Bright Dead Star

Impressive in terms of both scope and lyricism, this collection from prolific fantasy horror author Kiernan (Bradbury Weather) proves a worthy introduction to their shorter works. The 25 stories span themes as diverse as paleontology (“The Man Who Loved What Was”) and labor history (“Crotalus (Murder Ballad No. 13)”) alongside more abstract meditations on the nature of dreams and psychology. Many stories, including “Threnody for Those Who Die December Deaths,” merge grounded Southern settings and cultural trappings with surreal imagery and frightening phenomena, providing lingering thrills that feel all too real. Others, including “The Jar” and “Still[er] Life, from Hunger,” dwell on cursed objects and human compulsions, providing not quite cautionary tales that feel in line with Shirley Jackson’s work. Kiernan’s prose is a particular joy, with richly described scenery and precise characterization underlining their eerie plots. Copious author’s notes will please Kiernan’s diehard fans, but become repetitive and somewhat self-indulgent as the collection goes on. Still, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise remarkably consistent volume. It’s an ambitious collection that refuses neat categorization, which is exactly what makes it such a delight. (July)