I’ve been reading the work of Joe R. Lansdale for over thirty years. But Lansdale’s prolific career has generated so many novels and stories, I’ve only been able to keep up with a fraction of his output. With Halloween just around the corner, The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale arrives at just the right time to provide some spooky vibes for the darkening season.
The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale collects what Lansdale considers the best of his work in horror (of course, Lansdale has written Science Fiction, Fantasy, crime novels, and weird westerns, too). Joe Hill (aka, Stephen King’s son) tries hard to explain Lansdale in his Introduction and…admits he comes up short.
Here’s some reasons why Joe Hill struggled with categorizing Joe R. Lansdale. Take “Hoodoo Man and the Midnight Train.” There’s magic–the Dark kind–enchanted weapons, a spooky Train, and a girl to be rescued. Or what about “The Folding Man” with a limousine filled with nuns–the real Bad kind–and a chase filled with menace and danger. A malevolent spirit powers “God of the Razor” which–as an aside–identifies Jack the Ripper. And what the zombies in “On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert with Dead Folk.”
So many unique ideas, so many quirky characters, so much horror!
The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale is one of those books just brimming with stories that will rattle around in your mind for a long time. Highly recommended! GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction by Joe Hill — 7
Introduction by Joe R. Lansdale — 13
“The Folding Man” — 15
“Hoodoo Man and the Midnight Train” — 33
“God of the Razor” — 59
“My Dead Dog Bobby” — 71
“Tight Little Stitches in a Deadman’s Back” — 75
“By Bizarre Hands” — 93
On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert with Dead Folk — 109
“Love Doll: A Fable” — 151
“Mister Weed-Eater” — 157
“The Bleeding Shadow” — 183
“Not From Detroit” — 213
“The Hungry Snow” — 225
“Dog, Cat, and Baby” — 257
Bubba Ho-tep — 261
“Fish Night” — 299
“Night They Missed the Horror Show” — 309
OK…what the zombies in “Cadillac Desert”, indeed?
My default favorite Lansdale story remains “Night They Missed the Horror Show”..which by my lights isn’t horror, but the best story about not getting too close to “mean furniture” thugs if at all possible. And, even one or so of his western novels isn’t weird at all (the others make up for that).
Even with having nearly all this fiction already, I might need this.
Todd, THE ESSENTIAL HORROR OF JOE. R. LANSDALE includes Lansdale’s introductions to the stories that are worth the price of admission just to read how these stories came about. I’m with you on “Night They Missed the Horror Show”! Classic!
If anyone listens to podcasts, Joe is this week’s guest on Neil McRobert’s Talking Scared podcast. Even if you’re not a big fan of horror, McRobert’s show is always interesting—and, of course, Joe is a great guest. Both the podcast in general and this episode in particular are highly recommended.
Deb, thanks for the heads up. I’ll listen to Neil McRobert’s TALKING SCARED. Lansdale is a great guest!
My all-time favorite Bouchercon moment might be the room party discussion with Joe and Bill Crider about HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP. (“Aliens want to mate with human women!”)
Jeff, the dinner conversation with Bill Crider and Joe R. Lansdale at that World Fantasy Convention in San Antonio centered around scary movies, too!
Further thanks for the pointer to this podcast, of which I wasn’t previously aware. Will check into it.
Personally, I consider “The Night They Missed the Horror Show” to be one of the best stories ever published in any genre, hands down. And, let’s face it, “Bubba Ho-tep” is an absolute unforgettable hoot. All of the tales in this book showcase Lansdale as one of the most talented writers out there. How does he do it? I’ve always suspected there’ something in the East Texas water.
Jerry, I’m with you on puzzling how Lansdale does it. I’m guessing Magic. “Bubba Ho-tep” is another classic! The movie is fun, too!
I first read Joe Lansdale when a friend who was in correspondence with him, told me about his first novel, ACT OF LOVE (1981). I’ve read a lot of his short stories and will check this one out.
Jeff, I’m very fond of Lansdale’s weird western stories.