Impossible choice
At the outset, I would like to point out that I will not review individual stories, as it does not make sense in this particular case. I’m going to focus on what’s in the book and why it’s worth buying. We begin.
The Call of Cthulhu is another of the many volumes of Lovecraft’s stories present on the Polish market. I will not summarize it for you, because that’s not the point. The thing is that this volume is a selection of probably the best works embedded in the Universe of the Great Ancients. We can find here, among others: the title Call of Cthulhu , Color from another universe or The Specter over Innsmouth . There are five stories in total and they provide an excellent introduction to the world created by the Loner of Providence. I understand the trouble in selecting texts for this collection, because the work of Lovecraft is really huge and most of his works are real gems. Personally, I missed such masterpieces as: Music by Erich Zann , Model Pickman(the only story that made me afraid to cross the corridor at night) or the Haunter of Darkness . But what to do? This collection is intended to encourage entry into the dark world of Cthulhu and his colleagues. If he attracts someone, he can then reach for another collection from the Vesper publishing house or an equally good one, but with a slightly different translation, from Zysek.
Dark Soul Dawn
Reading Lovecraft is one of the most extraordinary journeys a reader can make. Not only are we dealing with quite a genius, but we also get to know an imagination so oneiric and terrifying that only Edgar Alan Poe comes to mind as a comparison. Call of Cthulhuit undeniably takes us deeply into the thoughts and feelings of the author. Although it focuses only on the mythology of the Great Ancients, it allows us to penetrate the human psyche, or at least its image as the writer saw. And it is a terrible picture. Humanity in Lovecraft is divided into civilized and non-magic-resistant ordinary bread eaters, seekers of the unknown, controlled by forbidden knowledge, and the worst scum bowing down to the lowest and darkest instincts and whims. Entering this world is like being born again. Despite the awareness that this is fiction, one gets the impression that what we are reading is true, the cruel and dark one that we do not want to get to know. The truth that on the border of consciousness, where rational being ceases to matter, beasts and creatures lurk, whose unspeakable terror will leave a terrible mark on us. After such a session, a person recovers for a long time; longer if the reading of these dark stories took effect on a dark night.
Forbidden cards
As is usually the case with classic Vesper items, also here the release is at the highest level. We have the eponymous Cthulhu on the cover, and inside we find more suggestive illustrations created by Krzysztof Wroński. The text is a brilliant translation of Maciej Płazy, which perfectly reflects the nature of Lovecraft’s prose. Editing and proofreading are also without reservations. I did not come across any typos or mistakes. Chapeau bass!
Okay, I assessed the edition, wrote a bit about the feeling and the contents of the book, but why should I buy it? Well, because I do not know anyone else with such an evocative pen as Lovecraft’s, and every contact with his prose is a real mystery for me. Introducing to the world of Cthulhu is an adventure that absolutely everyone should have. I recommend it with a clear conscience!
