Fancies and Goodnights

Fancies and Goodnights is a collection of short stories published in 1951, combining mystery, fantasy, and dark humor. The book compiles works from John Collier's earlier collections along with seventeen previously unpublished stories. The collection earned significant recognition upon release, winning both the International Fantasy Award and an Edgar Award in 1952. Many stories feature unexpected twists and explore the intersection of the mundane with the supernatural or macabre. Collier's writing style combines precise plotting with elements of fantasy, horror, and crime fiction. The stories range from supernatural tales to murder mysteries, with scenarios that begin in familiar settings before taking unusual turns. These stories examine human nature through a lens of dark wit, often focusing on desire, deception, and the consequences of choices. The collection stands as a mid-century exploration of genre boundaries, mixing elements of fantasy with psychological insight.

Readers celebrate Collier's dark humor, clever plot twists, and macabre subject matter. Many compare his style to Roald Dahl and describe the stories as wickedly funny morality tales with supernatural elements. The short story format earns praise for quick, engaging reads that pack surprise endings into a few pages. Readers highlight "Back for Christmas," "The Chaser," and "Evening Primrose" as standout tales. Common criticisms include dated language and social attitudes from the 1940s/50s era, particularly regarding gender roles. Some readers find the twists predictable or the writing style overly proper and British. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Sample review: "Each story is like a perfectly crafted poison dart - small, precise, and deadly effective. Collier doesn't waste words getting to the disturbing heart of each tale." - Goodreads reviewer "The formal writing style takes getting used to, but the payoff is worth it." - Amazon reviewer

Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl Each story starts in ordinary situations before spiraling into twisted endings that mirror Collier's blend of dark humor and psychological suspense.

The October Country by Ray Bradbury The collection presents macabre tales of small-town life touched by supernatural elements, sharing Collier's ability to merge fantasy with everyday reality.

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman These short stories mix fantasy with dark undertones and precise plotting in the tradition of Collier's genre-bending approach.

Cold Hand in Mine by Robert Aickman The stories weave supernatural elements into seemingly normal situations, employing the same measured pacing and psychological depth found in Collier's work.

The Wine-Dark Sea by Robert Aickman This collection builds tension through subtle horror and psychological uncertainty, matching Collier's talent for combining the mundane with the mysterious.

🌟 Collier originally wrote many of these stories for The New Yorker magazine during the 1930s and 1940s, establishing himself as a master of the "twist ending" before it became a popular literary device. 🌟 The collection won the International Fantasy Award in 1952, and several of its stories were later adapted for television shows including "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Twilight Zone." 🌟 Despite being primarily known as a fiction writer, Collier was also a successful Hollywood screenwriter, contributing to films like "Sylvia and Ghost" (1946) and "The African Queen" (1951). 🌟 The book's title "Fancies and Goodnights" references Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," reflecting Collier's love of blending classical literary influences with modern storytelling. 🌟 Several stories in the collection, including "The Chaser" and "Back for Christmas," are frequently anthologized and taught in creative writing courses as examples of perfect short story structure.