The Pool of the Stone God

by A. Merritt

"This is Professor James Marston's story. A score of learned bodies have courteously heard him tell it, and then among themselves have lamented that so brilliant a man should have such an obsession. Professor Marston told it to me in San Francisco, just before he started to find the island that holds his pool of the stone god and—the wings that guard it. He seemed to me very sane. It is true that the equipment of his expedition was unusual, and not the least curious part of it are the suits of fine chain mail and masks and gauntlets with which each man of the party is provided.(...)"

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fantasy, Classics

5 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Abraham Grace Merritt, wrote under the name of A. Merritt, born in New Jersey moved as a child to Philadelphia, Pa. in 1894, began studying law and than switched to journalism. Later a very popular writer starting in 1919 of the teens, twenties and thirties, horror and fantasy genres. King of the purple prose, most famous The Moon Pool, a south seas lost island civilization, hidden underground and The Ship of Ishtar, an Arabian Nights type fable, and six other novels and short stories collections (he had written at first, just for fun). Nobody could do that variety better, sold millions of books in his career. The bright man, became editor of the most successful magazine during the Depression, The American Weekly , with a fabulous $100,000 in salary. A great traveler, in search of unusual items he collected. His private library of 5,000 volumes had many of the occult macabre kind. Yet this talented author is now largely been forgotten.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

An expedition to study fossils goes wrong when a boat en route to New Guinea strikes a reef. The boat sinks and the five surviving expedition members use a lifeboat to get to the nearest island. They explore the island and find an ancient village, seemingly forgotten by time itself. And in the middle of the village there’s an eerie pool and a mysterious statue.


An atmospheric short story that should definitely appeal to Lovecraft fans.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very creepy.

[PinkPanthress · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've got Professor Marston who, with his 4 companions, had an unfortunate encounter with an interesting Statue…

This was a quick, stimulating read! A narrow 4.49 Star rating which I will generously upgrade to a 5 Star here on GR!!
A little over 8 minutes to listen to, so you should be able to squeeze it in between your other books for the week. ;).
This was a very much needed diversion for me after reading so many dry, overly repetitive textbooks and Articles these past few days. Liked it!!

If you you'd like to read/listen to this short story. Here are the Links.
For your ears -> »The Pool of the Stone God« @ Youtube
For your eyes -> »The Pool of the Stone God« @ Gutenberg-Australia

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short Lovecraftian horror tale of sailors marooned on a remote south Pacific island who discover some ancient structures, including an enormous statue of a hideous semi-human winged creature, apparently long abandoned. Told in typical Lovecraft style, i.e. a first hand recounting of events to an interested inquirer.

[Forked Radish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't swim in other people's pools.

[Beatrice Drury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but not sweet. A quick and effective little horror story.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ain't that some shit. Stop touching old rocks.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off-brand Lovecraft.

[Augurey · Rating 5 out of 5]

a short horror story where we sail with a group of men seeking knowledge, a journey that ends in blood.

[MB Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange little fantasy/horror story by one of the masters of fantasy from the 30s. A quick read.