Christi Nogle’s first collection demonstrates why she is helping to define modern horror. A veteran of such prestigious publications as Vastarien: A Literary Journal and Pseudopod, Nogle excels in dread and slow build while having so much to say about the world we live in and the human condition. The Best of Our Past, the Worst of Our Future collects some of her finest stories.

Nogle’s writing style is hard to quantify. She is a mix between Shirley Jackson and Robert Aickman, with a blend of fantastical premises married to human emotion. The opening story, “Unschooled,” is told from the perspective of a young werewolf mother unsatisfied with her lot in life and wishing to depart with her children. Nogle dives into her head, showing us the life she has lived and the struggles she endures, coupled with her love for her children and her longing for a new life.

What sets Nogle apart is her blend of humanity to horror. There is no viewpoint character in any of Nogle’s works who is bland and devoid of personality. With few words, Nogle gives them depth, realization, and life. The reader cannot help but care about these people and feel as though they are old friends.

Each word is chosen with almost delicate precision, such as the titular tale. A visit from a rather unremarkable cousin morphs into something unique, strange, and bizarre. It is a gloriously dark tale, transgressive and daring. Nogle rarely delves into explanation or holds the reader’s hand.

Instead, she invites the audience to think about the stories, to follow along as though peering through a cloudy lens into imperfect and twisted lives while she completely upends them. The narratives feel frighteningly authentic and each story is completely and fully realized.

One of the best collections of the year.