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Richard Matheson Collected Stories Vol. 3
01/01/2006 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Edge Books/Gauntlet Press. 349 page enlarged paperback. Price: $16.95 (US(, $24.95 (CAN). ISBN: 1-8873688-1-7. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.gauntlesspress.com
From one of the post-scripts from the 28 short stories in this volume, author Richard Matheson declares that all of his works develop out of paranoia. As these stories clearly illustrate, this paranoia isn't unfounded cos people or something out there is determined to get you as well. There are also testimonials included from the likes of Stephen King, Harlan Ellison and Ray Bradbury as to effect Matheson's work has influenced their own writing, making this all the more an important book. If you've been picking up on the original 'Twilight Zone' TV series DVD releases, then no doubt you'll have seen Matheson's name cropping up a lot. Many of his scripts for TZ and 'Dead Of Night' started off as short stories and are in this book. Unlike other TZ luminaries Rod Serling and Chuck Beaumont, many of Matheson's stories came before screenplays.
Picking out titles is going to either have some of you wondering what I'm referring to or me choosing titles that everyone has some familiarity with. 'Nightmare At 20,000' feet was used both in the original series and as part of the later 1983 film. A man on a late night aeroplane flight is convinced there is a gremlin tearing apart one of the wing engines and has no one believing him. There is also 'Duel' that the Spielberg TV movie evolved from where a driver on the road finds himself versus a mad homicidal lorry driver determined to take him off the road. One of my favourites here is 'The Girl Of My Dreams' where a scheming husband takes advantage of his wife's ability to make more of her ability to predict people's deaths from taking place. A beautifully twisted tale in more ways than one.
Matheson's strength lies in setting a scene and briskly moving you into what is going on. Even if the characters are not always wholesome, it is a delight to see what fate he has in store for them. If you're going to learn off a master writer then Richard Matheson should really be high on your list. This book is a must read.
GF Willmetts
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