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A review by lapingveno
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by H.P. Lovecraft
1.0
I am so thankful that this was not my first exposure to H.P. Lovecraft. Maybe I'm just a lazy reader, but these longer stories of his are really taking their toll on me. Once again, could we get something BESIDES SHEER DESCRIPTION, please?
If this had been the opening to some sort of RPG manual/an example of vivid worldbuilding, that would have been one thing; but this is masquerading as a work of fiction, yet it lacks the major elements associated therewith: characterization, plot, conflict. Arguably these are all present, but they seem secondary, background, 'afterthought-esque,' not forefront and integral.
Basically, this is a long, rambling fever dream set to prose and referencing/unifying many of Lovecraft's earlier stories, which, again, lends to its excellence as an example of worldbuilding. But, I'll be honest, this was a slog, probably the worst one I'll face this year. (Thank God for YouTube audiobooks and the x2 playback speed option!)
Stick to short fiction, Mr. Lovecraft! It is where you thrive!
Afterthought: +3 style points for Carter's being able to speak the language of cats; that was pretty cool.
If this had been the opening to some sort of RPG manual/an example of vivid worldbuilding, that would have been one thing; but this is masquerading as a work of fiction, yet it lacks the major elements associated therewith: characterization, plot, conflict. Arguably these are all present, but they seem secondary, background, 'afterthought-esque,' not forefront and integral.
Basically, this is a long, rambling fever dream set to prose and referencing/unifying many of Lovecraft's earlier stories, which, again, lends to its excellence as an example of worldbuilding. But, I'll be honest, this was a slog, probably the worst one I'll face this year. (Thank God for YouTube audiobooks and the x2 playback speed option!)
Stick to short fiction, Mr. Lovecraft! It is where you thrive!
Afterthought: +3 style points for Carter's being able to speak the language of cats; that was pretty cool.