vampfang's review
read this for a class on monsters. incredibly racist, but super interesting to analyze. as a horror fan, i'd been meaning to read lovecraft, but i don't think i will read more for obvious reasons.
famel's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful suspenseful book. The premise is tantalizing from beginning to the end. Creepiness all around the story and it’s great. The characters is also worth mentioning, they are nicely written for Lovecraft’s work.
festiveconclave's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Body horror
zoe243's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
biblio_kel's review against another edition
1.0
WARNING: This story contains repeated use of the N*word and is racist AF!
Look, I know Lovecraft is racist and I don't pretend otherwise. It is important to call out problematic authors even if we enjoy their works. But this story was even more than his usual racist crap. Literally, the idea that a woman being of African decent is made out to be more horrific and terrifying than the fact that she is a FREAKING MONSTER is not on.
NOPE.
The atmosphere in this story is better built than most Lovecraft stories but the ending is just too much. No way am I going to pretend that portraying African heritage as being the most awful thing imaginable in a world where unnameable and unimaginable insanity-causing horrors exist is excusable or acceptable and anyone who enjoyed this story (even "despite the ending") needs to ask themselves why the heck they're so comfortable with such unacceptable and blatant racism. Not even the excuse that "it's a product of its time" can be used here.
I'm glad that Lovecraft never copyrighted his works because I would hate to give his estate any of my money.
Look, I know Lovecraft is racist and I don't pretend otherwise. It is important to call out problematic authors even if we enjoy their works. But this story was even more than his usual racist crap. Literally, the idea that a woman being of African decent is made out to be more horrific and terrifying than the fact that she is a FREAKING MONSTER is not on.
NOPE.
The atmosphere in this story is better built than most Lovecraft stories but the ending is just too much. No way am I going to pretend that portraying African heritage as being the most awful thing imaginable in a world where unnameable and unimaginable insanity-causing horrors exist is excusable or acceptable and anyone who enjoyed this story (even "despite the ending") needs to ask themselves why the heck they're so comfortable with such unacceptable and blatant racism. Not even the excuse that "it's a product of its time" can be used here.
I'm glad that Lovecraft never copyrighted his works because I would hate to give his estate any of my money.
zitahk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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