This was a very exciting book for me, mainly because this is the first book I checked out curbside pickup from the library in the middle of a pandemic. WOW! A return to normalcy of some form is much appreciated as we now enter month seven of quarantine.
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor Lavalle was also a recommendation for a monthly book club, and I immediately was excited to dive into a horror novella. Horror is my thing. Novellas are the perfect time commitment. Win-win. The only thing I knew about the book was that it was a twist on a famous H.P. Lovecraft story “The Horror at Red Hook” and it was published by Tor.com, a great lit pub that generally promotes work I like. So, with that in mind, let’s dive in!
In One Sentence: A burgeoning cult leader and seasoned detective are overpowered by a man (and cosmic force) which society had forgotten.
Favorite Line: “What was indifference compared to malice? Indifference would be such a relief.” – p. 66
Review: I will admit I know nothing, and still know very little, about H.P. Lovecraft. For context on the novella, I did read the summary of the original story and often referred back to it to see if I could have a better understanding. Overall, I discovered that the general premise of Lovecraftian horror, with its emphasis on the cosmic unknown, is not a genre I fully appreciate. There is just something about writing about humanity’s insignificance that makes the stakes seem low. Though, I do like the author’s ability to create a new layer of conversation to existing material. This is one of my favorite ways to use a loose adaptation; to show a response and growth from societal stereotypes. The world and character-building are all successful, and I loved the pacing. We quickly moved through the story and still got enough information to know what was going on, without always seeing the full picture of that great, cosmic unknown. So, do I recommend it? For better or worse, this is a novella that is only fully appreciated with deeper dives into Lovecraft as well as the Supreme Alphabet, created by the Five-Percent Nation in the 1960s… which is a whole other terrain to investigate. Once I learned more about this connection, I ended up down a literary and musical wormhole that I’ve yet to get out of. There is a LOT MORE going on in this novella than even the author reveals in interviews. This book is for those interested and curious in the cosmic unknown because it definitely expands beyond typical Lovecraft theories. If you don’t quite have the time, this may not be the novella to speed through.
The Book Would End A Lot Sooner If: Tom never got invited to the cult party.
Spotlight on the Publisher: Tor.com
Tor.com is an online magazine and community site that covers science fiction, fantasy, and all the many related subjects that interest us as readers.
They regularly publish new original short fiction from voices both new and legendary (and on very special occasions, both at once), as well as daily commentary on science fiction, fantasy, and related subjects from a wide range of writers from all corners of the field. Their aim is to explore, encourage, and enable interesting and rewarding conversations with and between readers.
I love that this book was published by Tor.com, a unique digital pub turned publisher and an advocate for indie publishings and bookstores. Check out their website for quick bites of short form sci-fi and fantasy!
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