Differences between the original and the revised editions

[A. Northman]

Perhaps a similar thread already exists, but as I didn't find one...

Now that I've read Ligotti's mass market books, I'm planning on buying SoADD, Grimscribe and TARoVFAOGT. The Subterranean Press revised editions seem to be rarer and more expensive than the 90's printings. Of course the Subterranean editions are more beautiful, but what about the contents? How heavily the stories are revised? Do I miss out something important if I buy the original 90's editions? If the experience is much different, I'm ready to carry a bit lighter wallet for a while... I'm going to buy the Centipede Press edition of TARoVFAOGT in any case.

[EemeliJ]

I'd actually recommend The Nightmare Factory collection in this case. You get most of the contents from the first two collections, and some stories from Noctuary and TG too. IMO, it's still an essential Ligotti collection, in a way. You might consider going for it, goes usually around 50-80$.

[A. Northman]

Quote Originally Posted by EemeliJ

I'd actually recommend The Nightmare Factory collection in this case. You get most of the contents from the first two collections, and some stories from Noctuary and TG too. IMO, it's still an essential Ligotti collection, in a way. You might consider going for it, goes usually around 50-80$.

Yes, I have been considering that, too. I just want to have every Ligotti book as a separate volume, because... well, I don't know, maybe there is a little bibliophile inside me. The Nightmare Factory would be very suitable for my budget, though.

[nomis]

There were substantial changes made to some of the stories in the Subterranean editions. It's hard to say which are better and which are worse. Currently, Mr Ligotti prefers the SP editions, but a completist would likely want both sets.

There are indeed threads on TLO that lists some of the changes, but as you can imagine none are complete due to the sheer volume.

The Nightmare Factory is a good overview, containing almost all of the first three books (after the Agonizing Resurrection), and a fair chunk of the fourth, but if you can find the individual volumes then that's your best bet for a complete run of the original tales.

Ultimately my suggestion is to do what the rest of us have done and simply buy everything you can get your hands on.

[EemeliJ]

Quote Originally Posted by A. Northman

well, I don't know, maybe there is a little bibliophile inside me.

Quote Originally Posted by nomis

Ultimately my suggestion is to do what the rest of us have done and simply buy everything you can get your hands on.

Oh yeah, he's gone. Our Northman here is probably bound to end up with all the Ligotti he desires. ;) It just so happens to most of us—"In some form or another..."

[A. Northman]

Yeah, I'll most likely end up buying everything, so maybe I'll just check out the best current prices without thinking about this edition thing too much. Thanks for the answers!

[DoktorH]

Quote Originally Posted by A. Northman

Yeah, I'll most likely end up buying everything, so maybe I'll just check out the best current prices without thinking about this edition thing too much. Thanks for the answers!

That's always been my strategy. I often rationalize the pricier books with "I'd wind up doing the same amount of frivolous spending anyway on books/movies/gadgets, may as well minimize clutter and do it all on one book." Never regretted it.

[Michael]

It's a great question. I didn't know if anyone on the Network had planned to, at some point, do a detailed book to book comparison and, if so, would that be able to be catalogued on the Network.

[Brendan Moody]

As was alluded to above, I've cataloged the differences between the Carroll & Graf and Subterranean editions for two stories, "Dr. Locrian's Asylum" and "Vastarien," in this thread. I keep meaning to do more, but it's time-consuming and generally tedious work.