camerontrost's review
5.0
Terror Australis, published over twenty years ago, is one of Australia's first horror anthologies and also its most timeless. These tales were written by authors who excel at their craft; the prose is grotesquely gorgeous, evocative, playful in its torment, tantalising and hypnotic. the editing is superb, and the accompanying artwork fits each tale like a tailor-made suit. If you are a fan of horror, you must read this anthology, and if you are an Australian fan of horror, behold your Necronomicon!
The worst of the stories in this anthology are quite good, while the best are simply outstanding. Leanne Frahm's "Catalyst", Louise M. Steer's "Losing Faith", and Leigh Blackmore's "The Hourglass" deserve a special mention.
"Catalyst" explores the unspoken troubles that plague everyday life. It is a disturbing story of suburban suspense, and although the theme is ugly, the writing is beautiful. It won her a Ditmar Award in 1994. What's more, Leanne is a fellow Queenslander - we sure know how to write dark tales in the Sunshine State.
"The Hourglass" is a strange story about time, life, sex, and death. It is Gothic, erotic, exotic, and it is probably my favourite of all the Australian horror stories I have read to date. It also confirms my belief that an editor shouldn't hesitate to include his own work in an anthology. Leigh's story was what made Terror Australis such a great anthology. Indeed, without it, I would have given the book four stars, not five.
"Losing Faith" is a tale of horror that is both historical and eternal. The ending may not come as a surprise, but, even if it doesn't, you will be shocked all the same.
The other contributions that were truly exceptional for me were Kendall Hoffman's "Johnny Twofeller", Dirk Strasser's "Dear Reader", and, although it bewildered me, Bill Fewer's "Denials".
The worst of the stories in this anthology are quite good, while the best are simply outstanding. Leanne Frahm's "Catalyst", Louise M. Steer's "Losing Faith", and Leigh Blackmore's "The Hourglass" deserve a special mention.
"Catalyst" explores the unspoken troubles that plague everyday life. It is a disturbing story of suburban suspense, and although the theme is ugly, the writing is beautiful. It won her a Ditmar Award in 1994. What's more, Leanne is a fellow Queenslander - we sure know how to write dark tales in the Sunshine State.
"The Hourglass" is a strange story about time, life, sex, and death. It is Gothic, erotic, exotic, and it is probably my favourite of all the Australian horror stories I have read to date. It also confirms my belief that an editor shouldn't hesitate to include his own work in an anthology. Leigh's story was what made Terror Australis such a great anthology. Indeed, without it, I would have given the book four stars, not five.
"Losing Faith" is a tale of horror that is both historical and eternal. The ending may not come as a surprise, but, even if it doesn't, you will be shocked all the same.
The other contributions that were truly exceptional for me were Kendall Hoffman's "Johnny Twofeller", Dirk Strasser's "Dear Reader", and, although it bewildered me, Bill Fewer's "Denials".
More...