The Unwanted

The Unwanted is a collection of supernatural and horror short stories first published in 1962. The book contains works by Mary Elizabeth Counselman that originally appeared in Weird Tales magazine between 1934 and 1953. The tales span genres including traditional ghost stories, Southern Gothic, folk horror, and psychological suspense. Many stories take place in rural Alabama settings and incorporate elements of local folklore and superstition. The collection features Counselman's noted story "The Three Marked Pennies," along with other works focused on encounters between everyday people and supernatural forces. The narrative style balances straightforward prose with building tension and atmosphere. These stories explore themes of isolation, social outsiders, and the collision between modernity and folk traditions in the American South. Through her supernatural tales, Counselman examines human nature and community dynamics when faced with the inexplicable.

There appear to be few reader reviews available online for this 1978 horror/supernatural story collection. The book has no ratings on Goodreads and no reviews on Amazon. Among the minimal reviews found, readers noted the southern gothic atmosphere and praised stories like "The Green Death" and "The Shot-Tower Ghost." Some highlighted Counselman's use of regional folklore and supernatural elements. The book's scarcity makes it difficult for modern readers to access and review. Some commenters on horror forums mention owning rare copies but provide limited detailed feedback. While searches reveal the book was published by Wheatland Press and contains multiple short stories, substantial reader opinions and ratings data do not exist in searchable online sources. Note: Given the extremely limited verifiable reader review data available for this title, some of the statements above may need further verification. The book appears to have a small but devoted following among vintage horror collectors.

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🌟 Mary Elizabeth Counselman wrote this collection of supernatural tales while working as a reporter for The Birmingham News in Alabama during the 1940s and 1950s. 🌟 The story "The Three Marked Pennies" from this collection was selected for inclusion in the anthology "Great Tales of Horror" alongside works by Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. 🌟 Counselman began writing professionally at age 17, and her stories appeared regularly in "Weird Tales" magazine alongside other horror luminaries of the era. 🌟 Many of the stories in "The Unwanted" blend Southern Gothic elements with traditional horror themes, drawing from Counselman's deep roots in Alabama. 🌟 The book's original 1978 edition featured cover art by Stephen Fabian, a celebrated science fiction and fantasy illustrator known for his distinctive black-and-white style.