Shadow Over Innsmouth by H. P. Lovecraft

I still can't believe that it took me this long to read Lovecraft. I've seen many movies, and read many books, that utilize the Lovecraftian method of revealing the monster or evil. For the uninitiated, he would hint at the grotesqueness, or show small pieces, and let the reader's imagination do the rest.

Lovecraft's writing style took a little time to get use to. His cadence is that of the early 1900s, which is when it was written. This book is also set up as a memoir of the narrator, Robert Olmstead. He is writing this memoir, long after the initial experience so it has the natural randomness of someone remembering. Once I got use to those two things, the story grabbed me.

Mr. Olmstead is a young college man on summer break, he is taking the opportunity to explore his genealogy and his interest in architecture and history. He reaches the town of Newburyport, and hears intriguing tales about the formerly prosperous town of Innsmouth. He is warned against going, but his curiosity gets the better of him.

The bus to Innsmouth and its driver, give him pause, but he persists in going to Innsmouth. The driver shows the tell-tale deformities that citizens of this seaport town are known for. The closer they get to Innsmouth the more dilapidated the buildings become, the less signs of life there are, and the stronger the smell of old fish. Once in the town, his sense of unease grows. He interviews a boy working in the grocery store, who cautions him to avoid being nosy, and get out of town quickly. Again his curiosity overwhelms his reason and instincts to leave. Mr. Olmstead goes exploring, and searching for the town drunk to question about the local history. His plans to leave before dark are thwarted by the bus breaking down (though I get the feeling that it wasn't really broken).

Lovecraft gradually increases the oddness of the situation and people, building suspense and curiosity for the narrator and the reader alike. The story is just over 100 pages long, but it contains an intensity that surprised me for such a short work. He even provides a twist ending, it was at least surprising to me. I look forward to reading more Lovecraft.

But first, some YA steampunk.

Kitten Stocking, Part 2

Been a week, I thought I'd post my progress. Haven't gotten as far as I'd have liked. Stupid work . ;P Hoping that this three day weekend allows me to get farther and get some reading done too. I have to catch up with K. M.! I swore I would.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Autumn by David Moody

This is not like any other zombie novel that I have read. Most have been written by Americans, whom have a completely different rhythm to their story telling than the British. This story is also different from other zombie tales because of  the time and manner in which the zombies become an issue.

The story begins with the majority of the population on earth dying suddenly, within the space of twenty four hours. The scattered survivors are brought together by one man blaring music from a community center near a major thoroughfare. Most of the survivors want to stay at the center, while a few decide it would be better to head into the country. The survivors that wish to leave do not feel safe surrounded by all the dead bodies because of the chance of disease and the inability to procure supplies easily. After a few days at the community center, some of the corpses begin to get up and move about aimlessly. This is when the three survivors that are planning on leaving are galvanized into action. Our main characters that head for the country are Emma (a medical student), Michael, and Carl. They then search for a home base, they find a farmhouse far from the city and begin to lay in supplies. A few days after that the walking dead begin to seem more aware and show signs of aggression. The survivors then begin to build a defensive wall.

The survivors have very different personalities, and are dealing with these continuing crises in their own unique ways. The character development was slim, but the book is an introduction to a trilogy, I expect much of the character development will come in the later volumes. The characters are taxed by many major changes in their situation, rather than one life altering event.

I look forward to reading further in the series, but first I'm going to explore H.P. Lovecraft. Good reading, all.

Kitten Stocking the Beginning

This stocking was requested by a friend. I've already made one for her beautiful daughter and her husband. She is a fan of cats, so I went with a cat, though I wanted a different one with the cat surrounded by Poinsettias. I guess that will teach me not to get a pattern when I see it. You can actually begin to see the cat in the design now.



- Posted using BlogPress from my - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day by Day Armaggedon by J. L. Bourne

After reading an infection story, I finally was able to move onto my intended reading for the summer, zombie novels. I've expressed an interest in journal style zombie stories previously, so my husband recommended Day By Day Armageddon by J. L. Bourne.

Through the main character's journal, we learn that there is word of a mysterious virus in China. The virus spreads quickly, and causes the patients to become very violent and attack their caregivers and loved ones. The US sends medical aid, then brings the aid workers home when the situation becomes too dangerous and they have been exposed to the virus Our main character is a military man, he can tell that the information on the news doesn't add up with the net sources, the military and governmental actions being taken, or what his fellow military men are observing while overseas. He begins to prepare for the worst by stockpiling supplies.

When he starts to see the undead in the streets, he decides not to answer the base's call. He determines that he'll be safer at home than on the base, this turns out to be correct. The government is in complete chaos, as is everyone else. We go with our hero on supply missions, and see how he's coping with loneliness and inactivity. He discovers that one of his neighbors has survived as well, they begin communicating and assisting each other when possible. They save each others' lives a couple of times and begin making plans to leave the area as the undead begin to overrun it.

I expect a journal to be in first person, but there were still times in which our hero seemed extremely self-centered. The story was well done and enjoyable, so I was able to get into the book. It was a quick read, and finished with a cliff-hanger ending. I enjoyed it enough to begin the second book in the series immediately, and wait to write the review for both of them.

The hero evolves in the second story. He and his friend John, over the course of the story must decide whether to answer distress calls that they hear. It is very risky to leave safe places for supplies, much less traveling a distance to save people that might not be alive when you arrive. They answer one such call, and it dramatically changes their situation. As more survivors enter the group, the journal becomes less self-centered.

Our survivors come into contact with marauders that try to take their shelter. They also must deal with a horrible consequence from the decision of the government to nuke large cities that are overrun with the dead. The zombies close to the explosion are incinerated by the blast; however, the irradiated dead are faster, stronger, more coordinated, and seemingly more intelligent than their non-radioactive counterparts. People killed by radiation sickness also join the ranks of the undead, as in this universe people do not have to be bitten to turn.

This series is a fun read, not deep or thought provoking. A great way to kill some time. I'm sure I'll read the third book when it comes out. Beyond Exile also had a cliffhanger ending. I'm interested to see which way Bourne takes the story, and resolves it.