That Which Grows Wild: 16 Tales of Dark Fiction

Name: That Which Grows Wild: 16 Tales of Dark Fiction
Price: 15.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781949491005

✍️ Eric J Guignard

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$15.95

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Sixteen dark short stories blending whimsy, horror, and heartbreak by Eric J. Guignard.

Eric J. Guignard’s first book steps outside normal genre lines to look at human weakness through magic and monsters. The tales include reimagined history like the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre and future scenarios with spontaneous combustion. Each story explores feelings like guilt and redemption. The author uses different places, from Hollywood to mountains, to show the fear and silliness of life. This mix creates a varied but unified experience that questions standard horror ideas while keeping strong emotions.

Key Themes

spontaneous combustion opium addiction tsunami ghosts

Literary Context

Published in 2018 by Harper Day Books, this collection reflects contemporary American dark fiction trends. Guignard builds on traditions of weird fiction and gothic literature while addressing modern anxieties through historical and speculative lenses.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Ramsey Campbell · Rick Hautala · Shirley Jackson

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Harper Day Books 📅 2018 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781949491005

📝 Description: That Which Grows Wild: 16 Tales of Dark Fiction

Eric J. Guignard offers a collection of sixteen tales that mix strange humor with fear in That Which Grows Wild. The book looks at the scary side of fantasy, focusing on creatures, guilt, and making things right. Critics like Ramsey Campbell and Rick Hautala have praised his realistic sense of dread and skill as a new writer. The stories cover many topics. One follows a student watching the world burn up while thinking about love. Another features a dwarf actor in Hollywood whose dreams turn dark. A third story shows the dirty reality behind the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Other plots include a girl seeing ghosts from a tsunami, a warning about drugs, and a cowboy saving kids from monsters. This book is for fans of intense fiction that mixes sadness with oddity. It might not fit readers who want classic gothic scares or simple ghost stories without emotional depth. The tales look at hope and how we see ourselves. Guignard provides a fresh view on fear and forgiveness.

💎 Our verdict on That Which Grows Wild: 16 Tales of Dark Fiction

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Guignard delivers a compelling mix of strange humor and genuine fear, focusing on creatures, guilt, and redemption rather than simple scares. The collection stands out for its realistic sense of dread and skillful handling of varied topics, from Hollywood dramas to historical reimaginings. It suits readers who enjoy intense fiction that intertwines sadness with oddity. While it may not satisfy those seeking classic gothic horror or superficial ghost stories, it rewards those looking for emotional depth. The author’s ability to show the fear and silliness of life creates a varied yet cohesive narrative voice. This work is best appreciated by an audience willing to explore human weakness through magic and monsters.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a departure from standard horror tropes will find value in this unique blend of whimsy and dread. Those who appreciate dark fantasy and psychological horror will enjoy the exploration of human weakness through magical lenses. The book appeals to individuals interested in stories that balance sadness with oddity, offering a fresh perspective on fear and forgiveness. It is ideal for those willing to engage with complex emotions like guilt and redemption across diverse settings. Fans of eclectic narratives that question standard horror ideas while maintaining strong emotional cores will gain the most from this unified experience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Guignard delivers a compelling mix of strange humor and genuine fear, focusing on creatures, guilt, and redemption rather than simple scares. The collection stands out for its realistic sense of dread and skillful handling of varied topics, from Hollywood dramas to historical reimaginings. It suits readers who enjoy intense fiction that intertwines sadness with oddity. While it may not satisfy those seeking classic gothic horror or superficial ghost stories, it rewards those looking for emotional depth. The author’s ability to show the fear and silliness of life creates a varied yet cohesive narrative voice. This work is best appreciated by an audience willing to explore human weakness through magic and monsters.