Made in Goatswood

by Scott David Aniolowski (Editor), Chaosium Inc., Richard A. Lupoff

A celebration of Ramsey Cambell

Most acknowledge him as the greatest living writer of the horror tale in the English language. This volume contains all-new stories by seventeen admiring fellow-authors. All the stories are set in that ancient and fearful portion of England's Severn Valley which Mr. Campbell evoked in narratives such as The Moon-Lens. Included in this book is a new story by him, his first Severn Valley yarn in decades. Published in conjunction with his trip to the United States.

Eighteen stories, decorative map of the region, portrait of Ramsey Cambell, Introduction by the editor.

Genres: Horror, Cthulhu Mythos, Lovecraftian, Fiction, Weird Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies

279 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not super impressed. Basically a Ramsey Campbell "tribute album": a collection of short stories by different authors set in his "Severn Valley." More than half of the stories are Mythos-y; on the other hand, at least a quarter of the stories are just generic horror and could have been set elsewhere as easily as in the Severn Valley region. Mostly competent but nothing great. 2.5 stars.

[Arthur B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly solid tribute to Campbell's early Mythos work. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...

[Andy Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this collection when it first came out in the 1990s but only really started dipping into it recently. I've always been a fan of Ramsey Campbell's Cthulhu Mythos setting and his writing so it was a natural purchase. In truth the collection is hit and miss. There are a few stories that were obviously rewritten to fit the Severn Valley setting and (to put it bluntly) some dross as well. However, on the whole, it isn't a really bad lot. A good many of the stories start out really well but have unsatisfying conclusions. The last two in the collection are excellent though. The Beard of Byatis was reminiscent of the great M. R. James' writing and a real pleasure to read and The Horror Under Warrendown was written by Ramsey Campbell himself for this collection and his talent shines through.

[Ανδρέας Μιχαηλίδης · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally think these old collections from Chaosium are gems, one and all, from Howard's Nameless Cults collection, to the unsurpassed Encyclopedia Cthulhiana. This collection here, in honor of Ramsay Campbell, seems to be an exception. Don't get me wrong, the stories do meet all the criteria of decent storytelling, and a few are truly, truly good. However, the setting of Goatswood and / or the surrounding Severn Valley area are mostly used in a sort of token manner, for completely unrelated tales. Quite a few of said tales pose questions and problems which are never resolved or even partially explained and no, not in the spooky HPL manner; they merely seem forgotten. Bottom line, give it a go if you are the completionist type, but don't expect to be awed.

[The Artificer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this collection, like all in the Chaosium Cycle Series, suffers from rather slipshod editing and proofing, it is a very good anthology all the same. Campbell's uniquely crafted setting in the Severn Valley and Goatswood lends these stories an excellent backdrop that the anthology authors use to great advantage.
There is a distinctly different flavour in Campbell's Mythos works than you find in Lovecraft's, and the majority of these stories really run with it, to the benefit of the reader.

Perhaps not a Must Have book for the casual Lovecraft fan, I would certainly recommend it for those looking to expand their knowledge of the greater Mythos writers.

[Bill Hsu · Rating 1 out of 5]

My favorite Ramsey Campbell stories suggest rather than explain, and steer clear of cheesy cliches. I can't say the same for a lot of this collection. For example,

How could such a thing be? I wondered. Whose souls were these? Were they the immortal parts of residents of the Severn Valley, the souls perhaps of local residents who had died, and been trapped here in this bizarre limbo, neither attaining heaven nor being consigned to hell?

Ouch.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great volume of Campbellian stories providing a nice variety of creepy and atmospheric tales all taking place in Campbell’s Severn Valley. The capstone on this collection is the fun tale “The Horror Under Warrendown” by Campbell himself. A nice read for Mythos fans.

[Little Timmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of stories based on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. These are, to me, only slightly better than the original Lovecraft stories. Just not a fan of his writings. Not recommended