Harry’s Reviews > The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories > Status Update

THE HAUNTER OF THE DARK - The short story collection ends with a whimper rather than a bang.

An entertaining read surely, but I can’t imagine myself revisiting it.

I suppose part of my reason for this is fatigue of reading the same author constantly.

THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH - A lengthy story, with an engrossing beginning, a bloated chase sequence, and an interesting ending. I particularly liked how the main character’s transformation was depicted in text, and his attitudes towards his changing.

I really didn’t like the chase sequence, it was boring and simultaneously difficult to follow. Surprisingly, Zadok Allen’s monologue was the most enjoyable part

THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS - Excellent, I really enjoyed this story. Again, a mystery story with horror and sci-fi elements, Lovecraft is a master at building suspense and executing it to perfection.

Many of the revelations were predictable, but nonetheless horrific in their reveal. Although this was quite a long story, it didn’t feel overwritten or a chore to read

THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE - A fun and interesting premise, which is very readable (compared to other Lovecraft) and perfectly blends horror with science fiction.

The narrative Lovecraft is pushing is clearly one of urban disparagement of the rural, an attitude which is still prevalent today. However, I do find it difficult to believe that any scientist would ignore the aftermath of the meteorite crashing to earth.

THE CALL OF CTHULHU - I’m not sure what I was expecting. It’s heralded as a monolith of horror fiction. I didn’t really see much horror in it until towards the end. It was actually just a really good mystery story, with horror elements. I sometimes lost track of the progression of events.

Shame about the excessive racist views, which permeate this story more than any other Lovecraft story I’ve read so far

THE FESTIVAL - A fun read, very intriguing and creepy in places. I’m still a bit confused about the ending, but that’s just what this type of horror story is trying to achieve

HE - A bit boring, seemed a lot like a repeat of The Picture in the House

COOL AIR - I liked this one, very quick read with an interesting premise. I wasn’t expecting that ending

THE RATS IN THE WALLS - A cool story, if a bit lengthy. I liked the ending a lot, although I didn’t really understand the true implications of it at first glance (as with a lot of Lovecraft’s writings). Also, shame about the Cat’s name

THE OUTSIDER - An interesting concept, with a predictable but quite fun ending, reminiscent of Poe

HERBERT WEST - REANIMATOR - Brilliant, I really enjoyed this story, even if the ending was much unlike the rest of the story

THE HOUND - Overwritten, should have been a quarter of this length. The story was quite boring, but I enjoyed the ending, even if it is traditional Lovecraft ‘I’m going to kill myself’

ARTHUR JERMYN - A twist that out of context seems quite goofy, but I think Lovecraft delivers it well. Really liked the twist

CELEPHAÏS - Thought this one was a bit boring, lashed a bit too long for what it was

NYARLATHOTEP - Cool, but I didn’t understand what was going on, but this was just the old prose

PICTURE IN THE HOUSE - Also cool, really enjoyed the twist at the end.