Lovecraft Country: A Novel

Hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year and probably in my life. Ruff did an amazing job in building a world within a world. Early 1900s America was already scary enough for Black people, but to add Lovecraftian horror to the equation makes for a truly disturbing experience.

Excited to read book two, The Destroyer of Worlds!

(3.75 Stars)

To write a horror novel, using the backdrop of the true real-life horrors of the Jim Crow south (And the rest of America, too), is a good way to do two things. It reminds us of a history currently trying to be white-washed out of the history books. But, it also used a "world" created by HP Loveraft, who was a problematic person.

This was well-written, and had relatable characters. It is an updated mythos, and a social commentary on horrors in America both real and imagined. It reads more like a collection of related short-stories that are inter-woven into a novel. It is both entertaining, and disturbing.

Better than the show! The only reason I took off a star is because there was a conflict in the pronunciation of Hippolyta's name.
Greek mythology would have her name as hippo-lie-tah and the reader first said that then reverted to hipaul-ih-ta.

Amazing! Well-worth the listen - as a black woman who grew up reading science fiction and fantasy, this was the story I didn’t even know I needed. Beautifully woven into historical events, Lovecraft Country explores the quest for white “immunity” through domineering power in a new and illuminating way.

A joy ride. I expected it to feature eldrish horror, but they were put to background and story came out somewhat adventurous instead.
Each chapter work like an episode that can live on its own, but connected with an overarching story.

The detail was amazing! The show was good and stuck to the book but the book was better! It offered more background info.

Overall I enjoyed reading Lovecraft Country, more a series of connected vignettes than a cohesive narrative, however I couldn't help but feel that the voices of the black characters were lacking in some authenticity. It's expected that authors will speak through a variety of characters with life experiences wholly unlike the authors', but I still couldn't shake the slight flavor of appropriation while reading.

Having watched the series on HBO first, I still found this an intriguing read. Less overtly horror-y, with several major changes in plot and character, it kept me invested even though I knew the broad strokes outline of the action.

Eldritch terrors meet Jim Crow horror in this novel that confronts the ugly racism of so much fantasy and horror, bringing Lovecraft kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Throw in a few laugh-out-loud sarcastic backhands at random bits of ignorance and you have a great novel.

This is a weird book to review. I liked the book, but the show was better. I feel like there would be too many spoilers if I tell you why the show was better than the book. Not really a turn off for me, but the novel is nonlinear and there are a few noticeable differences from the show with plots and characters. I'd still recommend reading the book if you liked the show.

It's different from the HBO series, and significantly enough that I'd consider the two as separate entities. There are several points in the book that aren't present in the series and vice versa. Nonetheless, it was an interesting read. Artistically, I think I prefer the series, to a point. I'm glad I read this to sort of round things out with the other characters in the narrative.

This is one of those rare cases where I like the show more than the book. Which is not to say the book isn't good, but rather I found the characters and their relationships to be more complex in the show. The book, however, makes the magic and its workings far more understandable. I gladly recommend both.

Why, oh why did I wait so long to read this book!? The TV series prompted me to finally pick it up. But this is even better than the show. Great characters, great stories, fascinating (and infuriating) historical context. Read this book!
[Audiobook note: Listen to this book! Kevin Kenerly is a great narrator!]

I started reading this after we watched the HBO series, and while it's only 4 episodes, I do think this is one of the adaptations that builds on the source material in a good way. I think that's because the adaption becomes an #ownvoices story, with Black creators adding nuance and depth to some already solid characters. Ruff does a decent job, as an example of writing outside your experiences because you do the homework to back it up. It does feel a little "I learned about X, gotta mention it", but what this novel does well is combining real life horrors with creeping pulpy horror. The chapters feel like issues of a comic book following different characters, though there is an overarching story.

Really solid read, and good addition to a 2020 reading list if you want to add fiction to your nonfiction.

This horror/fantasy novel contains 8 interconnected stories that revolve around the Black Korean War veteran Atticus Turner and his family and friends in Chicago.  Atticus and company find themselves in conflict with a secret society of sorcerers known as The Order of the Ancient Dawn and the machinations of a white man named Caleb Braithwhite.  The characters in this story experience horrors that include a haunted house (with a chess-playing ghost), a portal to another planet, a potion that turns a Black woman into a white woman, and a devilish doll.  But the real horrors are the constant threats to the life and safety of Black people in Jim Crow America.

I haven't ever read any of the works of H.P. Lovecraft, so I'm probably missing out on nuance and references, but this is an entertaining and historically-formed collection of stories.  I've also learned that Lovecraft was horribly racist so the connection of Lovecraftian horrors to white supremacist terror seems appropriate. 

Set in Chicago in the 1950s and centering on a Black family who publish the "Safe Negro Travel Guide" to help motorists navigate the deadly boundaries of America's segregated landscape, this collection of interconnected horror stories will captivate the reader. Fans of H.P. Lovecraft will find much to appreciate without all the racist baggage of that deeply problematic figure.

At the heart of the family is Atticus, a frustrated veteran who's about to discover in a very unpleasant way that he's descended from a powerful family of warlocks and is now the focus of nefarious cult called the Adamite Order of the Ancient Dawn. By making it out of this encounter alive, Atticus and his family are put on a trajectory where they will find themselves drawn into more and more supernatural situations until they must decide to take drastic action to gain control of their lives again.

This book should be savored. The author is interested in fantastic horror as well as the real-life horrors of racism. Many monstrous phantoms make an appearance along with more traditional ghosts and goblins. A truly unique and original addition to the genre.

Three things, right off the top.

First, ignore that whole "novel" proclamation on the cover of this book. It's a collection of tightly interconnected stories, but it ain't a novel.

Second, for the most part, you can ignore the Lovecraft thing, too. It's only tangentially connected to Lovecraft by the most gossamer of threads.

Third, who gives a shit if it's a novel or a collection, or if it's Lovecraft or not? This thing was awesome.

I've never read any Matt Ruff before, but that's seriously gotta change. Ruff's got a great style of writing, his characters are very real, and his imagination is second to none. I was constantly astounded by the situations and plot devices he busted out.

I honestly loved every thing about this book.

4.5/5 stars.
Lovecraft Country was one of those books I always meant to read but never got around to doing so. I love revisionist takes on old genres, especially ones that bring something new to the table. In Lovecraft Country’s case, that was prioritizing the stories of Black Americans by placing Black characters as the leads in various genres that have often underserved them. But I just never got around to reading the book. Until now. In light of the imminent premiere of HBO’s adaptation of the book, it seemed exactly the right time to finally read it. And, man, I’m so glad I finally did. I really wish I’d done so earlier. Reading Lovecraft Country is like watching a season of a great show contains elements of serialized and episodic storytelling. There is an overarching narrative at play, but each story stands alone while being wholly entertaining, quite frightening, and extremely poignant.

Boiled down to its simplest elements, Lovecraft Country is about Atticus Turner and his family and friends who, through a series of unfortunate and supernatural events, find themselves in the middle of a brewing turf war between various lodges of an ancient order of “natural philosophers” (aka magicians). However, this narrative plays out primarily in the background, with only a few of the novel’s eight stories directly furthering that plot. Instead, the bulk of the book features a collection of mostly standalone stories, loosely connected to the central plot. Each story follows a different character (though most characters appear in multiple stories, just not as the focal point), through the lenses of various pulp genres, as they get sucked further into this weird world. It’s an eclectic way to tell the story, but it’s one that ended up working better than I thought it would.

As I finished the first story of Lovecraft Country, I felt a bit disappointed. I tend to prefer books where the story is told linearly throughout the novel’s page count. Short stories are neat, but I much prefer the character development and world-building that a novel can bring to a narrative. However, as I got into the book’s second story, it quickly became apparent that Lovecraft Country wasn’t just a collection of stories that were related only by theme, but a collection of stories that were connected by a plot - in much the same way as many genre TV shows are executed. With each story, I got to delve into the minds of these characters I’d become invested with. I got to see each of them be the star of a story, with each story’s atmosphere tailored to that character’s personality and backstory. It’s easy to see these characters grow and change in the wake of what they experience throughout the novel and it’s nice to get to jump between various points as the story goes on. At the same time, I got to see the novel’s world expand, with each story exploring a new facet of this supernatural universe. There were rules and stakes that became clear as the novel progressed and having different sections of the story devoted to specific parts of the world proved a particularly effective way to explore this world.

It’s impressive how well these seemingly disconnected stories end up building to the novel’s climax. Each story has its own feeling, being inspired by, and written in, the style of different pulp stories. Lovecraft Country has something for all genre fans; there are heists, ghost stories, space stories, secret societies, terrifying monsters, and all kinds of fun, supernatural ilk. But they are all connected by this ancient order - and by one member, in particular. At first, the connections seem to be loose, feeling more like Easter eggs than pieces of an ongoing story. But about halfway through the book, it becomes very clear that all of these short stories are actually connected in a much deeper, meaningful way, and that connection is what fuels the momentum for the novel’s second half. Ruff’s no-frills prose helps keep the tension high, allowing each story’s atmosphere and character development to do much of the heavy lifting. Even if you don’t love short story collections, Lovecraft Country manages to capture the best elements of short stories and novels and is beyond enjoyable.

Obviously, race plays a big part in the story - in ways you might expect, and in ways you might not. There’s the expected kind: the book is set in America during the 1950s. Much of the country is still segregated, with Jim Crow Laws still in effect (or the remnants of them still heavily felt) throughout the South. And even in the more “progressive” parts of the country, life still ain’t swell for Black citizens. Large chunks of the book deal with this. The characters are faced with racist law enforcement, racist citizens, and even racist societal standards. It’s haunting, partially in the context of how little we seem to have advanced from that. For these characters, horror is a part of their daily lives. If they already live in fear, why should the supernatural be much scarier? Lovecraft Country also tackles race in a more meta way: by examining both the racism of the novel’s namesake, H.P. Lovecraft, and the racism found throughout many pulp genres over the years. Multiple characters are fans of science fiction, as a genre, and choose to overlook some of the various authors’ less-than-stellar views because they want to imagine themselves as the heroes of the stories. Lovecraft Country, as a sort of commentary, takes these characters and subsequently places them in the center of science fiction and other pulpy stories. There’s a sort of karmic justice seeing the work of a renowned racist influence transformed into this story about the very people he hated so much. Ruff does a surprisingly good job with these elements - a lot of care and effort was clearly put into ensuring the novel did justice to the very real injustices suffered by Black Americans in the past (and in the present). It can sometimes make for a dark, upsetting read but I feel Ruff was able to find a balance between these darker themes and the lighter pulp ones.

At the end of the day, I thoroughly enjoyed Lovecraft Country. The stories are simultaneously varied and interconnected. As you get further and further into the book, it becomes clearer and clearer just how connected these seemingly disparate tales are. But the true joy of the stories is how well they standalone. Each story perfectly captures the genre being emulated while deftly exploring whichever character is leading the story. And with such variety, there’s easily a story for everyone in Lovecraft Country. As for the plot itself, it’s every bit as interesting as those contained within the various shorts. I appreciated the mixture of horrors - both supernatural and human - and, while it’s unfortunate that this is still the case, it’s so refreshing seeing mainstream genre stories revolving around non-white characters. Having read the book, I’m even more excited for the TV adaptation. If you haven’t read the book and you like any pulpy genres, you should really give Lovecraft Country a shot.

I was late to the party on this one. I saw advertisements for the HBO series prior to its release and knew I’d check the show out on the strength of who was connected to it. I was not, however, committed to reading the book until I actually saw the first episode. Now I’m pretty invested.Lovecraft Country is centered on Atticus, a young Chicago native who’s returning from military service at the request of his father, Montrose. Montrose has long been obsessed with understanding the family history of Atticus’ late mother. Things take an odd turn when Montrose sends a letter that compels Atticus to meet him in Ardham, Massachusetts. It’s the heart of Lovecraft Country, a literary world made famous by the author of the same name. It’s filled with evil creatures, but Atticus finds that not all monsters are figments of imagination.What struck me most about this book is how deeply it looks at racism in America. Some examples are glaring — sundown town, anyone — but many are insidious, like the lies than are easily told about “the help” that cost them their livelihoods. There are also elements of sexism, classism, and colorism that arise for different characters. That’s what I found most compelling here; I’m not generally into historical fiction because I like suspension of disbelief. The state of the world right now does not make Lovecraft Country like this a place of respite. Instead, it’s a harsh reminder. With this book, the racism and white privilege served as character in itself.I am not shocked that the book is better than its television counterpart. The story is robust and creative in ways I didn’t know I’d enjoy. I was most struck by different elements of science fiction that were centered in each chapter. Space travel, spells of protection, possession, magic potions, and the like. You name it, it’s here. I loved being able to get a little bit of all those elements, then seeing how they worked together across the book.Lovecraft Country is almost like a series of novellas within a book. It comprises chapters that have a different character at the center, but each chapter builds on those previous. I enjoyed that each character had the chance to be the center of attention, even the women. To that end, no character felt like an afterthought because the book laid bare how they were integral to the ultimate resolution.As someone who’s new to Lovecraft fiction, I wasn’t sure what I’d get. I expected more gore and horror. What I got was more suspense and fantasy and social critique all in one. I found it hard to put down and am eager to explore the genre. The verdict is still out on how it will compare to the full series, but I’ll be watching and comparing along the way.

Very well written fantasy horror cycling effectively through the various pulp tropes of the same, with memorable characters (I particularly love Montrose Turner), assembled with an interesting in-between feel of both being a mosaic novel and a regular one, and where the the 1950s USA brand of the horrors of racism is appropriately omnipresent without getting preachy or repetitive.

This is a creative twist on discussing the Green Book, sundown counties, and other horrors of Jim Crow America. I was prepared for a bit more oogly boogly nonsense, but this is a solidly inventive novel. I cannot wait to see Jordan Peele bring this to life!

I love books that blend genres surprisingly. With richly portrayed characters and a real feel of both fantastical magic, and the more frightening and bitter horror of racism, the historical setting adds an uneasy depth that’s all too realistic. My one criticism is that I felt a little detached from the true cruelty of the era, and would have liked more emotional insight to the characters’ feelings; saying that, it’s all too easy to fill in the blanks. The book is easy to read in a series of individual but linked stories with a noir pulp feel running through them. (Side note: the book is not the same as the series, with a subtle tone down of the magic and mayhem, and with less blatant sex.)

These interconnected stories begin in the late 1950s, when Atticus Turner receives a letter from his estranged father, Montrose, who has been invited to search an old manor house in Ardham, Massachusetts, to learn more about his wife’s family. Atticus heads to Chicago only to discover that his father has disappeared. He convinces his Uncle George and a childhood friend, Letitia Dandrige, to travel to Ardham in search of Montrose. Along the way, they encounter strange and archaic rituals and fight bizarre creatures straight out of a Lovecraft story as well as another type of monster fueled by the racism entrenched in the Jim Crow era.

This book does a wonderful job of weaving the supernatural monsters into the racial tensions of the time and the real-life, everyday monsters that walk around out in the open.

This was good. Some pretty good action. Very weird magic. Never knew what was coming around the corner.

Different than the TV show and not quite as good but still worth the read I think. I liked it a lot.

It's on an interesting line of magical realism and urban fantasy.

Lovecraft County by Matt Ruff is set in the time of the Jim Crow deepest times. We follow a couple of black families and through their adventures we as readers experience the horrors of that time. There is magic, spells, warlocks, and more included which make up most of the adventure. Other adventures have horrors of the redneck kind. Mixing the monsters of both worlds, and beyond, really works! This author made it a page turned, unforgettable, and entertaining. Totally loved it. I can see why it was on HBO, too bad I don't have HBO!

Matt Ruff has taken a long, hard look at what life was like for African Americans in the early 1950s and reimagined it as horror fiction written by the master, H.P. Lovecraft. All the main elements of traditional horror are here — haunted houses, spells, magic wands, ancient incantations, secret societies — but in the end, they all pale before the genuine horror of Jim Crow. Many of the elements of the book feel ‘borrowed’ — for example, quite a bit revolves around a story much like the one told in the film ‘Green Book’. One of the stories reminded me of Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’. And of course Lovecraft himself inspires it all.

This is a set of stories set in a Lovecraftian world of dark magic and eldritch horrors, except with the added horror of racism - the characters are all Black, and have to deal with the mundane horrors of being pulled over by cops in the middle of the night on top of the horrors of evil magicians.

I stopped reading this about halfway through. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really hold my interest because it is a group of loosely-connected stories and I didn't feel like there was an over-arching plot. I probably would have finished it if there weren't a TV series, but I read enough to get the general idea and I'll see how it ends by watching the series (even though I know the book is better).

In the 1950s, Atticus Turner, his uncle George, and his friend Letitia travel into the darkest depths of Massachusetts to find what happened to Atticus' father Montrose, who disappeared and left behind a mysterious note. They arrive at a mansion in the midst of a meeting of white "philosophers", intent on discovering the secrets of the universe. They rescue Montrose and race home, but the mystical society of white men will follow them back home to Chicago, and will continue to affect each of them in unusual and mysterious ways.

This book, both in story and in format, was so much fun. The beginning section seems like the start to a straightforward novel, but the middle section is a series of short stories. Each member of the family is the main character of a different, but intertwined, fantastical short story similar to Lovecraft or Ray Bradbury. There's time travel, monsters, ghosts, everything! It's perfect! The ending brings all the characters back again to wrap up like a novel, but I found that kind of disappointing after the delight of the stories.

Highly, highly recommended.

The stories, the characters, the history and the symbolism are all great. The writing style bogged me down a bit - it seems too simple, or surfacey, and I would often lose focus while reading. It makes total sense to me that this was originally developed as a TV series, and I really think it will fare better that way. (I'm thrilled Jordan Peele is involved in the adaptation, as well.)

Matt Ruff impresses me yet again. This time, he's written a lovecraftian, sci-fi story starring/from the perspective of a black family in the 50s. Racial tensions are extremely high, and Ruff manages to offer the black perspective without coming across as preachy. I was just very impressed with his character-building. The sci-fi/Lovecraft story is also interesting, with secret societies and evil intentions at its core. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone to whom that description appeals. I know some people hate sci-fi/Lovecraft type books... you are probably not the intended audience. But for everyone else, quite an impressive feat.