Cthulhu Deep Down Under Volume 1

Cthulhu Deep Down Under anthology series

by Steve Proposch (Editor), Christopher Sequiera (Editor), Bryce Stevens (Editor)

Celebrated horror writer H. P. Lovecraft's first major tale of his Cthulhu Mythos began an entire sub-genre of the macabre and in that story, he made Australia a crucial location in his supernatural universe. Now, a group of Australia's most accomplished writers of speculative fiction return to the promise of the master. This collection not only includes the best Australian Lovecraftian fiction but also presents new stories by internationally-lauded Australian creators Lucy Sussex, Kaaron Warren, and Janeen Webb. The book is the first in a series that will provoke fresh new imaginings of cosmic horror visited upon the land down under, and remind readers that when the stars come right, things for the inhabitants beneath the Southern Cross may go very, very wrong.

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

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2015

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cthulhu: Deep Down Under is a special anthology. It is special because it not only entertains you, but also takes you on a terrifying and thrilling journey into the darkness. All of the stories are riveting, and all of the artwork is outstanding. Mixing the ancient and burnt landscape of Australia into a melting pot filled to the brim with Old Ones, cultists, dark tomes and strange creatures not only works well, it works brilliantly. There are some amazing Lovecraftian anthologies out there, and Cthulhu: Deep Down Under ranks up there with the best of them.

Full review can be found here: http://smashdragons.blogspot.com.au/2...

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant about this book as I've read Australian horror author anthologies before and found them to be fair. This collection, however, proved that Aussie writers can actually write good horror. I liked nearly every one of the 10 stories within, most of them having some originality with just two or three being basic pastiches, though even those stories were pretty solid. One thing I noted is apparently in Australia Lovecraft = tentacles, as almost every tale ended in tentacles one way or another. But overall, this was one of the best Lovecraftian anthologies I've read in awhile.

[J.C. Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first time I've read a collection and actually enjoyed every single story!

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, entertaining, if a little too pulpy at times, which is apt, all things considered.

Lovecraftian horror (also known as cosmic horror) has cemented its place in the annals of literature thanks to its great contributions to the genre by presenting us stories where the human mind is naught but poison, and our reality is but a glimpse into true horror. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite genres. However, it does suffer from a severe lack of quality stories, and it is often times pastiche-d a little too much that it loses any sense of originality.

Here comes Cthulhu Deep Down Under, an original from Australian authors that seeks to bring some of the best lovecraftian writers into the publishing world. It is, frankly, a decent, entertaining, if mildly cheap effort.

The majority of the stories are fast-paced, well-realized, creative, and offer unique perspective into the world of cosmic horror. From simple creature-features to more subversive tales that try new things. There is a lot to like here, but also a lot to dislike, for, alas, as with usual with anthologies, you get a mixed bag of content that can range wildly in quality. Some of the tales here get a little too on your face with how directly they try to reference lovecraft; some do so in a more creative manner, yet a large number of stories fail to do so, and delivered what I felt were half-baked stories that seem to mock cosmic horror rather than celebrate it.

If you enjoy the genre, you will definitely enjoy this collection. Despite some of its clumsy missteps, when it goes high, it gets pretty high and does so nicely. The definite spotlight for me was "Haunting Matilda" by Dmetri Kakmi, an absolutely gruesome, disgusting, disturbing, shocking, and truly memorable story that sticks with you due to its grotesque ambience, raw narration, and by the fact that it pulls no punches at all. Truly disgusting, as it should be!

[Graeme Dunlop · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this book. I'll admit I'm not a great fan of the whole Cthulu mythos or Lovecraft's writing. I've read quite a few Lovecraft stories but the purple prose tends to wash over me and leave me with nothing. The only story I remember well is "The Music of Erich Zann" and that may be because I heard an excellent audio rendition on Norm Sherman's podcast "The Drabblecast."

The stories are quite lacklustre and like many using the Cthulu mythos, they don't do much besides invoke a vague sense of unease whilst occasionally throwing in mention of shoggoths or something. And there is one story I found particularly repellant because of its treatment of a nine-year-old girl.

The story by one of the editors is overlong and sports an ending that is both obvious and unsatisfying. I stopped reading the book after that one.

And yet, they managed an introduction by no less a horror luminary than Ramsey Campbell! It doesn't make sense.

I certainly won't be reading Volume 2.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting selection of stories here. I think most capture the Lovecraftian feel quite well, though at the same time brought more to the modern age (and with it a more modern / better view of such things as race and gender). A couple of stories were very strong, one I didn't like at all, and the rest were good so all in all a worthwhile read.

[Angela Maher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always good to read Australian horror anthologies and this book includes some top names. The stories are interesting, and nicely varied in their content and style, but overall the book didn't engage me much. With a few of the stories, the Cthulhu aspect felt forced, and they probably would have fared better with a different beast.

[Arie de Bruyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Dedman's story was my favorite in this compilation.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also awesome :)

[Kara Rowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scary and cool

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it's okay. Like all anthologies, some stories are better than others. YMMV.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome :)