Foundations of Fear : An Exploration of Horror

Foundations of Fear

by David G. Hartwell

Horror fiction is a special and enduring pleasure, invoking fear and wonder. For centuries, writers have struggled to achieve the sublime through these tales, at times creating works of enduring interest. Horror novels have become one of the major bestselling forms of fiction in recent years, and Hollywood has given us a huge and varied supply of popular films, which has created an audience in the millions for horror. But throughout history, many of the finest achievements in horror have been in short fiction. From these masterpieces have been selected the contents of Foundations of Fear. This anthology presents an international selection of the strongest work by writers such as Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, and Arthur Machen, who have been identified as category horror writers, and by writers such as Carlos Fuentes, Gerald Durrell, and Daphne Du Maurier, whose literary reputations transcend category. For horror in literature cuts across all category boundaries. Thus the reader will find in this volume domestic horror stories by Thomas Hardy, Violet Hunt and Mary Wilkins Freeman; and stories by Robert A. Heinlein and Philip K. Dick, masters of science fiction. The Introduction to Foundations of Fear takes particular note of women writers, who have made important contributions to the development of the horrific in literature; in addition to those already mentioned the collection includes works by Madeline Yale Wynne, Harriet Prescott Spofford, Gertrude Atherton, and others. Foundations of Fear challenges the notion that the supernatural in fiction has in modern times been supplanted by the psychological, the idea that horror is dead. Horror is one of the dominant literary modes of our time, a vigorous and living body of literature that continues to thrill us with the mystery and wonder of the unknown.

Contents

1 • Introduction (Foundations of Fear) • (1992) • essay by David G. Hartwell
12 • Don't Look Now • (1966) • novella by Daphne du Maurier
41 • They • (1941) • shortstory by Robert A. Heinlein
52 • At the Mountains of Madness • [Cthulhu Mythos] • (1936) • novel by H. P. Lovecraft
115 • The Little Room • (1895) • shortstory by Madeline Yale Wynne
124 • The Shadowy Street • (1965) • novelette by Jean Ray (aka La ruelle ténébreuse 1932 )
145 • Passengers • (1968) • shortstory by Robert Silverberg
154 • The Moonstone Mass • (1868) • shortstory by Harriet Prescott Spofford
163 • The Blue Rose • [Blue Rose] • (1985) • novella by Peter Straub (aka Blue Rose)
197 • Sandkings • (1979) • novelette by George R. R. Martin
223 • The Great God Pan • (1894) • novella by Arthur Machen
256 • Aura • (1965) • novelette by Carlos Fuentes
276 • Barbara, of the House of Grebe • (1890) • novelette by Thomas Hardy
295 • Torturing Mr. Amberwell • (1985) • novelette by Thomas M. Disch
317 • The Prayer • (1895) • novelette by Violet Hunt
334 • Who Goes There? • (1938) • novella by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by John W. Campbell ]
370 • . . . and my fear is great • (1953) • novella by Theodore Sturgeon (aka . . . And My Fear Is Great . . .)
409 • When Darkness Loves Us • (1985) • novelette by Elizabeth Engstrom
439 • We Purchased People • (1974) • shortstory by Frederik Pohl
449 • The Striding Place • (1896) • shortstory by Gertrude Atherton
454 • In the Hills, the Cities • (1984) • novelette by Clive Barker
474 • Faith of Our Fathers • (1967) • novelette by Philip K. Dick
495 • The Bell in the Fog • (1905) • novelette by Gertrude Atherton
509 • The Sand-Man • (1816) • novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (aka Der Sandmann)
530 • Bloodchild • (1984) • novelette by Octavia E. Butler [as by Octavia Butler ]
543 • Duel • (1971) • novelette by Richard Matheson
558 • Longtooth • (1970) • novelette by Edgar Pangborn
580 • Luella Miller • (1902) • shortstory by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman [as by Mary Wilkins Freeman ]
589 • The Entrance • (1979) • novelette by Gerald Durrell
619 • The Lurking Duck • (1992) • shortfiction by Scott Baker
649 • Notes on the Writing of Horror: A Story • (1985) • novelette by Thomas Ligotti

Genres: Horror, Anthologies, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction, Weird Fiction

Paperback

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

David Geddes Hartwell was an American editor of science fiction and fantasy. He worked for Signet (1971-1973), Berkley Putnam (1973-1978), Pocket (where he founded the Timescape imprint, 1978-1983, and created the Pocket Books Star Trek publishing line), and Tor (where he spearheaded Tor's Canadian publishing initiative, and was also influential in bringing many Australian writers to the US market, 1984-date), and has published numerous anthologies. He chaired the board of directors of the World Fantasy Convention and, with Gordon Van Gelder, was the administrator of the Philip K. Dick Award. He held a Ph.D. in comparative medieval literature.

He lived in Pleasantville, New York with his wife Kathryn Cramer and their two children.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hefty, almost unwieldy collection (trade paperback, over 600 pages, very small print) is a look at the history and evolution of the horror genre. Beginning with an academic introduction, it contains a pretty good variety of subject matter, although there are some similar stories included to compare and contrast themes (two stories of alien forces that control human bodies for their own ends, for example.) There are several science fiction stories, showing the crossover between genres. The selections range from the 18th century to the early 1990s. I have to admit I found some of the earlier stories hard to get through. Those people sure were in love with their writing. Lest you think me ageist, some of the more recent stories fell flat for me as well. But there is some great material scattered throughout. These were my favorites:

"They" by Robert A. Heinlein: A man believes that the world around him is a sham constructed for the benefit of mysterious agents.

"Sandkings" by George R.R. Martin: A collector of exotic animals fails to follow the care instructions regarding his latest acquisitions.

"When Darkness Loves Us" by Elizabeth Engstrom: A young wife trapped in a disused mine adapts in many ways...

"In The Hills, The Cities" by Clive Barker: Two lovers traveling in eastern Europe witness a bizarre and fantastic ritual enacted by two neighboring cities.

"The Entrance" by Gerald Durrell: An antiquarian book expert is called upon by a friend to catalog his late uncle's collection, but he finds himself distracted by the many mirrors that adorn the walls of the house...and by the hungry thing that dwells on the other side. This is easily the most chilling story in this anthology.

"The Lurking Duck" by Scott Baker: A young girl discovers the link between a criminal she helped put behind bars and the curious behavior of local waterfowl.

Finishing this collection, appropriately, is "Notes on the Writing of Horror" by Thomas Ligotti. What appears to be an instructional piece (Hartwell himself uses it in his teaching) eventually is revealed to be something more.

Worth picking up for some of the harder-to-find stories.

UPDATE: I've since re-read some of the older stories in a different anthology with larger print and more comfortable typesetting, and enjoyed them much more, so the problem with them may have been the formatting rather than the stories themselves. If this bothers you too, check out American Fantastic Tales: Terror and the Uncanny from Poe to the Pulps.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as great as Hartwell's The Dark Descent anthology, but still pretty...well, great. A couple of the stories, namely the novellas "When Darkness Loves Us" by Elizabeth Engstrom and "Sandkings" by George R.R. Martin, are close to perfection.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Contains the stories:

Dont Look Now by Daphne du Maurier
They by Robert A. Heinlein
At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft - 4/5 - the mother of all Antarctic horror stories
The Little Room by Madeline Yale Wynne
The Shadowy Street (aka La ruelle ténébreuse) by Jean Ray
Passengers by Robert Silverberg
The Moonstone Mass by Harriet Prescott Spofford
Blue Rose by Peter Straub
Sandkings by George R.R. Martin
The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen - 4/5 - an ornate tale of spiritual corruption by ancient evil
Aura by Carlos Fuentes
Barbara of the House of Grebe by Thomas Hardy
Torturing Mr. Amberwell by Thomas M. Disch
The Prayer by Violet Hunt
Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell Jr. - 5/5 - the basis for John Carpenter's 1981 horror classic "The Thing"
. . . And My Fear Is Great by Theodore Sturgeon
When Darkness Loves Us by Elizabeth Engstrom
We Purchased People by Frederik Pohl
The Striding Place by Gertrude Atherton
In the Hills, the Cities by Clive Barker - 3/5 - neighboring villages get ready to rumble
Faith of Our Fathers by Philip K. Dick
The Bell in the Fog by Gertrude Atherton
The Sand-Man by E.T.A. Hoffmann
Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler
Duel by Richard Matheson
Longtooth by Edgar Pangborn
Luella Miller by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
The Entrance by Gerald Durrell
The Lurking Duck by Scott Baker
Notes on the Writing of Horror: A Story by Thomas Ligotti

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are one or two stories that seemed a bit slow, but overall, this is a very good collection. I have always enjoyed the anthologies edited by David Hartwell. The book includes a good scholarly essay as way of introduction. I wrote back in my journal that the editor views horror as a mode authors use in many categories of fiction, and that the book looks at the transaction between the reader and text which "yields the horrific response."

I was reading this when I was still teaching public school. Back then I was worried some of my colleagues would look down on me for reading a book like this. How times have changed since I have learned not to apologize for my reading tastes, and that genres like this can be both light and sophisticated. Horror for me makes a good way to let the imagination roam free, especially into some dark places. Definitely a book I recommend to anyone wanting to get a good overview of the horror genre.

[Stillgolfing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do read horror stories and novels, but I'm not a fanatical fan of this type of written media, despite the fact I'm positively fanatical about Cult Horror Movies. Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (they charge an arm and a leg), Dead Hooker in a Trunk, Lesbian Vampire Killers, All Cheerleaders Must Die ....It can't get any better than that can it? ;)
Anyway, unlike the corny visual splatter fests I prefer in my movie watching, this compendium of horror stories contains extremely well written stories that are just downright creepy. Hartwell has stayed pretty consistent throughout in his choices, and even his inclusion of some classic sci-fi horror does not detract from the overall theme of brooding creepiness. Authors selected range from Daphne Du Maurier, Thomas Hardy and H.P Lovecraft to Clive Barker and Peter Straub. Edgar Alan Poe would be proud!

ASIDE:
I'm not sure you will be able to find this book, even if you wanted to read it. I just inherited it from my recently passed brother in law, along with approximately 6500 books (many signed 1st editions from the 60's and 70's). When researching his collection, as to value, I did not find any sales info on this book and was surprised to see it show up when I typed the name into the "What are you currently reading" box.

[Aras · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anthology of horror stories. Some of them are quite good, though others are pretty unremarkable and something of a slog to get through.

My favourites were "Don't Look Now" by Daphne Du Maurier, "The Shadowy Street" by Jean Ray, "...and My Fear is Great" by Theodore Sturgeon, "Faith of our Fathers" by Philip K. Dick, "Longtooth" by Edgar Pangborn, "Luella Miller" by Mary Wilkins Freeman, and "The Entrance" by Gerald Durell.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the horror genre featuring authors, classical and contemporary, domestic and foreign, some identified as literary figures, others identified as science fiction or horror writers. It was read as a bedtime book.

[bluetyson]

Foundations of Fear (Tor Horror) by David Hartwell (1992)

[James S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a few notable exceptions, this anthology is unrelentingly mediocre and is an indictment of David Hartwell's bad taste. There are 30 stories here, and here is how I graded each one:

5s -
"Don't Look Now" - Daphne du Maurier. One of the best horror stories, but one I've already read 2 or 3 times.
"Sandkings" - George R.R Martin. Again, probably the best horror science fiction short story, but I've read it more than 5 times in various anthologies.

4s -
"In the Hills, the Cities" - Clive Barker. Well-written and bizarre...but I've already read it in other anthologies.
"Duel" - Richard Matheson. A gripping though anticlimactic story, and one I've never come across before, but not even remotely horror.
"The Entrance" - Gerald Durrell, the best story in this anthology that I hadn't come across before.

3s-
"Torturing Mr. Amberwell" - Thomas Disch. An author I admired more as an angsty teen than as an adult, this story is badly dated and gratuitous, though readable, hence the 3 rating.
"When Darkness Loves Us" - Elizabeth Engstrom. A gripping story, though rather prosaically written; again, one I've read before.
"The Bell in the Fog", Gertrude Atherton. All memory of this story, or why I gave it a 3, is escaping me. Surely this alone says something about this story.
"Bloodchild" - Octavia Butler. A science-fiction story with an excellent premise but mediocre writing. Again, one I've read before.
"The Lurking Duck" - Scott Baker. Readable, but too self-conscious and science-fictional for me.

Everything else - in other words, literally 20 of the remaining stories - I found to be some combination of dull and poorly written. So, out of 30 stories total, there were only 2 ("Duel" and "The Entrance") that were both new to me and well-written enough to be readable. It's clear that good writing is not an important criteria for David G. Hartwell.

Average story score: 2.5.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection by noted science fiction and horror editor, David G. Hartwell, of horror novellas. Plenty variety of scares and good introduction to unknown authors.
Daphne du Maurier's "Don't Look Back" is classic, about grieving father, with psychic premonitions, his daughter may still be alive. Ends tragically. Basis for Nicholas Roeg film, and first novella. Prepare to be scared out of your wits. Theodore Sturgeon, Arthur Machen, and Thomas Hardy are also represented.
Enjoyable terrors.

[Bill Borre]

"Luella Miller" by Mary Wilkins Freeman - Luella drains the life out of those she surrounds herself with who attempt to help her.

"Don't Look Now" by Daphne Du Maurier - wc
"When Darkness Loves Us" by Elizabeth Engstrom - wc
"Longtooth" by Edgar Pangborn - wc
"We Purchased People" by Frederik Pohl - wc