Lovecraftian

The Ballad of Black Tom | Victor LaValle

pick

Now THAT is what I wanted out of a Halloween read. As I gather this is a response to the racism rampant in an HP Lovecraft novella, it's not a surprise that there are strong themes of racism, xenophobia, alienation and the abuse of power. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? You get a sweeping sense of dark power, bloody vengeance, tempered by the inevitable lesson that revenge is always destructive, to all involved. Impressive how a strong a vision of a particular time, place and fantasy elements is built into a world in such a short book. I was invested in and worried for Tommy immediately, as much as I hoped his rapscallion hustling might provide a better future rather than more trouble. 4w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? LaValle ensures you feel Tommy's loss, and understand his choice that leads down a grimmer path. The switch to Malone's perspective was a little jarring, but it does make the climax that much more intense, and adds to the mystery in how much you don't see the minutiae of how Tommy became Black Tom and his first evil/morally gray deeds. 4w

Robotswithpersonality 4/4 The implication that his work to summon the Sleeping King explains our present day struggle with climate change is the cherry on top. The writing overall is superb. Definitely need to pick up more horror from this author.

⚠️racism, xenophobia, slurs 4w

8 likes3 comments

ReadingOver50

The Mammoth Book of Cthulhu: New Lovecraftian Fiction | Paula Guran

so-so

There were a few good stories, but most were not that great. Maybe it's time to admit I don't like Lovecraftian fiction.

JenlovesJT47 You‘re not alone! I‘ve tried it before and had a hard time getting into it. 😳 2mo

53 likes1 comment

Nessavamusic

The Ballad of Black Tom | Victor LaValle

pick

A dark, gothic, gory good time of a novella! Featuring a down on his luck musician who takes a gig that he quickly regrets. 4⭐️

46 likes1 stack add

AroundTheBookWorld

The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales | H. P. Lovecraft

There is a monstrous odour . . .senses transfigured. . .boarding at that tower window cracking and giving way. . . .Iä . . .ngai. . .ygg. . . .
“I see it—coming here—hell-wind—titan blur—black wings—Yog-Sothoth save me—the three-lobed burning eye. . . .”
#TheCompleteCthulhuMythosTales #HPLovecraft #lastline #closingline #book #books #booklist #booklust #Horror #Classics #Fantasy #Fiction #ShortStories #ScienceFiction #Lovecraftian #Anthologies ?

9 likes

triplem80

Ballad of Black Tom | Victor LaValle

pick

The last book I finished in June also happened to be one of my #roll100 picks for the month (which is great, since I haven't been doing so well with those!).

This was a low pick for me -- but mostly because it's a blend of two genres that aren't my faves (horror and historical fiction). That said, I think it was well-done, and being a short, quick read didn't hurt either!

@PuddleJumper

triplem80 #52bookclub24 #hybridgenre

@BarbaraBB @Kristy_K @KarenUK @Hooked_on_books @BarkingMadRead @Crazeedi @brittanyreads @Graciouswarriorprincess @Magpiegem @BookBelle84 @Larkken @jenniferw88 5mo

triplem80 @julesG @Deblovestoread @MidnightBookGirl @Librarybelle @Tove_Reads @slategreyskies @Read4life @Bluebird @kwmg40 @eeclayton @hissingpotatoes @Book_Lover95 @TheAromaofBooks 5mo

BarbaraBB I often feel the same about books by LaValle 5mo

Librarybelle Hooray!! 5mo

21 likes4 comments

tylrevns

The Ballad of Black Tom | Victor LaValle

pick

An unique perspective on the Lovecraftian genre, had a fun time with this one

1 like

MsLeah8417

The Ballad of Black Tom | Victor LaValle

pick

⭐️⭐️⭐️

14 likes

TieDyeDude

A Song for Quiet | Cassandra Khaw

pan

This follow-up just didn't do it for me. The connecting character was pointlessly involved. The plot was scant and scattered. While the first book felt like an exercise in using as much noir lingo as possible, this felt like someone with a degree in music theory trying to flex. Trying to emulate Lovecraftian terror with highfalutin musical concepts was a bit much, and the social commentary felt shoe-horned in.

dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 8mo

48 likes1 comment