American Writers (One Hundred Pages at a Time)

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 5: Episode 24: The Very Old Folk

After a long wait, I am finally looking at "The Very Old Folk", the published version of Lovecraft's dream of ancient Rome. It hits many of the themes Lovecraft was interested in at this time of his career, especially vernacular traditions and their dangers.

Episode 452: Henry James: The Europeans

In this short comedic novel, THE EUROPEANS, Henry James follows two Europeans-a soon to be divorced woman seeking a new start and a free-spirited young man--in their encounters with a wealthy American family. Decent entertainment.

H.P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 5: Episode 23: The Dunwich Horror (2)

The second part of my review of "The Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft. What is the danger of ignoring the backcountry? What is the blowback to burying the horrible things deep? I think this story gives some of Lovecraft's answers.

Episode 450:Henry James: The American (3)

Part three and finale of my review of THE AMERICAN by Henry James. It is a highly recommended novel with some real drama and wonderful character growth. Our hero becomes an American while confronting European aristocratic culture.

Episode 449: Henry James: The American(2)

Part two of my review of THE AMERICAN by Henry James. For much of the middle part of this novel, the hero pursues his courtship with a French aristocrat while learning more of the gap between his world and that of the woman he hopes to marry.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 5: Episode 22: The Dunwich Horror (1)

"The Dunwich Horror" is another of my favorite H. P. Lovecraft tales that has a bit of everything; intentional amnesia, folklore, outer gods, body horror, class tensions, and the geography of horror. Part one of my analysis.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 5: Episode 21: The Color Out of Space

"The Color Out of Space" was Lovecraft's favorite story and it is indeed one of his best. The combination of body horror, science, and classic Lovecraftian themes makes for a fascinating, if bleak tale.

Episode 448:Henry James: The American (1)

Part one of my review of THE AMERICAN by Henry James. It is by far my favorite of the five early novels I will look at in this series. It explores the attempt of a rich American to court a French widow from an aristocratic family.

Episode 447: Henry James: Roderick Hudson (3)

Part three of my review of RODERICK HUDSON by Henry James. It is his first strong novel but a bit repetitive and banal in the end. I guess the lesson is Americans should stay away from Europe.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club: Series 5: Episode 20: The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (Finale)

The final part of my review of THE CASE OF CHARLES DEXTER WARD by H. P. Lovecraft. The final chapter is an epic story of the conscious eradication of memory.

H. P. Lovecraft Book Club:Series 5: Episode 19:The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (4)

Episode 446:Henry James: Roderick Hudson (2)