Dark Terrors 6: The Gollancz Book Of Horror edited by Stephen Jones and David Sutton
01/05/2003 . Source: Stella Pang 

Pub: Gollancz. 499 page enlarged paperback. Price: £12.99 (UK only). ISBN: 0-575-07249-0.

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What is a horror story? There are many answers to this and each individual will have their own thoughts on the subject.

Personally, I like my horror to be bloody and psychological with a twist. Hope that makes sense. There should be a reason for the violence. Perhaps I'm not even describing horror but then again, what is a horror story?

There are 33 stories in this book as well as the blurb about the editors, acknowledgments and the introduction. Each story is between 5 and 40 pages long, so there is something suitable for a quick read and for times when you can sit down and relax with a glass of wine and a book.

After reading the stories, some well-known authors have contributed e.g. Ramsey Campbell, Tanith Lee, Graham Masterton and more, none of the stories quite fitted in to my idea of a horror story. The stories cover a variety of subjects including life after death and relationships.

A couple have stuck in my brain. ‘Sweetness And Light’ by Joe Murphy was good, it was sad in a way but well worth reading. The Christopher Fowler story, ‘We're Going Where The Sun Shines Brightly’, should come with a warning!

If you have ever seen or heard Cliff Richard in the film ‘Summer Holiday’, you will look at it in a different way after reading this story. I kept getting the song in my head, not good as I don't particularly like it! So please, Mr Fowler, could you choose a song by Genesis/Phil Collins next time, I can cope with that.

To be honest, that's it - if you like your horror as more ‘Dark Fantasy’ then this could be the book for you. If your idea of horror is different then leave this book on the shelf.

Stella Pang