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The Taint and Other Novellas
- Best Mythos Tales
- Narrated by: Joshua Saxon
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
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The Taint and Other Novellas
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Summary
Prior to the first American publication of Brian Lumley's ground-breaking, dead-waking, best-selling Necroscope in 1988 - the first novel in a long-lived, much-loved series - this British author had for 20 years been earning himself something of a reputation writing short stories, novellas, and a series of novels set against H. P. Lovecraft's cosmic Cthulhu Mythos backdrop. A soldier in 1967, serving in Berlin with the Royal Military Police, Lumley jump-started his literary career by writing to August Derleth, the then-dean of macabre publishers at his home in Sauk City, Wisconsin, telling of his fascination with the Mythos, and purchasing books by the Old Gentleman of Providence, RI. In addition, he sent a page or two of written work allegedly culled from the various forbidden or black books of the Mythos. Suitably impressed, the master of Arkham House invited Lumley to write something solid in the Mythos as a possible contribution to a new volume he was currently contemplating, to be titled - what else but? - Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos. And as might well be imagined, that set everything in motion. Forty years have passed since then and a good many words of Mythos fiction written, including critically acclaimed and award-nominated work, stories that have appeared in prestigious magazines such as Fantasy & Science Fiction, and hardcover volumes from publishers all over the world from the USA to China and the United Kingdom to Russia. But while Lumley's novels are all currently available, many of them in hardcover format, his Mythos short stories and novellas have until now remained uncollected. Here in this volume are found the novellas; the future companion volume will contain the short stories. And thus the very best of Brian Lumley's works in this sub-genre, including such recent tales as "The Hymn" and "The Taint", are collected and presented for the first time in audio format...
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What listeners say about The Taint and Other Novellas
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dee
- 25-09-19
Excellent
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Brian Lumleys take on the Cthulhu Mythos is fantastic. Joshua Saxons narration is spot on. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of the same.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonasz
- 22-01-21
A classy addition to Lovecraftian horror
A very enjoyable journey into the depths of the Mythos, with most stories having an excellent atmosphere HPL himself could have enjoyed. It is mostly better than the Lumley's short story mythos collection and avoids the fantasy adventure style of the Titus Crow novels (which I did not find particularly stellar). The stories are a stylish lovecraftian fare in a thoroughly British setting, less formulaic than, say, August Derleth, but not quite as eccentric or outre as the stuff you get in the Black Wings collection. To me, Lumley strikes a perfect balance with this one. Great writing and an excellent performance makes this one a keeper!
Fave stories: The Horror at Oakdeane, Dagon's Bell
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K
- 12-07-23
A new favourite author
As a huge fan of Lovecraft's Cthulu Mythos and all things monster-y and spooky, Brian Lumley has firmly set himself as one of my favourite authors after hearing this collection of fantastic tales. Joshua Saxon provides a brilliant performance and covers a range of accents and characters.
Only hang up is the lack of story titles in the chapter selection and description. This features 'Lord of the Worms' which is also on 'Return of the Deep Ones and Other Mythos Tales'
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- thebablegate
- 02-12-23
The Mythos Continues
"This collection of HP Lovecraft inspired tales is a masterful continuation of the Cthulhu mythos. As a fan, I deeply enjoyed this book as it took me on a journey almost like a carry on from the events in Innsmouth. I was fascinated by how the humans won the battle and the lives of the residents of Innsmouth generations later living in a British seaside town. The stories vividly capture their struggles to simply live their lives and get by, against a backdrop of a world irrevocably changed by the eldritch horrors they faced. The author's ability to weave together elements of Lovecraft's work with their own unique vision is truly impressive. Overall, this book is a must-read for any horror and Lovecraft enthusiast wanting to immerse themselves in the fascinating realm of Cthulhu mythos."
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Halliday
- 06-10-19
Superior Mythos Tales
Among Lovecraftians, Brian Lumley can be a “marmite” author; you either love his work or hate it. His Mythos novels - like the Titus Crow series - tend to be pulpy and overblown, the antithesis of Lovecraft’s cosmic horror. His short stories and novellas though, are deft and classy examples of the weird tale. The title story, “The Taint”, is one of the finest slow burn Lovecraftian stories ever written, and the rest of the tales in this collection approach it in quality.
The narration - bar the occasional place name mispronunciation - is excellent. I look forward to enjoying the other collections in this series.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR J LAMBERT
- 25-07-20
Excellent Collection of Cthulhu Mythos Novellas
The Taint and Other Novellas is a seven story collection of Cthulhu Mythos novellas written by Horror Grand Master Brian Lumley. I enjoyed all of the stories, but Lord of the Worms - featuring a young Titus Crow - and Born of the Winds were my personal standouts.
After being extremely impressed by Joshua Saxon's excellent narration on another Lumley collection called Haggopian and Other Stories, I was eager to check out more of his work. He once again proves ideal for this material, bringing a real sense of gravity and dread to proceedings.
This collection is pretty much essential listening for fans of Lumley, Cthulhu and gothic horror. Highly recommended.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Missgotty
- 04-07-22
Old fashioned horror
Stagnant old fashioned horror and the author unnecessarily uses an extremely offensive term to describe black people. I do not recommend this book.
I was given this book for free of my own choosing and I voluntarily left this review.
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