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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this 3.5/5, but went 4 because the book does what the author set out to do.
The descriptive writing is good, maybe a little too good because I regularly noticed it instead of just blissfully absorbing it.
Boe's a believable character, and the cat is great.
The two-worlds bit was a stretch, but I was willing to be persuaded. And it was OK until quite late in the story we suddenly have? Feh. that's just updated "With a mighty leap, Tarzan escaped the pit that we were clearly told was inescapable."
And author, c'mon, no fair, you have to explain how the cat ….
If I see another KJ that isn't Lovecraftian, I'll check it out.
The descriptive writing is good, maybe a little too good because I regularly noticed it instead of just blissfully absorbing it.
Boe's a believable character, and the cat is great.
The two-worlds bit was a stretch, but I was willing to be persuaded. And it was OK until quite late in the story we suddenly have
Spoiler
a gug turning into a Buick Riviera with keys, and an odd cube turning into a fully-charged working cellphone programmed with what she needs.And author, c'mon, no fair, you have to explain how the cat ….
If I see another KJ that isn't Lovecraftian, I'll check it out.
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
There have been a lot of revisitings and reenvisionings of Lovecraft these past few years--all to the good, in my opinion. While the Lovecraft mythos is rich, his writing is also HUGELY problematic (news to no one, I know). To have authors I admire and trust dig into that mythos and remake and retell it is a real pleasure for me. This happens to be one of my favourites so far, so rich and strange and creepy and wonderful.
magic_miles's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
arielkirst's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
This book was so immersive I fell into it and forgot what the real world was for a bit
maddie_reads_stuff's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't read the original Lovecraft story (and probably won't), but I loved this tale in its own right. It's everything I could want from a novella.
hagwife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I absolutely loved this reclamation of space and voice within Lovecraft's work. Johnson's reimagining of Lovecraft's "The Dream Quest of Uknown Kadath" takes the best parts of the Dreamlands and gives them to Vellitt Boe, a Professor of Mathematics and once far-traveler who is now in her fifties. Vellitt as our heroine is phenomenal, giving space for reflection on lessons learned and lives past as well as for futures yet to be had. Vellitt's life is far from over as she begins her journey to the waking-world to find her wayward student.
The prose and styling of this story has a special place in my heart! Lovecraft's original tale is one of the few patterned after Lord Dunsany's works. (The other tale of his most famous for this is "The Cats of Ulthar", which is perhaps my favourite Lovecraft tale.) Johnson builds on that foundation to give a folk-tale feel to a decidedly science fiction piece. This little book has all the hallmarks of excellent novellas everywhere (The Hobbit, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Piranesi, etc.) and is an absolute delight.
I know that the pacing and outcome of the ending have divided a lot of readers. To me it feels right, for waking up is often a swift and unsettling change from dreaming.
The prose and styling of this story has a special place in my heart! Lovecraft's original tale is one of the few patterned after Lord Dunsany's works. (The other tale of his most famous for this is "The Cats of Ulthar", which is perhaps my favourite Lovecraft tale.) Johnson builds on that foundation to give a folk-tale feel to a decidedly science fiction piece. This little book has all the hallmarks of excellent novellas everywhere (The Hobbit, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Piranesi, etc.) and is an absolute delight.
I know that the pacing and outcome of the ending have divided a lot of readers. To me it feels right, for waking up is often a swift and unsettling change from dreaming.
chinarose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0