Questions About Lovecraft Country (Lovecraft Country, #1)

by Matt Ruff (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (17)

Is this really how the US was 70 years ago? I thought that New England was more tolerant of blacks. Being an Asian and having lived in the South, we were exposed to racism but I don't think to the level of viciousness as present to blacks.

Sarah Racial intolerance was and still is a *major* problem in the North, and sadly, I don't think this book is too much of an exaggeration for the types of…moreRacial intolerance was and still is a *major* problem in the North, and sadly, I don't think this book is too much of an exaggeration for the types of problems Black people faced during the Jim Crow era. (Although obviously without the supernatural stuff in the book!) The North, while it was known for not having Jim Crow laws, criminalized Black people and treated Black migrants from the South as if they weren't part of the community. Even to this day those communities exist and are impoverished, underfunded, and treated as if they are inferior (e.g. Flint, Michigan and the Black neighborhoods of Chicago). (less)

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I'm one tenth in and I have to know before I continue, are every non-black character a blatant racist in this book?

Elise Why would you need to know that before you continue?

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Can anyone BLACK tell me if the author did a good job at creating a story about us? I want to read this very badly but I don't know if I'll be angry or impressed/relieved at whatever insight about us that the author imparts.

Koko CRAB He did a great job. I was very hesitant to read a book by a white man, but he studied hard before writing about us.
It's a very Black-friendly novel t…moreHe did a great job. I was very hesitant to read a book by a white man, but he studied hard before writing about us.
It's a very Black-friendly novel that paints us in a fine light. (less)

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Would a Lovecraft fan enjoy this?

A$niff Yes, much of the book is an homage to Lovecraft's fiction, though there is also a significant repudiation towards H.P. Lovecraft-the Racist. This dual…moreYes, much of the book is an homage to Lovecraft's fiction, though there is also a significant repudiation towards H.P. Lovecraft-the Racist. This duality is a central conflict for some of the main characters.(less)

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Did some black person read this? I need an honest opinion because is a white man writing about racism and I'm kinda afraid of what may come from that.