The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror

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The darkness beneath the earth, the unsettling aura of forgotten paths, and ancient practices tied to stone circles and abandoned sites evoke a rich tapestry of horror. These elements, including rituals invoking elder gods and restless spirits, have long been archetypes in horror fiction, now collectively termed Folk Horror. This genre has roots extending over a century, with notable authors like Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood, H. P. Lovecraft, and M. R. James exploring the supernatural connections to neglected places and objects. This collection features powerful and lesser-known works from these masters alongside contemporary writers such as Ramsey Campbell, Storm Constantine, Christopher Fowler, Alison Littlewood, Kim Newman, and Reggie Oliver. Enhanced by the atmospheric photography of Michael Marshall Smith, the stories delve into a folkloric tradition that remains both dormant and hauntingly familiar. The portrayal of these forces as "natural" amplifies the sense of nameless dread and escalating horror, inviting readers to confront the unsettling aspects of the world around them.