I received this ARC based on the description. It sounded exactly what I like to read. I was about half way through and so far so good. I liked everything I had read, but then I read the "Under The Hollywood Sign". It was very difficult to read due to the use of gay slurs that I won't repeat. I understand that this short story was published in 1975, however, it was a difficult read. That totally turned me off and I didn't finish the book. What I did read before this story, I enjoyed. It was very Twilight Zone-ish.
If you don't mind gay slurs from books published in the 1970s, you may want to check this out.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had never heard of Tom Reamy, but I was interested in reading this book because of the comparisons to Ray Bradbury. I was not disappointed! Recommended to sci-fi fans.

UNDER THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN : THE COLLECTED STORIES OF TOM REAMY
Publication: May 31, 2023 by Subterranean Press
Hardcover: 544 pages


Finally a tribute volume to an early master of magic realism. His writing was an amalgam of dark fantasy, speculative fiction, a dash of horror - but not hard science fiction. This retrospective gathers together all of his short fiction, one screenplay, and a previously unpublished short story. Naturally not included is his only novel. “Blind Voices”, which was published posthumously … complete but not in a final draft form. This was multiple award winning, including the Hugo Award. His writing career was painfully short. He published two short stories in 1973… several followed shortly earning him nominations for the Nebula and Hugo Awards ….then the Nebula Award in 1976, followed by the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer also in 1976. Then in November 1977, while taping away at his typewriter, and 7 pages into a story, he was struck down with a fatal myocardial infarction at age 42. Even at that stage of his life his was one of the most popular young writers , many comparing him to a Ray Bradbury or a Richard Matheson.
Tom Reamy was a masterful storyteller, combining rich characterization with unexpected dark and seductive tales, filled with rich details satirical of societal norms and limitations, blossoming into twists that startle and horrify. He populated his tales with seemingly normal, everyday people, entering into situations involving horrific and mystical creatures. My favorite gem is: “The Detweiler Boy” …. A private eye investigates the murder of nine people, whose bodies have been exsanguinated. What follows is the weirdest semi-vampire tale involving the slightly hunchbacked Andrew Detweiler. Another favorite is “San Diego Lightfoot Sue” involving the lovable artist, turned prostitute when necessary. She becomes entangled with a much younger naive boy, transplanted from the heartland of Kansas to the wild streets of San Francisco. He luckily is taken under the wing of two “somewhat fairy godmothers’ … Reamy encompasses sympathetic gay characters into the story long before it was fashionable. What follows is a love story - of sorts, with involvement of magic and wonder. The post-apocalyptic stories of “Beyond The Cleft” and “Dinosaurs” touched on society and it’s foibles. “Insects in Amber” presents a most despicable and loathsome child. Reamy’s stories frequently involve loss of innocence and unusual friendships and love. Even though the stories vary in depth, they uniquely cement themselves into your memory, long after the last page is turned. Just imagine the impact and depth that his oeuvre could have reached.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof of this enjoyable ride in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Hollywood Sign is the complete short fiction (and one screenplay) of Tom Reamy, who sold his first stories in 1973 and passed in 1977. He wrote dark fantasy shading into dark science fiction, with an eye for interesting characters and landscapes. My favorite stories: “San Diego Lightfoot Sue”, “Twilla” and “The Detweiler Boy” are tied together by a small Kansas town and Hollywood, both are locales that Reamy knew well. I read most of these stories when they were published and loved them, on reading them again the the stories I liked the most are still impressive, a few feel a bit dated, but most are well worth reading. (The one previously unpublished story was my least favorite in the book)
These were some of the best short sf/fantasy stories of the 1970’s, still well worth reading today.

@SubPress.
this e-ARC was provided by NetGalley for review purposes