by Terry Carr
First published 1981
Terry Carr presents his fourth annual collection of the year's finest fantasy fiction. The anthology opens with Stephen King's tale of a cursed toy monkey whose cymbal crashes herald death. Thomas M. Disch follows with the story of a brave household appliance seeking its master. Richard Cowper explores supernatural disturbances in Attleborough, while Stephen Tall crafts a story around an impossible waterfall. Suzy McKee Charnas contributes a novella about unicorn tapestries that blur the line between myth and reality. Edward Bryant examines geological layers that hide secrets, and Mary C. Pangborn offers a medieval confession with dark undertones. Bob Leman presents creatures lurking beneath lake waters, Pat Murphy warns against looking backward, and Robert Aickman delivers his signature strange fiction about correspondence with a postman. Carr concludes with his recommended reading list for 1980, guiding readers to other notable fantasy works of the year.
Genres: short-stories, anthologies, fantasy, horror
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: blurred-lines-between-myth-and-reality, found-family
Period: 1980
341 pages · Paperback · Pocket