My take on Mr Lumley's writings..

For sixty years, I have enjoyed books that were almost exclusively science fiction...hundreds of books and some few more than once. Ten, or so, years ago, I happened to purchase two of Brian's books and found them to be delightfully compelling.
I would say that few of that other not dissimilar genre have been as fun and detailed as these. I would love to thank him for the fun and interesting reads that he has provided!
The narration was beyond anything in my experience! Amazing!
I am currently rereading two other of his books and would very much enjoy hearing more of Mr Vance. Thank you for the opportunity to express my appreciation.
W Petersen

11 people found this helpful

Awesome Idea, Slightly Disappointing Execution

First of all, Simon Vance! I could listen to that guy read the phone book. So good.

Now, Brian Lumley. He has amazingly cool ideas in the vein of modern, weird horror, and this book is no exception. In execution, he sometimes relies to much on telling rather than showing - robbing the reader of the chilling experience in favor of a kind of intellectual recap. Sadly, this book is no different. I enjoyed the book though. And to be fair, it is no more lacking in direct-experience than Lovecraft himself!

I don't want to share any plot details for fear of spoiling too much. But the basics are that you have an occult investigator/secret agent in your protagonist, Titus Crow, who uncovers a plot 'hatched' (you'll get that pun later) by Chtonians, an ancient and evil subterranean race.

8 people found this helpful

My Favorite Mythos Tome

The Burrowers Beneath was the book that hooked me on the Cthulhu Mythos all those years ago. Not only is it a terrific story, it’s a great introduction to all things Cthulhu.

The Burrowers Beneath is written to more modern tastes than the work of Lovecraft and his correspondents, and offers something seriously lacking in the canon: the heroes have a chance.

I wholly recommend the audiobook. Simon Vance does an expert job conveying the distinctions between the various characters in Lumley’s masterpiece.

3 people found this helpful

Classic Lovecraftian tales updated!

Moments after starting it, I began to feel the gravitas of the story. Even more than a "names have been changed to protect the innocent" it felt to be a true conveyance of a hidden event.

Simon Vance brings a reality to it all with his narration. What a brilliant sustained performance, one that will set the standards of what quality work both Lumley and Vance have achieved together.

Thank you gentlemen!

3 people found this helpful

Meh.

Not for me, if you like Lovecraft but aren’t into the deep horror aspect and want a more light hearted non serious time it might be for you.
Beginning was awful between the narration and writing I just couldn’t get interested.
Received for free for an honest review.

2 people found this helpful

Terrible.

Although the narrator does a decent job, the content of the book is absolute garbage. Any fan of Lovecraft's work knows that the root of fear is the unknown, or unknowable. This is the defining trait of the Cosmic Horror genre. This is where the author fails miserably. He explains so much about The Burrowers as to make them understandable, and thus, no longer frightening. This is very unfortunate in and of itself, but worse is that he subjects many of Lovecraft's iconic terrors to the same error as well. Combine that with the typical Sherlock Holmes style of trite banter and you've got The Burrowers Beneath.

You've been warned.

5 people found this helpful

A classic of Mythos fiction brought to your ears

If you could sum up The Burrowers Beneath in three words, what would they be?

The adventure is Pulpish, weird, and incredibly entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

I was a big fan of the Call of Cthulhu RPG by Chaosium, which this very much feels like an extended campaign thereof.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first. I very much enjoyed it and the narration is top notch.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Simon Vance does an amazing job here by bringing to life Titus Crow, his companion Henri, and the various other characters involved in one of the greatest non-HPL Cthulhu Mythos stories. The Cthonians are one of the most terrifying monsters created for the world and are richly detailed by Lumley throughout.

Any additional comments?

Fans of H.P. Lovecraft will get the most out of this story but it functions entirely on its own for newcomers. It also lacks the more troubling aspects of Lovecraft's writings, providing a rich experience which all people can enjoy. This is a great audiobook and every listener who loves horror and adventure stories should give it a try.

2 people found this helpful

worth more thanone go!

folks I run the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game. this makes me a keeper of Arcane lore. This particular book it's nearly encyclopedic for Source material for ever so many things. I love one lie more than Lovecraft. He's a much better Rider LOL Daddy just put together some really cool stories. you don't know anything about Titus Crow have no idea about the clock have no idea what a chthonian is and no idea what the Cthulhu Mythos might be about, that's perfectly okay. It's that great a story and it makes these things mysteriously easy to grasp. Don't be shy don't be afraid... I take that last part back yes be afraid LOL otherwise what's the point?

1 person found this helpful

fantastic book atmospheric lovecraftian fun

fantastic book atmospheric lovecraftian fun really enjoyed it and anyone who has read lovecraft or brian lumley will love it.

1 person found this helpful

The Burrower

I don't know why,but this book was not as good as it could have been.I liked the Letter reading ,to a point.We are supposed to be terrified of the Burrowers,but they don't seem that scarey.I liked it.Great narrator.

3 people found this helpful