Richard Matheson (1926–2013)

Same review on Audible :D
3.5*

STORY ***
This is not the best of Matheson: some of the stories are relatively sub-standard, for him. That's why three stars for content.
This said, it is Richard Matheson we are talking about: even the most disappointing stories contain fascinating and disturbing elements. The unspeakable horror of normal life twisted into its grinning, deformed twin sibling is constantly hanging over our heads. Sometimes it makes itself manifest, sometimes it keeps lingering after an apparently soothing or, at least, rational ending.
Some stories, anyway, are real masterpieces. "Mute" broke my heart, as all stories in which a human being is trapped between potential and waste, and they are aware of it. It is a bitter-sweet one, though. There is humanity in Matheson, and humanity makes him great. Looking at "Witch War" or other cruel (and genial) fantasies you wouldn't say, but then you find it shining through the ending of stories like "The last day" and "Mute", and there is explained the difference between a mediocre and a great writer of sci-fi and horror.
One last word of caution: if you are very sensitive to misogyny, I'd advice against reading Matheson for leisure. Some female characters are decently nuanced, but mostly femininity is seen as a menacing force when it is not bridled in married tameness. Much has been written about "Witch war" in this sense, and, as much as I love this story (one of the most horrifying I have EVER read!), it does indeed contain some disturbing symbolism. I keep enjoying Matheson and I don't like witch hunts, but, you know, buyers beware.

PERFORMANCE ****
Multiple readers, nearly all definitely good. a couple of narrators overdid it a bit in terms of pathos, but the resulting "Twilight zone" vibe is not out of place.
A couple of them are afflicted by the infamous "breathy female voice syndrome", as I call it. You know what I am talking about. This takes a star out of an otherwise sleek choral performance.… (mehr)