Monday, April 13, 2015

Anthology review: The Doll Collection Edited by Ellen Datlow

Anthology
Edited by Ellen Datlow
Authors: Stephen Gallagher, Miranda Siemienowicz, Mary Robinette Kowal, Richard Bowes, Genevieve Valentine, Richard Kadrey, Veronica Schanoes ,John Langan, Jeffrey Ford, Joyce Carol Oates, Gemma FilesPat Cadigan, Lucy Sussex, Tim Lebbon, Seanan McGuire, Carrie Vaughn, Stephen Graham Jones
352 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 3/10/15
Source: From publisher for review
The Doll Collection is exactly what it sounds like: a treasured toy box of all-original dark stories about dolls of all types, including everything from puppets and poppets to mannequins and baby dolls. Featuring everything from life-sized clockwork dolls to all-too-human Betsy Wetsy-type baby dolls, these stories play into the true creepiness of the doll trope, but avoid the clichés that often show up in stories of this type.Master anthologist Ellen Datlow has assembled a list of beautiful and terrifying stories from bestselling and critically acclaimed authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, Seanan McGuire, Carrie Vaughn, Pat Cadigan, Tim Lebbon, Richard Kadrey, Genevieve Valentine, and Jeffrey Ford. The collection is illustrated with photographs of dolls taken by Datlow and other devoted doll collectors from the science fiction and fantasy field. The result is a star-studded collection exploring one of the most primal fears of readers of dark fiction everywhere, and one that every reader will want to add to their own collection.
My thoughts:
As with almost all anthologies it has some great stories, some "eh" stories and a couple that confounded me. Still, I would have to say that as a whole, the collection stayed within the boundaries of horror and dolls. Two things I think go great together. For those that shy away from horror, it isn't too scary that you can't handle it (I'm an admitted wimp) but it is creepy. Not one is a happy go lucky, feel good story. That's a good thing for this collection. :)

I have to say that my favorite stories didn't surprise me. Seanan McGuire and Carrie Vaughn are worth the price of admission for the book. Other stories captured me and creeped me out but there were also a couple that just confused me to no end. I don't want to call out those specific stories since it could rightly be just me and I don't want to color your view of the story before you get to it.

I give this collection 3 stars and I highly recommend it to those that love horror and just being creeped out. :)

21 comments:

  1. Dolls are one of the few things that creep me out lol

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  2. I like horror occassionally but usually not anthologies. Great to hear that you found things to enjoy though even if not your fave

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    1. I think you would enjoy this anthology then. The stories felt complete.

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  3. Oh gosh the cover screams creepy. I haven't seen this one before. I am sure I would like the stories you mentioned.

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    1. If you like creepy then this one is for you! :D Love to know what you think.

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  4. I liked some of those names, fun :)

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  5. Wow, that's one heck of a creepy cover! Horror is not my thing, but I do like some of the authors that this book has so I might browse this one at a bookstore or a library to see if I want to pick it up.

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  6. Oh my, I think maybe too creepy for me! I'm glad that it worked out for you though. :)

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  7. Oh wow, that cover creeped me out! I'd buy this for Seanan alone, but I can't even imagine how far she'd push the confines of horror. I don't know that I'm brave enough right now.
    Great review!

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  8. Oh my gosh. That would creep me out so hard! Dolls totally freak me out.

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  9. Oh dolls can be super creepy and I wouldn't mind this I would read one a night before bed..LOL

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  10. it's nice to have creepy stories but if they're not that awesome that's too bad. I have the book but I still need to read it. I'm a little late.

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  11. Horror and dolls are soooo creepy, so this sounds like something I'd definitely enjoy if I'm in the mood to be skeeved out. :-)

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  12. OOH! Such a creepy cover. Perfect given the nature of this anthology but still creepy.

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  13. Nooooooooo Melissa. NO DOLLS!!!! *shudders* Dolls absolutely freak me out with their movable glass eyes. I don't think this is the anthology for me even though you said the stories are more creepy than straight up horror. *runs away* ;-)

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  14. I think this is too dark for me, and that cover makes me run away ...

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  15. That cover is soooo creepy...I don't even think I could read this one! lol

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  16. Umm, I pass. Don't like dolls. Chuckie did me in for life! LOL

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  17. I got this one for review but it's been lingering on my shelf because dolls and horror together really creep me out. Dolls creep me out, especially those with the china faces!! Still not sure I'm going to read it...

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  18. Dolls already freak me out, I think this one will be a pass for me.

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