The Book of Cthulhu - Review
I picked this book up over the summer at Barns and Nobel. It was in the discount pile and I thought, hey this looks good. But I was wrong.
This book might be for you. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take a look at it. But I couldn’t get into it. I found myself getting bored. Many of the stories feel like they were written and then someone went back in an added some Cosmic Horror to them.
This is especially true of the first story, which is about stopping a world war, that happens anyways. Honestly I thought this story was the worst of the collection. There’s a ghost, then a girl swims out and becomes this tentacle monster and that somehow helps with the timeline. It tried to do a lot of stuff and none of it really worked for me.
I suggest reading the book preview of this one. If you like where it’s going spend your money. But defiantly read as much of the first story before you do. If you like the story, you’ll like the rest of the book.
The Book of Cthulhu by [Lockhart, Ross]
Note: A friend told me that I’m being harsh on this book because of how much I disliked the first story. Perhaps I’ll look into it again in a year or so and see if he’s right. Your thoughts?
I've never heard of the book and don't recognize any of those author names except Gene Wolfe. Who was the tentacle story author?
I have to say that the book looks to me like one of those low-budget anthologies that exist to help new authors get off the ground. If you didn't like the stories, I'd say just leave it and move on to something else that you do like. Life is too short to drag yourself through books you're not enjoying. I'm not a huge fan of short stories anyway, as I always get frustrated when they finish just as I'm getting into the story and characters.
p.s. "Added Cosmic Horror" LOL!
I love short stories because it feels like watching an episode of X-Files or any other TV Show that does plot lines that aren't necessary to a full story.
Caitlin R Kiernan is the writer of the tentacle monster story.
Actually I have to agree with you on the TV aspect. I'm not much of a one for TV series because I hate all the maneuvering and ridiculous twists they have to introduce just to keep the story going over various seasons. I prefer films because they are a complete story in themselves, and anthology TV shows are just right if I want something shorter than a full movie. Have you seen any of the Electric Dreams series? Or Black Mirror? They both do that really well.
I haven't seen either but I've had multiple people tell me to check out Black Mirror. I guess I should get on that.
Highly recommended! And it's on Netflix. :D
Electric Dreams is based on the Philip K Dick short stories and they're really good. Obviously high budget but the super flashy effects don't ruin the plot.