Talk us through it
A collection of sixteen short stories from various local writers, an introductory piece by big bad Bill Congreve, and short contributor statements. Each story is accompanied by what looks to be a pencil sketch capturing the essence or an aspect of that story. There is no common theme to the stories selected, besides all Authors being Australian. So you get a wide ranging selection from psychos, through ghosts, to almost fantasy. Let's go check out what Bill Congreve was grooving too back in 2003.
ReviewAnother excellent collection from Australia, do we have any bad ones? - though more traditional in nature than more recent anthologies that are attempting to breakout of the stereotype mould. The "supernatural" blurb was a bit misleading as we don't get any hint of anything that might go bump in the night till the third story, Robert Hood's excellently evocative Beware! The Pincushionman, and even then we are more into psychological territory than traditional haunted manse fare. This book could have run with "New Australian Tales of the Psycho Killers" to be honest as there are a number of tales touching base with that sub genre. This might sound embittered but it's not meant to be, I'm a big fan of psycho stories, I'm just pointing out that those planning to dive in for parlour room "scary stories" are apt to be getting one hell of a surprise. Equally I suppose those putting the book back on the shelf might like to take a second look, some of the Author's between the covers of Southern Blood aren't taking prisoners when it comes to the metal meeting the flesh.Naturally, as with any anthology, I had some favourites amongst the excellent line-up. Once again I'll reiterate, none of the stories sucked the life out of the universe I would tell you if they did, but some resonant with me more than others. Robert Hood once again proved no one can write a tale of ordinary madness quite like the rampaging Wollongong zombie expert, Beware! The Pincushionman touched basis with my darker thoughts and the ending left plenty of room for post lights out nightmares. Strangely mine involved the 101 brats shown on U.S horror movies and Michael Myers with a huge safety pin, go figure. If I had to draw a comparison, and don't I love doing that, Beware! The Pincushionman would be the result if Stephen King and James Herbert ever sat down to write an urban hymn together. A Writer I wasn't aware of, but who's name is now on various search lists I have going, is Sean Williams. Excellent elegy for the aids epidemic and a relentless tale to boot, Hunting Ground brought a whole new view to the apparently motiveless psycho killer. I'm expecting Williams to make a statement on the whole swine flu thing any day now. Must check Brimstone's lineup. Relish, David Carroll, really hit my zombie tale craving arse with about as good a post apocalyptic yarn that you could ever hope to trip over. A tale about Alfred Hitchcock filming a cannibal epic, the titular "Relish", in the aftermath of a Romero zombie plague really shouldn't work but Carroll has it begging for it's dinner. And don't ever let them tell you female horror writers don't get down and dirty, Kirstyn McDermott delivers a particularly nasty story with i>The Truth About Pug Roberts, sermonising on the perils of taking time off from writing children's books, especially if it involves a holiday in the hinterland. Overall I enjoyed each of the tales in Southern Blood but would point out once again that the blurb is misleading. There's a sort of traditional flavour to things that sort of puts you in mind of reading by firelight on a cold, wet, winter's day without the book ever descending into an English style ghostly occurrence outing. I actually read the book on a number of train journeys between Sydney and Newcastle so probably wasn't in the right environment to get full enjoyment. Southern Blood does have a number of "ghost stories" but even then there is more venom in the tale than you would normally expect from that lighter supernatural tale. The book is well put together with some excellent artwork, was particular impressed by the covers back and front, and surprisingly scores well on the tactile front. As I was training it comfort was a requirement. Since the collection doesn't follow any narrative flow you are free to read the stories in any order that you want. I must admit to rushing ahead and reading Robert Hood's contribution, then David Carroll's zombie outing, before hitting page one and reading chronologically through the volume. I'm not sure where I got the review copy, clearly I picked it up at some stage of my travels as it was lurking undiscovered on my book shelf gathering dust. Since the book was published back when dinosaurs roamed the earth you may find it hard to score a copy. I would check out "Galaxy" bookshop, or your equivalent local specialist outlet, and failing that have a look through the catalogue over at the online Australian bookshop place. A quick search of the online auction sites might also be worth your time.
ScaryMinds Rates this read as ... A solid enough collection, though a point off for the misleading blurb.
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