Lovecraft Country

 

Interesting that I started this Audible version during March which is Black History Month. Yes the story does have Lovecraftian themes. In fact the tales start off with Atticus Turner driving up to Illinois to see his father and uncle. Atticus is using a travel book that lets him know which businesses with do business with African Americas. This was set in the 50’s when discrimination was rampant. African American could get stopped for no reason and even shot by the police for no reason. Hotels and restaurants would not accept African American patronage. Atticus has his road troubles and difficulty finding roadside assistance due to the prejudice. The first story has him track his father down who is being held in a house owned by Braithwaite who is the leader of the Order of the Ancient Dawn. At first it seems almost resort like until they find out they are supposed to be sacrificed. What ensues is a a daring escape attempt with the assistance of Caleb Braithwaite the cult leaders son.

After the first episode the family of Atticus Turner has constant contact with Braithwaite and the Order of the Ancient Dawn. In one instance one of Aticus’s sisters somehow gets up the money for a house . The house is haunted with a statue of Hekate. The spirit that lives there is Hiram Winthrop. In another instance Hypolita opens up a cosmic doorway that takes her to the far end of the universe. On this far end are servants of Caleb Braithwaite and they have been there for some time. Another female is chosen to take a potion that makes her look like someone named Hilary. She is able to spy on other members of the Order of the Ancient Dawn and report back to Caleb Braithwaite.

Through there adventures the Turner family finds out that a female ancestor of theirs was connected to the Braithwaite. Her name was Hannah and was owned by the Braithwaite family. They seem to be forever connected and it is a connection they want to break.

Braithwaite has the Turners break into a museum to steal a magical book. Caleb is fighting a magical war within the confines of his order. He sends to the Turner family into the realms of the dead to retrieve more magical books of Hiram Winthrop. This of course will be used to the Turner family advantage as they fight for freedom against the magical tyrants.