As BOUCHERCON looms in the weeks ahead, I decided to read Nick Mamatas’s I Am Providence, a snarky novel about a H. P. Lovecraft convention in Providence, Rhode Island. There’s a murder of one of the participants and then the face of the victim is cut off by the killer! Colleen Danzig, an aspiring horror waiter, attends the convention of Cthulhu fans in an attempt to network. But Colleen finds herself investigating this nasty murder and runs the risk of becoming the next victim. Mamatas makes fun of the typical Lovecraft fans with their crazy outfits with tentacles. And Mamatas cleverly crafts his plot with chapters inspired by Lovecraft’s stories. If you’re in the mood for a funny mystery novel, you might enjoy I Am Providence. GRADE: B-
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. The Whisperer in Darkness
2. The Call of Cthulhu
3. The Outsider
4. Cool Air
5. The Think on the Doorstep
6. The Haunter of the Dark
7. The Terrible Old Man
8. The Unnamable
9. He
10. What the Moon Brings
11. The Tomb
12. The Festival
13. From Beyond
14. The Other Gods
15. The Evil Clergyman
16. The Colour Out of Space
17. Re-Animator
I’ve had some horror waiters in restaurants, but I never hear of any in a novel.
Seriously, good review George!
Dan, I enjoyed I AM PROVIDENCE despite its flaws.
After reading LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, I might give this a try. It sounds amusing. I like “The Summer Tentacular” as a convention name.
Jeff, I AM PROVIDENCE is a quick, fun read. I like “The Summer Tentacular” as the name of a rock group, too!
this sounds like I might enjoy it. Sadly, I’m backed up with things I need to review. After Bcon, I’ll try to get it from the library
Maggie, I AM PROVIDENCE provides a bit of fun if you’re in the mood for pastiche and sarcasm.
I could use a funny novel but since I have little experience with Lovecraft, I think I would miss the references that make it funny.
Patti, you’re right. A lot of I AM PROVIDENCE involves “inside” jokes. If you want to laugh, I’d suggest some P. G. Wodehouse.
Patti, have you read the new Stewart O’Nan book yet? Really good, but zero laughs there.
Jeff, I have the new Steward O’Nan book, CITY OF SECRETS, in the on-deck circle.
I’ve seen reviews of this, many liking it more than you did, and I like the cover a lot, but not my cuppa.
Rick, I AM PROVIDENCE is aimed at Lovecraft fans. Providence, Rhode Island is hosting a H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival later this month. Clearly, there’s an audience for this stuff.
This one sounds good, George.
I was looking at the Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft at the bookstore last night (I think you reviewed this earlier). It may be time to revisit his stuff.
Beth, I really liked THE ANNOTATED H. P. LOVECRAFT. But its size and weight really make it awkward to read.