I have long wanted to read the works of H. P. Lovecraft, one of the defining figures in the literary horror world and considered one of the founders of the "cosmic horror" story. His Cthuhlu mythos have achieved cult status (pun absolutely intended), and many writers, including the infamous and legendary Stephen King himself, count him as an inspiration. At the same time, he's gained a sizable "hatedom," or at least a number of readers who find the man overhyped to a great degree. I wanted to read his works myself before making up my mind, and I decided to make "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" my introductory read.
Having read this story, I can safely count myself among Lovecraft's fans. If this story is anything to go by, Lovecraft was indeed a master of his genre, and I eagerly look forward to reading more of his work.
"The Shadow Over Innsmouth" follows a nameless narrator touring New England for information on his family, and studying the local architecture. When he hears about the small town of Innsmouth, and how repellent everyone seems to find the locals, he's understandably curious, and ventures into the town to see for himself. Right away he notices things are decidedly not right -- the locals have a loathsome appearance, the town looks to be half-deserted, and the lone "normal" local is not only a raging drunk but babbles about the town's dark history and the peculiar customs of its inhabitants. When the narrator finds himself stranded in town overnight, he comes face to face with the town's horrifying secret... one not of this world...
Lovecraft's writing style isn't for everyone -- he's a huge fan of using fancy, florid words, many of which are archaic today, and he seems to enjoy the setup and world-building aspects of his craft more than the literary payoff. But I quite enjoyed his style, which is evocative and eerily lovely, while at the same time shimmering with a vivid horror of its own. I've heard other readers complain that he leaves far too much to the imagination and that his work lacks proper description, but I didn't find that here -- in fact, the descriptions of his horrors are properly monstrous and spine-chilling, and he paints a vivid picture of a decaying port town and its twisted inhabitants. And while I'm a big fan of "less is more" and especially "nothing is scarier," I did appreciate the description.
Some might read a racist undertone to this work, one that sticks in the reader's craw today. But I usually read works not for the underlying message but for the story, and I find this story works well as a simple horror story. If there's an uncomfortable message about racism and interracial relations... all I can say is that Lovecraft was a product of his time, and it's possible to enjoy the work without condoning the author's behavior or beliefs.
If I have any complaints, it's that a sudden revelation at the end of the story, while horrifying and fascinating, felt like it came without a lot of foreshadowing. But I enjoyed the twist enough that it doesn't bother me too much -- certainly not enough to cut down the rating.
As a bonus, this Kindle version comes with a short biography of Lovecraft, providing some insight to the man behind the writing. It's not terribly in-depth, but it's informative all the same.
"The Shadow Over Innsmouth" is a fantastic horror novella, and it has given me a new appreciation for Lovecraft and his work. I recommend it to horror fans, especially those that like an otherworldly bent to their horror, and I greatly look forward to reading more by this author.
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Top reviews from other countries
Kindle Customer
old English phrases and words ,get out you dictionary
Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2022
Kindle-Kunde
A Perfect example oder lovecraftian eldritch horror und scenery
Reviewed in Germany on July 20, 2021Michele Giorgi
Pacco lanciato davanti alla porta come un giornale
Reviewed in Italy on June 22, 2017