“At The Mountains of Madness (Volumes I & II)” Written by H.P. Lovecraft, and Illustrated by François Baranger

Review By Talia Heart

This review will be easy and fast, because every once in a while, in any form of media, be it a movie, a set of dice, or a book (as is the case here), you know immediately you simply have to own it; this is one of those times. The text of this short story was originally written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1931, and first published in 1936. And while the original text is presented in this new adaptation by Free League Publishing, the true experience of the story is made complete by Swedish artist François Baranger. For a start, the books themselves are made with the highest quality materials, as I’ve come to expect from Free League Publishing. Now I am no art critic, and was even told in high school that I just had no eye for art, I can still be stunned by great works like anyone else (as I was here). The illustrations provided in both oversized volumes are hypnotic, stunning, and made me feel I was truly a participant in the story. Each illustration, some serving as background, some off to one side or the other, is a work of art in-and-of-itself and feels like it should be in a famous museum. And there are so many of these beautiful works of art presented in each volume that this two volume set is a visual feast & absolute treasure, one I wholeheartedly suggest everyone go out and purchase for themselves before it sells out. I must confess as well that “At The Mountains of Madness” is my favorite work by Lovecraft, so I might be just a little biased, but even accounting for that, I give the story itself a 5.0, production quality a 5.0, and the art a 5.0, for an overall rating of 5.0, but with a provision. The provision is that, while he wrote in a period filled with common, everyday racism and racial stereotypes against people of color, it is my personal opinion that H.P. Lovecraft and some of his stories, even this one, exhibit his own personal racism, beyond even the amount one could expect for the day and age. However, I do believe that great works of art, including literature, can to some extent be separated from the author. That said, racism in any form, in my opinion, is unacceptable and must fought, and I am pleased to say that Free League Publishing itself acknowledges Lovecraft’s own prejudice in this book, making clear they do not support racist views and distance themself from Lovecraft’s biases in a special statement printed in this release. And to be clear, neither Free League Publishing or myself are making any critical or accusatory statements about the amazing art provided for this release by Mr. Baranger. Now, with that all said, please enjoy more of the art I have selected for you to preview from both volumes of this set and then consider purchasing a copy of your very own!

Author’s Notes: A free copy of “At The Mountains of Madness (Volumes I & II)” was provided by Free League Publishing for the purpose of this review. I am not a Free League Publishing employee or contractor however, and the views expressed in this review are my own. To get your own copy of the “At The Mountains of Madness” bundle from the Free League store, just click here.