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jgsacoustics's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lemon_god_3001's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
danni_faith's review
2.25
Moore has written this with such obvious fanaticism that I do not know how anyone who is not hugely into Lovecraft could find even a passing enjoyment of this tome.
That being said, this is a tad too exhaustively researched as much of this series reads like a fictionalized research paper. I was easy for me to not continue reading. The premise of a man researching esoteric belief-groups in New England was the perfect conceit for Moore to write and write and write without giving the reader a satisfying plot. Much of the travels of the main character are just me walking through the short stories of Lovecraft (THE DUNWICH HORROR, THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH, THE COLOR OUT OF SPACE, THE THING ON THE DOORSTEP, etc). It was cool to understand the intertextuality. Outside of that, Moore has not delivered a satisfying graphic novel.
That being said, this is a tad too exhaustively researched as much of this series reads like a fictionalized research paper. I was easy for me to not continue reading. The premise of a man researching esoteric belief-groups in New England was the perfect conceit for Moore to write and write and write without giving the reader a satisfying plot. Much of the travels of the main character are just me walking through the short stories of Lovecraft (THE DUNWICH HORROR, THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH, THE COLOR OUT OF SPACE, THE THING ON THE DOORSTEP, etc). It was cool to understand the intertextuality. Outside of that, Moore has not delivered a satisfying graphic novel.
adamskiboy528491's review
3.75
"There is a concealed country, therefore, hidden below the society we show the world. Uncomfortable truth, it lurks behind our pretences. This truth, it is a land sunken beneath many fathoms.” - Dr Alvarez
Providence by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows is about Reporter and aspiring novelist Robert Black, who works for the New York Herald Tribune. One day in June 1919, he was asked to write a fluff piece for the newspaper, and he used it as a chance to meet Dr. Alvarez, whose literary criticism impressed him. This meeting and personal tragedy send Black on a quest of introspection and self-journey. He decides to write that novel he wanted to write and quits his job to follow some leads investigating the Order of the Stella Sapiente and the mysterious Booke of the Wisdom of the Stars. The quest takes him to the heart of New England and brings him into contact with a gallery of exciting and sinister figures. Robert slowly spirals into the heart of a bigger mystery than anything he ever imagined, and the scope of the mystery slowly takes hold of his sanity.
While I have previously read the spiritual successor, Neonomicon, this book is a sequel-prequel to it. The Courtyard, respectively (both were collaborations with Jacen Burrows) and Providence, are vastly more ambitious in scope and intent. It is simultaneously a homage to Lovecraft (duh, it's Alan Moore) and a deconstruction and reconstruction of Lovecraft Country. Moore has stated that Providence is his most heavily researched work since From Hell and that Providence will become "my ultimate Lovecraft story."
While sharing some motifs and story beats with Alan Moore's other comic, Promethea, Providence stands out with its unique concept of an idea space where language, thoughts, and ideas have physical agency and the world's impending end. The comic features lines of dialogue that echo those from Promethea, such as 'it is now, and always has been now', 'It is yuggoth, and shall always be yuggoth' and 'Now is Before'. However, the artwork by Burrows is a standout feature, with its impressive use of colors, paneling, layout, and overall tone.
noam's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book made me feel exceptionally dumb. it's fun, creepy stuff, and, as with everything alan moore, bursting with exciting ideas. reading about all the references etc. i didn't get has really impressed me. i think to get the most out of this story, though, you need to be obsessed with lovecraft. having only read a couple of his short stories/engaged with random mythos elements, i missed more than i got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Murder, Self harm, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Homophobia, Violence, Body horror, Rape, Racism, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
mtzfox's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's really hard to totally sum up what this graphic novel means, because it really wasn't what I expected and there is just so much to digest. I'd recently finished Alan Moore's From Hell Master Edition (which I loved) and have read many of H.P. Lovecraft's stories, so I was genuinely excited to see what he did with it.
For fans of Alan Moore, there's no doubt that the guy really likes to go deep. This graphic novel is absolutely steeped in literary references, not just to Lovecraft, but also to his contemporaries. It works hard to build a case for the effect this work has had on the broader culture and question and commercialization of characters like Cthulhu. I recommend Alan Moore's own provided annotations (Facts in the Case of Alan Moore's Providence on WordPress) as you read to get a fuller picture. Many details in the panels that may not make immediate sense often refer to details of Lovecraft's work that Moore is nodding to in order to get the reader to dig into the lore.
As with many of Moore's major works, it's really hard to compare this to other graphic novels just due to the depth; this really isn't light reading, and in fact I found it more difficult than any of his other novels to get through.
The handwritten sections between each chapter were often grueling, especially considering they're often just the main character's reactions (in the format of a commonplace book) to the events he's experiencing. I'm not sure exactly why Moore chose to do this, but it could be to slow the reader down or to feel a first-person perspective of the main character sinking into madness and trying to make sense of what's happening. It's an interesting device, but still difficult to get through and really demotivated me at times. The handwriting was hard to read at first, though I got used to it.
It should be noted, this book includes an undercurrent of bizarre homoeroticism and turns a critical eye towards the homophobia of the time. It also has a scene of strange incestuous rape that I could see bothering people. There are also some gruesome panels of gore and disturbing images. Pretty par for the course for Alan Moore, but be warned that this is horror and a very adult novel.
In many ways, this book is a masterpiece, and far beyond the depth of your average graphic novel. It makes me want to delve further into H.P. Lovecraft's larger universe, as well as his influences and contemporaries (i.e., 'The King in Yellow'). The art is great, and there is so much that will stick with me. That said, it still has its flaws, and I'm many people will find it difficult to digest due to the mountain of references and uneven pacing. This book really makes you work for it, but it's ultimately rewarding. 4 1/2 stars.
For fans of Alan Moore, there's no doubt that the guy really likes to go deep. This graphic novel is absolutely steeped in literary references, not just to Lovecraft, but also to his contemporaries. It works hard to build a case for the effect this work has had on the broader culture and question and commercialization of characters like Cthulhu. I recommend Alan Moore's own provided annotations (Facts in the Case of Alan Moore's Providence on WordPress) as you read to get a fuller picture. Many details in the panels that may not make immediate sense often refer to details of Lovecraft's work that Moore is nodding to in order to get the reader to dig into the lore.
As with many of Moore's major works, it's really hard to compare this to other graphic novels just due to the depth; this really isn't light reading, and in fact I found it more difficult than any of his other novels to get through.
The handwritten sections between each chapter were often grueling, especially considering they're often just the main character's reactions (in the format of a commonplace book) to the events he's experiencing. I'm not sure exactly why Moore chose to do this, but it could be to slow the reader down or to feel a first-person perspective of the main character sinking into madness and trying to make sense of what's happening. It's an interesting device, but still difficult to get through and really demotivated me at times. The handwriting was hard to read at first, though I got used to it.
It should be noted, this book includes an undercurrent of bizarre homoeroticism and turns a critical eye towards the homophobia of the time. It also has a scene of strange incestuous rape that I could see bothering people. There are also some gruesome panels of gore and disturbing images. Pretty par for the course for Alan Moore, but be warned that this is horror and a very adult novel.
In many ways, this book is a masterpiece, and far beyond the depth of your average graphic novel. It makes me want to delve further into H.P. Lovecraft's larger universe, as well as his influences and contemporaries (i.e., 'The King in Yellow'). The art is great, and there is so much that will stick with me. That said, it still has its flaws, and I'm many people will find it difficult to digest due to the mountain of references and uneven pacing. This book really makes you work for it, but it's ultimately rewarding. 4 1/2 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Pregnancy, Rape, Blood, Incest, Violence, Gore, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Antisemitism and Homophobia
jstrahan's review
5.0
It’s watchmen but for lovecraft instead of superheroes. It’s incredible, I love it. I might be on the brink of reading a lot of lovecraft now.
supernovaesque's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Builds to a fine, terrifying finish with lots of scares along the way. I've read lots of Moore, but this one stands tall as a measured work of research, fan service, and just plain old good storytelling. Definitely recommended, and holds up well rereading it a year later.
violet_hayes's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you're a writer, especially of horror, I highly recommend Providence.
This book has layers that peel back and whisper secrets to the reader with an open mind. I didn't know very much about cosmic horror -- never cared for Lovecraft even -- but there is so much love for the genre and its history packed into this story that I found myself taking breaks between chapters to research the names, titles, and idioms as they came up. And I'm so glad I did! Robert Chambers, Lord Dunsany, and Sidney Sime are just a few of the artists I gained a new respect for after reading Providence.
Beyond its value as an historical study, the story is both fun and frightening. Certain aspects of it are disgusting and difficult to stomach, but there's also a subtlety to the characterization that creates this wonderful mysterious atmosphere that only thickens after the first chapter.
This book has layers that peel back and whisper secrets to the reader with an open mind. I didn't know very much about cosmic horror -- never cared for Lovecraft even -- but there is so much love for the genre and its history packed into this story that I found myself taking breaks between chapters to research the names, titles, and idioms as they came up. And I'm so glad I did! Robert Chambers, Lord Dunsany, and Sidney Sime are just a few of the artists I gained a new respect for after reading Providence.
Beyond its value as an historical study, the story is both fun and frightening. Certain aspects of it are disgusting and difficult to stomach, but there's also a subtlety to the characterization that creates this wonderful mysterious atmosphere that only thickens after the first chapter.