The Rats in the WallsOccultism, Ancient Rites, and Cannibalism

Author: H.P. Lovecraft

Where lies my love, far under the Earth

Crowned by the worms, the mold gives birth

Who is my love? The scion of death

Whose kisses drown me in cold, sweet breath.

~ Ravenloft: Tower of Doom by Mark Anthony

 

The scion of a mysterious family with an ancient, evil house, Delapore moves from his Massachusetts home to rediscover the history of his ancestral home in England. Exham Priory is a thing of legend, and when our enthusiastic narrator reverts back to the original spelling of his family’s name, the denizens of this drizzly enclave fear that history, insanity, and the rumored mysterious ceremonies of Exham Priory are about to repeat themselves. Discounting superstition and local folklore, the pull of history draws our narrator even more than the disturbing dreams of a grim, demonic visage whipping herds of human chattel. However, when the narrator’s favorite cat is awakened by rats in the walls and leads Delapore to the depths of the dungeon, an ancient altar threatens to awaken his slipping sensibilities.

Originally appearing in the 1924 collection of Weird Tales, Lovecraft’s atmospheric story of creeping paranoia captivates dark and uncomfortable regions of our imaginations. Drawing upon occultism, demonic influences, ritualistic murder, and secrets of the netherworld, “The Rats in the Walls” builds up steadily. First, there is the seeping sense of something amiss. An oppressive atmosphere of sounds and half seen, half felt fears. As the tale progresses, the paranoia grows into something tangible and true, following readers as we discover an altar and a gateway. Lovecraft satisfies our insatiate curiosity with a voyage into undreamt of terrors, twisting into a shocking conclusion that pleases and haunts with its grisly, primordial echoes. What you see, what you feel, and what you read will haunt you and test the limits of sanity in a way that only Lovecraft could do.

One word of warning in an otherwise masterful and unforgettable tale: Delapore’s cat, in line with Lovecraft’s blatant racism, has a name derogatory to African Americans. Some versions keep this name and others change the name to “Black Tom” which isn’t much better.

Curious about “The Rats in the Walls?” Want a little taste of the madness before being captured and held hostage in one of the grimmest possible worlds? The short story is available in Kindle format (below) and also free at Lovecraft’s writing website. Personally, however, this sinister gem is best listened to by a narrator with a sonorous tone. I listed to Let’s Read’s rendition on Youtube, which is simply excellent. Unequivocally recommended.

  • Frances Carden

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Frances Carden
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