Hmm. The premise sounds like a really dark version of "Fool on the Hill" (not taking fairies, fairy tales and Tolkien and spinning them into something light and shining but Lovecraft and spinning his stuff into something equally dark)?
I hadn't heard of that book before. I'll have to try it out! This was fairly dark, but in a strange way it was also uplifting. It was nice seeing these characters have plenty of power and agency, rather than being used as cannon fodder as happens far too often in the horror genre.
"Fool on the Hill" was Ruff's first novel. It started out as his master's thesis at Cornell University (where it's also set) -- I think Ruff himself is no longer all that happy about it himself, but it was an underground hit for years before it was republished by a major publisher, and I loved it to bits. It's essentially a very funny and sweet spin on Tolkien and fairy lore, but with just enough bite to it to keep it from going all saccharine.
Anyway, thanks for this review -- "Lovecraft Country" is going straight onto my TBR. I'm very much looking forward to reading something else by Ruff.
Anyway, thanks for this review -- "Lovecraft Country" is going straight onto my TBR. I'm very much looking forward to reading something else by Ruff.
You're most welcome! I hope you enjoy it!