These stories were mostly a pleasure, which is not surprising since I've never met a ghost story I didn't like. And the straightforward ghost stories were the most successful for me, probably because they gave me what I love: not-too-disturbing creepiness and graceful prose. The fantasies interested me less--why do I often find fantasy disappointing? "Beyond the Wall of Sleep," for instance, just seems overblown. "Into the Mountains of Madness," starts off with a great premise: that Antarctica, the last uncharted continent, contains a dreadful mystery. But when the mystery is revealed, it's disappointingly, clunkily, silly. "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward," on the other hand, if a bit too long, scared me nicely with its undead ancestors and raised demons. The classic "The Dunwich Horror" didn't disappoint either. Atmospherically set in 1920s New England, and building up layers of mystery, its first half was everything I love. And the final part was well-handled, the "horror" itself not shown except through the reactions of the few who saw it and lived.
What I didn't know but probably should have, is how much Stephen King owes to H. P. Lovecraft. It's obvious that King was heavily influenced by Lovecraft, he borrows so much--isolated New England towns with secretive inhabitants, Indian burial grounds as tainted places, foolish humans calling up ancient evils. Some imagery and the name of a demon from "The Dunwich Horror," I'm pretty sure, appear in King's novels The Tommyknockers and Needful Things.
After reading these stories, I googled Lovecraft and found a terrific website for fans of Victorian horror called Gaslight. The site has archived hundreds of gothic/horror/mystery stories as well as essays and criticism written by both famous and unknown authors between 1800 and 1919.
Classics Club
Your reviews have a quality I so much enjoy: honest opinions about what you did and did not like with a 'personal touch'! I have never been drawn to horror writing and the only King I read was a 'I dare you to read one of his books' challenge. Yet the 'not-so-creepy' style may be something I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNot-so-creepy is really all I can handle--I read a lot of King in high school but eventually stopped because it was too much for me. The Victorian/Edwardian writers seem to get it just right for my taste.
Delete'graceful prose': so apt! I love your review, it really conveys everything I've felt about Lovecraft. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is my favourite. What you've said about King is true, but I have a feeling most newer horror writers have probably been influenced by Lovecraft in some way. Thanks for the link to Gaslight, it's going to keep me busy for a while.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read any newer horror writers other than King, and like I said, I gave him up. I think I'm too wimpy for the moderns. :) Very happy to have finally experienced Lovecraft, though. Glad you like Gaslight--I've been reading a story a day on my laptop over lunch.
DeleteJust ordered this book despite its scary cover!
ReplyDeleteNew approach to 2nd Classic List: I put all the titles in a hat and just pull one out. Feels like getting a surprise present every time!
Reading Howling Frog Books (Jean) and Frugal Chariot...selected from you blogroll.
Received comment from Jean, she misses your reviews as I do and hope that you'll be back if time and study permits!