A review by wardenred
On Safari in R'lyeh and Carcosa with Gun and Camera by Elizabeth Bear

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

For a story built upon Lovecraftian mythos, this novelette was surprisingly cozy, even though it wasn't without its creepy moments. There's horror here, but it's not the kind of horror that looks to push you away, or make you stop existing; it's the sort that isn't so frightening at all when you look at it closely. Just different. Not what you're used to. Being different doesn't make it terrible, and if it frightens you, it doesn't do so intentionally—and that's exactly how I like my mythos. 

In essence, this is a story about coming home, or rather, about getting ready to come home one day. It reminded me, perhaps predictably, of Ruthanna Emrys's Innsmouth Legacy series, and resonated with me almost as deeply. Perhaps because this part of the mythos is something I've always felt weirdly connected to, on some odd, primal level. 

The ocean will be there, waiting. It can outwait anyone.