Flowers from the Moon and Other Lunacies

Flowers from the Moon and Other Lunacies is a collection of 20 horror and fantasy stories by Robert Bloch, published by Arkham House in 1998. The stories were curated by Robert M. Price from their original appearances in Weird Tales, Strange Stories, and Rogue magazines. The collection spans multiple horror subgenres, including supernatural tales, Cthulhu Mythos entries, and dark fantasy narratives. Stories range from occult investigations and druidic magic to bizarre encounters and unexplained phenomena. The anthology showcases Bloch's work from various periods of his career, demonstrating his versatility in short-form horror fiction. Several stories incorporate elements of mystery and psychological tension alongside supernatural horror elements. These tales explore themes of cosmic horror, ancient magic, and human nature's darker aspects, reflecting Bloch's signature blend of horror and psychological insight. The collection stands as a testament to his influence on mid-20th century weird fiction and horror literature.

Limited review data exists for this horror short story collection. On Goodreads, the book holds a 4.0 rating from just 7 readers. Readers noted the strong Lovecraftian influence in several stories and pointed to "The Bogey Man Will Get You" and "Beauty's Beast" as standout tales. Multiple reviews mentioned the author's dark humor and ability to build tension through psychological suspense rather than graphic content. A few readers found some stories dated or predictable by modern standards. One review criticized the collection's inconsistent pacing and called certain endings "abrupt." Available Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (7 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (2 ratings) The book remains relatively obscure with limited online discussion. Most reviews came from collectors and vintage horror enthusiasts who tracked down rare copies of this 1949 collection.

Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft This seminal collection presents cosmic horror stories that established the foundation of weird fiction that Bloch built upon in his own supernatural tales.

Night Shift by Stephen King The collection features short horror stories that blend psychological terror and supernatural elements in the same vein as Bloch's work.

Prime Evil by Douglas E. Winter This anthology compiles horror stories from multiple authors who, like Bloch, craft narratives mixing psychological and supernatural horror elements.

Books of Blood by Clive Barker These stories combine dark fantasy and horror with themes of human nature and otherworldly phenomena that mirror Bloch's approach to weird fiction.

The Dark Descent by David G. Hartwell This comprehensive horror anthology spans multiple subgenres and time periods, featuring authors who influenced and were influenced by Bloch's contributions to weird fiction.

🌙 Robert Bloch began his writing career at age 17 as a member of H.P. Lovecraft's correspondence circle and received personal mentorship from Lovecraft himself. 🌙 The author is best known for writing "Psycho" (1959), which was adapted into the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film starring Anthony Perkins. 🌙 Many stories in this collection first appeared in "Weird Tales" magazine during its golden age in the 1930s and 1940s, when it was publishing works by legends like Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. 🌙 Before becoming a horror writer, Bloch worked as a copywriter in Milwaukee and wrote jokes for stand-up comedians, which influenced his signature blend of horror and humor. 🌙 The collection's editor, Robert M. Price, is a noted Lovecraft scholar who has edited numerous anthologies of Cthulhu Mythos fiction and hosts the podcast "The Lovecraft Geek."