'The Rats in the Walls' by H.P. Lovecraft is a short story that delves into the horrors that man can inflict upon each other. The plot is engaging and expertly developed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The writing style is described as lurid and compelling, reminiscent of classic horror literature.

Characters:

Characters include a nobleman protagonists and a loyal cat, with an overarching theme of exploring family and degeneration.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features lurid prose with a slow reveal of horror, characterized by vague descriptions that enhance the reader's imagination.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a nobleman uncovering his family's dark history, leading to horrific events filled with themes of degeneration and cannibalism.

Setting:

The setting is an ancestral mansion with a gothic atmosphere, filled with hidden depths that enhance the creepiness.

Pacing:

The pacing includes a slow build-up that engages readers effectively.

On July 16, 1923, I moved into Exham Priory after the last workman had finished his labours. The restoration had been a stupendous task, for little had remained of the deserted pile but a shell-like r...

Notes:

The Rats in the Walls is a short story by H.P. Lovecraft.

The main character restores his family's ancient estate and uncovers dark secrets.

The story is known for its creepy and unsettling atmosphere.

Lovecraft's writing often includes themes of racial prejudice, which can be disturbing to modern readers.

The protagonist's cat in the story is named with a racial slur, which has been changed in later editions.

The story is sometimes described as a mix of supernatural horror and human cruelty.

Many readers have found the story genuinely scary and disturbing, particularly when read at night.

Lovecraft's influence is noted in other authors' horror works, emphasizing settings like cursed mansions and ancestral homes.

The opening of The Rats in the Walls has been compared to the opening of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.

The story does not directly reference Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, making it accessible to new readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of racism, family cannibalism, and graphic descriptions of horror and violence.

From The Publisher:

In a tale "too horrible for the tender sensibilities of a delicately nurtured publick," a man uncovers his family's dark, cannibalistic past.

Ratings (8)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (3)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (18):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (5)

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The Rats in the Walls

H.P. Lovecraft