Publisher: SelfMadeHero/Abrams

Release Date: April 9, 2013

Price: $19.95

Creator(s): H. P. Lovecraft, adapted and illustrated by I. N. J. Culbard

Format: 128 pgs., Full-Color, 6-1/2" x 9-1/2", Trade Paperback

ISBN: 9-781-9068-3835-5

Age Rating: N/A

ICv2 Rating: 3 Stars out of 5

 

The novel from which this is adapted was a short one, about the same number of pages in print as this graphic adaptation.  That means that the book didn't have to be abridged too severely in order to create this work.  The original novel never pleased its author, who didn't try very hard to get it published.  In fact, it was not published until after his death, and is not universally loved.  Some of the story is based on locales and anecdotes from the real world of Lovecraft, and historical Rhode Island.  Where the story works best is when it builds on these, turning reality slowly on its head, but the novel was never a great success.  On the other hand, it contained several early pieces of what is now known as the Cthulhu mythos for which Lovecraft is most famous.

 

Part of the difficulty is that the story is a mood piece of slowly growing horror.  While the text itself manages this, sometimes the artwork does not.  The more subtle clues are just too subtle, as drawn, and things which should be truly horrific somehow fail to achieve that effect.  Culbard's illustrations are simply too calm for the story.

 

Still, it's a worthy effort and an interesting one.  Adults and teens interested in classic horror will enjoy it.

 

--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.