"Dreams in the Witch House" is a horror short story written by H.P. Lovecraft in the year 1932. It is part of the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared fictional universe featuring cosmic horrors and ancient deities. The story follows the protagonist Walter Gilman, a student at Miskatonic University, who rents a room in a boarding house notorious for its dark history. This house, known as the Witch House, was once the residence of witch Keziah Mason and her mysterious familiar, Brown Jenkin.
This house, known as the Witch House, was once the residence of witch Keziah Mason and her mysterious familiar, Brown Jenkin. Gilman quickly becomes obsessed with the room's strange angles and dimensions, which seem to defy the laws of physics. He discovers that these architectural anomalies might be linked to other dimensions and ancient cosmic beings.
36 Books About Witches That Will Have You Digging Out Your Cauldron From Storage
I love Halloween. I love witches. I love all things spooky. So, here we are with a whole list of books about witches. I’ve already read some of these but as I made this list, I bought at least four more and will probably eventually read even more of them.
I’ve been itching to listen to my Halloween playlist and have been listening to a bubbling cauldron video (literally just bubbling cauldron noises, three hours of them) a lot lately so it was only fitting that this was my next post to write.
- If you want to listen to some of these, consider trying Audible! You can get your first month free (one free book) plus tons of others they have for free. Get that Audible deal here.
- If you’re on more of a budget, try Scribd! You can get 60 days free there with my link! You can read books and listen to audiobooks. It is unlimited (especially the reading) but if you listen to tons of new audiobooks you may be restricted after a few. I don’t listen to enough to confirm this, but I do use Scribd myself and like it a lot. Get 60 days free here!
- Shop my collection of bookish goodies on Etsy! These aren’t my shop items, but other shops I’ve curated into a book-themed collection. Shop my Etsy bookish goodies here!
- If you want to read more on your Kindle but don’t want to buy books, Kindle Unlimited is a good option. If you read a lot and like to read more than just new releases (especially romance), it could be worth it. Get Kindle Unlimited here!
- Get $5 off of $25 from BookOutlet! This is a great place to find new books for pretty cheap. They also have sales quite a bit, so keep an eye out for those. I tend to check here for books I want if they’re more expensive other places. They don’t have everything but they do have a lot. Shop BookOutlet here!
- Thrift Books has become my go-to when I’m looking for a book and want it cheap. It’s great if you like buying used books. With this you can get a free book after spending $30!
- Shop my book lists here! You can find every book list I have on Bookshop.org (except my monthly round-ups) and I add everything I can but they occasionally won’t have some. I do occasionally add extras though. If any lists are empty, they’ll be filled in shortly! Shop my bookshop.org book lists here.
As he delves deeper into his studies and begins experimenting with complex mathematics, he discovers a nexus point within the room that connects to different dimensions. The story descends into madness as Gilman's dreams become increasingly horrifying and vivid. He communicates with Keziah Mason in his sleep, who transports him to other realms and introduces him to the abhorrent entity known as Nyarlathotep. Brown Jenkin, a rat-like creature with a human-like face and sharp teeth, acts as Keziah's familiar and torments Gilman both in his dreams and waking life. As Gilman's mental state deteriorates, he becomes convinced that the Witch House is a gateway to other dimensions, allowing him to travel through time and space. In his dreams, he witnesses ancient rituals, participates in bizarre ceremonies, and even encounters non-human entities. Ultimately, the story climaxes with Gilman's physical and mental collapse, leaving his fate unclear. "Dreams in the Witch House" explores Lovecraft's themes of forbidden knowledge, the fragility of the human mind when confronted by cosmic forces, and the blurring line between dreams and reality. It intertwines the occult, mathematics, and otherworldly entities to create a terrifying and mind-bending narrative. The story serves as a reminder of humanity's insignificance in the face of ancient and incomprehensible entities from beyond our understanding..
Reviews for "The Role of Dreams in Shaping the Narrative in H.P. Lovecraft's "The Witch House"
1. John - 1/5 stars
I found "Dreams in the Witch House" by H.P. Lovecraft to be a major disappointment. The story lacked a cohesive plot and felt disjointed throughout. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to connect or care about their fates. Lovecraft's writing style, which often relies on lengthy descriptions and excessive use of archaic language, made the story excessively slow-paced and tedious to read. The buildup towards the climax was strangely anticlimactic, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was left questioning why this story is considered a classic in the horror genre.
2. Emma - 2/5 stars
While I appreciate H.P. Lovecraft's contribution to the horror genre, I have to admit that "Dreams in the Witch House" left me underwhelmed. The story had potential, with its blend of supernatural elements and psychological horror, but it failed to live up to expectations. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of exposition and limited action or suspense. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to invest in their experiences. Lovecraft's style, characterized by overly convoluted sentences and excessive descriptions, further detracted from the overall enjoyment of the story. Despite its reputation, I struggled to find the appeal in this particular Lovecraft tale.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars
I have to say that "Dreams in the Witch House" was a complete letdown. I found the story to be confusing and lacking a clear direction. The narrative seemed to jump around without rhyme or reason, leaving me constantly trying to piece together what was happening. The characters were forgettable, and I had no investment in their struggles. Lovecraft's writing style, while praised by many, did not resonate with me. The frequent use of archaic language and drawn-out descriptions only served to further distance me from the story. Overall, I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied, wondering why this particular tale has garnered so much acclaim.