sherlock Holmes o el Mundo perdido; no es tan viejo como para que no le intrigara aquello de volar.
3.Pesadilla a veinte mil pies. Richard Matheson. ¿A alguien le suena una película llamada Soy leyenda o la película de culto El increíble hombre menguante. La vi de pequeño y aún hoy sigue dándome escalofríos.
4.La máquina voladora. Ambrose Bierce.
5.¡Lucifer! E.C.Tubb
6.La quinta categoría. Tom Bissell.
7.Dos minutos y cuarenta y cinco segundos. San Simmons. Imprescindible para los amantes de la ciencia ficción su serie de Los cantos de Hyperion
8.Diablitos. Cody Goodfellow.
9.Asalto aéreo. John Varley. Por favor, si alguien lo encuentra que no deje de leer su relato La persistencia de la visión.
10.Quedan liberados. Joe Hill.
11.Los pájaros de la guerra. David J. Schow. Curiosamente me recuerda mucho al relato que hicimos a 6 manos en este blog Infierno sobre Berlín. De verdad que no conocía este relato antes.
12.La máquina voladora. Ray Bradbury. El de Fahrenheit 451.
13.Zombis en el avión. Bev Vincent.
14.No llegarán a viejos. Roald Dahl. Sí, el mismo de Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate, James y el melocotón gigante. Además de cuentos para niños hizo más cosas.
15.Asesinato en el aire. Peter Tremayne.
16.El experto en turbulencias. Stephen King. El relato más soso de todos.
17.Cayendo. James Dickey.
—Oye, ¿qué te parece si hacemos una antología de relatos de terror que tengan lugar en las nubes? Lo que es decir, que tengan que ver con los aviones, con el miedo que nos da a todos volar. Y cuando digo hacemos, digo que lo haces tú.
—Pero Steve —Bev Vincent le llama Steve porque hay confianza—, apenas conozco unos pocos relatos que tengan que ver con eso.
—Nadie dijo que fuera fácil ganar dinerito —le dijo Stephen—. Yo pongo el nombre en la portada y eso vende. Para compensar meto un relato mío y otro de mi hijo (Joe Hill).
Al pobre Bev le costó Dios y ayuda encontrar los suficientes relatos como para hacer una antología que tuviera un poco de calidad. Él mismo confiesa al final que, aparte de sus pesquisas, tuvo que hacer un grupo de Facebook para que la gente le diera ideas. Cierto es que Steve le hace la introducción a cada uno de los relatos, así que ese mérito tiene.
Bev hizo un gran trabajo porque la recopilación de trabajos recoge a un buen montón de escritores de gran talento en un espacio que no es por lo que más se les conoce. Algunos relatos son mejores que otros. Yo pondría a la cola los que hacen exprofeso Stephen King, su hijo y el propio Bev. Confieso que abandoné la lectura del último al tratarse de poesía. La poesía traducida pierde todo su valor y es, a mi modo de ver, un padecimiento que me podía ahorrar.
Aquí os dejo el listado de los 17 relatos de la antología.
1.Cargamento. E. Michael Lewis.
2.El horror de las alturas. Arthur Conan Doyle. El escritor de Sherlock Holmes o el Mundo perdido; no es tan viejo como para que no le intrigara aquello de volar.
3.Pesadilla a veinte mil pies. Richard Matheson. ¿A alguien le suena una película llamada Soy leyenda o la película de culto El increíble hombre menguante. La vi de pequeño y aún hoy sigue dándome escalofríos.
4.La máquina voladora. Ambrose Bierce.
5.¡Lucifer! E.C.Tubb
6.La quinta categoría. Tom Bissell.
7.Dos minutos y cuarenta y cinco segundos. San Simmons. Imprescindible para los amantes de la ciencia ficción su serie de Los cantos de Hyperion
8.Diablitos. Cody Goodfellow.
9.Asalto aéreo. John Varley. Por favor, si alguien lo encuentra que no deje de leer su relato La persistencia de la visión.
10.Quedan liberados. Joe Hill.
11.Los pájaros de la guerra. David J. Schow. Curiosamente me recuerda mucho al relato que hicimos a 6 manos en este blog Infierno sobre Berlín. De verdad que no conocía este relato antes.
12.La máquina voladora. Ray Bradbury. El de Fahrenheit 451.
13.Zombis en el avión. Bev Vincent.
14.No llegarán a viejos. Roald Dahl. Sí, el mismo de Charlie y la fábrica de chocolate, James y el melocotón gigante. Además de cuentos para niños hizo más cosas.
15.Asesinato en el aire. Peter Tremayne.
16.El experto en turbulencias. Stephen King. El relato más soso de todos.
17.Cayendo. James Dickey.
July 3, 2019
Συμπαθητική και ψυχαγωγική ανθολογία διηγημάτων, σε επιμέλεια Στίβεν Κινγκ και Μπεβ Βίνσεντ. Όλα τα διηγήματα έχουν να κάνουν λίγο έως πολύ με τα αεροπλάνα και τις πτήσεις, τα περισσότερα εκ των οποίων έχουν και στοιχεία του ευρύτερου Φανταστικού. Δεν μπορώ να πω ότι βρήκα κάποιο διήγημα που να με συγκλονίσει ή να με τρομάξει ιδιαίτερα, όμως πέρασα καλά, διάβασα κάποιες ωραίες και ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορίες (ορισμένες τις βρήκα αρκετά ανα��ριχιαστικές), ενώ συνάντησα και κάποιες καλές ιδέες. Θα έλεγα ότι γενικά το επίπεδο της ανθολογίας είναι ως επί το πλείστον ικανοποιητικό, αρκεί οι προσδοκίες να μην είναι ιδιαίτερα υψηλές και οι αναγνώστες να μην περιμένουν κάτι το συνταρακτικό. Μπορώ να κατανοήσω τις διχογνωμίες σχετικά με το επίπεδο της ποιότητας των διηγημάτων της συγκεκριμένης ανθολογίας, μιας και υπάρχουν κάποιες μέτριες και αδιάφορες στιγμές, προσωπικά όμως πέρασα ευχάριστα την ώρα μου, ένιωσα ανατριχίλες, οπότε για μένα το πρόσημο είναι σίγουρα θετικό. Αν ήταν να επιλέξω τα πέντε πιο δυνατά διηγήματα της ανθολογίας, με βάση το προσωπικό μου γούστο, μάλλον θα ήταν αυτά: "Εφιάλτης στα 20.000 πόδια" (Ρίτσαρντ Μάθεσον), "Αεροπορική επιδρομή" (Τζον Βάρλεϊ), "Είστε ελεύθεροι" (Τζο Χιλ), "Δεν θα γεράσουν" (Ρόαλντ Νταλ) και "Ο ειδικός των αναταράξεων" (Στίβεν Κινγκ).
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