Review: The Fungal Stain And Other Dreams, by W. H. Pugmire

By Jody Forest, Published in River Journal, North Idaho.

Seattle-based recluse Wilum Pugmire’s latest short story collection “The Fungal Stain” (Hippocampus Press, $15.00) is a worthy addition to the steadily evolving horror/dark fantasy genre & leaves him alone as the Silver Surfer atop the crest of the eerie new wave of Lovecraftian Horror. Most of these short pieces have previously appeared in such sought-after collector’s items as “Tales of Lovecraftian Horror” & “Tales of Sesqua Valley” but all have been extensively revised for this edition & the craftsmanship shines through, particularly in such gems as “Hour of their Appetite”, a 3 page masterpiece a la’ “The Outsider” & a host of soon-to-be classic poems scattered throughout:

“newmade I rise, a pillar of dark stone
/ A nascent thing on Yuggoth’s hoary sod
/ & feel the hunger of a howling wind
/ that echoes laughter from a raving god”.