westernskynaida's review against another edition
3.5
So I’m marking this as read because the first 4 stories was really what I was wanting out of this. I stopped before the other 6 stories (so yay, I finished one of the many books I’m reading)
Honestly, for short references to the mysterious play, I really enjoyed it. It honestly didn’t feel like it was published in 1895 - which I’ll be honest and say I haven’t read a book from that timeframe (or earlier since middle school)
Out of the 4 stories, I liked “The Mask” the most
Maybe I’ll pick up the other 6 stories in the future but to see where Lovecraft got his inspiration for his own cosmic horror, it’s definitely a nice quick read
If I had to rate the first 4 stories, this would be my ratings for them
Honestly, for short references to the mysterious play, I really enjoyed it. It honestly didn’t feel like it was published in 1895 - which I’ll be honest and say I haven’t read a book from that timeframe (or earlier since middle school)
Out of the 4 stories, I liked “The Mask” the most
Maybe I’ll pick up the other 6 stories in the future but to see where Lovecraft got his inspiration for his own cosmic horror, it’s definitely a nice quick read
If I had to rate the first 4 stories, this would be my ratings for them
- The Repairer of Reputations: 3
- The Mask: 4
- The Court of the Dragon: 3.25
- The Yellow Sign: 3.75
halfasbeautifultoo's review against another edition
My interest petered out by the Street of the First Shell, when the stories moved further and further away from Carcosa and the King in Yellow.
pumbly's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
nia_guy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
skyewild's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.0
mirandabow's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tacochelle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
The first 4 stories and the poem are solid eldritch/cosmic horror, all centered around a cursed play of the same title. Other than mentions from the characters and quotes at the start of each story, you don't actually know what the play is about. You only see how it drives the readers to madness. It also takes place in this alternate 1920s America, which was the future when the stories were written. It was really interesting. The latter ones are all romance, nothing to do with the first half of the book, which I didn't know going into it. The time travel one was neat. The last 3 are interconnected and well written, but the whole time, I was just waiting for the eldritch horror to come in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Death
haami's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
shane's review against another edition
4.0
Marked as read because I only wanted to read the stories that are about 'The King in Yellow', which is the first four. These four were excellent. Very spooky, eerie, creepy, just a terrific atmosphere all round. Will undoubtedly go back and read the rest at some point. For now, very good.