This is the first McCammon I read (though I followed it up with Usher's Passing). Blue World is a wide-ranging selection of his short fiction work from the 80s and early 90s, plus the titular novella.

The collection offers a rather broad cross-section of his short fiction. There are horror stories like "He'll Come Knocking", thriller/slasher tales such as "Blue World", science fiction pieces like "Red House", fantasy stories like "Nightcrawler", and Twilight Zone-esque stories like "I Scream Man". The influence of script writing on McCammon's style is clearly visible across genres. This helps maintain a reasonably fast pacing, as short stories usually require. It also leads to satisfying endings, although they don't always explain what we've just experienced, as in "Doom City".

While some may complain that the stories don't address more timeless themes in favor of what was more commercially successful at the time, I think that's a definitely off-base claim. Similar to Michael Shea, many of our main characters are from the working class or poor and are sometimes driven to criminalized behaviors because of that, as seen in "Makeup". Although the trappings of those experiences may have changed over the decades, their struggles are as easy to identify with now as then. Even though the main characters are almost all white and mostly men, we do have several strong female characters, like in "Yellachile's Cage", "Night Calls the Green Falcon", and "Blue World". Also, the main characters range in age, from children in "Yellowjacket Summer" to the elderly in "Night Calls the Green Falcon". McCammon does a masterful job of evoking strong relatable emotions and creating sympathetic (though not always easily identified with) characters within the limited space he has for each story.

I would normally single out strong shorts from the collection, but with the possible exception of "Pin", they're all standouts.

Another of my favorite single author short story collections is an absolute gem.

It serves as an incredible way to introduce oneself to the talented Robert R. McCammon. What makes him so fascinating is that he writes in a diverse range of genres, all of which fall under the umbrella of horror or the horrific. But don't worry, it's not just mindless scare tactics. His stories are filled with depth, complex characters, and intricate plots that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Each story in the collection offers a unique and thrilling experience, taking you on a journey through different aspects of the horror genre. Whether it's psychological horror that plays with your mind or supernatural horror that sends shivers down your spine, McCammon has it all.

If you're a fan of horror or simply looking for something new and exciting to read, I highly recommend picking up this collection. Go ahead and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

A great entry point for anyone who is curious about McCammon but doesn't want to dive into one of his 500-pagers. More importantly, it's a great collection in its own right. The eponymous short novel may not be the main draw. Honestly, it presents a bit of an obvious sacred vs profane dilemma. However, it's definitely thrilling and has a wonderfully bittersweet ending that's more honest than expected.

What's really worth the price of admission here are the medium-long short stories. "Night Calls the Green Falcon," about a washed-up superhero, begins with excruciating pessimism and ends with both genuine heroism and grace. "Something Passed By" gives glimpses of a very strange (and grisly, like prepare your stomach levels of grisly) post-apocalypse indeed. And "Nightcrawlers" reads like a poignant rehearsal for the symphony that McCammon's novel GONE SOUTH turned out to be.

The straight-up shorts are mostly stellar too. McCammon clearly has a knack for the end of the world, as "I Scream Man!" and "Doom City" show. There are also other more southern gothic tales like "Yellowjacket Season," "The Red House," and "He'll Come Knocking At Your Door." This is truly a world-class collection that offers a diverse range of stories, each with its own unique charm and impact.

Robert McCammon, as always,展现出了优美的文笔和出色的人物塑造。

I chose to read this particular work as an audiobook, which was narrated by the talented Bronson Pinchot.

The experience of listening to the story unfold through his voice was truly captivating.

McCammon's words came to life in a whole new way, as Pinchot's narration added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the characters and the plot.

His ability to bring out the nuances of each character's personality made it easy to become fully immersed in the story.

Whether it was the excitement of the action scenes or the tenderness of the more intimate moments, Pinchot's narration enhanced every aspect of the book.

Overall, it was a wonderful reading experience, and I would highly recommend both McCammon's writing and Pinchot's narration to anyone looking for a great story.

This was such an amazing collection. It's truly a freaking treat.

Lately, I've noticed that I spend more time reading short story collections rather than actual full-length novels. And a lot of the time, to be honest, they're just okay. But this book is something truly special.

The title story, "Blue World," will stay with me for a long time to come. It's so captivating and engaging. And there are many other stories in here that are equally wonderful.

This collection is a great place for readers who are new to this author to start. It gives a great introduction to their writing style and talent. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves short stories or is looking for something new to read.

Overall, this is a must-read collection that I will definitely be coming back to again and again.

So far, I have delved into three remarkable books penned by Robert R. McCammon: Swan Song, The Wolf's Hour, and Blue World. I have now reached a conclusion that this man simply cannot write bad stories. Perhaps some might be so-so or not quite hitting the exact mark, but bad? No way. Definitely never.

Blue World is an anthology, a captivating collection of short stories along with a few novellas, and I am absolutely in love with it. Starting off with the enthralling tale of Yellowjacket Summer, this book immediately catapults me into a wild roller-coaster ride. It leaves me with a gleeful, spinning headache that I wholeheartedly welcome. And when I finally turn the very last page, I find myself yearning for another thrilling adventure.

In this book, you encounter every conceivable flavor of a story. There's the creepy one that sends shivers down your spine. The weird one that makes you question your sanity. The disgusting one that turns your stomach. The intense one that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The slow-paced, toad-cooking pot one that simmers with anticipation. The heart-poking one that tugs at your emotions. But the common thread among them all is that I, at some point, always find myself whispering "Oh my god" or "Holy shit" while reading. Each one definitely has a powerful bite to it.

My least favorite tale in this book is probably Yellachile's Cage. It reminds me of Shawshank's Redemption, yet not quite. To me, it just lacks that punch. I had hoped for more, but unfortunately, there wasn't anything else to offer. Maybe my expectations were too high.

On the other hand, Night Calls the Green Falcon is my absolute favorite. Alongside The Red House and Nightcrawlers. Night Calls the Green Falcon wraps a string around my heart and mercilessly tugs at it with each passing page. I have a deep love for all kinds of redemption stories and rising from the ashes stories, and this tale about a retired, aging superhero movie star striving to bring some final glimmer of light into his gray days satisfies my addiction like nothing else ever has.

The titular story, Blue World, is also quite good. While my attachment to it is not as strong as that of Night Calls the Green Falcon, I truly appreciate the thought-provoking bits within it. As the quote goes, "We’ve got to stop putting all the blame on Satan, and start understanding why there’s evil in humans. We ought to have guts enough to follow the devil to hell and fight him on his own turf!" So, here I am, giving my standing ovation to this wonderful collection.

Robert McCammon is widely renowned for his rather lengthy horror novels like Stinger, Hour of The Wolf, and Swan's Song.

However, Blue World stands as his sole collection of short fiction. It is truly unfortunate that McCammon doesn't allocate more time to this particular medium.

The short story format showcases his remarkable ability to tell a tale with distinctiveness, economy, and maximum impact. Most of these stories are concise and to the point, yet they pack a powerful and horrific punch.

There isn't a single bad story in this collection. Nevertheless, the highlights include a captivating tale about a Vietnam vet titled "Nightcrawlers", the extremely scary "Yellowjacket Summer", and the novelette "Blue World" where a priest becomes fixated on a porn star.

Mr. McCammon doesn't pen as frequently anymore, but let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that he has another short fiction collection up his sleeve, ready to be unleashed upon the literary world.

Love, love, love this book!

It is truly one of my all-time faves.

I simply cannot find any fault with it on any level.

From the moment I picked it up, I was completely captivated by its engaging story, well-developed characters, and beautiful writing style.

The author has done an outstanding job of creating a world that draws you in and makes you feel as if you are a part of it.

Every page is filled with excitement, emotion, and thought-provoking ideas.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book is sure to appeal to you.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will leave them feeling satisfied and inspired.

Trust me, once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down!

Some truly great little stories are presented here.

The main story, "Blue World", is not a horror story as one might expect. Instead, it is a remarkable drama that delves deep into the character study of the seedy porno world lifestyle. It involves a porn actress and a priest, exploring their complex relationship and the moral dilemmas they face.

A couple of other stories also stand out. One is about killer bees, which adds an element of danger and excitement. Another is about a haunted makeup kit from Hollywood, filled with mystery and the supernatural. And there is also a story about a weird Halloween tradition, which brings a touch of the unusual and spooky.

Overall, these stories offer a diverse range of themes and genres, captivating readers with their unique plots and engaging characters.

Nice selection of creepy short stories!

This collection offers a spine-chilling assortment of tales that are sure to send shivers down your spine. Each story is carefully crafted to create an atmosphere of dread and mystery. From haunted houses to strange disappearances, the themes explored in these stories will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The writing is engaging and descriptive, allowing you to vividly imagine the terrifying scenes and characters. Whether you're a fan of horror or just looking for a thrilling read, this selection of creepy short stories is definitely worth checking out. So, turn off the lights, curl up with a blanket, and prepare to be scared!

So, so good.

It is truly an excellent mix of dark, light, and melancholy.

The combination of these elements creates a unique and captivating atmosphere.

The darkness adds a sense of mystery and depth, while the light brings a glimmer of hope and warmth.

The melancholy, on the other hand, gives the whole composition a touch of sadness and nostalgia.

Together, they form a harmonious blend that appeals to the emotions and engages the senses.

It is as if the artist has skillfully painted a picture in words, allowing the reader to experience a range of feelings.

This excellent mix makes the piece stand out and leaves a lasting impression.

It is a testament to the power of language and the ability of the writer to create something truly remarkable.

Whether it is a song, a poem, or a story, this combination of dark, light, and melancholy has the potential to touch the hearts of many.

It is a beautiful and enchanting creation that will be cherished and remembered for a long time.

This is a truly great collection of stories. Among them, "Blue World" stands out as my absolute favorite. It is a novella that captivates the reader from the very beginning. The character of Father John in this story is simply remarkable. He is a complex and multi-faceted individual, with his own beliefs, dreams, and struggles. The author has done an excellent job of bringing him to life on the page. Through Father John's eyes, we are able to see the world in a different light. His experiences and interactions with others add depth and richness to the story. Overall, this collection of stories is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.