I Am Providence
Nick Mamatas
Night Shade Books
Reviewed by Brian M. Sammons
Humor and horror is a tough thing to do right; that goes double when the horrific element is based on one H.P. Lovecraft and the brand of weird fiction he helped create. To some, the man and his works are easy targets for ridicule. For others, they are beyond reproach. I lean more towards the latter than the former, although I have had my share of laughs at Cthulhu and Company when it’s been done well, such as the movie The Last Lovecraft or when the tentacled god of madness and misery had an extended guest spot on South Park. But for as many times as this mashing-up of genres have been tried and succeeded, there are many, many more where it failed miserably. I Am Providence, a title taken from the tombstone of H.P. Lovecraft himself, is the latest such effort. Does it hit the mark or is it another to miss by a mile? Let’s find out.
This novel is about horror writer Colleen Danzig, and like many authors, she goes to a convention one day to make contacts, do some schmoozing, and maybe even have a good time. The con she goes to is Summer Tentacular, based in Providence, R.I., and is all about H.P. Lovecraft and his weird world of horror. In this mixing bowl of authors, artists, readers, and fans, there is a far more sinister group of book lovers looking for a certain tome bound in human skin that holds power between its hideous covers. Real power. Like the ability to raise the (fictional?) mighty Cthulhu from its dreadful death dreaming and plunge the world into chaos. Before you can say “Ia Ia Cthulhu Fhtagn,” Colleen’s obnoxious roommate for the event (who also happens to be a fellow author) is murdered and left faceless. Despite that, the Summer Tentacular rolls merrily on, with only Colleen and some inept police officers as the only ones interested in solving this heinous crime. Not to mention, stopping more horror from being unleashed. This book then becomes a neat whodunit with all the kooky characters at the con being a possible suspect. There are plenty of Lovecraftian shout outs, lots of nods and winks to anyone that has ever attended a fan convention, and not to mention some real laugh out loud moments. This book not only succeeds on all fronts it takes on, it excels at them. At just over 200 pages, this book moves. It’s never dull, it never drags, and author Nick Mamatas has a fun and engaging style that draws the reader in, makes them smile, and holds on to them until the very end.
The best thing about I Am Providence is that it is honestly funny as only someone that appreciates the subjects he is tweaking the nose of can be. It is not mean spirited, it is not condescending, but neither does it put Lovecraft and his creations on untouchable pedestals. This book is not parody, but rather some insightful knowing looks that fans of Lovecraft will get, but it is also broadly funny enough that those who have never read anything by the man from Providence will still laugh at. That is no mean feat and one that need to be applauded. So for all those reasons, consider I Am Providence highly recommended. It’s a must read for lovers of Lovecraft, laughs, mystery, and silliness.
