We've Been Waiting For You and Other Tales of Unease

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Tales of Unease
Review: John Burke is probably best known for the film novelisations he wrote in the 1960s including the Hammer Horror Film Omnibus (Volumes 1 & 2) and Dr Terror's House of Horrors. He was also the European story editor for Twentieth Century-Fox and wrote the screenplay for the 1967 Boris Karloff film "The Sorcerers". During his long career he has also written a number of short stories, 22 of which are collected here. Subtitled 'Tales of Unease', this is one of the latest collections by small press publisher Ash Tree, who have been responsible for reprinting some excellent (and some not-quite-so-excellent) collections over the past few years. Thankfully, this is one of their more worthwhile ventures, and there are quite a few gems to be discovered (or rediscovered) here. 'A Comedy of Terrors' is a snappy sick little satire of the 1960s British horror movie industry. 'For You, the Possessed' is the ultimate paranoia tale, and 'Collaboration' is a lovely story about a lady becoming a best-selling author with the help of her ghost-in-residence. The book is rounded off by 'And Cannot Come Again', written by Burke one clear sunny day in Prague. Like a couple of other stories in this collection, political machinations have a part to play in the themes of unease and desperation which develop as the story progresses. Another highly recommended collection from this particular publishing house.

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Tales of Unease
Review: John Burke is probably best known for the film novelisations he wrote in the 1960s including the Hammer Horror Film Omnibus (Volumes 1 & 2) and Dr Terror's House of Horrors. He was also the European story editor for Twentieth Century-Fox and wrote the screenplay for the 1967 Boris Karloff film "The Sorcerers". During his long career he has also written a number of short stories, 22 of which are collected here. Subtitled `Tales of Unease', this is one of the latest collections by small press publisher Ash Tree, who have been responsible for reprinting some excellent (and some not-quite-so-excellent) collections over the past few years. Thankfully, this is one of their more worthwhile ventures, and there are quite a few gems to be discovered (or rediscovered) here. `A Comedy of Terrors' is a snappy sick little satire of the 1960s British horror movie industry. `For You, the Possessed' is the ultimate paranoia tale, and `Collaboration' is a lovely story about a lady becoming a best-selling author with the help of her ghost-in-residence. The book is rounded off by `And Cannot Come Again', written by Burke one clear sunny day in Prague. Like a couple of other stories in this collection, political machinations have a part to play in the themes of unease and desperation which develop as the story progresses. Another highly recommended collection from this particular publishing house.

Rating:
Summary: buyer beware
Review: This collection of John Burke's own stories should not be confused with a collection of other writers' stories edited by Burke called Tales of Unease (Pan Books, 1966). Unfortunately, many of these stories are rather undistinguished (which accounts for the 2-star rating above). Burke's collection of his own stories, which I haven't read, sounds much more intriguing.

Rating:
Summary: buyer beware
Review: This collection of John Burke's own stories should not be confused with a collection of other writers' stories edited by Burke called Tales of Unease (Pan Books, 1966). Unfortunately, many of these stories are rather undistinguished (which accounts for the 2-star rating above). Burke's collection of his own stories, which I haven't read, sounds much more intriguing.