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Freak Show (The Horror Writers Association Presents) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

The Horror Writers Association presents one of the most unusual horror anthologies you'll ever read! Follow a fiendish carnival as it travels America in this anthology of interwoven short stories by eighteen of fiction's darkest stars. Available for the first time in e-book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00L3ROEC4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Horror Writers Association
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 18, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0985808907
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the anthology's stories amazing, describing it as a seamless collection of incredible horror. They appreciate the diversity of the writing, with one customer noting that each chapter is written by a different author.

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11 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive3 negative

Customers praise the story quality of the book, describing it as a seamless anthology of incredible horror.

"...for that many different authors to be engaged into so seamless an overall story was amazing...." Read more

"To get so many different writers doing a cohesive storyline is amazing. Some voices are clearer than others, but overall it's quite enjoyable...." Read more

"...Though I felt the ending was a bit cheesy and fell short of my expectations, it did not do so enough to spoil the overall experience of this book...." Read more

"An unusual horror anthology, in which an overriding story ties together all the tales within...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writer diversity"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the diversity of writers in the book, with one mentioning that each chapter is written by a different author.

"Freak Show is a superbly put together novel, each chapter written by a different author and following a main storyline; like George R. R. Martin's..." Read more

"Great collection of horror from some very talented writers" Read more

"...The stories were well-written, and good grammar, mechanics, spelling, and word usage are important to me...." Read more

"I enjoyed books that have many authors, I always find a few New books to read.I gave this book four stars because I just finished the Peabody book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2003
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Freak Show is a superbly put together novel, each chapter written by a different author and following a main storyline; like George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards series. F. Paul Wilson has done a brilliant job of editing this strange foray into the world of the Circus Freak.
    With authors like himself (F. Paul Wilson), Richard Lee Byers, Dan Simmons, Rex Miller, Nancy Kilpatrick, and many others each dedicating their talents to a single chapter of the Ozymandias Traveling Circus and Oddity Emporium's journey across the US, focusing on a particular freak and his particular talent; the life that pulses through this amazing collection is realistic and...well...freakish.
    Year's ago, Oz's father scattered pieces of a peculiar machine all across the countryside just before committing suicide. Now Oz, a freak himself, has gathered those around him who are like him, different in some way or another. Some with green skin, some with wings, or beaks, or fur, or two faces, even enormously fat or with eerily long fingers; they all fit in with Oz and called the Freak Show home. Oz has promised them that their turn in life is coming, when the freaks will become the norm and the normal people will become freaks; all they have to do is gather and assemble the pieces of the machine his father scattered about years ago.
    As we cross the country with this Oddity Emporium, the various authors bring us into the lives of these people, sometimes horrifying and sometimes tender; and we learn what it is like to be them, to feel like them, to live like them. I found myself extremely caught up with this band of outcasts, sympathetic for some and not for others, but always compelled to read more and find out what and who Oz really is, and what will happen if his task is completed.
    Though I felt the ending was a bit cheesy and fell short of my expectations, it did not do so enough to spoil the overall experience of this book. Not since Dean Koontz's Twilight Eyes have I enjoyed a carnival/circus book so much, and it is too bad the F. Paul Wilson has said he will not edit another compilation such as this. Personally, I think it is his greatest work.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I loved this book. I would have cut one star for the obvious formatting errors throughout the Kindle edition (it was obviously OCR'd with little to no proofing done after) but not even that could dissuade me from giving it a full five stars. With a story for each major character, you get to know the cast quite well--and for that many different authors to be engaged into so seamless an overall story was amazing. If you have a penchant for oddities, supernatural things and a bit of darker-edged grit, this should be right up your alley.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    To get so many different writers doing a cohesive storyline is amazing. Some voices are clearer than others, but overall it's quite enjoyable. The ending, alas, reads like the author was told to hand it in by the end of the day.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Do not confuse this book with F. Paul Wilsons
    book "The Peabody-Oz Traveling Circus" feb 09.

    Wilson wrote that book but in this 1992 version
    he gives approx 10 horror authors the character of
    OZ and his freaks and they write their own stories.

    These people/freaks are touched by Wilson *OTHERNESS*
    in ways that will shock you. I love this old book so
    much more than the new one. I think you will too.

    bp okc aries/60's
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2001
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    An unusual horror anthology, in which an overriding story ties together all the tales within. It's horrific, smart and filled to the gills with great characers.

    The book relates the story of a travelling circus and freak show - The Peabody-Ozymandias Traveling Circus and Oddity Emporium - that, while entertaining (and grossing-out) folks, seeks out pieces of a mysterious machine that threatens all humanity upon its completion. We're treated to all sorts of weirdos, and they're downright frightening, kids. The fiction treatment of even the common types of freak show participants - the mystic, the fattest man, snake-boy - is chilling.

    This is a super-rare paperback book, but if you come across it ANYWHERE, even if you don't like horror, get it.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Some of theese stories are amazing, but a lot of them are "filler" - even though it's a long, connected story, some of them doesn't feel connected enough. The ending isn't amazing either. But a few of the stories are worth their weight in gold.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Really weird book I read when I was younger. Woke up thinking about it one day and found it on Amazon. I've yet to re-read it, but I remember it being a surprisingly great piece of fiction.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great collection of horror from some very talented writers

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