The Unknown (1963 anthology)

The Unknown is a horror fiction anthology edited by Julius Fast, published in 1963 by Popular Library. The anthology features a collection of short stories from both classic and contemporary authors exploring themes of the supernatural, the uncanny, and psychological horror.

Contents:

The anthology includes the following stories:

• "Introduction" by Julius Fast
• "The Handler" by Fritz Leiber
• "Lucy Comes to Stay" by Robert Bloch
• "The Ghost Writer" by Richard Matheson
• "The October Game" by Ray Bradbury
• "The Crate" by Theodore Sturgeon
• "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce
• "The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood
• "The Wendigo" by Algernon Blackwood
• "The Beckoning Fair One" by Oliver Onions
• "Sredni Vashtar" by Saki (H.H. Munro)
• "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
• "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" by M.R. James

Themes:

The anthology showcases a variety of horror subgenres, including ghost stories, psychological horror, and tales of monstrous creatures. Common themes include:

• The intrusion of the supernatural into the mundane world.
• The fragility of sanity and the power of suggestion.
• The consequences of curiosity and tampering with the unknown.
• The fear of the wilderness and its hidden dangers.

Significance:

The Unknown is notable for its inclusion of classic horror stories alongside more contemporary works, providing a snapshot of the genre's evolution. It served as an introduction to many readers to influential authors and tales that helped shape the horror landscape. The anthology's popularity contributed to the resurgence of interest in classic horror fiction during the mid-20th century.