Robert R Batton III

Narration underwhelming

Revisado: 01-02-20

No professional narrator myself, I could do a much better job of dramatizing the prurient elements of this horrific tale. I'm not even boasting. The narrator's monotonous recitation pace is too fast and way too flat. He fails to realize, much less enhance, so much of the ironic humor that underscores the shock value of this never-bested example of unrestrained pornography. The remarkable piece, in itself, is to me ample proof that a clever writer's art can elevate virtually any literary genre. I give the story top marks, but the narration is woefully inadequate. What a disappointment in the final analysis; I ask you: which is the greater sin, to narrate such a tale at all, or to do it so poorly? Overall, three stars at best.

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Lovecraft's best story, but a poor narration

Revisado: 05-08-12

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Lovecraft's book is not a problem. The plot is unusually creepy and original. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is arguably Lovecraft's best story and the fullest realization of his literary style. Having said that, I must complain that the Herriot narration doesn't do justice to Lovecraft's deliciously macabre language and cadences. Indeed, the dry and awkward narration diminished my enjoyment of the story. (see below)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lovecraft's gift was for narrative. He was not a 'character' writer. I find no tendency in his work to develop his characters in any sense of the word. He didn't usually employ much in the way of dialogue. When he did, his characters are mainly making speeches without any emotional/dialectical interaction.

Would you be willing to try another one of Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot’s performances?

Frankly, I doubt it. His delivery is virtually expressionless. Some of the appeal of Lovecraft's style depends upon his use of unusual and archaic words, names, spellings and expressions. It would be an understatement to say that Herriot has difficulty pronouncing many of these. I was especially annoyed by his substituting 'antiquitarian' wherever the original text reads 'antiquarian'. The two words aren't precisely equivalent; in any case what call does Herriot have to edit the author's text?

Did The Case of Charles Dexter Ward inspire you to do anything?

Over the years The Case of Charles Dexter Ward has been reprinted in very many editions without much attention to faithful reproduction of the original autograph wording. Minor corruptions have naturally abounded. This problem is not without a remedy. I keep a notebook of my own commentaries and annotations to Lovecraft's stories; particularly this one, which is my favorite. Someday perhaps I'll compose these random notes into a fully annotated critical edition of the work... Or maybe not.

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