Exotic Gothic 2: New Tales of Taboo by Danel Olson

Be drawn into Gothic enigmas from seven continents, and struggle to find your own explanation for the inexplicable in these twenty-four original stories. Identify with bewildered, ghost-ridden characters facing (or becoming) monstrosity. Let the darkness—from a dress dummy to a rogue nuclear state—creep closer to your living experience . . . and discern the Gothic secret: the revelation of the monster's purpose.

Almost viral in its adaptability, the nouveau Gothique transforms itself in these pages, feeding off broader cultural anxieties. Skilfully violating conventions of horror and suspense—and opening the door to other genres including fantasy, historical account, and travel narrative—the freshness of its stories infects us with something unknown. Our old expectations offer no antibodies to this latest mutation.

CONTENTS:

Preface: 'A Twenty-first Century Gothic' by Danel Olson

ASIA
'Remembrance' by Dean Francis Alfar
'The Arrangement' by Edward P. Crandall
'Side-Effects May Include' by Steve Duffy
'Stones' by Genni Gunn
'The Most Precious Thing in Antalya' by Milorad Pavic
'Englightenment' by John Whitbourn


AFRICA
'Blood Reader' by George Makana Clark
'Very Low-Flying Aircraft' by Nicholas Royle


EUROPE
'The Barony at Rodal' by Peter Bell
'The Ice Wedding' by Nancy Collins
'Arkangel' by Christopher Fowler
'Tivar' by Taylor Kincaid pseudonym of Lucy Taylor
'Black Death' by Kenneth McKenney
'A Donkey at the Mysteries' by Reggie Oliver
'Burning Snow' by Steve Rasnic Tem
'Grvnice' by David Wellington

NORTH AMERICA
'Monkey Bottom' by John Bushore
'Los Penitentes' by Elizabeth Massie
'One Thousand Dragon Sheets' by Tia V. Travis

SOUTH AMERICA
'A Line Through el Salar d'Uyuni' by Adam Golaski

AUSTRALIA
'Empathy' by Stephen Dedman
From CLOWNS AT MIDNIGHT by Terry Dowling
'Kulpunya' by Robert Hood

ANTARCTICA
'Endless Night' by Barbara Roden

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES