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A review by sambora
The Dunwich Horror and Others by H.P. Lovecraft
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.25
It's easy to say The Dunwich Horror is "dark and atmospheric" - that is somewhat the norm with these stories.
But this one... This one was also full of twisted academia, spiritual existentialism, small town fear-mongering and the overt threat of unbridled cosmic-barbarism.
Most of the stories of Lovecraft's I've read so far have only contained one (or maybe two) of these aforementioned traits at once - but here, seeing and experiencing them all together, utilised in an ugly, fetid and unsettlingly put-together story made for a recipe that Lovecraft, and his fear of the unknown, well and truly dominated.
But this one... This one was also full of twisted academia, spiritual existentialism, small town fear-mongering and the overt threat of unbridled cosmic-barbarism.
Most of the stories of Lovecraft's I've read so far have only contained one (or maybe two) of these aforementioned traits at once - but here, seeing and experiencing them all together, utilised in an ugly, fetid and unsettlingly put-together story made for a recipe that Lovecraft, and his fear of the unknown, well and truly dominated.
"The Old Ones were, the Old Ones are, and the Old Ones shall be. Not in the spaces we know, but between them. They walk serene and primal, undimensioned and to us unseen.
Yog-Sothoth knows the gate."
In my journey through the complete works, at this point, this is probably one of my favourite works of Lovecraft's so far.
I know I haven't yet read some of his best known stuff, and I'm aware this may change, but my lord did I enjoy this.