A review by orang3_w0rld21
The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Finished. Ngl I thought of something entirely different when it came to this short story. I was in the boat of people who knew little but knew who Cthulhu was. I had the idea that it was a detective who came into contact with Cthulhu and his cult (like several video games lol). 

 

All that said, I feel a bit half-and-half. Half of me likes this story, even though Lovecraft’s racism is heavily present. The other half is like “BORING”. There wasn’t much action, a whole lot of telling and not showing. But I did like and appreciate the exposition dump. There was an immersive world (behind a whole lot of telling) about Cthulhu and the Great Old Ones. The hysteria, mania, violence, and otherworldly horrors are explained in the story. What sets me back is that it’s told from a narrator who is [skeptical and can’t believe it]. I think if the Narrator were to discover things on his own and had first experience, the readers would understand and experience what mass hysteria and horrors awaits along with the narrator.