Horror Aficionados discussion

The only title I’ve read of his, Thieving Fear, I found very dull and actually a chore to finish.
What are the essential books by him?

I don't know about "essential," but the books by Campbell I've found unforgettable are the Three Births of Daoloth trilogy, which includes The Searching Dead, Born to the Dark, and The Way of the Worm, along with the masterpiece of paranoia The Grin of the Dark and the collection Visions from Brichester. Campbell's prose is dense, allusive, and not for everyone. (I find his supernatural fiction superior to his psychological stories generally.) My own early experiences with him were largely negative until I arrived at The Grin of the Dark, which for whatever reason was the first novel of his I really "got." I've not looked back since. Today Campbell is my favorite living horror writer.

Christopher wrote: "I don't know about "essential," but the books by Campbell I've found unforgettable are the Three Births of Daoloth trilogy, which includes The Searching Dead, [book:Born to the Dark..."

I agree with you in that his supernatural stories always resonated with me more. I can get into the folklore, and "wordy"passages much easier with supernatural in mind.

I really liked The Influence, Midnight Sun, The Count of Eleven, Ancient Images, The Hungry Moon, Cold Print

Seconding the motion for Cold Print. Possibly one of the most horrific & atmospheric short story collections I've ever encountered -- if you're a fan of cosmic horror, anyhow.

I just read The Searching Dead last year and I have the next two books to complete the trilogy. In December I read his The Last Revelation Of Gla'aki, which I enjoyed as well.

Alan wrote: "I really liked The Influence, Midnight Sun, The Count of Eleven, Ancient Images, The Hungry Moon, Cold Print"

Ohh--I have Cold Print, The Hungry Moon, and The Influence on TBR shelves!

Mmmm, then what about Demons By Daylight??

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I’m still working through all the titles you mentioned, seeing what sounds like a good fit. Maybe a short story collection or two and then another standalone novel and see if I become a fan.

I second the books Christopher recommended above. I've read the first two and plan to read the third next month.
The Searching Dead
Born to the Dark
The Way of the Worm

Christopher wrote: "I don't know about "essential," but the books by Campbell I've found unforgettable are the Three Births of Daoloth trilogy, which includes The Searching Dead, ..."

I agree with Christopher about The Grin of the Dark. I also enjoyed Midnight Sun and Ancient Images. Some of his short fiction musses my hair as it flies over my head, but "The Scar" or "The Tugging" or "The Interloper" comes along and wows me.

Although I haven't read anywhere close to all his books (I'm working on it, though! haha), I'm almost finished with The Wise Friend and I would definitely recommend it, although it's probably too early to say if it's considered one of his "essential" novels. Either way, it's very much a traditional Ramsey Campbell tale in the writing style, and the plot/characters have kept me engaged in the story.

If you'd prefer to read some short stories, Dark Companions is a strong collection, although I'd recommend spreading it out a bit instead of trying to read them all at once (otherwise the stories tend to feel same-y after a while). I also recently read Demons by Daylight which is worth it for one story alone (the amazing "The End of a Summer's Day") but I thought the rest were more of a mixed bag... it's one of his earlier books though, so I suppose that is to be expected.

Randy wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I don't know about "essential," but the books by Campbell I've found unforgettable are the Three Births of Daoloth trilogy, which includes The Searching Dead, ....."

I've owned both Grin of the Dark and Ancient Images for a few years but haven't picked them up yet. I'll have to bump them up my list! :)

Both of those bump up against my enjoyment of books about movies. Ancient Images is greatly enjoyable, but Grin... is one of creepiest books I've ever read. I think it's one of the earlier examples from the beginning of this century of writers tapping into Lovecraft without imitating him.