I’m Reading…Lovecraft Country

Without a doubt LoveCraft Country is my favorite book, I’ve read this year. I read and listened to this book in the span of 3 days. Matt Ruff’s writing is sophisticated and naturally flows. There was a certain air to his writing that made the novel purposeful. Matt Ruff as a white male author does an extraordinary job writing Black characters.

I typically do not read horror novels. However, I do enjoy Zombie television shows and books. Zombies are pretty much the only thing I read in the horror genre. Reading, Lovecraft Country allowed me to adventure into the horror genre a little more. However, I wouldn’t personally categorize it as such. Lovecraft Country is more of Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror Adventure. 

Everything I liked

• Matt Ruff kept it mysterious with the monsters
  • Readers have to fill-in the blanks with their own imagination. Which sometimes can be scarier.
• The reference of other sci-fi horror novels in the within the book
  • I need to go back and write them down
• Discovered HP Lovecraft was a racist
• The protagonist, Atticus Turner is a voracious reader 
  • Proves very handy throughout the book
• Depiction of family dynamics between Atticus, Montrose (his father), Uncle George
  • There is always one family member you confide in more than your actual parent
• Each character deals with racial inequity and inequality during Jim Crow
  • Every character always comes out on top

via GIPHY

• There are history lessons throughout.
  • A fantastical take on the Green Book used by Black people while travelling during the Jim Crow era. In the book called, 
  • Banks would not issue mortgage loans to Black people. Therefore, Black people would have to get subprime lending which usually resulted in them defaulting on the loans
• The episodic stories. Each character was able to be the protagonist. The stories are interconnected and build off of each other.
• My favorite story is Chapter Five: Jekyll in Hyde Park. This chapter is about Ruby and she goes through a major metamorphosis. 

Overall, I highly enjoyed this book. I have told everyone about this book. I couldn’t get enough of it. The ending does allow for a sequel. I hope Matt Ruff writes it. Or, it can be explored more in the TV show.

Have you watched the show yet? I have; Lovecraft Country is produced by TV/Film heavyweights JJ Abrahms, Misha Collins, and Jordan Peele. Matt Ruff’s Lovecraft Country allows for a lot of creative license in the TV show. Which they have no problems taking. They take a lot of liberties with the show. Personally, there are elements I like and some I think should have been left alone. 

Watch Lovecraft Country on HBO or HBOMax on Sundays at 9 PM. 

Do you prefer the book or tv adaption?  Will you be reading this book? Let me know in the comments.