http://www.owlsoup.com/3LBE

That said, this story has some serious weaknesses. Teeth like piano keys? A family line of ancient assassins? The intentions are appreciated, but I think it missed the mark.

There was a little too much pop-culture name-checking (the very INVISIBLES-esque “forcing out the attempted possession” bit would have worked a bit better if we hadn’t have had Grant Morrison name-checked for no really discernible reason except, hey, he’s cool - which he is, and so is WSB, but come on) and I generally find that stories in which mankind has any hope at all in defeating Lovecraftian entities miss the point of Lovecraft entirely. But then, this is pulp and so we have to have a protagonist to root for, I guess.

And I can’t help but find it funny that the story gets praised for having a non-stereotypical “Muslim in hijacked airplane scenario” with nary a peep about a twinkling Dr. Smith (another name check, that) stereotype breezing through. Less prickly subject, I guess.

But it was all meant in good fun and good fun it was. Looking forward to more from this writer.

Also, as I never tire of this interesting subject, this was a another good example of a story that “read” well - I mean that not as a comment on whether it was good or bad story (I’m sure much Tom Clancy technospyfetishcrap “reads” well to whatever poor sods buy those audiobooks) or a well or poorly written story, but that the style lent itself to being read aloud. An example in the other direction was “The Teacher” which seemed like a story I probably would have enjoyed more on the printed page, but found a bit muddy and unfocused when read aloud (and, again to clarify, that’s no comment on the reader’s abilties either, which is another factor in the mix). There’s no quantifiable approach to my theory-in-progress yet (other than the obvious “first person narratives work better”), but I’m beginning to feel that something more than personal subjectivity might be at work.

No comments on the preceding few stories as they didn’t impress (”Pattern Masters” had promise, even with the un-engaging slacker artist characters, but for the monumentally underwhelming yet over-considered ending. “Dear Killer” - what can I say except that I saw this on an Alfred Hitchcock Presents repeat from the 1960’s when I was 8 and then read it in an issue of “House Of Secrets” when I was 10 and then…).

Thanks For Listening

“One must be cold if one wishes to savor chaos.” Ferdinand Hardekopf, “The Mental Link” (1912)

And, yeah, the Christian fundamentalists CAN and sometimes DO go around invoking God and the Bible that much - and more. Not all of them, mind you, and some much more internally than others. But it does happen.

Loved this story and how it updates the Cthulu mythos into the modern day. Innsmouth, Arkham, Kingsport, Dunwich — they could all “hide” in 30s before highways and the Internet. The idea that not only would the followers of Dagon reveal themselves, but set up a mega-church, is a great one.

And that they would hijack a plane for the perceived injustices done to them in the name of religion? Brilliant.

I thought the kid who helps the main character was a bit too deus ex machina, but will forgive it for how much fun this story was for horror nerds like me.

And thanks to Pseudopod for introducing me to Joel Arnold and now Edward Norris. Definitely going to find more of his stuff.

I don’t know if it was intentional, but the protagonist, a religious fanatic, really played off the Dagon worshipers well.

Also, I got a little confused during the hijacking scene, it wasn’t very clear what was going on. And the ending did seem a bit abrupt. This could have very easily been a great novel.

But it was very well written and descriptive, it had me enthralled. The description of the frogmen gave me the chills.

Anyway, I really loved it!

I don’t necessarily agree with the author’s personal stance in this case, which if I understand him right, seems to suggest that all differences in behavior and faith should be overlooked simply because we’re all in the same boat. I don’t buy it. There are people out there that twist their faith into a justification for blowing up clinics, buildings, and murdering the innocent. Such activities can’t be ignored.

But we can save that debate for another time :)

I do heartily respect and am humbled by the artful way he turns a stereotype on its side and exposes the fleshy underbelly for us all to stare at. This story manages to be gripping, challenging, funny, and poignant. I cared about the protagonist from the moment he showed up, and found the villains stark and sufficiently disgusting.

Nice work! By the way, folks — you’ll see this kind of stuff in Murky Depths all the time if you give them a shot!

The story itself was fine, though.

Thank you all, very kindly and sincerely. It was a real shot in the arm to see all your comments. I am so very glad this found another good home. Ben’s hilarious read and Alasdair’s astute commentary were an honor to be part of.

Despite his environmental case of racism, Lovecraft had a lot of heart as a fantasist. If he’d actually known any people of other races who weren’t domestics or street people, I think he might have looked across the aisle at this one and possibly gotten it.

With all the outright anti-Islamic malevolence that has even touched our humble field of SF/H, it’s nice to get a reminder that we’re all in the same skin and we’re all fighting the same enemies in the final analysis, no matter what any of us look like or how we worship God. All the rest is just a tired con.

Good luck with the site, Roland

Overall, good but not great.

And another great reading by Ben.

Good stuff all around.