Three post-midnight thoughts while reading John Hornor Jacobs's Southern Gods

BLOT: (18 Sep 2011 - 01:08:45 AM)

Three post-midnight thoughts while reading John Hornor Jacobs's Southern Gods

For those not in the know: Southern Gods. Now, my three thoughts...

(A) I wonder if this, especially the Bull Ingram portions, is inpired in any way or form by an actual Call of Cthulhu session/campaign? There is a scene in a rural radio station that even has something like a handout attached. No judgement, just curious. Though I'm pretty sure a gamer would have hidden Hastur's name since, you know, Hastur is the whole He Whose Name Won't Be Talked About A Super Whole Lot or You Better Watch Out, I want to point out that Kevin Ross's version of The Yellow Sign shows up on the cover [look behind the microphone stand]. Guess what that was designed for? Also, I'm pretty sure the heavy-handed connection between Hastur and The Sign is an RPG convention.

(B) I feel like I should read "The Yellow Sign" and the rest of The King in Yellow pretty much ASAP, though I already know some of the bits.

(C) While most of the writing book is from fair to better-than-fair, some of it is about as blunt as a lead pipe. Even with the handful of passages that are a bit, "Yes we get the point," I have only found one line that has made me cringe, given without context so as to not be a spoiler:

Not sure why that line bugs me, outside of the fact that I assume most people look earnest and uncomplicated without consciousness. Maybe I'm just too trusting.

OTHER BLOTS THIS MONTH: September 2011