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otterno11's review against another edition
3.0
A slightly uneven collection of modern Lovecraftian stories, “Children of Cthulhu” has some interesting takes on Cthulhu Mythos tales set in the modern world. There are a few really good, atmospheric stories here, tales that react to Lovecraft’s concepts of cosmic horror through a modern lens, that challenge and explore how this particular blend of horror is still relevant (after all, Lovecraft wrote through the lens of his own contemporary time). The majority, on the other hand, do not go too far out of their way in exploring the genre, and none comment or respond to the “elephant in the room” of Mythos fiction, racism and xenophobia; I’m still looking for a Lovecraftian story that really reacts to this, though "The Invisible Empire," by James Van Pelt, is a good start.
In particular, I enjoyed China Mieville’s “Details,” and my favorite, “Principles and Parameters” by Meredith L. Patterson, one of the best Lovecraftian tales set in modern times that I have read, as well as one of the few that draw in the Dreamlands as well. As an academic librarian, I felt particularly drawn to Patterson’s depiction of a search for knowledge and any cost.
Some, on the other hand, including Richard Laymon's “The Cabin in the Woods” are simply uninspired pastiche while others stray a little too far into the surreal and thus feel inconsequential and obtuse, or focus mainly on cheesy cults and monsters that feel more “pulp horror” rather than Lovecraft (not that there’s anything wrong with that, really). In the end, I think I would recommend “Cthulhu 2000” as, in general, the stronger collection of contemporary Mythos short stories.
In particular, I enjoyed China Mieville’s “Details,” and my favorite, “Principles and Parameters” by Meredith L. Patterson, one of the best Lovecraftian tales set in modern times that I have read, as well as one of the few that draw in the Dreamlands as well. As an academic librarian, I felt particularly drawn to Patterson’s depiction of a search for knowledge and any cost.
Some, on the other hand, including Richard Laymon's “The Cabin in the Woods” are simply uninspired pastiche while others stray a little too far into the surreal and thus feel inconsequential and obtuse, or focus mainly on cheesy cults and monsters that feel more “pulp horror” rather than Lovecraft (not that there’s anything wrong with that, really). In the end, I think I would recommend “Cthulhu 2000” as, in general, the stronger collection of contemporary Mythos short stories.
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