When Things Get Dark edited by Ellen Datlow

(Titan Books, 2021)

Reviewed by Jeremy Nelson

Jackson’s work has undergone a much-deserved renaissance in the world of film. The critical success of Netflix’s 2018 miniseries The Haunting of Hill House has opened the doors to a number of projects inspired by Shirley Jackson’s work and life. When Things Get Dark brings the same spirit to the short story form, with a table of contents brimming with talent.

Datlow makes it clear in her introduction that she sought more than mere pastiches of Jackson’s work and wanted contributors to “distill the essence of Jackson’s work into their own work, to reflect her sensibility.” In that spirit, none of the stories draw from Jackson’s personal life.

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Review from BSFA Review 17 - Download your copy here.