Weird Fiction discussion

The Shadow over Innsmouth was written by Lovecraft in the last two months of 1931. It is the only Lovecraft story that was published in book form during his lifetime, but just barely. It was published in 1936 and had a lot of errors. Lovecraft was very critical of the effort and issued an errata page that itself had errors apparently.

Efforts were made to publish the novella before it came out as a book, Weird Tales editor Farnsworth Wright rejected it in 1933 when August Derleth sneaked a copy to him because Wright could not imagine where he could break the story at to publish it over a number of issues. (That sounds like an excuse to me, frankly. I suspect either Wright wasn't that impressed with the story, or he preferred to deal with Lovecraft, its author, rather than Derleth.) Lovecraft himself was rather critical of his own effort immediately after completing it, writing it "has all the defects I deplore—especially in point of style, where hackneyed phrases & rhythms have crept in despite all precautions.... No—I don't intend to offer 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' for publication, for it would stand no chance of acceptance."

Despite that negativity, I suspect I will really like this month's offering. L. Sprague de Camp noted the action sections of Innsmouth, especially the story's tense and memorable siege scene within the titular town's hotel. Other critics have given the story high praise as well. According to de Camp (per Wikipedia), Lovecraft distrusted his ability to narrate action, and the story is unusual in that Lovecraft includes sustained and effective action writing during the culmination of the events in Innsmouth. I look forward to reading some good action, especially after January's story.

So, who is on board for Innsmouth this month? Please feel free to comment to this topic if you read and have something to say about this story. I'm interested.

I'm definitely reading this one again!

I am still reading this, about one third of the way through, and enjoying it a great deal. The protagonist is considering routes for a trip. One goes through Innsmouth, a coastal Massachusetts town that had has seen better times. Some mysterious disasters recently struck it too. Locals shun the town, don't even want to talk about it. Innsmouth's population is very isolated, has some odd physical facial features, and seem wary of strangers. Nevertheless, going through the town on a bus is the cheapest way to get from where he is to his destination, so our protagonist takes his chances and buys the bus ticket. He has to spend the night in the town and has just purchased his hotel room. Can't wait to find out what happens next to him.

This is one of the most suspenseful Lovecraft stories, with a twisted ending.
I really enjoyed my reread.

I liked this Lovecraft story as well, Rosemarie, even if not quite as much as you did. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...