Orlion reviewed Cthulhu Mythos by August Derleth
Review of 'Cthulhu Mythos' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Huh, I thought I had written a review for this. In any case, it will be brief. Each of these stories are the same. That is really all. The last five stories (The Trail of Cthulu) was pretty interesting. The Derleth take on the Mythos is also interesting (the 'good vs. evil' vibe is not too distracting except for one case in one story where Derleth masterfully built up to a cosmic boxing match between Hastur and Cthulhu only to have them thrown to their respective realms by a giant being of light).
Derleth, though a good writer, is ultimately a formulaic writer. And it shows... it shows for some 500 odd pages. From the Windwalker constantly kidnapping people to the diabolical inhabitants of Innsmouth, plotting, not trusting a stranger who just so happens to be one of them anyway...
Argh... what I'm saying is Derleth's Mythos are best savoured …
Huh, I thought I had written a review for this. In any case, it will be brief. Each of these stories are the same. That is really all. The last five stories (The Trail of Cthulu) was pretty interesting. The Derleth take on the Mythos is also interesting (the 'good vs. evil' vibe is not too distracting except for one case in one story where Derleth masterfully built up to a cosmic boxing match between Hastur and Cthulhu only to have them thrown to their respective realms by a giant being of light).
Derleth, though a good writer, is ultimately a formulaic writer. And it shows... it shows for some 500 odd pages. From the Windwalker constantly kidnapping people to the diabolical inhabitants of Innsmouth, plotting, not trusting a stranger who just so happens to be one of them anyway...
Argh... what I'm saying is Derleth's Mythos are best savoured in small bits and pieces. He just did not have the imagination that Lovecraft did to write extensively in the Lovecraftian universe. So, if you enjoy reading one or two good ideas over...and over... again, this book is for you!