And at My Back I Always Hear

Scott Nicolay brings his World Fantasy Award-winning perspective to And at My Back I Always Hear, a collection of eight macabre tales. The work focuses on outsider characters who refuse to settle in their lives or identities. These protagonists often exist on the edge of realization, having failed or been failed by systemic inequity. With nothing left to cling to, they gain an inner sight that reveals the darkness inherent in every crevice and the emptiness within every atom. The collection draws on traditions of horror and supernatural fiction to explore these unsettling moments. It suits readers who appreciate stories about characters discarded amidst wreckage. Those seeking conventional heroism or happy endings may find this work unsuitable. The narratives demand attention to the uncanny and the macabre rather than comfort. Nicolay’s outsider-identified perspective ensures that the reader encounters a world where the ordinary is stripped away to reveal something far more disturbing. This volume appeals to fans of literary horror who enjoy complex character studies. It does not cater to those preferring fast-paced action or clear moral resolutions. The stories linger on the inescapable nature of their subjects' realizations. Readers will find a consistent tone of unease throughout the eight tales. The book stands as a focused examination of what happens when one loses all external support.