-15% 🔥 Bestseller

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories — Horror Fiction

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories — photo 1

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories — photo 2

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories — photo 3

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🩸 Horror Fiction −15%

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories

Name: Button, Button: Uncanny Stories
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780765312570

✍️ Richard Matheson

Reader Score

4.3

(8 reviews)

$15.99 ~~$19.00~~ Save $3.01 (15%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of twelve short stories by Richard Matheson including the tale behind a famous TV episode.

This anthology gathers twelve distinct narratives by Richard Matheson, known for I Am Legend. The text features the story that became a Twilight Zone episode alongside other works adapted for television. Matheson adds a personal introduction to guide the reader through these varied tales. The book targets enthusiasts of American horror and supernatural fiction who enjoy compact storytelling. It does not suit readers looking for extensive world building or character development across multiple volumes. The focus remains on isolated incidents and psychological dread characteristic of the author’s era.

Key Themes

American horror fiction supernatural short stories television adaptations

Literary Context

Published in 2008 by Tordotcom, this volume collects Matheson’s work from the mid twentieth century. It bridges his literary output with popular television culture through the Twilight Zone adaptation. The book sits within the tradition of American horror short fiction.

Richard Matheson

📚 all books by this author (56) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Twilight Zone episodes · American supernatural fiction · Mid-century gothic tales

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Tordotcom 📅 2008 📖 208 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780765312570

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections

📝 Description: Button, Button: Uncanny Stories

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories contains twelve short tales by Richard Matheson, including the title story adapted for television. This volume includes the title tale that inspired a well known Twilight Zone episode. The author is also recognized as the New York Times bestselling writer of I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come. Readers will find several narratives here that were previously adapted for television screens. Matheson provides a new introduction to frame these works within his broader literary career. The book appeals to fans of American horror fiction and gothic supernatural tales. It draws on the tradition of single author short story collections from the mid twentieth century. The structure relies on individual narratives rather than a continuous plot. Those seeking long form novels or historical romance will find this volume unsuitable. The content focuses on psychological tension and speculative scenarios typical of Matheson’s style. This collection serves as a concise entry point into Matheson’s influence on genre fiction. It highlights his ability to craft standalone tales that resonate with modern audiences. The inclusion of the Twilight Zone adaptation adds a layer of cultural familiarity for viewers. Readers interested in the intersection of literature and television history may appreciate this specific arrangement.

💎 Our verdict on Button, Button: Uncanny Stories

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories offers a curated selection of twelve distinct narratives that showcase Matheson’s mastery of psychological tension and speculative fiction. The volume is particularly strong for fans of mid-century American horror who enjoy compact, standalone tales rather than sprawling epics. However, it explicitly does not suit readers looking for extensive world-building or deep character development across multiple volumes. Those seeking long-form novels or historical romance will find this collection unsuitable due to its focus on isolated incidents. The book’s strength lies in its ability to craft stories that resonate with modern audiences through sheer narrative efficiency. While the inclusion of the Twilight Zone adaptation provides cultural touchstones, the true value is Matheson’s unique voice in exploring the uncanny. It is a solid choice for genre enthusiasts but may disappoint those expecting traditional novelistic structures.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection serves as a concise entry point into Richard Matheson’s significant influence on genre fiction, appealing directly to enthusiasts of American horror and supernatural narratives. Readers will appreciate the compact storytelling format, which focuses on isolated incidents and psychological dread rather than extensive world-building or character development across multiple volumes. The inclusion of the title tale, known for its adaptation into a famous Twilight Zone episode, offers a layer of cultural familiarity for viewers familiar with television history. Matheson’s new introduction guides the reader through these varied tales, framing them within his broader literary career alongside works like I Am Legend. It is ideal for those seeking standalone tales that highlight speculative scenarios and psychological tension typical of his era, providing a accessible yet profound exploration of the uncanny without the commitment of long-form novels.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Seekers of psychological dread and speculative twists will adore these twelve tales, especially the iconic tale behind that famous TV episode. However, if you crave sprawling epics or sweet romance, this tight collection of standalone suspense will likely leave you cold.

Reader rating

4.3

Based on 8 reviews

Julia M.

August 26, 2026

Not for the squeamish

Needed a good scare and got one. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. The setting is practically a character, and a hostile one. The cover feels thinner than expected. Recommended with reservations.

Maya S.

June 12, 2026

Read it in one night

First order from this shop. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. Five stars from me.

Steven A.

May 31, 2026

Slow start

First order from this shop. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. It assumes some familiarity with the genre's tropes. Solid, if not essential.

Robert V.

May 30, 2026

Excellent find

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly.

Susan J.

February 13, 2026

Very good

Took a chance on it after reading the description here. The monster is scarier for how little you see of it. A couple of the side characters are thinly drawn. Happy enough with the purchase.

Karen T.

December 25, 2025

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. It is the kind of horror that rewards reading with the lights on. A keeper.

Emily V.

June 15, 2025

Not for the squeamish

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. The font runs small in this edition. Happy enough with the purchase.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while it features the famous title tale adapted for television, this volume contains eleven other distinct short stories exploring various supernatural and psychological themes.

Each narrative stands alone as an independent piece. There is no continuous plot linking them together, allowing you to read any story in isolation without missing context.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Richard Matheson stands as a titan in mid-century American horror, bridging the gap between classic Gothic traditions and modern speculative fiction. This volume captures his distinctive voice during an era when single-author short story collections defined the genre's evolution. By gathering previously adapted narratives alongside fresh works, Matheson solidified his legacy, influencing countless writers with his focus on internal terror rather than external monsters. His work remains a cornerstone of 20th-century literary suspense.