I’ve been a fan of Caitlin R. Kiernan’s stories with H. P. Lovecraft elements for years. Subterranean Press has just published this wonderful collection bringing Kiernan’s Mythos Tales together in one place. I enjoyed Kiernan’s essay “Lovecraft and I” where Kiernan explains how she first became obsessed with Lovecraft and his works. It all began when Kiernan found a copy of Lovecraft’s stories on her school bus. She read it and was hooked.
My favorite story in this collection is “Pickman’s Other Model (1929)” where a struggling painter tracks down a mysterious woman who once modeled for the infamous Pickman. And “Pickman’s Madonna” will keep you up at night, too. Some stories only have tangential Mythos elements like “The Thousand-and-Third Tale of Scheherazade” but are fun to read. If you’re a Lovecraft fan, Houses Under the Sea is a must-read. If you’re a casual fan, you’ll find plenty of stories here to like. GRADE: A
Table of Contents:
Lovecraft and I by Caitlin R. Kiernan 11
Valentia (1994) 17
So Runs the World Away 29
From Cabinet 34, Drawer 6 47
The Drowned Geologist (1898) 75
The Dead and the Moonstruck 89
Houses Under the Sea 103
Pickman’s Other Model (1929) 131
The Thousand-and-Third Tale of Scheherazade 155
The Bone’s Prayer 167
The Peril of Liberated Objects, or the Voyeur’s Seduction 183
At the Gate of the Deeper Slumber 189
Fish Bride (1970) 205
The Alchemist’s Daughter (A Fragment) 215
Hounwife 231
Tidal Forces 247
John Four 263
On the Reef 273
The Transition of Elizabeth Haskings 281
A Mountain Walked 289
Love is Forbidden, We Croak & Howl 303
Pushing the Sky Away (Death of a Blasphemer) 309
Black Ships Seen South of Heaven 315
Pickman’s Madonna 331
The Peddler’s Tale, or Isobel’s Revenge 339
The Cats of River Street (1925) 357
M is for Mars 379
The Dandridge Cycle
A Redress for Andromeda (2001) 419
Nor the Demon Down Under the Sea (1957) 431
Study for The Witch House (2013) 443
Andromeda Among the Stones 449
Publication History and Acknowledgments 477
I am going to see if my library has this. It may turn out to be just the thing.
Patti, you’ll find some eerie stories in HOUSES UNDER THE SEA. Be sure to read Kiernan’s INTRODUCTION.
I know this goes to the top of Rick’s list…of books to avoid!
(Just teasing.)
That is a pretty long book. I believe I read at least one of her novellas – AGENTS OF DREAMLAND.
Jeff, I wonder if Rick will drop another triple-BAH!
Not a fan, Jeff is right, plus, what an ugly dust jacket cover.
Rick, I suspect that the cover on HOUSES UNDER THE SEA captures the weirdness of the Mythos Tales.
Since Deb isn’t here (yet?), here is a little Deb-like factoid I gleaned from Wikipedia:
Kiernan is transgender, lesbian, and an atheist pagan.
Jeff, Kiernan doesn’t hide her preferences. And, like me, she doesn’t like to travel.
This looks interesting. Kiernan is one of the many, many writers I’ve considered trying and never got around to. This collection might be a good place to start.
Michael, you might try Agents of Dreamland (2017; Tor) which is a short novel. If you like that, HOUSES UNDER THE SEA (614 pages) will be waiting for you.
I find I like Kiernan in small doses. Her mythos stories are my favorites. Her sf I don’t care for at all. She wrote one novel I like a lot called The Drowning Girl.
Steve, I have a copy of THE DROWNING GIRL around here someplace. I’ll have to find it and read it.
Never heard of him/her/it!
Bob, Kaitlin R. Kiernan has been writing stories and books for a couple of decades.
Well, you made this sound really interesting, George!
I just ordered it. It will be waiting on my Kindle when I get home.
Beth, I enjoyed many of the stories in HOUSES UNDER THE SEA. You will, too!