The Box: Uncanny Stories
by Richard Matheson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Richard MathesonEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-09-29
ISBN: 0765361434
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Tor Books
Book Reviews of The Box: Uncanny Stories
Book Review: Good Stories, But No Stand Outs
Summary: 4 Stars
Richard Matheson is a writer who has had a tremendous impact upon pop culture. Several of his stories were adapted into some of the best TWILIGHT ZONE episodes ever, Stephen Spielberg's first major directing project was a tv film based upon one of his stories, there have been numerous movies made based upon his novels and stories, and Stephen King has stated that Matheson is one of his creative influences. Yet, it wasn't until the past couple years that I read my first Matheson story ("I Am Legend"). Interest in Matheson seems to be picking up again and another film, THE BOX, based upon one of his stories, "Button, Button" was released in the fall of 2009. That short story has been out of print for awhile and when I saw that it was included in this new anthology of old Matheson works, I decided to pick up a copy of THE BOX. Most of the stories are pretty good and that quality, with a few exceptions, is pretty consistent throughout the collection. However, unlike other Matheson collections I have read or heard of, there really isn't one break-out story. The book includes the following stories.
"Button, Button"-a strange package arrives at a couple's homes with a message that a man will be there to visit them later about the package. The package is simply a button. The couple later learns that if they push the button, they will receive a large sum of money but someone they don't know will die as a result. The husband has no interest, but the wife is curious and they could really use the money. Perhaps people, even those as close as a husband and wife, don't know each other as well as they think.
"Girl of My Dreams"-a woman has the horrible ability of being able to see the future deaths of people. The woman wants to use her "gift" to help others, but her lecherous boyfriend just sees it as a way for them to make money and his ticket to fortune and a better looking woman.
"Dying Room Only"-a married couple stop in a service station/diner in a rural town to get a quick bite to eat. They go to use the bathroom. The wife comes out, but the husband never reappears. Thus, begins a tale of mystery and suspense as the wife tries to find out what happened to her husband. This story reminded me of older Wes Craven films (such as the beginning of THE HILLS HAVE EYES).
"A Flourish of Strumpets"-in an upscale, conservative neighborhood prostitutes go door to door selling themselves. The husband and wife are appalled but soon discover that they are about the only ones in their neighborhood who don't enjoy having daily visits from different women all selling the same thing. A somewhat humorous story with a warning about allowing oneself to compromise.
"No Such Thing as a Vampire"-a vampire story that isn't a vampire story at all, but is a detective story. A woman awakens to find puncture marks on her neck and no matter what she does to protect herself she awakens with the marks every morning. Her husband doesn't believe in vampires and is sure there is something else going on.
"Pattern for Survival"-a famous writer finishes writing his latest work. He sends it out to be published and his audience is excited to read his latest tale.
"Mute"-a fire destroys an isolated house in the country. A survivor, a boy, is later found in the woods. The boy is a full grown child, yet cannot speak and the townsfolk wonder what kind of experimental childrearing his parents committed. Meanwhile, a scientist from Europe travels to the town to find out what happened to the boy and his family.
"Creeping Terror"-written as an academic thesis, this tale discusses the discovery that the city of L.A. was alive and how it grew and took over most of the world.
"Shock Wave"-an old church organ is scheduled to be destroyed, but the organ player is convinced it's not a good idea. The organ has been a part of the church for over 80 years and the organist is sure the instrument is alive and senses what is being planned for her. Sometimes old things just are plain better.
"Clothes Make the Man"-fashion is everything, at least to one man in this story. He loves his clothes, so much so that he can't function without wearing the right suit. But one day his clothes literally walk up and go to work without him.
"The Jazz Machine"-written as lyrics to a song, they weave the story of what happened when a white man created a machine that was able to "translate" jazz.
"Tis the Season to Be Jelly"-a family talks and prepares for the wedding of their son as their bodies literally fall apart.
In my opinion, the best stories in the book are "Girl of My Dreams", "Dying Room Only", "A Flourish of Strumpets", "No Such Thing As a Vampire", "Mute", and "Shock Wave". Some of the stories do seem a bit dated, but overall they're a decent collection of stories, some of which are thought-provoking, some a bit suspenseful, and a few that are just full of fun and humor.
Summary of The Box: Uncanny Stories
What if you were told that you could make a fortune just by pushing a button on a box? But pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world . . . someone you don?t know. Would you still push the button?
?Button, Button," Richard Matheson?s chilling tale of greed and temptation, is now the basis of The Box, the new film from the director of Donnie Darko. In addition, this outstanding collection also contains many other unforgettable stories by Matheson, the award-winning author of I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come.
"The inventive plots and spare but convincing portraits of ordinary men and women caught up in forces beyond their control demonstrate why Stephen King has called Matheson his most significant influence.?
--Publishers Weekly
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