It reads a bit differently from the rest in that it revolves around a male protagonist rather than a young girl, and one who is morally dubious. "His Face All Red" is easily one of the standout pieces. Not to the extent of something like Optic Nerve, but in a way that enhances the tension and dread. Carroll also shows a tendency to end her tales abruptly. Only fear or loss or death or some combination of the three await. It sets the tone for the rest of the book as it establishes that there are no happy endings for the protagonists. The ending to this story is especially striking. "A Lady's Hands Are Cold" offers Carroll's own spin on the familiar tale of Bluebeard, though downplaying the murdering husband in favor of the ghost that haunts his halls. Here, the eerie sense of inevitability to the tale is more unsettling than the creature itself. "Our Neighbor's House" feels a bit brusque and less developed than the rest as it examines three sisters left alone in their home and stalked by a strange, grinning man. There aren't really any weak links among these five stories, though certain chapters do resonate more than others. So though this may be a collection of individual tales, Through the Woods has a very cohesive feel. All of them deal with the fear of unknown and unseen monsters lurking in the wilderness. All of them have a distinctly fairy tale-esque approach.
All of these horror stories are period pieces.
Even if there's no direct connective tissue among the stories, the whole book is unified by a consistent sense of style and thematic approach. Five short stories are included in all, along with an introduction and conclusion that are, essentially, two additional tales in their own right. It collects several of Carroll's web comics along with some new material. Through the Woods is more an anthology book than a singular work.
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