By RACHEL MEGHAN
CTHULHU CYMRAEG: THE NIGHT COUNTRY
Edited by Mark Howard Jones
Macabre Ink
H.P. Lovecraft, undisputed master of the weird tale.
H.P. Lovecraft was a prolific horror author whose influence is apparent in his countless successors. Nearly a century after his death, he continues to hold sway over the horror genre. However, something you may not know about Lovecraft is that he had Welsh ancestry, which was a major influence in his writing. He was also largely inspired by Welsh author Arthur Machen, best known for his 1894 novella The Great God Pan. Many scholars insist that without the influence of Machen, Lovecraft as we know him would have been a very different author.
The old gent from Providence’s Welsh influences come full circle in a new collection of Lovecraftian tales by Welsh authors, CTHULHU CYMRAEG: THE NIGHT COUNTRY, edited by Mark Howard Jones and published by Macabre Ink.
In the seven short stories that make up this collection, uncanny creatures and vividly chilling ambiance abound, but with a decidedly Welsh flavor. Welsh language and folklore are infused throughout the stories, each of which is horrifying in its own way.
There is a wide variety of styles and plots, including historical fiction, queer horror, vampire stories and even one set during World War I. Yet, they all complement each other in extraordinary ways. It almost feels like you’re binge-watching The Twilight Zone, with every story fitting a similar aesthetic and vibe but also powerfully standing on its own.
In any collection that bills itself as a tribute to Lovecraft, you can expect the monstrous, the spooky, the alien, or some amalgamation of all three. CTHULHU CYMRAEG: THE NIGHT COUNTRY delivers on its promise, making Wales the perfect setting for these eldritch tales. And could there be a better setting for Lovecraftian fiction than Wales, with its gloomy weather and dark beaches?
The strongest stories in the collection, however, are the ones with a singular focus, particularly Strzyga by C.M. Saunders. This one is a classic “regular person encounters a vampire” tale, utilizing European folklore with no bells and whistles, but definitely delivering in creepiness and Lovecraftian terror. Another strong entry is The Last Days of Don Juan Jenkins by J.L George, in which an American scholar pursues a Welsh legend learned from their ancestors. Every story expertly blends the ancient and the modern, the old legends with new sensibilities, and leaves the reader satiated and stunned.
It is always a treat when horror authors bring their backgrounds into their stories, and this collection is a prime example of fusing an underappreciated culture with Lovecraftian weirdness. All seven of the authors truly understood the assignment and ran with it – or maybe “slithered” is a more appropriate word. CTHULHU CYMRAEG: THE NIGHT COUNTRY is a stunning collection of short stories and a treat for Lovecraft fans.
