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The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
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Incantations of black magic unearthed unspeakable horrors in Providence, Rhode Island. Evil spirits are being resurrected from beyond the grave, a supernatural force so twisted that it kills without offering the mercy of death!
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Paperback, 127 pages
Published
April 19th 1994
by Del Rey Books
(first published May 1941)
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Dear Mr. Lovecraft,
I, Joseph Curwen, necromancer supreme, have rather a bone to pick (forgive my little joke). I have noticed many problems with your narrative The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. First of all: that title. Surely you realize that I am the protagonist of the tale - not the fey amateur Charles Dexter Ward? I do not think it is too much to ask that the title of your document correctly identify its leading personage. Second: I have noticed a strong bias against scholars of the so-called ...more
I, Joseph Curwen, necromancer supreme, have rather a bone to pick (forgive my little joke). I have noticed many problems with your narrative The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. First of all: that title. Surely you realize that I am the protagonist of the tale - not the fey amateur Charles Dexter Ward? I do not think it is too much to ask that the title of your document correctly identify its leading personage. Second: I have noticed a strong bias against scholars of the so-called ...more

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is the only lengthy work of Lovecraft classified as a novel rather than a novella. Lovecraft wrote this story in 1927, and as per legend, When HPL finished writing this novel he was so disappointed with the final draft that he decided to shelve it instead of publishing it, and only after Lovecraft's demise did this work found the light in 1941. (It's not a legend, but a true fact. I just wanted to use "As per legend" in a sentence)
So what is it all about?
So what is it all about?
❝...more


Let me be clear at the outset of this review that when it comes to the work of H.P. Lovecraft, I am definitely one who drinks deep the

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward (1927) is probably a culmination in Lovecraft’s career. After some short stories such as The Rats in the Walls, The Shunned House or The Call of Cthulhu, it is the first work of fiction that has the dimension of a full novel and goes over the themes he had previously developed. The investigation into a dark mystery — usually taking place around the town of Providence, Lovecraft’s place of residence. The discovery of a repulsive cult, most evocative of Alchemy, Qab
...more

" What the thing was, he would never tell. It was like some of the carvings on the hellish altar, but it was alive. Nature had never made it in this form, for it was too palpably unfinished. The deficiencies were of the most surprising sort, and the abnormalities of proportion could not be described."
That was just a sample of the type of writing found within this short novel by H.P. Lovecraft. Reading this reminded me how much I love this type of writing.
I hereby vow to read more of Lovecraft ...more

“There is about certain outlines and entities a power of symbolism and suggestion which acts frightfully on a sensitive thinker's perspective and whispers terrible hints of obscure cosmic relationships and unnameable realities behind the protective illusions of common vision.”That little passage explains why Lovecraft’s characters often go mad at the mere sight of blasphemous eldritch monstrosities from beyond; something I often wondered about. It is also a fine example of his penchant for c ...more

The blurb says: A nameless terror surges through centuries to engulf the soul of Charles Dexter Ward, a brilliant New England antiquarian. Rather amusing in retrospect, as the character doesn't seem to realize the danger until near the end; if the book were written from Ward's perspective, presumably he would be having a satisfying few years of progressing in his fascinating historical research. His family, too, is only mildly concerned, wishing he would write more often and maybe get a girlfrie
...more

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft is definitely one of his best works and this is a high compliment, as I have liked almost all that I have read from him.
This work, first published in 1927, combines most of the themes common to his works: occult, arcanery, unspeakable nighttime horrors, deep dark pits with unknown creatures, etc. even some hints of the Cthulu cult.
The other element of this book that is noteworthy is the scope of influence that Lovecraft created. Innumerable hor ...more
This work, first published in 1927, combines most of the themes common to his works: occult, arcanery, unspeakable nighttime horrors, deep dark pits with unknown creatures, etc. even some hints of the Cthulu cult.
The other element of this book that is noteworthy is the scope of influence that Lovecraft created. Innumerable hor ...more

http://metalinvader.net/el/napalm-eye...
Μια παλιά κριτική στο METAL INVADER!!! ...more
Μια παλιά κριτική στο METAL INVADER!!! ...more

Insidious investigation!
A NAME TO REMEMBER
A novella focused in the investigation of a psychiatrist about Charles Dexter Ward...
...medically certified insane, who escaped from a mental asylum (funny enough, while Arkham, Mass., inspired the famous Batman’s Arkham Asylum...
...it seems that there wasn’t any mental asylum in H.P. Lovecraft’s work named it in that way)...
...so the investigation of this psychiatrist who is obsessed with an ancestor involved in dark practices.
But sometimes, the ...more
A NAME TO REMEMBER
A novella focused in the investigation of a psychiatrist about Charles Dexter Ward...
...medically certified insane, who escaped from a mental asylum (funny enough, while Arkham, Mass., inspired the famous Batman’s Arkham Asylum...
...it seems that there wasn’t any mental asylum in H.P. Lovecraft’s work named it in that way)...
...so the investigation of this psychiatrist who is obsessed with an ancestor involved in dark practices.
But sometimes, the ...more

4.5
Lovecraft must be the only author whose works I've read and don't mind certain things most readers seem to hate. Yes, it can be slow. Yes, he can be overly descriptive. Yes, there is an omniscient narrator. Yes, there is lots of retelling. And in most cases, some of those annoy me too.
However, all of it pales in front of his extraordinary imagination and the atmosphere you find in his stories. It doesn't matter if it is a short story or a longer one. He is one of a kind and The Case of Charle ...more
Lovecraft must be the only author whose works I've read and don't mind certain things most readers seem to hate. Yes, it can be slow. Yes, he can be overly descriptive. Yes, there is an omniscient narrator. Yes, there is lots of retelling. And in most cases, some of those annoy me too.
However, all of it pales in front of his extraordinary imagination and the atmosphere you find in his stories. It doesn't matter if it is a short story or a longer one. He is one of a kind and The Case of Charle ...more

Lovecraft remained dissatisfied with The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. It was his longest work of fiction, and he referred to as “a cumbrous, creaking bit of self-conscious antiquarianism.” He composed it in 1927, but made no attempt to revise it in the ten years of life that remained to him, even though short horror novels like Ward were more marketable and paid better than the novellas and long short stories in which he excelled.
For years I thought H.P. too harsh in his assessment, for I liked ...more

Mar 21, 2008
Werner
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Fans of "horror" and horrific science fiction
Shelves:
science-fiction
Though Lovecraft is a favorite writer of mine, until now this book (one of only two novel-length pieces he ever wrote) has been one I hadn't gotten around to reviewing. It was recently nominated as a common read in my Supernatural Fiction Readers group; and though it wasn't the one chosen, that reminded me of it, and I resolved to correct the lapse. It's one of my favorite Lovecraft works, and certainly one I highly recommend to other readers who like this type of fiction.
The Goodreads descripti ...more
The Goodreads descripti ...more

"Incantations of black magic unearthed unspeakable horrors in Providence, Rhode Island. Evil spirits are being resurrected from beyond the grave, a supernatural force so twisted that it kills without offering the mercy of death!"
It takes a while to get going for me but the final half of this novel is so otherworldly, I got chills. Per the usual Lovecraft style, there isn't much room for dialogue. Sometimes I thought this complemented the story and a lot of times, I wanted to get in the heads of ...more
It takes a while to get going for me but the final half of this novel is so otherworldly, I got chills. Per the usual Lovecraft style, there isn't much room for dialogue. Sometimes I thought this complemented the story and a lot of times, I wanted to get in the heads of ...more

This is my fourth HP Lovecraft story and, so far, it's my favorite. That says a lot. Because, I'm really enjoying discovering his writing and connecting his influences to my favorite horror authors of today. For some odd reason, Lovecraft wasn't happy with his novel. He wrote it in 1927 and he didn't try to get it published. It wasn't until after his death that August Derleth and Donald Wandrei published it in the May and July issues of Weird Tales in 1941 did the story see the light of day. I f
...more

Lovecraft is a special writer, capable of twisting the mind of the reader in ways that all of the visual horror we are forever shown in this day and age can never accomplish.
What WAS the thing at the bottom of the pit? What was it that the good Doctor saw? So many open questions to let our minds fill in the blanks with the things that horrify us above all else.
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is Lovecraft's longest work (at least that I've encountered) and there is so much in the meager 120 or so ...more
What WAS the thing at the bottom of the pit? What was it that the good Doctor saw? So many open questions to let our minds fill in the blanks with the things that horrify us above all else.
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is Lovecraft's longest work (at least that I've encountered) and there is so much in the meager 120 or so ...more
![[Name Redacted]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347082397p2/287915.jpg)
This was the first work by Lovecraft I ever read, but I have not re-read it in nearly 2 decades. I had odd tastes, even as a child. I remembered very little, aside from the broad plot-points, so you can imagine my consternation when, upon re-reading it this week, I discovered that I am merely one step away from following in the footsteps of young Charles; so many of the descriptions of him sounded like the man i have become and, as it happens, 3 years ago I began to dedicate myself to exactly th
...more

Jun 28, 2008
Terence
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
HP Lovecraft fans
Shelves:
horror-gothic
I'm rereading this based upon Stephen's review so if I do not appreciate it more, it will be entirely his fault :-)
_______________________________________
In The Case of Charles Dexter Ward HPL ventures a novel-length story about his Elder Gods and one man’s tragic fate when he delves into mysteries better left unexamined. Charles Dexter Ward is the scion of a well established Providence family who begins investigating esoteric matters and discovers that an ancestor, Joseph Curwen, was killed by ...more
_______________________________________
In The Case of Charles Dexter Ward HPL ventures a novel-length story about his Elder Gods and one man’s tragic fate when he delves into mysteries better left unexamined. Charles Dexter Ward is the scion of a well established Providence family who begins investigating esoteric matters and discovers that an ancestor, Joseph Curwen, was killed by ...more

“Do not call up that which you cannot put down.”
— H. P. Lovecraft, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward"
I first read H.P. Lovecraft’s 1927 short novel “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” when I was 11 years old, in the tacky Del Rey edition pictured. At the time, I was surprised by the difference between the densely erudite content and the pulp cover art. A horror writer with high-literary roots, Lovecraft remains a unique and original artist; at his best, he combines the ethereal sensibilities of “d ...more
— H. P. Lovecraft, "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward"
I first read H.P. Lovecraft’s 1927 short novel “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” when I was 11 years old, in the tacky Del Rey edition pictured. At the time, I was surprised by the difference between the densely erudite content and the pulp cover art. A horror writer with high-literary roots, Lovecraft remains a unique and original artist; at his best, he combines the ethereal sensibilities of “d ...more

A young man explores the past of his dark ancestor.
Contains the usual audio brilliance given to you by Dark Adventures Radio Theatre and flows better than the literature, I suspect.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
Contains the usual audio brilliance given to you by Dark Adventures Radio Theatre and flows better than the literature, I suspect.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.


Enraptured by the dark mysteries surrounding his ancestor, Charles Dexter Ward devotes himself to the history, art, and alchemy of Joseph Curwen.
“I have brought to light a monstrous abnormality, but I did it for the sake of knowledge.”
- Charles Dexter Ward
When Charles goes mad it is up to his father and doctor to figure out what happened. But it is Dr. Willett who alone ventures into the dark, dungeon, depths of otherworldly horror: Yog-Sothoth!

Unlike most Lovecraft screamers he not only manag ...more

Admittedly, a friend of mine and I were suppose to read—and of course finish—this last Halloween. Ha, what a turn of events; now that I have finished this.
This was my first time reading anything by H. P. Lovecraft even though I have quite plenty of his work on my to-read list, as well as physical copies waiting to be read. I can frankly say that I have enjoyed this one very much, the ending most of all. The descriptive and steady style of writing kept me thoroughly engaged in the story and I ca ...more
This was my first time reading anything by H. P. Lovecraft even though I have quite plenty of his work on my to-read list, as well as physical copies waiting to be read. I can frankly say that I have enjoyed this one very much, the ending most of all. The descriptive and steady style of writing kept me thoroughly engaged in the story and I ca ...more

I have such mixed feelings about this book, it was a very interesting and spooky story, but on the other hand reading it felt like work the entire way to the end. The denseness of prose, the utter lack of dialogue, the constant verboseness didn't lend themselves to an enjoyable read. I have to say I'm glad to have read it and I plan on reading Lovecraft in the future, though most likely sticking to his shorter works.
...more

For a story to be creepy, it has to creep. Lovecraft obviously understood this well; this story is a collection of small, subtly unsettling events that coalesce into a frightening whole in its own good time. This is the kind of book you will want to take your time to read, allowing it space to cast its spell.

Jan 23, 2009
Michael
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Horror fans, sci fi fans, goths
Recommended to Michael by:
Dungeons and Dragons
Shelves:
pulp-fiction
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Being from Providence, I feel I have to like things associated with Providence, and thus be a H.P. Lovecraft fan (of course, I don't like Family Guy, but that's another story). Fortunately a story like this makes it easy to like him. It certainly helps that I know and walk the streets and locations mentioned in this book, read parts of the book in Salem where some of the story takes place, am a fellow alumni of the same school as the protagonist, and also, when I get lost in Cranston, feel inexp
...more

Don't Rise Up what you Can't Put Down
5 December 2017 - Sydney
The first thing that I did when I started to read this book was to jump onto Facebook and search for a 'Charles Dexter Ward', Well, I found one, but he had his account locked down to tightly that you could only send him a message. Actually, I'm not at all that surprised because he probably gets lots of friendship requests (and messages) from Cthulu freaks out there. Actually, I'm almost tempted to set up an account on Facebook called ...more
5 December 2017 - Sydney
The first thing that I did when I started to read this book was to jump onto Facebook and search for a 'Charles Dexter Ward', Well, I found one, but he had his account locked down to tightly that you could only send him a message. Actually, I'm not at all that surprised because he probably gets lots of friendship requests (and messages) from Cthulu freaks out there. Actually, I'm almost tempted to set up an account on Facebook called ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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James Mustich's 1...: The Case of Charles Dexter Ward--Oct 2020 | 6 | 12 | Dec 03, 2020 02:08PM | |
Goodreads Librari...: Combine, please! | 2 | 13 | Mar 02, 2019 03:58AM | |
O caso de Charles Dexter Ward - H.P. Lovecraft | 1 | 6 | Mar 28, 2017 04:00PM | |
Leituras do Pepit...: Livro do Mês | Março 2017 - O caso de Charles Dexter Ward | 4 | 32 | Mar 10, 2017 05:15PM |
Howard Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a ...more
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a ...more
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2 trivia questions
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“Do not call up that which you cannot put down.”
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“Memory sometimes makes merciful deletions.”
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