The H.P. Lovecraft Reading Club

[Stormbringer]

So, Gibby, Sly, Alan, Mantis (being the only people who've posted) -- how long do you want to read The Hound before we start talking about it?

[Mantis]

I'll probably read it tonight.

[Sly Boots]

If I'm honest I'll need a few days. I know it's only short so I'll aim to hit the deadline, only we're having a loft conversion at the moment so it's impossible for me to work in the days due to noise, and so am spending my evenings right now catching up with all the stuff I needed to do. All before collapsing into bed around 1am. -_-

I'll generally be better, it's just a bit problematic right now.

[Stormbringer]

Shall we say Monday morning for the deadline then?

we're having a loft conversion at the moment

I'm going to PM you and ask you all about this, as I want one of those.

[Sly Boots]

Shall we say Monday morning for the deadline then?

we're having a loft conversion at the moment

I'm going to PM you and ask you all about this, as I want one of those.

Sure thing!... for both!

[Mantis]

I am a big fan of the overall "Mythos", really. The setting contemporary to HPL but in the bleak past for us really adds to it. You have that sort of detective noir story meets cosmic horror thing going on that appeals.

Realisations of humanity's insignificance in the vastness of the unknown, the shattering of your world view (and subsequently your psyche) when faced with horrid but undeniable evidence of some terrible truth, is pretty creepy and sinister. The best of his works draw you in to that and make you wonder and shudder, even if for a brief moment.

This is pretty much the best summation of what attracts me to his writing too. The whole idea of the truth being unknowable without succumbing to pure madness at the complexity or darkness of the universe is a very enticing theme that, I think, is a lot more sinister for horror than more conventional gory tales.

It's a similar parallel that I draw between liking really psychological horror movies that are thoughtful and being really put off by jump scare horrors that use chip tricks but which, ultimately, aren't anymore scary than if you unexpectedly pop a balloon.

[Snowy]

Count me in, not read any HPL for a long while.

[Stormbringer]

Count me in, not read any HPL for a long while.

Excellent. Welcome aboard.

[Snowy]

And consider The Hound duly read

Nice to flick through a real book for once (I think A Dance with Dragons was the last, years ago), my worthy old leather-bound Necronomicon compilation.

Good call as well Doug, a nice little chiller to start things off.

[Stormbringer]

That was quick! Anyone else finished reading yet?

Perhaps instead of setting a deadline, people should just post when they're done?

[Snowy]

In fairness it is only 7 pages long, not too much of an imposition.

[Stormbringer]

This is true, though I'm a slow reader as I like to savour every detail, visualise every scene in my mind as if it were a film, think about the actors who would play the roles, re-read bits several times, look up some of the cultural references on Google (a lot of that required in the early part of this story, unless you're already familiar with the artists of the Decadent movement) and contemplate the structure of the plot. ¬_¬

[Sly Boots]

You know what, I got a decent amount done today (ear plugs proving a sound investment, plus the builders added the soundproofing yesterday), so I'm going to bally well sit down and read this now. With a lovely cup of Earl Grey Rooibos, my new afternoon hot beverage of choice (rock n roll lifestyle, me).

[Sly Boots]

*opens Kindle*

*sees The Hound is not part of the Lovecraft compendium I bought yesterday*

*reads it via the link Doug posted anyway*

[Stormbringer]

*sees The Hound is not part of the Lovecraft compendium I bought yesterday*

You were ripped off, mate. Get a refund!