Visionary? (Dark Visions - Stephen King et al.)

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Dark Visions - Stephen King et al.
Date:	27/10/05 (158 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bound to like one of the authors, variety of styles and approaches.

Disadvantages: King selection is weak, one poor effort from Simmons.

I bought this book knowing plenty of Stephen King (who doesn't) but little of Dan Simmons or George R.R Martin. Being a King enthusiast I bought it on the assumption that I would at least like some of the stories.

"Dark Visions" is a strange concept to consider. Its introduction by famous horror editor Douglas E.Winter gives the definition and origins of horror writing and he seems to be trying to convert people to the joys of the horror novel while taking swipes at those who mock it. This is an interesting introduction that gives a helpful biography of each writer but you cannot help feel that Winter is preaching to the converted. Extolling the virtues of horror writing and the writers within is admirable but for me largely unnecessary. It is unlikely someone will stumble across a book called "Dark Visions" with a co-author such as King synonymous with horror and buy it in error. As such Winter's introduction is an interesting aside but is nothing more than an indulgence leaving you hoping the stories within will live up to his considerable hyping.

Unsurprisingly, the book starts of with King seemingly so the reader knows what to expect from the lesser known Martin and Simmons. However, somewhat surprisingly King's first tale "Reploids" is not a horror story at all but rather a pastiche and homage to the science fiction comics of the 1950's. This could almost be a script from "The Twilight Zone" or "The Outer Limits" as King asks why a mysterious man walks confidently onto "The Tonight Show" believing himself to be the presenter and leaves two hard-nosed cops to ask, "Who is he and where the hell is Johnny Carson?" This story is well written and has King's trademark short story twist but it feels like King is allowing his characters to "ham it up" possibly intentionally. Regardless I came away from this one unsatisfied and hoping for more from his next tale.

King's next effort "Sneakers" is one I am not a stranger too as I had already encountered it in his "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" collection. As such I was instantly disappointed that these stories were not commissioned specifically for this collection. However, "Sneakers" is an excellent short story. Following the story of John Tell, a wannabe music producer who gets his first big break this is essentially an old fashioned ghost story. We follow Tell as he gets more and more transfixed by a pair of old sneakers underneath a cubicle in the men's restroom. On each visit the sneakers seem older and grimier and as they start to collect dead flies Tell wonders who could own such a horrible pair of sneakers and why is this person present every time he visits the restroom? Naturally as with any horror story from King he evokes primal fears as we ourselves become John Tell and are strangely drawn towards the men's restroom and what's behind the cubicle door. Of course it would not be King if there were not a surprise in store. Definitely one of King's best short stories for gripping you to the end those who have not read "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" are in for a treat.

King's final contribution to "Dark Visions" is another strange one in "Dedication" and is considered one of his most controversial stories ever. Considered controversial due to the perverse sexual nature forced upon its heroine Martha Rosewall I still feel the merits of this story should not be overlooked. King seems to have an interest in witchcraft particularly the voodoo, earthy witchcraft that seems all to real and this is what this story centres on. Martha Rosewall's retelling of her meeting with Mama Delorme is an intimidating one as King seems to take great pleasure in showing the prices that have to be paid to protect your family at all costs. What makes this tale so fearful is that it is impossible to determine if the witch in question is either bad or good as such Martha's visit to her is all the more edgy as you wait to see the outcome of her request. Despite the rather odd inclusion by King of a perverse sexual act forced upon Martha this is a tale well told that leaves you with great empathy with its heroine. Again it is not perhaps an example of King's best horror writing but it is a good example of his ability to diversify.

So, after the hit and miss of King's three efforts I come upon the unknown to me Dan Simmons and "Metastasis". This starts off being the well-trodden tale of the man in a car crash who gets a head injury leading to enhanced senses but diminished sight scenario that has been covered by countless writers including the aforementioned Stephen King. However, fortunately Simmons moves quickly away from this into the realms of human illness and covers one of humanities worst fears that of cancer. What if cancer was not a disease but rather a manifestation of symptoms due to ethereal vampires? This is what Louis Steig discovers when he finds one such parasite feeding on his own mother. Simmons plays on our powerlessness against such things and Steig's own futile efforts to kill these insubstantial entities. However, Simmons also offers the reader hope. What if there was a way to get rid of cancer for good? Admittedly ridiculously far-fetched this is nonetheless a well plotted, exciting story and for such a short novel I felt great empathy for Steig's plight. After all who cannot understand the fear of terminal illness and impending loss. It is the humanity of this outlandish tale that makes it such a success.

Simmons's next tale "Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well and Living in Hell" is like going from the sublime to the ridiculous! Having an obvious swipe at the evangelical ministers prevalent on American television Simmons brings the bizarre Mr Vanni Fucci on as an unexpected guest on Brother Freddy's ecclesiastical chat show. Claiming to be from "The seventh bolgia of the circle of hell" Fucci says he has been selected by others to be the spokesperson of those tormented in hell. He arrives on the show claiming hell is a man-made product of people's beliefs and it is their fault that he is there. This is a bizarre story by Simmons and sits uncomfortably between horror and satire. I remain uncertain as to what Simmons is trying to achieve here as the story peters out due to a complete lack of characterisation, empathy with characters and to an ultimately unsatisfying conclusion.

Fortunately, Simmons redeems himself with his final foray "Iverson's Pits". This is a fantastically written tale of a boy scout forced to accompany a veteran soldier to Gettysburg for remembrance day. Simmons uses the veteran to retell all the horrors of war and the cowardice of his captain "Iverson" and his tale is horrific enough in itself as Simmons uses vivid imagery to describe a battlefield littered with dismembered bodies. If this was not terrifying enough Simmons broaches the possibility of the revenge of dead soldiers on their cowardly captain. Told from the young Scouts point of view Simmons mercilessly drags this poor boy along this horrific journey to its grisly conclusion. A fascinating insight into the mind of a scarred veteran and a scared little boy this is the best tale thus far.

So, does "Dark Visions" save the best till last? Well George R.R Martin is apparently better known for his fantasy novels so it was with great surprise that I found "The Skin Trade" is the best example of horror writing in this collection. Perhaps, due to committing only one longer novella than three short stories, Martin writes a convincing, fearful tale of werewolves invading all segments of society. Willie commissions Private Investigator Randi to investigate the death of his friend Joannie in mysterious circumstances. When Randi finds that her body was flayed alive and the skin taken by her killer she wonders what kind of sicko is she dealing with. With the police giving little away it is up to Randi to find out the truth. Meanwhile Willie has his own ways of sniffing out a lead. "The Skin Trade" is a masterful piece of storytelling by Martin that sends chills down the spine and has surprises at every turn. Just when you think you have it worked out, out pops another gruesome twist. Vividly realised and imaginatively set it combines traditional whodunit with horror while providing interesting flawed heroes and heroine's. Perhaps my only disappointment with this novella is that it all ended so quickly. With so much going on you feel as if this would have been even more satisfying as a full-blown novel. Nevertheless this is by far the best short story I have read in years and justifies the purchase of "Dark Visions" on its own.

All in all a mixed bunch then. King's contributions are interesting but ultimately disappointing and there are certainly better examples of his short stories elsewhere. Simmons gives two superb stories and one complete catastrophe that seems completely out of place. Martin is perhaps my new find and if the rest of his stuff is as good as "The Skin Trade" then I look forward to reading more. As a collection this is hit and miss but then I tend to find all short story collections are. "Dark Visions" claims to be "An impressive showcase from three masters of the macabre" but I would say King was poor, Simmons good but Martin even better. Buy it to sample these authors works but do not expect to like them all.

Pages: 384
Price: £4.79 on Amazon
ISBN: 0575402903

Summary: Worth buying for Martin and Simmons but do not buy it for King.