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Mike Allen
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Unseaming Kindle Edition

by Mike Allen (Author), Laird Barron (Introduction) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 243 ratings
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NEW IN 2024: Slow Burn, new horror tales by Mike Allen

10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH NEW BONUS CONTENT!
  • Shirley Jackson Award finalist for best collection
  • This Is Horror Award finalist for best collection
Mike Allen has put together a first class collection of horror and dark fantasy. Unseaming burns bright as hell among its peers. —Laird Barron, author of The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All

Allen’s stories deliver solid shivering terror tinged with melancholy sorrow over the fragility of humankind. —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Allen leaves readers with nerves jangling. —Library Journal, starred review

Everyone in the world awakens covered in blood-and no one knows where the blood came from. A childhood doll arrives to tear its owner's reality limb from limb. A portal to the spirit realm stretches wide on the Appalachian Trail, and something more than human crawls through on eight legs. Words of comfort change to terrifying sounds as a force from outside time speaks through them. The buttons in the bin will unseam your flesh to bare your nastiest secrets.

Opening with "The Button Bin," a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story, and culminating with its sequel, "The Quiltmaker," which Bram Stoker Award and Shirley Jackson Award winner Laird Barron has hailed as Mike Allen's masterpiece, this debut collection gathers fourteen horror tales that, in the words of Barron's introduction, "rival anything committed to paper by the likes of contemporary masters such as Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, or Caitlín Kiernan. This is raw, visceral, and sometimes bloody stuff. Primal stuff."

More praise for Unseaming:

Throughout Unseaming, reality is usually in bad shape right from the start-and from there things proceed to go downhill. Such is the general background and trajectory of life in Mike Allen's fictional world. More could be said, of course, but there's one thing that I feel especially urged to say: these stories are fun. Not "good" fun, and certainly not "good clean" fun. They are too unnerving for those modifiers, too serious, like laughter in the dark-unnerving, serious laughter that leads you through Mr. Allen's funhouse. The reality in there is also in bad shape, deliberately so, just for the seriously unnerving fun of it. The prose is poetic, except it's nonsense poetry, the poetry of deteriorating realities, intermingling realities, realities without Reality. And all the while that unnerving, serious laughter keeps getting louder and louder. Are we having fun yet? —Thomas Ligotti, author of The Spectral Link

Mike Allen’s ability as a poet is evident throughout this fever dream of a book. Brutal, elegant, and shocking, the stories in Unseaming are snapshots of a beautiful Hell. —Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters

Mike Allen's Unseaming confirms his status as a poet who writes in dread and awe rather than ink. His most recurrent themes are those of wrenching loss and transformative retribution, with a liberal helping of the literal fear of God(s); sowing out a hundred different apocalypses, personal and otherwise, these stories reap an unforgettable crop of nightmares, sketching a chimeric universe in which shape-changing is less a rumour or an option than a sad, simple inevitability. Not to be missed. —Gemma Files, author of We Will All Go Down Together

Mike Allen blends a poet's attention to language with a crime reporter's instinct for the darker precincts of human behavior…these stories glow with demonic energy, and what they illuminate are the faces of our secret selves, screaming back at us from the mirror's depths. —John Langan, author of The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Unseaming
  2. Print length
    224 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    October 7, 2014
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Allen's stories deliver solid shivering terror tinged with melancholy sorrow over the fragility of humankind.
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

The stories ... range from the sly to the splatteringly horrific, with every nuance of dread and menace in between.
--Library Journal, starred review

Allen can write as lyrically and as viscerally as the best of them ... an exceptional debut collection.
--Locus

Offbeat, gruesome conceits and expert delivery.
--Asimov's Science Fiction

One of the most original practitioners of the body horror subgenre since Clive Barker's Books of Blood.
--Rue Morgue

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00O0H7NKO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mythic Delirium Books (October 7, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 243 ratings

About the author

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Mike Allen

Mike Allen

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Mike Allen is an author, editor and publisher of science fiction, fantasy and horror. He has written, edited, or co-edited thirty-eight books, among them his forthcoming dark fantasy novel TRAIL OF SHADOWS and his new horror collection SLOW BURN.

UNSEAMING and AFTERMATH OF AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT, his first two volumes of horror tales, were both finalists for the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Story Collection, and his dark fable “The Button Bin” was a nominee for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. Another collection, THE SPIDER TAPESTRIES, contains experiments in weird science fiction and fantasy. His dark fantasy novel THE BLACK FIRE CONCERTO combines sword and sorcery with a zombie apocalypse.

As an editor and publisher, he has been nominated twice for the World Fantasy Award: first, for his anthology CLOCKWORK PHOENIX 5, the culmination of the Clockwork Phoenix series showcasing tales of beauty and strangeness that defy genre classification; and then, for MYTHIC DELIRIUM, the magazine of poetry and fiction he edited for twenty years.

He’s a three-time winner of the Rhysling Award for poetry. His six poetry collections include STRANGE WISDOMS OF THE DEAD, a Philadelphia Inquirer Editor’s Choice selection, and HUNGRY CONSTELLATIONS, a Suzette Haden Elgin Award nominee.

With his wife, Anita, he runs Mythic Delirium Books, based in Roanoke, Virginia. Their cat Pandora assists.

Find him on Instagram and on BlueSky via his mythicdelirium handle.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
243 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the horror stories in this collection. They find the writing quality wonderful and lyrical, with a genuine literary voice. Many describe the book as amazing, magical, and a page-turner. Readers appreciate the imaginative and original ideas and concepts. However, opinions differ on how enjoyable the book is to read. Some find it entertaining and tightly paced, while others consider it boring and uninteresting.

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Horror storylineWriting qualityReadabilityImaginationEnjoyment
29 customers mention "Horror storyline"25 positive4 negative

Customers find the horror stories in the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the variety of stories and subgenres within horror, with each story packed with vivid imagery. While not very gory, the book leaves readers satisfied with its creepiness and originality.

"...Mike Allen gets my strongest accolades for the finest, creepiest, darkest, most entertaining writing I've ever encountered in my life...." Read more

"...I suppose my favorite element to this collection was the unpredictability of the tales...." Read more

"...But "Her Acres..." and "Stone Flowers" are also haunting and beautiful in a sad, melancholic sort of way. &#..." Read more

"...I now see why. It’s an amazing collection of ethereal horror, grounded just enough to make you look over your shoulder...." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing quality"14 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it engaging and lyrical, with vivid descriptions and ideas that keep them thinking. The author is described as a true wordsmith and craftsman who weaves great yarns in a genuine literary voice.

"...my strongest accolades for the finest, creepiest, darkest, most entertaining writing I've ever encountered in my life...." Read more

"...mention pacing again because when Allen's pacing was on, the writing was top notch. But when it got bogged down it became a drudge...." Read more

"...They're well written and I know I'll remember parts of them for a long time (but I kinda hope I forget...)" Read more

"...the plots just didn't flow as well, but overall a juicy read by a talented writer for lovers of the genre." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the stories engaging and a page-turner. The author has a good sense of how to keep readers involved in the narrative.

"...were a bit choppy-the plots just didn't flow as well, but overall a juicy read by a talented writer for lovers of the genre." Read more

"Found the author entertaining! Has a great sense of how to keep the reader involved in the atory. A definite page turner...." Read more

"...A genuine literary voice that weaves a great yarn in a timbre and quality that is an immense pleasure to read. A true wordsmith and craftsman." Read more

"Bought the book on a whim. I didn't expect a lot from it, but it's actually quite good. Fascinating concept all together." Read more

10 customers mention "Imagination"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's imagination. They find the ideas original and well-executed. The concept is fascinating and the stories have an uncanny realism to today's world.

"...Allen's fertile and finely-honed imagination is simply beyond anything I've ever come across and it defies categorization...." Read more

"One of the more original and well-executed New Gothic/Weird Horror short story collections I've read in a while...." Read more

"This is pretty disquieting stuff, Lovecraftian in general tone, yet very original...." Read more

"Some very good ideas here, and very spooky at points. Very original. VERY poor editing, however...." Read more

14 customers mention "Enjoyment"7 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the book. Some find it an enjoyable read with a tight pace. Others find the stories disappointing and unsettling, making it unsuitable for bedtime reading.

"...His collection is a tightly-paced read that only bogs down in a couple of places...." Read more

"The stories were a disappointment. I read the reviews and find that I disagreed with them. The stories were lackluster and not really scary...." Read more

"Found the author entertaining! Has a great sense of how to keep the reader involved in the atory. A definite page turner...." Read more

"This is pretty disquieting stuff, Lovecraftian in general tone, yet very original...." Read more

These stories are a welcome retreat from all the holiday ...
5 out of 5 stars
These stories are a welcome retreat from all the holiday ...
These stories are a welcome retreat from all the holiday noise! In particular Jennifer Brody‘s story “ Let me in” has an uncanny realism to today’s world and plight that faces so many refugees circling our globe. Action-packed and a pleasure to read.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Taig
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Horror I've Ever Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Last night, during the appropriate hour of midnight, I finished Mike Allen's "Unseamed" and I just have to say that it is simply on a level of quality and genius beyond anything I've ever read.

    I grew up with, and sought out, the weird and the creepy and all manner of frightening fiction since I was a small lad, so I'm well equipped--after 50-some years experience--to know good horror when I find it. Allen's fertile and finely-honed imagination is simply beyond anything I've ever come across and it defies categorization. Call it horror, weird, disturbing, frightening--whatever; the stories in this superb collection are all of these, but so much more too. They've gotten under the layers of my subconscious and nestled there so that long after the initial impact of them dissipates, they make themselves known over and over again in subtle, yet profound, ways for a long time after.

    All of the stories in "Unseaming" moved and impressed me deeply me but none so thoroughly as "The Quiltmaker." It just reached down into my subconscious and pulled out memories and nightmares I haven't accessed for decades and set them on display in my mind. "The Quiltmaker" was to me far and away the sweetest tale of raw terror I've ever encountered. What a marvel, what a nasty treasure of creepiness! Wow. After I finished it I just sat there and pondered and ruminated, went back and reread it, shared particularly creepy bits with my boys, and then sat there and chewed my mental cud some more.

    I just can't say enough about this masterwork of horror. Mike Allen gets my strongest accolades for the finest, creepiest, darkest, most entertaining writing I've ever encountered in my life. It's made my life just a little bit richer forever.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • J.B.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this one. I suppose my favorite element to this collection was the unpredictability of the tales. In a few, I would start to think, "Well, this is going nowhere". But then, something completely unexpected would happen, and I was wowed, shocked, freaked out, or completely disgusted (in a good way 😃). So, yes. I would definitely recommend this one. If you enjoy creepy and different, you may want to give this collection a try.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • T. Dominy
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Blessing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One of the more original and well-executed New Gothic/Weird Horror short story collections I've read in a while. Other examples, to varying degrees of success, abound on Amazon (John Langan, Simon Strantzas, Jeremy Robert Johnson). The praise by Laird Barron in the foreword is a good indicator that you should give Mr. Allen a chance to scare you. His collection is a tightly-paced read that only bogs down in a couple of places. Most notably in "The Quiltmaker," which starts off strong but feels about three times longer than it needs to be. Allen presents an interesting and creative new mythology. The standout example has to be "The Hiker's Tale," which reminded me of classic King or Straub (and I'm sure will be forefront in my mind the next time I'm camped out on the AT!). But "Her Acres..." and "Stone Flowers" are also haunting and beautiful in a sad, melancholic sort of way. "Humpty" and "The Blessed Days" were really fascinating ideas that both sort of foundered a little at their ends. Still, both were very original. I have to mention pacing again because when Allen's pacing was on, the writing was top notch. But when it got bogged down it became a drudge. All in all, "Unseaming" is a great indicator of Allen's potential and if you like New Horror (and, again, especially Gothic, which is so hard to pull off well) give this a read.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Brian Fatah Steele
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical, Rich Darkness
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    For some reason, I wasn’t familiar with Mike Allen’s work before reading this book, and only picked it up because his name kept being associated with Laird Barron and Simon Strantzas. I now see why. It’s an amazing collection of ethereal horror, grounded just enough to make you look over your shoulder.

    A poet of some renown, Allen brings the lyrical quality to his tales, making them almost dream-like. His horror has that element of the Weird to it, but it’s something else, something in the prose that feels like a fable. It’s very present in the bookend tales, “The Button Bin” and “The Quiltmaker,” his two pieces exploring identity and flesh. We see outer horrors manipulating us in “Her Acres Of Pastoral Playground” and “The Blessed Days” while stranger, sharper things wait in “The Music of Bremen Farm” and “Gutter.” We find lives intertwined around darkness in “The Hiker’s Tale” and “Stone Flowers” while we meet two different faces of evil in “Humpty” and “Monster.”

    The stories in UNSEAMING are lush, a horror that engages in all of your senses. You feel immersed in these brief tales, Allen’s word choice in his story-telling wrapping around you. It’s a rich darkness surely on par with the contemporary masters, and I’m excited to read more work by him.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • cooperkat10
    2.0 out of 5 stars Unseaming
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The stories were a disappointment. I read the reviews and find that I disagreed with them. The stories were lackluster and not really scary. Most of the stories were a bit semi-mystical, but were not as good as I anticipated. I really cannot recommend this book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • William T. Masonis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shedding Your Skin and Your Sanity Like A Snake
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is pretty disquieting stuff, Lovecraftian in general tone, yet very original. It presents as a general theme the idea that there is another, darker (of course) reality lying behind the usual one, and that this can be revealed, under certain circumstances, by literally popping people open along invisible "seams" that exist upon us. Fantastical a concept as this may appear, this guy makes it work. Certainly not the sort of stuff one likes to contemplate in the deep of the night - unless you're a horror fan, that is.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • ck762
    4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to describe...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This could have been titled Unsettling and it would have been just as accurate and perfectly descriptive of the stories. I'm not sure if I'm glad I read these or not, which is a weird feeling itself. They're well written and I know I'll remember parts of them for a long time (but I kinda hope I forget...)
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Paul Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars it's one of the finest collections I've ever read
    Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Mike Allen's "Unseaming" was THE collection of 2014. Hell, it's one of the finest collections I've ever read. Extraordinary stories of loss, sin and the greater cosmos."Her Acres of Pastoral Playground" is a truly frightening tale. Many of these pieces are indeed short, and what Allen is able to do with just a few pages is a revelation. "The Button Bin", "The Blessed Days" and "Let There Be Darkness" should gain momentum until they are considered modern classics. "The Quiltmaker" is a tour-de-force of multiple perspective retribution.

    "Unseaming" is a collection I will cherish and return to more often than a sane man should. Notice has been served - this is 'top-of-the-food-chain' amazing.
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  • Steve bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars These stories are beautifully written and really disturbing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2015
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    These stories are beautifully written and really disturbing; several of them have stayed with me long after reading them. Very highly recommended.
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  • Karl Redekopp
    4.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing
    Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2016
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    I found each of the stories to be quite unique; especially in the style of writing the author chooses to use. Each tale starts off rather innocently and slowly builds to a sense of utter bewilderment and unsettling horror as the reader realizes what's happening . Very well done; highly recommend especially for fans of Lovecraft-type tales of extra dimensional nightmares.
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  • Mike N
    4.0 out of 5 stars Weird? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    As one reviewer noted, this is "a bit weird".

    Yes, yes it is. That's kind of the point I think. And it's weird in a very good way. I believe one of the stories in this - "The Button Bin" - is an award winner of some kind. I can believe it. It's distinctly unsettling.

    I don't want to go into details for any of the stories - I think it's best if you experience them for yourselves without any spoilers. It will help maintain the "bit weird" feeling if you don't know what to expect. I do think there were a couple of weaker pieces in the middle though that could probably have been cut to give a stronger overall collection that may have rated 5 stars, but on the whole a very satisfying read.
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  • Hughie Jones
    3.0 out of 5 stars Different, well written.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I thought the few stories I read were written okay, but the subject matter didn't suit me. Don't let me put you off as I think they are more for a younger generation. I was brought up on MR James and his compatriots.
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