World Famous Comics: FRUITING BODIES - And Other Fungi: The Man Who Photographed Beardsley; The Man Who Felt Pain; The Viaduct; Recognition; No Way Home; The Pit Yakker; The Mirror of Nitocris; Necros; The Thin People; The Cyprus Shell; The Deep Sea Conch; Born of the Winds
FRUITING BODIES - And Other Fungi: The Man Who Photographed Beardsley; The Man Who Felt Pain; The Viaduct; Recognition; No Way Home; The Pit Yakker; The Mirror of Nitocris; Necros; The Thin People; The Cyprus Shell; The Deep Sea Conch; Born of the Winds
Yeesh! Good old-fashioned tales to send chills down your spine. Aside from having one of the coolest titles ever, this is one of the best collections of short stories in the vein of H.P. Lovecraft. Ah-ah-ah, but wait. This isn't to say that Mr. Lumley writes in a thick prose which could bore you to death while speaking of "indescribable horrors" - rather, Lumley takes every bit of that "I never really thought about how little man knows about anything" kind of chill that Lovecraft is famous for, and injects it into his own kinds of ideas and situations. There are also a few non-supernatural stories here, which show that a person doesn't need to transcend space and time in order to find true horror - again, we know SO little about anything, including what we're capable of.
"Fruiting Bodies," the titular opener, is one of the most singularly creepy stories you might ever read. I won't say much except that you'll never again walk into your basement without thinking about this story...and if it's musty and moldy, you probably will try to find any excuse you can to NOT go.
"The Man Who Photographed Beardsly" is a quick first-person narrative, detailing...well, it's an artist talking, and he...hm, well, without ruining it, it's a quick narrative of "what happened." This might be considered a little weak, but it's still good.
"The Man Who Felt Pain" is a future-set tale of twin brothers, one of which has the ability to feel the pain of others from all around him...and suffers greatly from it. The other, who tells this tale, raises a good point from this: that "if we all felt everyone's pain, why, then there'd be no more wars or cruelties or hurtfulness of any sort..." More emotional than it is scary, but with chilling implications that will haunt you - along with certain images from the tale itself - for a long time afterward.
"The Viaduct" is a straight-up thriller, with two boys who like to live life on the edge learning the ultimate lesson for themselves after making fun of a local reta--um, "special kid." It's a seriously tense story, but sadly the supernatural is again missing here. Scary climax, however.
"Recognition" - ahhh, Lovecraft delight. Strange happenings, eerie noises, monstrous implications, and a creepy finish. What more could you want from a second-generation Lovecraft writer?
"No Way Home" is also Lovecraftian in its angle of things (eep, pun lurking in there...). If you get lost somewhere near where you think you are supposed to be, maybe...don't read this story if you stop to think or rest. And watch out for High House!
"The Pit-Yakker" is not about some kind of monster that lives in a construction site and makes yakking sounds, unfortunately. I had that impression far too firmly in mind, especially after reading Mr. Lumley's intro to the story ("...sometimes I wonder what they'll find under all that pit filth.") Another no-supernature story, but, like "The Man Who Photographed Beardsley" and "The Viaduct," it's still a good one.
"The Mirror of Nitocris" - ah, back into Lovecraft mode. Narrated by Henri-Laurent de Marigny (later a faithful Watsonian sidekick to one of Mr. Lumley's series heroes, Titus Crow), it's a quick tale of a cursed mirror of an ancient Egyptian queen, ancient beings, and...well, read it for more details. There's one image from it which is pretty haunting, especially if you're alone in your room and dozing off while trying to stay awake.
"Necros" - nope, not NecrosCOPE, just Necros. Englishman visiting Italy meets a beautiful woman and her companion, a creepy old man, and a romantic evil begins to form. I shall say no more.
"The Thin People" may be one of the best stories in the book. Absolutely creepy, and definitely Lovecraft-inspired. You'll never quite look out your window at the street at night in the same way again.
"The Cyprus Shell," and "The Deep-Sea Conch" are two split tales that involve similar situations being shared by and to their respective narrators. And don't read them out of order! - read "Shell," then read "Conch." They make for a highly effective diptych.
"Born of the Winds" is another favorite of mine from this collection, along with "Fruiting Bodies" and "The Thin People." A total, absolute, 100% Lovecraft tale (Great Old Ones and all), this story is also the longest in the book (61 pages in all!). Highly recommended to be read during cold weather or if you live in a colder climate. Very creepy at times, and an excellent closer.
And now that you know a thing or two about the book, hunt down a copy and enjoy.
...wait, did you hear that?
Fantastic! Short horror stories are my favorite fiction form, and this is one of my favorite collections. The stories are original and creepy.
There is a fungus amongus! Having only recently been turned on to Brian Lumley, this is my first purchase and first read of Lumley; and all I can say is Wow! His writing phases from ethereal to direct impact, flowing with style and a flair for the creepy things that go squish in the night.
Beginning with the best story of the collection, "Fruiting Bodies", Lumley takes us on a trip through a small, dying town that is slowly falling into the sea. But will the sea claim its victim before the Dry Rot does? Seemingly, a new and mutated type of dry rot, it is as hungry as the sea. Lumley does not deny the imagination in this tale, leaving you searching the nooks and crannies of your house for any...well...nasty accumulations.
"The Man Who Photographed Beardsley" is a short but sweet sabbatical into a demented and twisted mind, which has managed to retain its sense of propriety.
"The Man Who Felt Pain" is a tale told by the protagonist, of his twin brother and the bond they shared, through life and death. If one twin suffers, will not the other twin feel his pain...sooner or later?
"The Viaduct" reminds me of Stephen King back when he still had tight and compelling stories with real-life characters you could relate to immediately. Children can be cruel, but just where is the line drawn when one doesn't understand the rules? This is an excellent story, in which I could actually feel the desperation and the slippery palms of true terror.
"Recognition" is a ghostly tale of a haunted place, and a firm argument as to why some things are best left alone.
"No Way Home" is a surreal nighttime journey through both familiar and unfamiliar territory, with a surprise ending that is unexpected...and worth the trip.
"The Pit-Yakker" takes us back in time to a simpler life within a working-man's village, and a young man's dreams that turn to dust and disintegration in the wake of simple urges and the lack of intelligence to quench them. Questions of friendship and tolerance and personal limitations are addressed here, in a harsh and unforgiving atmosphere of betrayal and lust.
"The Mirror of Nitocris" was one of the stories I found to be a bit boring, kind of strung out and lacking, even though it is only 10 pages long. It was just a bit of a yawn in all the rest of the excitement; a tale of an acquired artifact that comes into being in a chilling climax, only to be destroyed before it can leash its evil into the world.
"Necros" is a very interesting tale of immortality, and the things one must do in order to assure that immortality is youthful and pleasant. But there is a twist to this at the end that will surprise you, and give you a peek into the horrific aspects of bowing to such a creature.
"The Thin People" is a true masterpiece of the type of horror that will leave you forever guessing about ordinary things you see every day. I am counting the lamp posts on my street now, and have had a few disturbing dreams in regards to the science of "Folding". Excellent tale!
"The Cypress Shell" and "The Deep Sea Conch" are intertwined stories, based on letters written from one person to another. The tales they tell of mysterious mollusks are frightening and disgusting, and well deserve their place here in this anthology. The creepiness Lumley portrays upon something as simple as shellfish is amazing, and you will never eat clams or muscles in the same uncaring fashion as you once did before this unnerving description of these innocent organisms.
Lastly is "Born of the Winds", the longest story in the collection, and a novella in its own right. Although, it was my least favorite of all the set. A meteorologist recovering from an "incident" of chest discomfort visits his friend in Navissa, Manitoba. While recuperating from his complaint within the house of his friend, he meets the widow of Samuel Bridgeman, an anthropology professor who had died nearby some years ago. Our protagonist becomes interested in Bridgeman's written works, and eventually becomes involved in Mrs. Bridgeman's search for her son, Kirby. How deep is the Bridgeman's connection with the Air Elementals and the Wind Walkers, and where does Kirby fit in with these spirits? Not a bad story, just a little too wordy and..well...coy, for my tastes.
Don't miss this fantastic collection of stories from Lumley, a true master of mysterious and weird stories that are well written and well told. Enjoy!
can't digest the fungi i was not mazed by this collection. it was strange, in a way. great descriptions in one story, incredible shallow in another. good well developed style in one story,like a child writing in another. amazingly unoriginal in some stories. never really inventive. but the most sad thing was how Lumley kept from being interesting. oh, by the way: don't hate the man, know he's got some good stories.
Reason to Mistrust the Abnormal Amongst the most notable horror writers that have picked up a pen and crafted, Brain Lumley the short story writer (not to be confused with Brain Lumley, the novel writer, whom I really can't speak on because of lack of general knowledge on him) has to be mentioned with awe. I'm not certain if his allure is in the way he crafts situational happenstance, with the pages of foreshadowing seamlessly meshing with the way he flawless enacts characterization, if its the way his peaks and valleys, his towns and villas, dance so vividly that my mind can walkabout and taste the air that even the shortest of tales seems to craft, or if its the ideas for his stories themselves. Its strange how he accomplishes that task, though, approaching horror and punctuating it with an aire of newness that banishes many of the classically shallow pits we've seen a million times before. Honestly, every time I read one of his shorts I find myself wondering exactly where his mind will allow him to approach even the most basic idea from.
In this collection of short stories, I've found many and many a tale that merits and actually demands acclaim. Some, like Fruiting Bodies and The Thin People, teem with topics that are frightening in their flavors, wearing masks that I can't recall reading anywhere else. Others, like the Lovecraftian tales he forged, most notably Recognition, wear dread like familiar sweaters. Now, for a listing of the stories here and a synopsis of some that no doubt does them an injustice:
Fruiting Bodies, one of my favorite pieces in this book, incorporates the disappearance of a town and the tales of a kindly old man into a tale of a mysterious fungi that seems quite extraordinary in its abilities. In fact, as it consumes more and more, it seems downright horrific in its reproach. I particularly liked this story because of the last statements, the punctuation mark on the horror if you will, that left the terrible tale open for the mind to digest. On top of that, the detail given to the setting is deliciously remarkable.
The Viaduct, a tale containing a valuable lesson on the cost of tormenting others, on heights and the challenge they bring to the table, and on the wonderful world of falling. This tale wasn't one that I cared for simply because of its ending, a great piece of work in and of itself, but I also appreciated the detailing, quite explicit and painstakingly given. In it, I could feel the characters and taste the surroundings, something that always amazes me.
Recognition, a Lovecraftian inspired piece, focuses on an entity that dwells within a home that someone wishes to be rid of, their efforts to understand the enemy, and the subsequent means (a medium, and exorcist, and someone to draw the beast for him) used to do so. This tale is particularly inspiring because it focuses upon the notion we hold most dear, that of understanding, and the high costs that connection can bring.
The Thin People, another of the more remarkable pieces here, dwells within the domain of The Thin People and their thin homes, where lightbulbs seem to vanish from streetlights and sometimes the number of lampposts changes for the worse, and on the strange science of "folding things." Again, this was interesting because it was, in a word, original.
The Cyprus Shell, coupled with a piece Lumley states he wanted printed after it, The Deep-Sea Conch, are letters that go hand in hand detailing not one but two of the dwellers within the deep (not to be confused with Deep Ones). The first, a hypnotic piece with a mesmerizing snail, and the second, a prehistoric holdover dredged from the deep, flow well together and leave a wonderful taste in the mouth of the reader.
Lastly, Born in the Winds, another Lovecraftian pieces on the wonderfully Arctic world of the WindWalker, is something that approaches a familiar topic but does so in a grand way.
The stories I chose not to breakdown are The Man Who Felt Pain, The Man Who Photographed Beardsley, No Way Home, The Pit-Yakker, The Mirror of Nitocris, and Necros. This, in no way reflects upon them as stories because all are quite good, but more on the laziness of the reviewer himself and his need to keep some things nameless.
All in all, the way this collection bounces from topic to topic, from beastly horror to loathsomely fungoid terror, is a sight to behold and well worth the read. I especially find it nice to fear something new for a change.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
