Far Away & Never

Far Away & Never is a collection of supernatural short stories written by British horror author Ramsey Campbell. The book was published in 1996 and contains nine tales that blend psychological terror with otherworldly elements. The stories move through different settings but maintain Campbell's signature focus on atmosphere and mounting dread. Characters encounter inexplicable phenomena and face escalating situations that challenge their grasp on reality. Each narrative employs Campbell's precise prose style and attention to mundane details that slowly transform into sources of unease. The collection demonstrates his command of psychological horror while incorporating elements of cosmic terror and the supernatural. The stories in Far Away & Never explore themes of isolation, perception, and the thin boundaries between familiar reality and unknown realms that exist just beyond normal human experience. Through these works, Campbell examines how ordinary people react when confronted with phenomena that defy rational explanation.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Ramsey Campbell's overall work: Readers highlight Campbell's skill at building psychological tension and creating unsettling atmospheres, particularly in his descriptions of urban settings. His prose receives praise for its dense, literary quality that rewards careful reading. Fans point to stories like "The Companion" and "The Voice of the Beach" as examples of his ability to make mundane situations feel threatening. Several reviewers note his talent for writing child characters who feel authentic. Common criticisms include: - Overly complex sentences that can be hard to follow - Plots that move slowly or lack clear resolution - Writing style requires too much concentration - Some stories feel too similar in tone and structure Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Most books average 3.7-4.0 out of 5 Amazon: Typically 4.0-4.3 out of 5 LibraryThing: 3.8 average across works One reader summarized: "Campbell excels at creating dread but sometimes gets lost in his own prose." Another noted: "His stories stick with you long after reading, even when you're not sure exactly what happened."

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks This story of an isolated teenager's dark rituals and disturbing worldview shares Campbell's ability to blur reality with psychological horror.

The Secret of Ventriloquism by Jon Padgett The interconnected tales create a surreal nightmare landscape that mirrors Campbell's focus on perception and unreality.

Teatro Grottesco by Thomas Ligotti These philosophical horror tales explore themes of cosmic dread and psychological unease that parallel Campbell's approach to supernatural fiction.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski The narrative experiments with format and perspective to create a sense of disorientation that echoes Campbell's reality-bending techniques.

The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan A writer's descent into obsession and uncertainty captures Campbell's skill at depicting the deterioration of a character's grip on reality.

🗯️ Ramsey Campbell has been hailed as "Britain's most respected living horror writer" by the Oxford Companion to English Literature. 📚 Far Away & Never (1996) is a collection of Campbell's early works, many written when he was still a teenager and heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft. 🌟 Several stories in the collection were originally published in August Derleth's legendary Arkham House anthologies during the 1960s. ✍️ Campbell later evolved from his Lovecraftian roots to develop his own distinctive style, focusing on urban horror and psychological unease rather than cosmic terror. 🏆 The book includes Campbell's first professional sale, "The Church in High Street," which he wrote at age 16 and sold to Arkham House in 1962.