With the tale of an ominous meteorite that descends to Earth on a farm in rural Massachusetts near Arkham, The Color Out of Space blends fantastical sci-fi elements perfectly with the lingering presence of terror.
I had heard of H.P Lovecraft, but never read any of his work until this encounter with him for the first time. His prose amazed me–it was unusual and I thought it lovely, but some of passages were certainly a mouthful (Daniel and I took turns reading this one out loud, so it was much more apparent than if you’re just reading it to yourself).
A quick search through the story will yield many different styles of writing. The vocabulary used is definitely not something you would read in a modern English class, but it does not over-complicate or simplify the text either; rather Lovecraft uses words that are appropriate for this particular short story and creates an otherworldly impression with his descriptive imagery when describing things like landscapes from beyond our world.
The story glows with themes of what lies beyond our world and the consequences that can befall us when we dare to step into the unknown. This is a chilling, shadowy tale that is well-written and beautifully composed.
It starts out with an interesting mystery about a desolate piece of land and the sinister rumors that build throughout lend themselves to an ultimately haunting horror story. The suspense and horror built up gradually until certain parts had me biting my nails and sitting on the edge of my seat terrified to find out what was around the corner, while others were genuinely perplexing and eerily beautiful.
I won’t say much more than that since I just want you to read it and enjoy it for what it’s worth!
The Color Out of Space is a perfect spooky read for this time of year. It’s been called Lovecraft’s best work. So If you’re looking for something to get you in the mood for Halloween, look no further than this short story. It’s twenty-five pages of weirdness that will leave you wanting more.
