Lovecraft Country

A Novel

De: Matt Ruff

Narrado por: Kevin Kenerly

Now an HBO® series from J.J. Abrams (executive producer of Westworld), Misha Green (creator of Underground), and Jordan Peele (director of Get Out and Us), this brilliant and imaginative novel by critically acclaimed author Matt Ruff makes visceral the terrors of Jim Crow America, melding historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror.

Chicago, 1954. When his father Montrose goes missing, 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his Uncle George—publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide—and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite—heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors—they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours.

A chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two black families, Lovecraft Country is a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism—the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today.

©2021 Matt Ruff (P)2020 HarperAudio

Absolutely AmaIng!

This has now become one of my favorite listens! Considering I have nearly 900 audiobooks, this is high praise! It definitely hits home hearing how bad it was during my grandparents’ lifetimes, however it made the book very real to me considering it involves magic.

Loved this!!!

Although I was initially introduced to the title when it came on HBO as a series, I loved hearing the original story as an audiobook and am so glad that I purchased it. I definitely recommend this novel!

Great read; such a unique story

Many reviewers seem to get hung up on the "Lovecraft" word in the title. I think this story is in the theme of a Lovecraft type universe. It is not exactly a Lovecraft story, but I think that this is a good thing not a bad thing.

Taking science fiction and mysticism but from a different perspective of 1950-60s race environment provided a new experience for me. The characters have different priorities and fears and dreams that drive a completely different story. The individual stories are good enough but I think the really shining aspect of this book is how the individual stories weave together and build a longer arc.

Weird and awesome

At first it feels like each chapter is an episode of a show that is unrelated but it all ties back together quite well.

Great story

The story is well written and has great characters. The narrator does a good job as well

Well worth the read (or I guess listen!)

The overall story was very good. The first segment is a little slow, but I feel that may be the case with every story. After that it’s fairly easy to get into. The use of multiple characters and their side stories really helped pull the overall story together well.

Humility and Devine Subjugation

Written in the voice and style of the master. I felt as though Lovecraft himself must be channeling through the author. It’s rare to find a writer willing to subjugate his own ego in order to live up to a promise, To wit; to give the reader a rendition of stories and themes written in the posthumous voice of another. The author does not impose his rhetoric and style over genius, but joins us for the ride. He is a companion and guide through “Lovecraft Country.

Only an author secure in his own mastery can bring us stories that weave the voices of two and meld them so subtly that one never overpowers the other. Lovecraft chose his moderator well, Matt Ruff is truly the progeny of the master, and Kevin Kenerly, his voice.

I Didn’t Want To Love It…but I Did

I literally just finished this book. I liked it, but! It wasn’t what it was portrayed to me to be. I expected so much more scientific fantasy than what I actually got. I also have the bear in mind that I read the book after I saw the show. Which, I’ve watched the show and it’s entirety three times now. A few things that thoroughly did me in. Ruby! I love Ruby. I appreciate the ending for her to an extent. It must be noted that she isn’t tethered to reality and will have a hard fall when the time comes. I wished for Atticus and Letitia to have had a better ending…more like the show. I love that Hippolyta was much stronger than the show gave her credit for. Why do they always change the kids? Ugh. Overall….great book.

Very entertaining listen!

This was recommended to me by a friend. Glad I actually listened to them. It’s a great book, I highly recommend

Great read

This would have been kinda difficult to follow if I hadn't seen the series. It would have at least been hard to place the characters, but I highly enjoyed it. Like another reviewer said, this ending was better than the HBO series.