https://padlet.com/ecarty5/4dus7hepqix23h7a by H.P. Lovecraft en-us 2022-04-14 15:29:53 UTC 2022-04-14 16:50:50 UTC hello@padlet.com ecarty5 https://padlet.com/ecarty5/4dus7hepqix23h7a/wish/2144046154 ***** (5 stars)

H.P. Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth is undoubtedly one of the most influential pieces of literature for the horror genre. Few stories are able to capture cosmic horror so well, and Lovecraft achieved this feat with a short novella.

The story is told by a student touring Massachusetts, who was drawn to Innsmouth from the rumors of people in surrounding areas. There's nothing outright wrong with the town, but its citizens have a strange appearance and demeanor. Eventually, he finds a terrifying truth of the town and must come to terms with it.

The tale starts with the narrator telling the reader that the federal government exacted a classified investigation of Innsmouth before, which reportedly resulted in violence and multiple arrests. However, there is little documentation of prisoners or casualties. Additionally, strange pieces of jewelry not seen anywhere else in the world has reportedly came from Innsmouth.

The first half of the book is much like this —either the narrator or somebody he is talking to setting up the atmosphere by lecturing. For some, including myself, this was a very interesting read. However, most stories in the present have a much faster pace, so I can see how somebody may not enjoy the first half of the story.

Therefore, I do reccomend this story to the students in supernatural literature. Most "supernatural" stories incorporate themes of monsters or fairy tales. However, The Shadow Over Innsmouth adheres to the definition of the word — unknowable forces beyond understanding. Futhermore, you must come in a little open-minded and ready to read through old language and lectures. The second half of the story delivers a massive payoff, and leads one to read H.P. Lovecraft's other short stories, which take place in the same universe.]]> 2022-04-14 15:46:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ecarty5/4dus7hepqix23h7a/wish/2144046154