The House on the Borderland

By: William Hope Hodgson

Narrated by: Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot

While on a fishing trip two men discover the ruins of an old house perched on the very edge of a cliff. In the ruins they discover an old manuscript that seems to suggest the house was once involved in something super natural, and horrific.

Public Domain (P)2013 FNH

Great bit of cosmic horror.

Vary good story with some great imagery. Hodgson really knew how to build an atmosphere of dread. he maybe didn't have the best grasp on phisics but then that may have just been the times. at least there's no mention of none euclidean geometry lol.

Has the reader never heard of emotion?

There are several versions available, choose a different one. This performer seems to be half asleep even when the narrator is screaming in terror. Turned this great classic into a looong slogging snooze-fest

Good story, fair reading.

Good, atmospheric story of cosmic horror. The reading, although clear, is largely uninflected and monotonous.

Needs more swine

Is there anything you would change about this book?

More swine! I was really into the initial set-up where the main character is maybe going mad or maybe being attacked by swine creatures. But then the swine recede and there's never any real follow-up on them.

What was most disappointing about William Hope Hodgson’s story?

The lack of any follow-up on his potential insanity. Is he off his rocker or is this William Shatner's Twilight Zone episode? We never really know.

Any additional comments?

This was a fine performance and I am sure fans of H.P. Lovecraft would want to read/hear this as it is so clearly an influence on his writing. For me, I was pulled in early but then got kind of bored. If you are going to read/listen, I recommend a dark and stormy night for full effect.

Good narrator, funny, author smoked the good stuff...

Overall, I'm glad I read this book. At times, story seemed to drag on, but was very interesting. Some creepy moments.

Great narrator, OK story

Great narrator, interesting example of "weird tales" genre, though the story becomes somewhat tedious at points. I found Hodgson's Carnacki stories more enjoyable.

Amazing to see what influenced Lovecraft

Sure, it doesn't stand up to the standards of modern writing or storytelling, but this is still a fascinating early tale of cosmic horror that gives the reader some new context with which to read Lovecraft and his contemporary heirs.

A good an insightful tale.

A good and insightful tale. It will stay with you and make you ponder the peculiar natures of time and being.

Presently

The word "presently" is used so many times and it became really annoying. Presently, the book may be the catalyst for cosmic horror, but, presently, W.H.H. could have taken some notes from an editor.

Presently, the audio is great.

Presently.

If you like this genre of cosmic horror and do not balk at a slow burn, read it

This book was written by a true master of the craft. Despite the age of this book I think it holds up as a powerful tale of cosmic horror. It is a slow burn. Though, the author skillfully gives us a tease of what is to come right at the beginning so during that slow burn you are assured it will be worth it.
That slow burn begins heating up in intensity and hits a point of critical mass and you find yourself devouring page after page not being able to turn the page fast enough to keep up.
It eventually becomes quite trippy.
This is all the more impressive considering that as far as I know this is one of the earliest books of this type. Predating even Lovecraft.
If I had any critique at all, it would be the ending felt just the tiniest bit unfinished and over too quick. That said, this is me being extremely nit-picky holding it to a super high standard.
Does this make my lofty and exclusive favorites list? Honestly, I don't know. If it doesn't, it is definitely standing there just outside of the gates. I am already looking forward to rereading it at some point which is high praise. I will let it sit for a while and ruminate for now.
This is certainly a good book to ruminate on after reading.
If you like this genre of cosmic horror and do not balk at a slow burn, read it, you will not be disappointed.