Scan barcode
itsme_hi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
acacia_happy_hour's review against another edition
3.0
I think my initial problem here is the constant comparison of Lovecraft to Poe (both in the intro to this book and by readers on Goodreads), which I think colored my expectations about what kind of stories I would be encountering. Poe is my absolute favorite author, so I'm a tough critic whenever any other author is compared with him. And while I can see where the similarities between the two exist, if Poe is your favorite, be warned that these stories probably will not live up to your expectations.
After reading the bulk of the work, however, it became clear that my main issue was that many of the stories have very similar plot-lines, themes, and characters. This may have been exaggerated because all of these similar stories were bundled together in this edition, but it made reading it a little bit tedious after 3 or 4 stories about a creepy cellar. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy reading some of them though. The Dunwich Horror, The Rats in the Walls, He, and Herbert West-Reanimator were among the most entertaining/scary.
After reading the bulk of the work, however, it became clear that my main issue was that many of the stories have very similar plot-lines, themes, and characters. This may have been exaggerated because all of these similar stories were bundled together in this edition, but it made reading it a little bit tedious after 3 or 4 stories about a creepy cellar. That isn't to say I didn't enjoy reading some of them though. The Dunwich Horror, The Rats in the Walls, He, and Herbert West-Reanimator were among the most entertaining/scary.
lordofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
xjimbononesx's review against another edition
Not enough time and it was due back at the library
rissasreading's review
3.0
I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I have after finishing this book, nor do I have any recollection of how I got here.
I definitely feel like Lovecraft succeeded at making his own lore, and becoming a staple in horror for his gods, creatures, and landscapes.
However, I cannot stand his lack of descriptions through the use of "I cannot bear to describe", and so on, it felt like such a cop out for a lack of imagination or ability to write the scenes.
There was also a fair amount of repetition between the stories, with a few that stood out. I definitely enjoyed his shorter works compared to his longer ones.
I definitely feel like Lovecraft succeeded at making his own lore, and becoming a staple in horror for his gods, creatures, and landscapes.
However, I cannot stand his lack of descriptions through the use of "I cannot bear to describe", and so on, it felt like such a cop out for a lack of imagination or ability to write the scenes.
There was also a fair amount of repetition between the stories, with a few that stood out. I definitely enjoyed his shorter works compared to his longer ones.
curatoriasol's review
1.5
DNF. I read a few recommended stories and that's it.
I'm almost certain this man was just afraid of everything.
I've enjoyed a lot of things inspired by H.P. Lovecraft but never read any of his work, so I was excited to try.
Turns out I absolutely hate it.
I'm almost certain this man was just afraid of everything.
I've enjoyed a lot of things inspired by H.P. Lovecraft but never read any of his work, so I was excited to try.
Turns out I absolutely hate it.
lazy_humus's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
germancho's review against another edition
3.0
JFC that took forever. Many long years of suffering through Lovecraft's overbearing prose and overt prejudices seeping through every. single. story. hoping for the book to get better (spoiler: it never did) have left me tired and unimpressed.
mh_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5