Customer Reviews

The Dark Worlds of H. P. Lovecraft, Vol. 3

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what Mr. Elgin means by traditionalist, but I am capable of appreciating different types of prose. This work is some of the finest Post-Victorian horror and Lovecraft is still monstrously influential today, inspiring authors (Stephen King most notably), TV shows (recent South Park episode featured Cthulhu), movies (Reanimator, Hellboy, an endless list really), and video games (Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Quake, Penumbra, and much more). Wayne June as narrator is a perfect choice, his deep voice can unnerve and soothe when the narrative needs. He really drew me in.

This is the first work of Lovecraft I have encountered. I listened to this audio over a course of a few months. The language is so 19th century in style, it felt on par with Edgar Allen Poe. For myself, this is a tough proposition, its not enjoyable in my mind to wander through this dialog free poetry inspired prose. Every story seems to be told by a narrator telling a story of an event that occurred in the past.

I admire some of the ideas here. As someone who greatly enjoys horror fiction, I found several stories that I think would be excellent if retold by a decent contemporary author. You read this work, and it becomes a little awe inspiring in just how far fiction writing has come over the course of a century. While hard to read, its obvious that this was in its time very well done. I was finding it unbearable. If you take a sentence or two, the prose here is a lot of fun to dissect an ruminate upon. This is scholarly material, not for light enjoyment.

If your a traditionalist, you will love this collection. Im not and am struggling to give it 3 stars. Yawn.