Stanley C. Sargent

Though it is something of a niche sub-genre (redundancy intentional), the Cthulhu Mythos allows for many interesting variations. Though I have to acknowledge that the stories produced are by and large pastiche, I also have a weakness for an author who can mine something new or interesting from the fevered dreams of the Old Gent. My criteria for a successful work in the Mythos revolves largely around the question of atmosphere. Whatever Lovecraft's failings as a writer, his best work summons up a rich and disturbing atmosphere, a sense of existing in a universe far larger and weirder than one can imagine.

Stanley Sargent is a talented writer and "Their Love of Craft," the first story in this collection, although an amalgam of "Forbidden Planet" and "At the Mountains of Madness," successfully conveys a sense of dread even while making Lovecraftian in-jokes. The end really stands out; not only is it italicized like early Lovecraft, but it manages to be equally grotesque and funny. And a certain twisted sense of humor is the main twist that Sargent brings to the Mythos; my only complaint being that the humor often serves to undermine whatever atmosphere has been built up. (As with the cartoonish villains in "Live Bait," Sargent's sequel to "The Shadow Over Innsmouth.")

Things are not played completely for laughs. "The Black Brat of Dunwich" (a sequel to "The Dunwich Horror") is a rather sensitive portrayal of Wilbur Whateley's humanity. (Sargent expands on some of the themes related to this story in an essay at the end of the book.)

The story I found disappointing was the one that seemed the most promising. In "Nyarlathopis" Sargent gives us a story of Nyarlathotep in ancient Egypt seeking to overthrow all temporal and religious authority to plunge the world into chaos. Sargent has an obvious fondness for the subject matter, which he's not playing for laughs, yet the story was oddly flat, an impression which did not go away with repeated readings. (Which often make the flaws, such as the strange mixing of Mythos & mythology, more salient.)

In sum, Sargent's take on the Cthulhu Mythos is intelligent and insightful with its own unique dark and twisted humor. Perhaps not quite atmospheric or original enough to transcend pastiche, but still worth a read.… (mehr)

There are 9 stories in this book, and, as I always say, whenever you pick up an anthology you're likely to find a few that you really like, a few you really dislike, and some that are just okay. Here's the contents list:

The Rattle of Her Smile - This one was quite freaky re an Aztec goddess and someone who didn't know well enough to leave dark forces alone. This one was quite good.

Dark Demonize -- I found this one to be rather silly; in it, a man bargains with a demon and gets much more than he bargained for.

The Hoppwood Tenant -- One of the iffies; a couple of guys disturb the Hoppwood Tenant and cause a lot of mayhem.

The Black Massif -- A la Clark Ashton Smith (whose writings I greatly admire) and his tales of Zothique. This one was most excellent; probably the one I liked the best in the entire book.

The Tale of Toad Loop -- More along the Innsmouth line

When the Stars are Ripe -- this finds the narrator and a companion down in a cenote in a "scientific" investigation; they also get more than they've bargained for.

The Paladin of Worms: Another one which I enjoyed...very creepy story. A sheriff shows up to check on the whereabouts of a man's missing hired hand, and hears a story that literally kills him. Quite well done.

Self-Correcting Mechanism: Out in space; not one of my favorites at all.

Famine Wood: Two missionaries come to the door of an elderly man and end up hearing a story that couldn't possibly be true...or could it? This one was well done, too.

Overall, I thought this little book was nicely done, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Mythos lore as well as Clark Ashton-Smith's work.… (mehr)