Talk us through it
Stephen Clark presents fourteen tales of terror by Australian writers that share a festive flavor. Clark ensures in the process that yet another date on the calendar, this time Christmas, is synonymous with the darker side of human nature and the creatures that inhabit the nightmare realms. Has Clark, he's up to it again next year, decided that Christmas should be the new black? There's no set style of story contained in the anthology, so it's like a box of chocolates that has had the contents individually dipped in various poisons, you never know what's going to kill you between the covers of Festive Fear. Ready for some dark holiday reading?
Review"Funny thing is I remember the dread of the night before Christmas more than the day of sharing gifts" - Stephen Clark. Festive Fear marks Tasmaniac's first steps beyond their comfort zone of the novella and into the realm of the anthology short story collection. For the 2009 edition, Stephen Clark is already threatening a 2010 collection, story selection was limited to original short fiction by Australian writers. The collection brings together some pretty big names on the local dark fiction scene, with of course a few notable names missing. The one thing to keep in mind before venturing between the covers of Festive Fear is that the Writers lurking within the pages are not taking a backward step because the collection has a Christmas theme, in some cases they are screaming war chants and going for the jugular. The collection kicks off with a brief introduction by Editor Stephen Clark that perhaps explains the genesis of Festive Fear. It could also perhaps be viewed as setting the atmosphere for what is to come. Clark shows an unease towards Christmas eve night and wonders why people aren't more spooked by a complete stranger breaking into their homes during that night. Clark tells us there is more to this Christmas business than the Writers over at Hallmark want you to know about. Excellent introduction to the collection that sets the festive stage, and has you on edge as the first stories start to roll. Festive Fear launches into story telling mode proper with Brett McBean's poignant Christmas Lights. If you are aware of McBean's writing style via the novels The Mother and The Last Motel then prepare yourself for a shock, McBean delivers a mood piece that simply drips desperation and futility. It's a powerful piece of writing that forces the reader to jettison any pre-conceived notions about what each Writer in the collection may deliver. If McBean is going all moody on us then expect the unexpected, the gloves are well and truly off. Excellent choice for lead off story and I was hooked on the collection after reading it. With McBean going all moody on us, expect the unexpect, and throw those preconceptions out the window. There's something very new going down with the pages of this collection. Surprisingly Australian Horror Writing Association President Marty Young, that would be the "Good Doctor" to you and Me Russ, hits out with the second story of the collection Black Peter, a gritty little tale that has more under the bonnet than one might expect. Young mixes in redemption, clash of cultures, the true meaning of Christmas, adds a hint of the sinister, and then bakes a mighty fine yarn that just may have you checking the shadows on Christmas Eve. Just to ensure the Reader is left dazed and confused Martin Livings slips in the third story in the collection, I'm Dreaming…. Strangely I would not have been surprised to see Brett McBean's name on this one and Martin Livings name on McBean's story. Clearly some Writers are relishing the opportunity to step out of their normal haunts and have a whack at something different in the dark genre ball park. Livings delivers a pretty gruesome story that will have readers squirming. I'm not going to cover all fourteen stories in the collection, but if you want to know what you are getting with Festive Fear then the first three stories in the collection should give you a pretty good hint. There's going to be a slice of the horror Christmas pudding for about all tastes. Things range from traditional ghost stories, through witchcraft, to the Xmas Dexter Elf. Tasmaniac have put together a solid collection that must surely be there or there about come Ditmar nomination time. As we have come to expect from anything Stephen Clark has had a hand in, the writing is of a universally high standard without anything being laborious to read. You will not find yourself skipping that overly complex paragraph or deciding to give any of the stories a miss after trying to wade through pages of descriptive chaff that don't move the plot along. The stories are crisp, get to the point, and tend to have a barbed hook in them. Not bad when you consider that anyone published in the collection was forced to find a festive season motif for their dark fable. Admittedly some of the connections to Xmas might be slightly tenuous, the season added in to an existing story on occasion, but let's face facts here nothing says Christmas like an unknown predator on a deserted Australia back road. Now there's something for everyone to take with them on that Christmas road trip. Having said above that I'm not going to roll through all fourteen stories, the future reader does after all need some Christmas surprises under their dark mistletoe, a couple of stories rate individual mention due to either content or a particularly nasty surprise when they are unwrapped. Amanda J Spedding delivered on a particular phobia with her excellent "B" grade tale A Creature Was Stirring. Here I'm saying "B" grade with true fondness, love these sorts of tales and the title of Ms Spedding's story should really be boomed out as A CREATURE WAS STIRRING!!!!!. Okay if you don't love schlock horror then you need not apply here, I'm sure there's something else for you to read in the collection. Finishing the anthology is Steve Gerlich's disturbing White Christmas, that quickly goes off the beaten track and into the murky undergrowth surrounding it. Just when you think Gerlich has completed his revelations another pops up. Excellent stuff and I was particular pleased with this short story as I have pre-order Tasmaniac's next book, Gerlich's Within His Reach. As ever Stephen Clark has gone out of his way to ensure the whole package presents value for money with Festive Fear. Rohan Nunn, here with his first commission, has provided a unique cover that I think captures the mood and content of Festive Fear. I got a real feeling of disturbing Germanic flavor with Rohan's cover. Throughout the book are a number of illustrations that were certainly welcome, and that capture the feeling going down on the printed pages. I feel like I'm providing my own twist in the tale here. Sorry to those who have read the review and who now really want to purchase the book, it's sold out. Tasmaniac have limited edition runs and the 150 soft back copies of Festive Fear went within hours of the book going on sale. On the bright side of the tinsel Tasmaniac are accepting submissions for next year's volume and do take early bookings, get in quick or miss out kids. Click Through and avoid disappointment next year. Actually have an idea for a nasty twist in the tale story myself, might write it up, drop it on Tasmaniac, and enjoy another rejection slip.
ScaryMinds Rates this read as ... Excellent collection to fill that holiday season dark reading requirement.
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