The Horror in the Museum

July 13, 2010 | By In Movie |

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5 Comments so far

  1. E. David Swan on July 13th, 2010

    It arrived in a box. The plain brown cardboard exterior of the oblong container gave little indication as to the contents within. The only visible evidence was a curved black arrow marking its origin as Amazon. Curiosity took hold of my hand and with one deft slash with the edge of a key I sliced through the tape binding the upper flaps. Pulling them apart like the doors of an ancient mausoleum I viewed within a smallish translucent pillow that held in place a curious object of modest dimensions. Withdrawing it from its secure placement I beheld a book inscribed in large bold letters the name H.P. Lovecraft.

    Four times prior I delved into the darkness of Lovecraft and four times I left pleased with my investment but on this occasion a growing sense of dread crept over me as I turned page after page. `The Horror in the Museum’ was different from those prior encounters. This was an unspeakable nightmare, a grotesque mockery. As I read the stilted dialogue and bland endings I could no longer fully contain my revulsion and uttered a gasp. What had Del Ray wrought upon Lovecraft fans? These twisted perversions of writing contained tales that ceaselessly and remorselessly disappointed. Stories that should have remained hidden beneath the sands of time, buried by their own mediocrity, now were unearthed in a naked attempt to capitalize on the money drawing power of Lovecraft. What blasphemy to apply the name of the great writer to this collection of lackluster tales.

    The days have grown cold and the nights long. The ancient names haunt my dreams, Hazel… Zealia… Berkeley… Castro. My quest for knowledge has cost me much. Hours of my time and $11.53 but in the end I learned but one painful lesson. These stories were not written by H.P. Lovecraft.
    Rating: 2 / 5

  2. Richard Moore on July 13th, 2010

    HP Lovecraft was a terrific writer of horror and was editor of Weird Tales 1920-30s and his stories are still popular today. Along with Robert E. Howard (My favorite), and Clark Ashton Smith, these three writers comprised the bulk of innovative talent of Weird Tales. This book has stories that HP Lovecraft had a hand in writing,editing and some his own. The creepiest story is Winged Death by Hazel Heald. It’s about a man who is pestered by a weird looking fly with blue color wings. This story is scary as Robert E. Howard’s Pigeons From Hell! Another creepy story in this book is The Man of Stone also by Hazel Heald. This lady had a terrific weird, creepy, and horrific imagination. I’m going to do some research on her and get some of her books. Highly recommend Robert E. Howard stories such as: Conan, Kull, Solomon Kane, Lord of Samarcand (Oriental), Bran Mak Morn, Best of REH I & II, Blood & Thunder, The Life & Art of REH by Mark Finn, The Last of the Trunk by Paul Herman, One Who Walked Alone by Novalyne Price who was REH’s girlfriend, The Dark Barbarian & The Barbaric Triumph by Don Herron, Two-Gun Bob, and all of the Weird Tales by Paul Herman, etc. If you’ve never read one of these stories you’re in for a real treat – My favorites are The Black River, Red Nails, and Rogues in the House of REH. If you haven’t read any of REH’s stories you’re in for a treat! My favorites: Beyond The Black River, Red Nails, and Rogues in the House.
    Rating: 5 / 5

  3. Edward on July 13th, 2010

    I never have cared for these stories simply because they are a lesser breed than those of the master. They rank with all the pastiches of the Lovecraft cannon. But they are a curiosity and for any HPL completist they are essential. They just aren’t riveting.
    Rating: 3 / 5

  4. Anonymous on July 13th, 2010

    I’m not sure how much input Lovecraft had in these stories as Carrol & Graf give absolutely no information regarding where the revisions are. Two writers (represented by 5 stories) Hazel Heald and Zealia Bishop really do show some talent, but they are at their best when they are not doing Lovecraftian-style writing. I guess I got spoiled by “The Annotated Lovecraft”, edited by S.T. Joshi. There is no lack of info. in that book, (merely a lack of stories).
    Rating: 3 / 5

  5. Anonymous on July 13th, 2010

    When i bought the book, it cost me a lot,but it’s worth it.
    It’s so good that if you read it on the night you will not sleep or you will dream about it.
    Rating: 5 / 5

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