The Croning by Laird Barron

[Latasha]

ok, I'm on chapter 5, 43% in. this is my first Barron reading and I had no idea about his lovecraftan ties, influence? but that's ok, I like Lovecraft.
(view spoiler)[
I loved the witch story and the way he described the storm right after that. and how his wife smelled of earth. ok so here's my guess. this worm thing? total lair of the white worm thing and I think Michelle is in that cult, I think her whole family has been in the cult. that's just what I'm speculating based on what I've read so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

I love this ...

(view spoiler)[
Next, there was a fuzzy period where he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t keep his eyelids fastened for more than a few seconds. Newtonian law was intermittently enforced, it faded in and out like a degrading radio signal. Euclidian geometry became elastic to say the least. He hallucinated natives in war bonnets stalking him from the bank. He hallucinated cottonwood logs were Nile crocs waiting for him to dip his grimy hand in the cold water. He hallucinated a spider dangled beneath the blurry white sun on a strand of razor wire. The wind whispered in an old baby’s voice even when the air was still as lead. The wind’s voice tickled and crooned in his bones, subsonic, subatomic. The deepest cavern in the world is the human heart.
(hide spoiler)]

[Char]

60% Things are coming together now. Seriously creepy stuff is going down.

[Char]

I loved this quote:
"The cold impassive stars didn't bother him so much as the gaps between them did."

[Jill]

62%

This is my first time reading Laird Barron, and he’s not what I expected. From all the comparisons, I thought his writing style would be similar to Lovecraft’s, but he doesn’t share that florid sort of prose at all. I like Lovecraft, but I’m enjoying Barron’s style very much. I love this book so far.

(view spoiler)[At first I wasn’t into the story of The Witch… It seemed a little bit of a distraction, and I didn’t like the character of Kurt very much at first. But I got creeped out by this passage about The Witch: “Claimed she was tall, spindly, and white as chalk. She wore a dirty dress that dragged the floor. That’s how he noticed her—he saw the hem of her dress disappearing into the shadows from the corner of his eye.” The idea of that half-glimpsed bit of dirty fabric, slipping away into the shadows is very spooky. I was on board from there, and ended up liking that whole section quite a bit.

I also love all the descriptions of the strange ways certain characters move, and how they have “too many joints.” Very unsettling.

At this point, everything Michelle does seems suspicious to me. I wouldn’t be surprised to find she’s orchestrating many of the weird events Don experiences.

I wonder if we’re ever going to return to the story in the Rumpelstiltskin intro? I’d like to find out what horrible things happen to the queen. (hide spoiler)]

A bit of a tangent I guess, but I have to mention how much I love the cover art for this book. I looked into the artist a bit, and he has some other work here: http://portfolio.codytilson.com/. In case anyone else is curious too.

[11811 (Eleven)]

Charlene wrote: "I loved this quote:
"The cold impassive stars didn't bother him so much as the gaps between them did.""

If you're reading the Kindle edition, it's easy to accidentally highlight almost all of it.

[Shawn]

Jill wrote: "62%

This is my first time reading Laird Barron, and he’s not what I expected. From all the comparisons, I thought his writing style would be similar to Lovecraft’s, but he doesn’t share that flor..."

Barron, from what little I've read, strikes me as more in the Robert E. Howard-Lovecraftian mode (contrasted with Ligotti as straight Lovecraftian)

[Ctgt]

71%

(view spoiler)[ All my bitchin' about the witch story and then this. (hide spoiler)]

[Ctgt]

74%

(view spoiler)[Very suspicious of this whole nyctophobia and dementia thing. (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

Jill wrote: "62%

This is my first time reading Laird Barron, and he’s not what I expected. From all the comparisons, I thought his writing style would be similar to Lovecraft’s, but he doesn’t share that flor..."

yes! I liked that too

[Ctgt]

Finished it tonight. Oh man, those last couple of lines.

[11811 (Eleven)]

Ctgt wrote: "Finished it tonight. Oh man, those last couple of lines."

Yeah, that's good stuff right there. Puts a creepy smile on my face.

[Char]

I finished it last night too. Oh man. WTF??? LOL

Jill, (view spoiler)[ I added this quote from the book the other day: The light in the gallery changed subtly and he whirled and saw someone approaching him from between the exhibit cases. The individual moved with alarming speed, bent low to the floor, but straightening as he or she drew nearer. Unfolding...”
― Laird Barron, The Croning (hide spoiler)]

[Char]

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "If you're reading the Kindle edition, it's easy to accidentally highlight almost all of it..."

HA! Ain't that the truth?

90%(view spoiler)[ The last 10% of the book totally freaked me out. When Don, Kurt, Argyle and Hank(?) were in the woods, then they all separated? The doors in the trees, the Limbless Ones in the trees...all of that completely freaked me out. I mean bad. *shudder*
(hide spoiler)]

[Char]

87% (view spoiler)[ Loved this quote: "The cult is nameless. Chief among our deities is one known as Old Leech. Worship of Old Leech is the primary activity of the Terrestrial sect. This worship was transmitted to us by a race that exists on the rim of the universe and spreads like a mold crawling across meat. We call this race the Children of Old Leech. They dwell in the depths and the shadows, they inhabit the crack that runs through everything." (hide spoiler)]

So, there it is, the book-in a nutshell.

[Jill]

Shawn wrote: "Barron, from what little I've read, strikes me as more in the Robert E. Howard-Lovecraftian mode (contrasted with Ligotti as straight Lovecraftian)"

I haven’t read Robert E. Howard yet. Maybe I will check him out if he’s similar to Barron. Thanks for bringing him to my attention!

[Jill]

@Charlene Yes! That’s another perfect example. So very creepy!

[11811 (Eleven)]

Ctgt wrote: "A little off topic but Lovecraft-ezine is doing a live interview with Barron this Sunday.

Here's the link

Lovecraft-ezine live"

6PM EST today. I'm gonna check it out.

[Ctgt]

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "6PM EST today. I'm gonna check it out."

I'll be there.

[11811 (Eleven)]

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "live interview with Barron. Lovecraft-ezine live"

15 minute countdown. Am I spamming yet or would you all like 30 second updates?

[Ctgt]

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Ctgt wrote: "live interview with Barron. Lovecraft-ezine live"

15 minute countdown. Am I spamming yet or would you all like 30 second updates?"

I made it 1 hour 15 minutes before I had to drop off. I'll try to catch the rest later. Some good stuff on the way from Barron. Gotta check out LD50.

[11811 (Eleven)]

I watched about 90 minutes. I wasn't expecting it to be nearly that long but it was worth watching. He's a smart dude.

[[deleted user]]

It's been a rough week or so for me in terms of finding time to read - I'm still at about 57%. I am liking this so far, although having read The Imago Sequence, I do think I like his short fiction a little better at this point. I'll reserve judgment until I'm done though.

He is an excellent descriptive writer. Here's a quote I enjoyed from page 116 (I don't think I need a spoiler tag, it doesn't give anything away): "Blue-white pops and sizzles illuminated the room, sent bony shadows of trees raking across the ceiling, across the bedcovers and Michelle's humped form; spectral claws intent upon peeling back the sheets to have at sweaty, naked flesh."

Interesting note for others who have read or want to read The Imago Sequence: on p 147 (again, no big plot revelations here so I won't hide as a spoiler) it mentions a character named Herman Strauss who was a German scientist working for the US and specializing in things like mind control experiments. This immediately reminded me of the first story in The Imago Sequence (Old Virginia). I went back and looked and sure enough, Strauss also a character in that story. Did anyone else who has read TIS pick up on that? I wonder if there are any other crossovers among this and other Barron books?

[Latasha]

I haven't read any of his other works but YES!!! I loved that description as well!

[Latasha]

“Odd, what’s odd? Don’t say ‘odd’ in the woods.

Right on Hank! Lol

[Nickronomicon]

I've also had a bad couple of weeks and my reading time has suffered. I've got about 60 pages left and I hope to get some time to finish it today. The first third of the book was awesome, the middle third seems to be meandering, but as I'm going into the end I have this sense of dread and the feeling that the end is going pull it all together. Can't wait to see the conclusion!

I listened to most of the Lovecraft ezine interview (you can download the audio as an MP3) and I was totally fascinated! I was trying to do some work and had to stop the interview so I could focus my attention on my work instead. He has lived a strange and interesting life and it seems to have made him such a unique writer. Sounds like he's got some great stuff coming out for us soon.

I have read The Imago Sequence and loved it. I feel like I need to go read it again, and I rarely do that because my TBR list grows faster than I can keep up with it. I also own Occultation and the Beautiful Thing, if we have enough fans here how about a Laird fan thread where we read 1 short story a week. I could fit in 1 story, then we can discuss? He's also on Goodreads, maybe he'll find us and join in.

[Paula]

Nick wrote: "I've also had a bad couple of weeks and my reading time has suffered. I've got about 60 pages left and I hope to get some time to finish it today. The first third of the book was awesome, the middl..."

Nick -

I think that's a great idea. I've read all of his collections and "The Croning." I would enjoy re-reading them and discuasing them with others, including Mr. Barron, who, from the interview, has had a very fascinating life.

Thanks,

Paula

[Char]

I haven't read The Imago Sequence yet, only The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All.

[Char]

Sorry you guys are having such busy and/or bad weeks. I can relate!

[Jill]

Andy wrote: " I wonder if there are any other crossovers among this and other Barron books? "

I have not yet read any of his other books (and am still working on The Croning), but on that Lovecraft eZine webcast, Barron talked about connections within his work. He said that there are two separate worlds that many of the stories take place in. I think he may have mentioned some specific characters that appear in his past work and in stories he is working on now too. I definitely remember he talked about the Black Guide, and how it appears several times in not only his own work, but also that of the two friends who also came up with the concept. Barron tells the story better than I could here on his blog: https://lairdbarron.wordpress.com/201...

[Jill]

Nick wrote: " I also own Occultation and the Beautiful Thing, if we have enough fans here how about a Laird fan thread where we read 1 short story a week. I could fit in 1 story, then we can discuss? He's also on Goodreads, maybe he'll find us and join in. "

I love this idea. Count me in if it happens.

[[deleted user]]

Jill wrote: "have not yet read any of his other books (and am still working on The Croning), but on that Lovecraft eZine webcast, Barron talked about connections within his work. He said that there are two separate worlds that many of the stories take place in. I think he may have mentioned some specific characters that appear in his past work and in stories he is working on now too. I definitely remember he talked about the Black Guide, and how it appears several times in not only his own work, but also that of the two friends who also came up with the concept. Barron tells the story better than I could here on his blog: https://lairdbarron.wordpress.com/201..."

Just read that, thanks Jill. One of those other authors (John Langan) is someone I've been interested in reading for a while also. Love that Paul Tremblay "The Beautiful Thing That Awaits Us All" playlist!

[Latasha]

I'm almost finished. I'd read more of his work!

[Latasha]

I just finished. I really liked it. The last bit was so terrifying!

[[deleted user]]

Nick wrote: "I have read The Imago Sequence and loved it. I feel like I need to go read it again, and I rarely do that because my TBR list grows faster than I can keep up with it. I also own Occultation and the Beautiful Thing, if we have enough fans here how about a Laird fan thread where we read 1 short story a week. I could fit in 1 story, then we can discuss? He's also on Goodreads, maybe he'll find us and join in."

I would be up for this too. Great idea! I already own Imago and Occultation, so I would just have to pick up Beautiful Thing.

[Char]

I will start a thread for us and we'll see if we can get some people to join us.

Started it, here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ctgt]

Andy wrote: "I am liking this so far, although having read The Imago Sequence, I do think I like his short fiction a little better at this point. I'll reserve judgment until I'm done though."

I would agree Andy. I did really enjoy this book but IMO weird/horror fiction works better in shorter formats. What I love about these types of stories is the buildup of creepiness/horror that explodes in the final moments. It is almost impossible to do that in a novel form, not saying it can't be done but it's tough. At this point I still enjoy his short works better than this but this was still miles above many books I have read.

[Ctgt]

Just finished with the Lovecraft ezine interview and thought it was pretty fascinating. I knew about his early days growing up in Alaska but loved the doppelgangers, multiple universes and his statement about "punishing" readers if they try to breeze through his stories. It was great to see him(and Joe Pulver) champion female authors in the genre.

[Ctgt]

Nick wrote: "I have read The Imago Sequence and loved it. I feel like I need to go read it again, and I rarely do that because my TBR list grows faster than I can keep up with it. I also own Occultation and the Beautiful Thing, if we have enough fans here how about a Laird fan thread where we read 1 short story a week. I could fit in 1 story, then we can discuss? He's also on Goodreads, maybe he'll find us and join in"

Loved Imago as well. Great buddy read idea Nick, Charlene has started the thread and I'm there. I need to go back and read his stuff more carefully especially after his multple worlds comments in the interview. I never picked up on that when reading his stuff in the past.

[Nickronomicon]

Just finished, and I enjoyed the ending. As with other stories I have read of his, I'm not sure I totally get it or know exactly what happened, but I liked it.
I have few questions I'd Ike to hear thoughts on but I'm not sure how to do spoiler tags on my phone. Have to come back to it in the morning when I'm at my computer.

[Nickronomicon]

Also, if you enjoyed the Lovecraft ezine interview, signup to follow his blog. Today he posted a really great review about the movie It Follows. I might be making a trip to the theater this weekend...... though I'm too cheap and will probably wait until it's available on video.

[Jill]

I finished today and loved it. (view spoiler)[I thought the feeling of dread was really well-sustained throughout, particularly with Don’s mental state and his fear of the dark. I really enjoyed the concept of the Limbless Ones especially. And I was happy to have a conclusion to the Rumpelstiltskin storyline from the beginning of the book that tied everything together through time. I found the ending satisfying too—for a bit there I thought the child being referred to might be Holly or Kurt, and that Don was being asked to sacrifice one of his adult children. I love that it was Kurt’s child—maybe that’s why he was allowed to escape the woods when neither Argyle nor Hank made it out? Or perhaps that was only because he is part of the Mock/Miller line, and valuable already. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to continuing with The Imago Sequence!

[Nickronomicon]

Here's where I was a little unclear...

(view spoiler)[I understand Michelle's accident was that she went thru the blood ritual, but after that was she a Limbless One in Michelle's disguise from that point on? And the same thing happened to their daughter? What about their son's wife? Did she also go thru the croning? (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Kurt's story was a whopper! Man, glad I read it in the daylight, though I envy the storm. This would have been perfect reading material in a storm. I love being spooked and this book is doing a great job of it!

[Char]

Addy wrote: "Kurt's story was a whopper! Man, glad I read it in the daylight, though I envy the storm. This would have been perfect reading material in a storm. I love being spooked and this book is doing a gre..."

I'm glad you're enjoying it, Addy!

[Addy]

So I'm really slacking here but I have made it to 70% and can't resist a good camping story. Hopefully I can blow through the rest fairly quickly.

[Addy]

Ok, this is getting amazingly good now!

[Latasha]

Oh yes, your getting into the good (better?) bits!

[Char]

Addy wrote: "So I'm really slacking here but I have made it to 70% and can't resist a good camping story. Hopefully I can blow through the rest fairly quickly."

Yeah, you're getting there now, Addy!

[Nickronomicon]

I'm sure everyone is past this now, but I just got an alert that The Croning is on sale for $1.99 today.