[Book Review] The Scream & Other Dark Stories

I have always found myself drawn to books that consider the darker elements of the human mind, going to the depths of thoughts that are often hidden and never uncovered for consumption. As a fellow extreme horror lover, author Jerry Sampson takes those themes of ‘darkness’ and weaves them throughout the book, yet never takes anything to the realm of unbelievable and misguided. 

Possessing the creativity to write an anthology book seems wondrous to me, but Sampson has managed to deliver an impressive 14 horror stories, both just as effective as the last in submerging the reader’s cerebral into the horrific fantasy that awaits within each short story. The entirety of the book reads like an unescapable fever dream that floats the line between the world as we know it, and a slightly more deranged dimension that feels almost too close to comfort.

Although all of the stories have their own sell, one that particularly stood out to me was Razor, Rope, Retribution, Release. Not only am I a sucker for well-crafted alliteration but there are elements of the extreme horror genre settled neatly within the writing, ones that feel could have gone much, much darker knowing Sampson’s love of the disturbing sub-genre. Written from the perspective of a predator that preys on young girls, and one particular girl, it feels difficult to read a short story such as this one as the reader is forced into the mind of the depraved, something we would all prefer to avoid. Yet the story applies some empathy in places and makes us confront the truth that some elements of this story seem human in their portrayal. That’s not to say the story doesn’t get very disturbing, but Sampson shows talent through being able to craft horrific stories that still have relatable characters. 

As an avid reader, I have become conscious of the way male writers depict women in their books; recently I was reading a horror book and the amount of descriptions relating to women’s breasts was so demeaning I eventually put the book down. Fortunately, Sampson comes at each story with a female perspective which highlights the importance of describing story characters in meaningful and intelligent ways. Reading the anthology with a collection of illustrative women felt like a welcomed and much needed change. 

The Scream & Other Dark Stories connects the reader with emotional distress and the feeling of being in a never ending oppressive nightmare. Each story has enough distinction and colour to it that you can sit and read these short stories back-to-back. If you’re looking for a collection of horror stories that will gradually darken your spirit and mind, whilst portraying the more depressive elements of the human state, then this anthology is one for you.

Now available to purchase through Buckman Journal!

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