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Post by wireman on Jul 7, 2021 12:31:04 GMT
Today we will discuss The Alchemist by HP Lovecraft
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Post by edwardjohn on Jul 7, 2021 16:00:49 GMT
Love this story. Anything Lovecraft is awesome. I love his attention to detail regarding the fictional history of the castle and the family which owns it from medieval France to the then present day. I think the story was at its best when it was detailing the origins of the curse and the aftermath of it. That, alone, would have made an awesome story, but here, as with most great writers, its simply a part of a grander narrative. The twist at the end is awesome, the revelation that the mad alchemist has kept himself alive in order to ensure that the curse remains is incredibly terrifying and brilliant storytelling. There's a lot of themes here which will be further developed by HP as his writing career continued. Fear is a big one. The fear of the family regarding this curse is more than present, the fear of the unknown. And this fear of the unknown, otherworldly entity will manifest itself in the Cthulu mythos with great effect.
There's a real argument to be made that HP Lovecraft is the greatest horror author of all time, not simply the greatest American horror author, that is how great I believe his work to be.
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Post by wireman on Jul 7, 2021 18:26:36 GMT
Love this story. Anything Lovecraft is awesome. I love his attention to detail regarding the fictional history of the castle and the family which owns it from medieval France to the then present day. I think the story was at its best when it was detailing the origins of the curse and the aftermath of it. That, alone, would have made an awesome story, but here, as with most great writers, its simply a part of a grander narrative. The twist at the end is awesome, the revelation that the mad alchemist has kept himself alive in order to ensure that the curse remains is incredibly terrifying and brilliant storytelling. There's a lot of themes here which will be further developed by HP as his writing career continued. Fear is a big one. The fear of the family regarding this curse is more than present, the fear of the unknown. And this fear of the unknown, otherworldly entity will manifest itself in the Cthulu mythos with great effect.
There's a real argument to be made that HP Lovecraft is the greatest horror author of all time, not simply the greatest American horror author, that is how great I believe his work to be. And now the BOC song makes sense to me.
It is a great story. He really was a brilliant storyteller. I can't add much to the good points you made but the description of the Chateau in the first two paragraphs is remarkable. I thought this passage was extraordinary the way he combines describing the Chateau with the fate of the family.
But since those glorious years, all is changed. A poverty but little above the level of dire want, together with a pride of name that forbids its alleviation by the pursuits of commercial life, have prevented the scions of our line from maintaining their estates in pristine splendour; and the falling stones of the walls, the overgrown vegetation in the parks, the dry and dusty moat, the ill-paved courtyards, and toppling towers without, as well as the sagging floors, the worm-eaten wainscots, and the faded tapestries within, all tell a gloomy tale of fallen grandeur.
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Post by edwardjohn on Jul 7, 2021 19:28:12 GMT
Love this story. Anything Lovecraft is awesome. I love his attention to detail regarding the fictional history of the castle and the family which owns it from medieval France to the then present day. I think the story was at its best when it was detailing the origins of the curse and the aftermath of it. That, alone, would have made an awesome story, but here, as with most great writers, its simply a part of a grander narrative. The twist at the end is awesome, the revelation that the mad alchemist has kept himself alive in order to ensure that the curse remains is incredibly terrifying and brilliant storytelling. There's a lot of themes here which will be further developed by HP as his writing career continued. Fear is a big one. The fear of the family regarding this curse is more than present, the fear of the unknown. And this fear of the unknown, otherworldly entity will manifest itself in the Cthulu mythos with great effect.
There's a real argument to be made that HP Lovecraft is the greatest horror author of all time, not simply the greatest American horror author, that is how great I believe his work to be. And now the BOC song makes sense to me.
It is a great story. He really was a brilliant storyteller. I can't add much to the good points you made but the description of the Chateau in the first two paragraphs is remarkable. I thought this passage was extraordinary the way he combines describing the Chateau with the fate of the family.
But since those glorious years, all is changed. A poverty but little above the level of dire want, together with a pride of name that forbids its alleviation by the pursuits of commercial life, have prevented the scions of our line from maintaining their estates in pristine splendour; and the falling stones of the walls, the overgrown vegetation in the parks, the dry and dusty moat, the ill-paved courtyards, and toppling towers without, as well as the sagging floors, the worm-eaten wainscots, and the faded tapestries within, all tell a gloomy tale of fallen grandeur.
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Post by spideyman on Jul 7, 2021 22:25:22 GMT
The way this story was told was intriguing.The imagery was the main focus in my mind and the wording set the mood. Was a very enjoyable story.(good distraction while Elsa passed over)
Excellent observations wireman and edwardjohn.
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Post by wireman on Jul 8, 2021 12:27:47 GMT
Discussion for next Wed
Mallon The Guru by Peter Straub from Interior Darkness
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Post by wolf on Oct 23, 2021 20:53:54 GMT
....um....guys?
I know y'all have plans for other things to read coming up,
but I came across this today. It's just a suggestion for future reference. 
Putting it here ('cause I don't know where else to put it right now 🙄)
just in case y'all get back to Lovecraft's crafts again sometime. 😊
...I'll look around see if I can find a suitable link for the written word too.😊...
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Post by edwardjohn on Oct 24, 2021 14:51:10 GMT
....um....guys?
I know y'all have plans for other things to read coming up,
but I came across this today. It's just a suggestion for future reference. 
Putting it here ('cause I don't know where else to put it right now 🙄)
just in case y'all get back to Lovecraft's crafts again sometime. 😊
...I'll look around see if I can find a suitable link for the written word too.😊...
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