4.5/5

This is truly one of the finest collections I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It ranks right up there with "Night Shift" and "The Illustrated Man", which I firmly believe are the two absolute best collections.

It was very nearly a perfect 5/5, but unfortunately, there were at least three stories that didn't quite hit the mark for me. "Doom City", "Pin", and "Yellachile’s Cage" all seemed a bit too weird, confusing, or just not great stories overall.

This book wasn't so much a spooky one as it was a collection of weird and unusual tales, which I actually quite enjoy. Several of these stories could be effortlessly adapted into cult movies. The characters are oddballs, and the circumstances they find themselves in are truly strange, making them prime material for cult films. Some of the stories even had a distinct Ray Bradbury feel to them, evoking a sense of nostalgia or hominess.

My top 5 picks from this book that I would highly recommend are:

1. "Blue World"

2. "Nightcrawlers"

3. "Makeup"

4. "Night Calls the Green Falcon"

5. "Yellowjacket Summer"

McCammon is truly one of the best in the business. His talent and skill in writing are simply outstanding.

Although I have a personal preference for his stories to be in a longer format, which allows for a more in-depth exploration of the characters and the plot, I must admit that he can still write some damn fine shorts.

In these short stories, he manages to pack a powerful punch, creating vivid and engaging worlds within a limited number of words.

His ability to capture the essence of a story and convey it in a concise yet impactful way is truly remarkable.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming tale, or a thought-provoking piece, McCammon's shorts always leave a lasting impression.

He has a unique way of drawing the reader in and making them feel as if they are a part of the story.

So, even if you're not a big fan of short stories, I highly recommend giving McCammon's a try. You might just be pleasantly surprised.

This man is truly one of the greatest storytellers of all time.

Despite his high popularity within the horror community, he remains shockingly underrated.

This collection of short stories is a treasure trove, housing some of the finest works I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The title story, "Blue World," is not only an outstanding piece but also the best novella I have ever come across.

There are several other favorites that I am certain I will revisit very soon.

These include "Yellachile's Cage," which is filled with mystery and intrigue.

"Strange Candy" has a unique charm that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

"Nightcrawler's" is a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless.

"Pin" is a story that haunts you long after you have finished reading it.

And "Night Calls the Green Falcon" is a masterpiece that combines elements of horror and fantasy in a truly captivating way.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for any fan of horror and short stories.

This is a brilliant collection that features his shorter works from the 80s and a longer novella titled Blue World. Stories like Yellowjacket Summer, Makup, Nightcrawlers, Pin, I Scream Man, and Red House are all included. There are so many great tales within this collection. I truly enjoyed every single one of them and even took the time to write reviews about each one. Blue World comes at the end and it is an extremely compelling story. It's about a catholic priest who falls in love with a blue movie actress named Debbie Stoner, also known as Debra Rock. There is a mysterious cowboy who is hunting down adult stars. Will he kill Debra? And what about the priest and his role in this dark and mysterious setting? McCammon's novella is absolutely outstanding. I couldn't put it down and I can highly recommend the whole collection. It contains some of the very best short stories I have ever come across. Highly recommended!

Night Calls

The Green Falcon is an absolute gem that is crying out for a movie adaptation, and it needs to happen right away. This story is essentially like Kick-Ass, but with an elderly protagonist, which adds a whole new and interesting twist.

To bring this character to life on the big screen, they should definitely consider hiring Mike from Better Call Saul. His acting skills and the charm he brings to his roles would be a perfect fit for The Green Falcon.

If you want to check out this amazing story for free, you can follow this link: https://www.robertmccammon.com/fictio.... It's a must-read for any fan of action-packed and unique stories.

Let's hope that Hollywood takes notice and gives The Green Falcon the movie adaptation it deserves.

This is an outstanding collection of shorts penned by one of the most remarkable storytellers who is not only alive but also actively working in the present day.

McCammon proficiently showcases his talent for deftly navigating various genres and emerging with captivating and, at times, truly unforgettable outcomes. I have an immense love for this collection. In my opinion, the standout pieces are "Pin", "Something Passed By", "Night Calls the Green Falcon", "Doom City", and "Yellow Jacket Summer". There isn't a single lackluster story within the book. Some simply left a more indelible mark than the others. The title novella, unfortunately, was the least impressive part for me. This is a pity as I had high expectations for it. Although I can't assign it a flawless rating, I firmly believe that any discerning horror fiction aficionado should give it a read.

It offers a diverse range of stories that will surely engage and thrill readers, making it a worthy addition to any horror fiction collection.

This collection is tied with Night Shift for my number one short stories collection. It truly packs a significant amount of punch. The stories within it are not only powerful but also showcase a great deal of diversity. Each story takes the reader on a unique journey, exploring different themes, settings, and characters. The writing is engaging and captivating, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. Whether you prefer thrilling mysteries, heartwarming tales, or thought-provoking dramas, this collection has something for everyone. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a must-read for any lover of short stories.

Re-reading "Blue World," I was vividly reminded of why it's such a profound pity that McCammon doesn't pen more works than he does.

"Blue World" is a captivating collection that features 12 short stories, traversing McCammon's illustrious career, along with one novella. Each and every one of these stories is truly worth delving into, presenting a rich and diverse variety of material. Ranging from the spine-chilling "Yellowjacket Summer" to the deeply disturbing "Pin" and the sublime "Blue World" novella, there's something here for every reader.

What this collection predominantly brings to the forefront is McCammon's remarkable skill in setting a mood. He is a master storyteller, but few writers can rival his ability to create the perfect backdrop. While perusing "Yellowjacket Summer," the reader can't help but be enveloped by the oppressive heat that permeates the entire story, and can easily empathize with how the characters must have felt enduring that same sweltering heat. In "Blue World," he equally adeptly captures the tranquility of that soft twilight, just moments before full darkness descends. In "Night Calls the Green Falcon," one can truly sense and fathom the frustration and impotence of a young man's ambition, trapped within an old man's body.

By so artfully establishing the mood in each and every story within "Blue World," McCammon enables the reader to experience them as if they were actually present, right inside the story itself. This is the enchanting magic that great writing can施展, bringing the story right into the reader's heart and making it a truly immersive experience.

Just like my other beloved McCammon works, such as "Boy's Life" and "Speaks the Nightbird," "Blue World" holds a special place among the books that I cherish deeply, from an author who unfortunately now writes far too sparingly.

Damn, this was truly an awesome collection of stories.

Some of them weren't strictly horror, but they were crafted so well that it really didn't matter.

The title novella, in particular, was excellent. It had a captivating plot and engaging characters that kept me hooked from start to finish.

However, I couldn't help but think that it probably could've been a bit shorter. There were some parts that felt a little drawn out, and I think trimming them down would have made the story even more impactful.

All in all, this was a great and fun read. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining collection of stories that will keep them on the edge of their seat.

Whether you're a fan of horror or just enjoy a good story, this collection has something for everyone.

I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us in the future.

Holy crap! What an amazing collection of short stories and a novella!

It's perfect to set the mood for Halloween and is totally different from anything I've ever read. Each story was engrossing and special, tinged with magic. The titular Blue World was truly a page turner. I will forever be a McCammon stan.

“I saw in my father things that he couldn't help, things that had been stamped in the gears of his soul by the hands of ancestors he never even knew. Everybody has those things in them—little quirks, meannesses, and petty things that don't get much light; that's part of being human.” This profound statement makes us reflect on the nature of humanity and the inheritances we carry.

“But it seemed to him suddenly that most of life itself was already purgatory — a wandering over cold, heartless landscapes.” This line evokes a sense of desolation and the struggle within life.

“And isn't journeying what life is all about? The question of what lies beyond the dark hills, beyond the steaming forests, beyond the locked door?” It emphasizes the essence of life as a continuous exploration and the curiosity that drives us forward.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for any lover of literature and the supernatural.

Some of the stories in the collection were just average.

Some were rather strange, and others seemed to leave the reader with a sense of incompleteness.

However, a few were truly excellent.

"Pin" was the oddest of them all, and I didn't have any interest in it whatsoever.

"Blue World," on the other hand, was the longest, the best, and the reason for awarding 5 stars.

Therefore, I will only summarize "Blue World," which is also the final story in the book.

"Blue World" is about a young and extremely handsome Catholic priest named John. His parish is located on the border of a sinful town in California.

He is a virgin and naïve about the seedy aspects of life.

One day, a woman named Debra comes to his confessional. Her spicy scent and smoky voice arouse feelings in John.

He can only see her ruby red lips as she倾诉 her grief about a murdered friend/colleague who was a porn star.

As she is leaving, he catches a brief glimpse of her back and becomes obsessed with seeing her face.

This obsession leads him on a journey into the seedy side of life.

Debra is a porn star hoping to make it as a legitimate actress.

She is deeply damaged, and John eventually falls in love with her, and she with him.

They never have a physical relationship or sleep together.

John struggles with his restraint and does quite well considering.

Debra does not know he is a priest, let alone the one who heard her confession (at least until the very end).

John, on the other hand, knows what she does for a living and has seen one of her videos.

Debra, being a famous porn star, also has a stalker named Travis.

Travis has murdered porn stars before, first falling "in love" with them and then killing them.

Now he is in love with Debra.

That's the essence of the story.

I felt McCammon did a great job with character development, making them seem quite real.

I had a few issues with the believability of the priest's actions, but not enough to detract from the story.

I had a harder time with the Debra character.

I didn't feel enough sympathy for her and didn't really like her.

I felt McCammon was trying to portray her as a good person on the inside, but it didn't work for me.

It was hard to believe that John would fall in love with her, as it seemed more lust-driven or superficial due to her outer beauty, although it was clear he saw her more deeply than most.

He saw her not as an object but as a curiosity.

I wanted to see more of the good that John saw in her, but as a reader, I didn't.

Overall, it was a great concept with a good message.

The other stories were shorter and entertaining, but "Blue World" stayed with me and made me think.

Content concerns include blood, violence, cursing, and sex.

I don't usually write reviews.

But this collection of stories was truly wonderful. It was a great assortment, with no weak ones. McCammon is really good at quickly building up a character and grabbing the reader's attention. Yellachile's Cage was definitely a standout. Something Passed By and Yellowjacket Summer also deserve honourable mentions. The stories had a very Twilight Zone meets Ray Bradbury feel, and I really liked it.

However, I completely fell in love with the title story. The idea of star-crossed soulmates really appealed to the inner child in me, who was around when this was written. I felt really drawn into the story and cared deeply about the characters. It was a lot of fun. Even though I've been sick for over a month, it managed to bring me out of myself, which was exactly what I needed. (I still can't quite organize my thoughts and write them down properly). Love, fate, and faith all come together in this story, and everyone's lives are touched.

Side note: I thought the juxtaposition between a glory hole/peep show box and a confessional was really clever. It added an interesting layer to the story.