🩸 Horror Fiction

Weird Tales 290 (Spring 1988)

✍️ Darrell Schweitzer
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$12.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A special edition celebrating sixty-five years of Weird Tales magazine.

Darrell Schweitzer edited this commemorative volume to highlight the enduring impact of Weird Tales. The centerpiece is Gene Wolfe’s featured fiction, visually supported by George Barr’s original artwork. This combination offers a unique glimpse into the collaborative nature of classic horror publishing. Other notable contributors include Ramsey Campbell and Tanith Lee, whose works reflect the magazine’s eclectic taste. F. Paul Wilson and T.E.D. Klein also provide stories that expand on traditional supernatural themes. The book serves as a curated anthology rather than a comprehensive history. It focuses on specific literary and artistic achievements from the spring of 1988. Fans of Gene Wolfe will appreciate seeing his work in this context. The inclusion of Barr’s art provides a visual counterpoint to the text. This edition preserves the aesthetic and narrative spirit of the original magazine.

Key Themes
Weird Tales anniversary Gene Wolfe fiction George Barr artwork
Literary Context

Published in March 1988 by Wildside Press, this book commemorates the sixty-fifth year of Weird Tales. It captures a specific moment in horror literature history. The edition reflects the magazine's long-standing influence on American gothic and supernatural fiction traditions.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Gene Wolfe · Ramsey Campbell · Tanith Lee · F. Paul Wilson
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Wildside Press 📅 1988 📖 148 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780809532063

📝 Description: Weird Tales 290 (Spring 1988)

This volume marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of Weird Tales, a landmark publication in American horror history. Darrell Schweitzer compiled this special edition to honor the magazine’s legacy. The book features work by Gene Wolfe, who serves as the featured author for this issue. His stories are accompanied by artwork from George Barr, who contributed all the illustrations found within these pages. The collection gathers tales from a diverse roster of writers known for supernatural and gothic fiction. Readers will find contributions from Ramsey Campbell, F. Paul Wilson, T. E. D. Klein, and Tanith Lee. These authors bring distinct voices to the genre, ranging from psychological dread to cosmic horror. The organization highlights the magazine’s long-standing tradition of publishing high-quality speculative fiction. This book suits readers interested in the history of pulp horror and the specific styles of the late twentieth century. It appeals to collectors who value the visual contributions of George Barr alongside literary texts. Those seeking modern bestsellers or non-fiction guides may find this niche collection less relevant. The focus remains strictly on the creative output associated with the magazine’s anniversary milestone.

💎 Our verdict on Weird Tales 290 (Spring 1988)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
This commemorative volume successfully honors the legacy of Weird Tales by focusing on high-quality speculative fiction rather than providing a comprehensive history. Darrell Schweitzer’s curation highlights the enduring impact of the magazine through selected tales that reflect its eclectic taste. The pairing of Gene Wolfe’s featured fiction with George Barr’s illustrations offers a unique perspective on classic horror aesthetics. Contributors like Ramsey Campbell and Tanith Lee bring distinct voices to supernatural themes, ensuring variety within the collection. While not suitable for readers seeking non-fiction or contemporary bestsellers, it serves as an essential resource for understanding the creative output associated with the magazine’s anniversary milestone.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the history of pulp horror and the specific styles of late twentieth-century speculative fiction will find value in this collection. It appeals to those who appreciate the collaborative nature of classic horror publishing, offering a glimpse into how text and illustration interacted within Weird Tales. Fans of Gene Wolfe gain insight into his work through the lens of George Barr’s original artwork, which provides a vital visual counterpoint. The anthology highlights contributions from Ramsey Campbell, T.E.D. Klein, and Tanith Lee, showcasing their distinct voices ranging from psychological dread to cosmic horror. It is ideal for collectors valuing these specific aesthetic combinations rather than those seeking modern bestsellers or non-fiction guides.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

This commemorative volume successfully honors the legacy of Weird Tales by focusing on high-quality speculative fiction rather than providing a comprehensive history. Darrell Schweitzer’s curation highlights the enduring impact of the magazine through selected tales that reflect its eclectic taste. The pairing of Gene Wolfe’s featured fiction with George Barr’s illustrations offers a unique perspective on classic horror aesthetics. Contributors like Ramsey Campbell and Tanith Lee bring distinct voices to supernatural themes, ensuring variety within the collection. While not suitable for readers seeking non-fiction or contemporary bestsellers, it serves as an essential resource for understanding the creative output associated with the magazine’s anniversary milestone.

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