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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Marked as read because I only wanted to read the stories that are about 'The King in Yellow', which is the first four. These four were excellent. Very spooky, eerie, creepy, just a terrific atmosphere all round. Will undoubtedly go back and read the rest at some point. For now, very good.
Some of the stories are pretty good, but most of them are boring.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Racism, Violence, War
Minor: Antisemitism
dark
mysterious
tense
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
The King in Yellow is a collection of short stories that are reference by and inspired H.P. Lovecraft. Knowing this, I thought it would be interesting to see the roots of cosmic horror. The King in Yellow is a play within the text, that if you read the second act you will be driven mad. What this fully means is not ever co.pletwly clear but that isn't exactly the point. These stories show different ways that the characters have come to read this story and what it means for them and their lives. And while this is an interesting premise, I found the execution to be dull. It is old horror which means it reads very different from modern horror in every way. It is similar to Frankenstein where the horror is just different. Unlike Frankenstien I don't think this collection is able to stand up to the test of time.
If you are really interested in the roots of cosmic horror, it may be worth your time. Otherwise I recommend passing on this collection.
There is also multiple stories about artists in Paris that have nothing to do with the King in Yellow or horror in general which I found even more tedious to get through than the rest.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
If you are really interested in the roots of cosmic horror, it may be worth your time. Otherwise I recommend passing on this collection.
There is also multiple stories about artists in Paris that have nothing to do with the King in Yellow or horror in general which I found even more tedious to get through than the rest.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
dark
mysterious
medium-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
No, niente, nope mi dispiace. Sarò vittima dell'hype ma non mi aspettavo che una raccoltà così esaltata citata per aver influenzato assai l'opera di Lovecraft e per aver ispirato in più punti la prima stagione di True Detective mi potesse annoiare così tanto. Sia chiaro la prosa di Chambers non è affatto male e i primi racconti della raccolta sono i meglio eseguiti ma il problema è che sono gli unici legati tra loro dal filo del Re in Giallo. Sì esatto, l'eponimo Re in Giallo collega tra loro solo quattro dei racconti mentre gli altri sono semplici storie che non condividono il medesimo immaginario nè unite da alcun filo narrativo comune. Ne consegue che l'effettivamente inquietante e brillante immaginario del Re in Giallo, di questo pezzo teatrale che rende pazzi, ha un respiro molto meno grandioso e molte meno sfaccettature di quante l'immaginario pop di cui entra in possesso qualcuno che non conosce l'opera si aspetti. I racconti di per sè non sono malvagi, o meglio lo sono abbastanza ma non raggiungono particolari vette. Poi però quanto il filo conduttotre del Re in Giallo viene esaurito si rimane con l'amaro in bocca perchè questo immaginario orrorifico che prometteva sviluppi così interessanti non si ripresenta più e io sono rimasto con a chidermi perchè in primo luogo ho voluto leggere Il Re in Giallo e in secondo come mai è stato un'ispirazione per tanti, a quanto pare. Sarò vittima dell'hype o forse sono scemo e non capisco l'Arte
slow-paced
The narrator sounds like a robot reading a textbook
slow-paced
This was, in my opinion which is not backed by science, a boring collection of short stories. Like some of them had a semi good concept. But for me, where was the horror? Where was the story? Like every character (some dude) sounded the same and had the same vibe and feel. Might as well have been just one single novel with one character throughout. But that is just my opinion.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A truely wonderful piece of weird fiction, through this series of short stories we come to know both so much and also not a lot of the King in yellow, to know of him is to be under his influence or perhaps it is just the madness of the narrators and nothing more?
It is so clear why these stories influenced and inspired so many creatives since! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of cosmic horror or weird fiction, though I wouldn't consider this book horror, it is certainly a little spooky and unnerving in its nature.
It is so clear why these stories influenced and inspired so many creatives since! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of cosmic horror or weird fiction, though I wouldn't consider this book horror, it is certainly a little spooky and unnerving in its nature.