Against Nature: and other abominations
Sixteen horror short stories exploring catastrophic beauty and artistic dread by Chris Selmys.
This collection gathers sixteen distinct tales that examine the intersection of art and monstrosity. The narrative focus remains on moments of creation where beauty turns wretched. Each story operates as a standalone exploration of supernatural unease. The structure avoids linear progression, offering instead a series of vignettes that challenge the reader's comfort. Selmys employs a style that emphasizes visual grotesquerie and psychological tension. The work does not rely on plot twists but on atmosphere and imagery. Readers encounter characters who face the consequences of their own making. The tone remains consistently dark throughout the volume.
Published in 2015 by Vulgata, this work sits within the contemporary horror fiction market. It engages with gothic traditions that emphasize decay and the uncanny. The collection reflects a modern interest in short-form supernatural narratives that prioritize atmosphere over plot.
📝 Description: Against Nature: and other abominations
💎 Our verdict on Against Nature: and other abominations
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate concise, unsettling narratives rooted in Gothic and supernatural traditions will find this collection compelling. It draws on established literary periods where beauty and horror intersect, offering focused bursts of dread rather than expansive world-building. Those seeking the aesthetic of decay and the uncanny will enjoy Selmys’s sharp, precise strokes. The book suits those who prefer their terror delivered in compact volumes, inviting contemplation on artistic failure and monstrous beauty without relying on plot twists or hopeful resolutions.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Selmys crafts sixteen distinct tales examining the intersection of art and monstrosity, emphasizing visual grotesquerie and psychological tension. The collection avoids linear progression, instead offering vignettes that challenge reader comfort through atmospheric dread. It excels in depicting catastrophic beauty and the wretched charm of asymmetry. This work is best suited for readers who enjoy the aesthetic of decay within Gothic and supernatural traditions. It appeals to those who prefer sharp, precise terror over drawn-out sagas. The consistent tone remains dark, focusing on characters facing consequences of their own making. While lacking hopeful resolutions, it offers a cohesive exploration of abnormal fiction for those tolerant of bleakness.
📖 Read on the blog
✍️ More books by this author Chris Selmys
🏛 Books from this publisher Vulgata
You might also like
See more →
Have a question about this item?
Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.
