Old Roads: A Collection of Short Stories by James L. Grant

Name: Old Roads: A Collection of Short Stories by James L. Grant
Price: 12.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781514384183

✍️ James L Grant

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$12.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of fourteen dark tales mixing humor with weirdness by James L. Grant.

This volume gathers fourteen narratives that explore themes of dark humor, terrible desire, and pervasive weirdness. It combines previously published stories from the defunct Digging Up Corpses with four new works. The inclusion of the novella Flocks adds length and depth to the standard short story format. Grant’s extensive background in magazine publishing influences the style and delivery of these tales. The book serves as a bridge between his earlier work and current projects. It offers a specific blend of macabre content for readers who enjoy unconventional narratives. The collection does not rely on traditional horror scares but rather on unsettling situations and dark comedy.

Key Themes

dark humor terrible desire weirdness abounding

Literary Context

Published in 2015 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, this work sits within the tradition of independent short story collections. It reflects Grant’s decade-long career selling stories to various magazines. The book continues the legacy of his earlier Digging Up Corpses collection while introducing new material for contemporary readers.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Poppy Z. Brite · T.E.D. Klein · Clive Barker

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2015 📖 356 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781514384183

📝 Description: Old Roads: A Collection of Short Stories by James L. Grant

James L. Grant brings a decade of professional experience in magazine publishing to this volume of fourteen distinct narratives. The collection blends dark humor with unsettling desire and pervasive weirdness. It serves as a reunion for fans of his earlier work by including stories from the now defunct Digging Up Corpses. Readers will find familiar titles such as Dogs, Blues Jam, and It Won't Grow Back alongside four new entries. One of these additions is a novella titled Flocks, which expands the scope of the collection beyond standard short fiction. The book appeals to those who appreciate unconventional storytelling and macabre themes. It suits readers seeking tales that challenge normal expectations through strange and humorous lenses. Those preferring straightforward plots or traditional horror tropes may find the content less engaging. The organization relies on grouping previously published material with fresh writing to create a cohesive yet varied reading experience. Grant’s background in periodicals informs the pacing and tone of each piece. This compilation offers a mix of established favorites and new discoveries for genre enthusiasts. It stands as proof of sustained creative output over many years. The inclusion of both short stories and a novella provides structural variety within the single volume. Readers interested in dark comedy and supernatural elements will find this collection relevant to their tastes.

💎 Our verdict on Old Roads: A Collection of Short Stories by James L. Grant

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

James L. Grant leverages his extensive magazine publishing background to deliver a collection defined by pacing and tonal precision. The book excels in its ability to merge dark humor with pervasive weirdness, creating unsettling scenarios rather than relying on traditional jump scares. This approach makes it most suitable for readers who enjoy macabre themes and unconventional narratives that defy standard genre expectations. While those preferring straightforward plots may find the content less engaging, enthusiasts of psychological horror and dark comedy will likely appreciate the cohesive yet varied reading experience. The mix of previously published stories and new works offers a balanced exploration of Grant’s sustained creative output, making it a compelling addition for dedicated fans of the weird tale.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the subversion of traditional horror tropes will find significant value in this volume, as it prioritizes unsettling situations and dark humor over conventional scares. The collection is particularly suited for those who enjoy a blend of weirdness and psychological unease, offering a distinct departure from straightforward plot-driven narratives. Fans of James L. Grant’s previous work in Digging Up Corpses will appreciate the reunion of familiar titles alongside fresh material. The inclusion of the novella Flocks provides structural variety, appealing to those seeking depth beyond standard short fiction. It is an ideal choice for enthusiasts of dark comedy and supernatural elements who desire unconventional storytelling that challenges normal expectations through strange and humorous lenses.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

James L. Grant leverages his extensive magazine publishing background to deliver a collection defined by pacing and tonal precision. The book excels in its ability to merge dark humor with pervasive weirdness, creating unsettling scenarios rather than relying on traditional jump scares. This approach makes it most suitable for readers who enjoy macabre themes and unconventional narratives that defy standard genre expectations. While those preferring straightforward plots may find the content less engaging, enthusiasts of psychological horror and dark comedy will likely appreciate the cohesive yet varied reading experience. The mix of previously published stories and new works offers a balanced exploration of Grant’s sustained creative output, making it a compelling addition for dedicated fans of the weird tale.