A review by mildhonestbonsai
The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft, H.P. Lovecraft
4.0
So it's rare for me to post reviews here though I would like to do it as often as possible. I feel like this one deserves a review. I say this because I am very conflicted with this story. This is my first reading of an H.P. Lovecraft story though I have seen adaptations of his work (Re-Animator, Color Out of Space). I appreciate what these stories did in paving the way for horror, whether cosmic or body, and inspiring countless of other horror authors. I really dug the story and found it different that we learn about what transpires via a narrator compiling records of Cthulu and the cult. I thought it was a cool take.
However, as much as I can appreciate the writing, it was hard for me to read it through without having to stop and recognize the blatant racism. We all know H.P. Lovecraft as the man and how much of a racist a-hole he was when he lived. Knowing that, I expected to see his prejudice reflect in his writing. I just did not expect the large amount of it in just these 43 pages.
Although I am going to give this 4 stars because I really liked the concept and lore, I do it with awareness of the racism embedded in the story.
However, as much as I can appreciate the writing, it was hard for me to read it through without having to stop and recognize the blatant racism. We all know H.P. Lovecraft as the man and how much of a racist a-hole he was when he lived. Knowing that, I expected to see his prejudice reflect in his writing. I just did not expect the large amount of it in just these 43 pages.
Although I am going to give this 4 stars because I really liked the concept and lore, I do it with awareness of the racism embedded in the story.