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Lädt ... The Zombie Stories of H. P. Lovecraft: Featuring Herbert West--Reanimator and More!von H. P. Lovecraft
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Melde dich bei LibraryThing an um herauszufinden, ob du dieses Buch mögen würdest. Keine aktuelle Diskussion zu diesem Buch. ***** The Outsider A re-read. It doesn't get any more gothic than this! Alone in a dreary dark castle, a young man has no memories of every being anywhere else, of ever seeing another human soul. He learns of the outside world from the castle's extensive libraries, and develops the desire to see the light. Thus, he embarks on a dangerous excursion to try to reach the exterior. This story is a classic example of the paradox at the heart of Lovecraft's art and life: He was xenophobic well past what was considered average at the time, but yet he writes of horrors - "outsiders" - from an inside perspective, with remarkable sympathy. *** Herbert West - Reanimator Although presented here as one story, this is actually a series of six linked stories about the mad scientist, Dr. Herbert West. More than anything else by Lovecraft, these feel like true pulp fiction, written for pure shocking entertainment, with a dashed-off, distinctly "non-literary" feel. Originally published as a serial, the magazine that they were written for apparently (and unfortunately) demanded that Lovecraft 're-cap' previous events in each installment, which makes for repetitive, tedious reading when you're not waiting a month between segments. Once the re-cap bits are dealt with, though, the story itself is great fun. It can be viewed as a parody of or an homage to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' - but where Dr. Frankenstein was an earnest experimenter, Dr. West is a straight-up psychopath. Each segment tries to outdo the one before with gross and disturbing gory details. [One 'alert' - the third segment clearly reflects what can be most generously interpreted as the narrator's racism, in a way that's a different sort of unpleasant.] I haven't seen the movie that was based on these stories. Someone told me, back when it was a recent release, that its cheesy schlockiness didn't do Lovecraft justice. But after reading the stories, I actually feel that a schlocky, campy adaptation is appropriate to the source material. **** In The Vault: A re-read (I've read this one more than once before). An undertaker accidentally locks himself inside a tomb full of coffins awaiting burial. Although he's an unimaginative, workman-like sort - not one to be bothered by the proximity of corpses - after what transpires that night, he'll never be the same. Objectively, this is an exceedingly well-crafted piece, but the 'big reveal' just doesn't bother me as much as it's clearly supposed to. It's predicated on an assumption of a religious belief in **** Cool Air: Forced by circumstances to take lodging in a cheap rooming house, the narrator is delighted to discover that one of his neighbors is a well-educated doctor - a man of 'quality,' even if he's a bit eccentric. The most obvious oddity is that he's a recluse, never leaving his rented rooms - and he keeps those rooms air-conditioned to a shockingly low temperature. However, it will eventually be revealed that there was a reason for his 'madness.' **** Pickman's Model: A re-read. When someone speaks of an artist's model, the first thing that probably leaps to mind is an attractive woman. But when an artist specializes in painting the weird, the grotesque and the macabre, the feminine form is likely not what he's seeking out. When the artist in this story invites a fan to see his secret studio, in the depths of Boston's North end slums, what is revealed has implications for the whole city. **** Thing on the Doorstep: A re-read. "It is true that I have sent six bullets through the head of my best friend, and yet I hope to show by this statement that I am not his murderer." Is that a great first line, or what? A frightening tale of stolen identity and ancient, immortal horrors. The narrator, Dan, was friends with Edward Derby since childhood. However, he saw Edward grow up into an unassertive, weak-willed man, who eventually merely transferred his dependence on his parents onto his new wife, Asenath... an Innsmouth woman with strangely protuberant eyes. Of course we know that anyone from Innsmouth is bound to be bad news, but in this case, the horror runs even deeper than one might guess. This story is full of all of the favorite Lovecraftian motifs... and would be nearly perfect, except for the fact that the narrative depends on the aggravating plot point that Although Lovecraft's work is all available in many locations, it's nice to have a small collection come out to revisit some stories and encourage me to read a few that I've previously overlooked. Many thanks to Dover and NetGalley for this copy of the book. As always, my opinions are solely my own. This is truly a fantastic anthology by the true master of horror fiction. Even the renowned Stephen King (another favorite author of mine) says he was influenced by H.P Lovecraft. These zombie stories are a bit different than the current day type of zombie but Lovecraft was a master at creating horrific stories with such atmosphere and suspense that they are far superior to anything we have today. H.P Lovecraft's work is classic and I am glad to see them revived once again. Highly recommended. In fact, I plan to purchase a copy for myself as the stories are ones that I will read again and again. I received a copy of this anthology via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review This is truly a fantastic anthology by the true master of horror fiction. Even the renowned Stephen King (another favorite author of mine) says he was influenced by H.P Lovecraft. These zombie stories are a bit different than the current day type of zombie but Lovecraft was a master at creating horrific stories with such atmosphere and suspense that they are far superior to anything we have today. H.P Lovecraft's work is classic and I am glad to see them revived once again. Highly recommended. In fact, I plan to purchase a copy for myself as the stories are ones that I will read again and again. I received a copy of this anthology via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review Zeige 4 von 4 keine Rezensionen | Rezension hinzufügen
"A fantastic anthology by the true master of horror fiction. Highly recommended." -- Book Nutter's Book Reviews "This is an excellent collection of Lovecraft's 'zombie' stories, which serves both as a treat to old fans and a sampler to people who haven't read Lovecraft before. I would highly recommend this collection." -- Of Stacks and Cups Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, and other experts on horror fiction deem H. P. Lovecraft the master teller of weird tales. These six chilling stories ― all published between 1921 and 1933 ― offer compelling journeys into the land of the undead. The collection begins with "The Outsider," the tale of a recluse whose overwhelming loneliness emboldens him to seek out human contact. Subsequent stories include "Herbert West ― Reanimator," written as a satire of Frankenstein and used as the source for a popular horror film; "In the Vault," in which an undertaker experiences supernatural revenge; "Cool Air," an account of a doctor's fanatical obsession with defying death; and "Pickman's Model," focusing on an artist's gallery of nightmares. "The Thing on the Doorstep" concludes the compilation with the compelling tale of a man whose body is preyed upon by a spirit that refuses to die. "Highly recommended. A great way to re-animate Lovecraft's standing as a master of the horror genre." -- Looking for a Good Book "A delightfully horrific collection of tales that will thrill any horror fan!" -- A Universe in Words Keine Bibliotheksbeschreibungen gefunden. |
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Google Books — Lädt ... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.52Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1900-1944Klassifikation der Library of Congress [LCC] (USA)BewertungDurchschnitt:
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What separates Lovecraft from other writers is his sense his writing leaves on readers. The zombie stories in this Dover collection, although not including the popular Cthulhu mythos, display some of the finer work of the writer. From the opening story “The Outsider,” the reader experiences something more than typical horror. There is an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair that lingers long after reading the story. The reader will feel the darkness, the cold stone enclosure, the damp, moldy, mossy passageways. It is not torture or violence that create the fear it is the setting and inserting the reader into hopelessness that surrounds the characters. That is the stuff of nightmares. It lingers deep in the brain almost as a personal experience.
Lovecraft creates lasting horror images. Whether the image is Herbert West’s pathological drive, Egyptian mythology, or the killing of one’s best friend there is a soul-wrenching memory created in the reader’s mind. He or she feels as helpless as the characters in the story. Simply putting the book down and walking away is nearly impossible. It will haunt you. Your only hope is to finish in a vain attempt to find closure. An excellent introduction to the master of horror. ( )