On Safari in R'lyeh and Carcosa with Gun and Camera

Soh Kam Yung reviewed On Safari in R'lyeh and Carcosa with Gun and Camera by Elizabeth Bear

A story whose title probably gives the game away

3 stars

The title probably gives the game away, but this is a story about the horrors of a land well known to those who enjoy the works of H.P. Lovecraft. But the actual story itself is more of a prelude to the actual expedition.

It starts when a researcher decides to take a DNA test and discovers that a significant part of her own DNA is 'unknown'. Some digging reveals that another person may also have the same unknown DNA but attempts to personally meet the person fail, but in a rather inhuman way.

WardenRed reviewed On Safari in R'lyeh and Carcosa with Gun and Camera by Elizabeth Bear

None

5 stars

For a story built upon Lovecraftian mythos, this novelette was surprisingly cozy, even though it wasn't without its creepy moments. There's horror here, but it's not the kind of horror that looks to push you away, or make you stop existing; it's the sort that isn't so frightening at all when you look at it closely. Just different. Not what you're used to. Being different doesn't make it terrible, and if it frightens you, it doesn't do so intentionally—and that's exactly how I like my mythos.

In essence, this is a story about coming home, or rather, about getting ready to come home one day. It reminded me, perhaps predictably, of Ruthanna Emrys's Innsmouth Legacy series, and resonated with me almost as deeply. Perhaps because this part of the mythos is something I've always felt weirdly connected to, on some odd, primal level.

The ocean will be there, waiting. It …

For a story built upon Lovecraftian mythos, this novelette was surprisingly cozy, even though it wasn't without its creepy moments. There's horror here, but it's not the kind of horror that looks to push you away, or make you stop existing; it's the sort that isn't so frightening at all when you look at it closely. Just different. Not what you're used to. Being different doesn't make it terrible, and if it frightens you, it doesn't do so intentionally—and that's exactly how I like my mythos.

In essence, this is a story about coming home, or rather, about getting ready to come home one day. It reminded me, perhaps predictably, of Ruthanna Emrys's Innsmouth Legacy series, and resonated with me almost as deeply. Perhaps because this part of the mythos is something I've always felt weirdly connected to, on some odd, primal level.

The ocean will be there, waiting. It can outwait anyone.

Adem

rated it

Jan. 19, 2022

Trubalix

rated it

Sept. 22, 2022