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holykael's review against another edition
3.0
interesting lore of lovecraftian myths in this book but it's a very slow paced and mostly uneventful book where the main highlights are the setting that was so minutely described. Not a good place to start reading Lovecraft. The shadow over innsmouth was a much better tale.
hakimbriki's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say about At the Mountains of Madness that hasn't been said already? It's a classic. The tension builds up epically, and reaches a wonderful and chilling climax. I particularly enjoyed the history of the old ones on earth, and the Poe references. It's one of those stories you wish were longer, hence my 4* rating.
christiano's review against another edition
2.5
This is a weird one. The mythology Lovecraft depicts in here is really fascinating. But the way he tells it is often extremely tedious. And it just really went past any suspension of disbelieve for me when the narrator gathers a very detailed history of beings he doesn't understand by looking at some pictures and statues for a few hours.
cat_book_lady's review against another edition
3.0
I am honestly not sure whether I loved this or was totally bored by The Mountains of Madness. Why? Lovecraft gives exceptionally intricate, minute details when developing his story about a horrific scientific discovery in the Antarctic that happened thousands of years ago and I doing so, he keenly reminds me of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. The science is so imaginative and believable that I had an astounding, vivid picture of all the details. You can't help but be enthralled by such incredible world-building. But, what I loved also made me bored because I was so bogged down by those same details that I just wanted the story to move along already.
I knew that there was going to be Lovecraft's perfect blend of sci-fi horror with building suspense and in that, I was not disappointed. I'm just not sure it was worth the slog to get there.
Perhaps this is more of a "me" issue since Lovecraft is an awesome genius in building the setting, plot, suspense, and ultimate ending. Perhaps it's also a sign of the times in that we are becoming more impatient instead of immersing ourselves in a well-developed and highly detailed story. I am willing to admit my flaws here, so my enjoyment was a 2, but my appreciation for Lovecraft is a 4...thus splitting the difference to a 3*.
I knew that there was going to be Lovecraft's perfect blend of sci-fi horror with building suspense and in that, I was not disappointed. I'm just not sure it was worth the slog to get there.
Perhaps this is more of a "me" issue since Lovecraft is an awesome genius in building the setting, plot, suspense, and ultimate ending. Perhaps it's also a sign of the times in that we are becoming more impatient instead of immersing ourselves in a well-developed and highly detailed story. I am willing to admit my flaws here, so my enjoyment was a 2, but my appreciation for Lovecraft is a 4...thus splitting the difference to a 3*.
ula_mizhir's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kulasfak's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wjlongiii's review against another edition
3.0
With a story as revered as this, there isn't much to say that hasn't been said a dozen times in the near century since it was first written.
For me Lovecraft is continually the master of intriguing concepts with an oddly emotionless prose style. An odd mix that is undeniably unique.
This is not my favorite work of his, but as I had heard so much about it, I wanted to read it for myself. While I did find a massive chunk of the story dry and largely uninteresting, I have no regrets experiencing it for myself.
For me Lovecraft is continually the master of intriguing concepts with an oddly emotionless prose style. An odd mix that is undeniably unique.
This is not my favorite work of his, but as I had heard so much about it, I wanted to read it for myself. While I did find a massive chunk of the story dry and largely uninteresting, I have no regrets experiencing it for myself.
mrwizard1234's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My personal favorite of H. P. Lovecraft's works.