Eldritch Tales

In this companion piece to the classic NECRONOMICON, an ensemble cast proves that Lovecraft's fantastically unusual scenarios and grim elegance of phrasing work best when read aloud. All the narrators bring their own interpretations to these tales, and the collection is strengthened by the diversity of their approaches. The works are frequently complex, often jarring, and profoundly surreal, and the variation of tone, pacing, and voices helps to keep listeners engaged, while the narrators themselves provide vivid characterizations with chilling stoicism. Some narrators choose an atmospheric world-building technique; others favor a direct realism-based strategy. While their storytelling tactics may differ, each narrator's delivery contains a clarity and comprehension that serve to make these pieces accessible and engrossing for listeners. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

April 15, 2014
Unlike other adapters of Lovecraft's works, Blackstone has elected to use existing print editions. What is more unusual is that these collections derive from different series released by different publishers. These are also not T.S. Joshi texts, which are generally considered definitive, and this is not the series for anyone looking to compile a complete set of the works of Lovecraft with little overlap among titles. The stories and poems here are a selection of the author's lesser-known pieces, and the quality ranges wildly, including fragments never meant for publication along with poetry and an essay. Most are examples of Lovecraft's signature weird fiction and horror, but a couple of his satirical works are also included. The readings are impeccable, with narrators, such as Simon Vance, Simon Prebble, and Stefan Rudnicki, appropriate to the feel of each story. The collection also includes Lovecraft's famous essay "Supernatural Horror in Literature," which details his opinions on supernatural writings throughout history and provides a useful reading list of authors less frequently read in the modern era. However, it feels out of place in a fiction collection, especially in audio format. VERDICT This audiobook is uneven. The stories are nonessential though beautifully rendered, while the essay is significant but in a poor format for study and mismatched with the fiction. Ultimately, an optional purchase.--Tristan M. Boyd, Westbank Community Lib., Austin, TX

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