Looking at my reading habits of the last 2 months I notice that even when making a conscious effort to change up what I’m reading for a bit and dip into some SF, or Non-Fiction or Horror or something I still end up also reading more crime/detective novels every single week. It’s like 4:1 at this point. I am thinking of some possible explanations for why that might be beyond “well… I like crime/detective novels”.

I suspect there is a correlation between how insane, stressful and chaotic the world around me seems and the amount of these books I read. Even though the plots and themes of these novels (particularly the scandanavian ones I’ve been into of late) are bleak and dark they are relaxing and reassuring. The worlds in these novels are upsetting but at least they are about characters trying to put them in some kind of order. To beat back the darkness. To solve a dang mystery. 

Horrible Crime -> Investigation -> Eventual Resolution to Mystery. 

They don’t exactly have happy endings, but the specific element of chaos is dealt with. Yeah, the detectives are usually scarred forever and you just know that eventually staring into the abyss is going to end up destroying them, but hey at least that rapist-murderer is not raping and murdering anyone anymore.

It’s escapism, sure but maybe a more realist-escapism? Instead of a power-fantasy of some uber-mensch swooping in and saving the day we have the fantasy of having confusing, disordered and scary problems solved by some kind of flawed person just trying their best. Without even having any special powers or abilities, unless you count substance-abuse and obsession that destroys whatever personal life they have a super power.

These books make a nice companion to cosmic horror. Cosmic horror is incredibly imaginative and creative, but I also find is philosophically comforting. Yeah, the universe is amoral, indifferent and beyond the understanding of puny human minds. Yeah, the ancient, eldritch creatures that lurk in the shadows will probably devour you if you’re lucky and drive you mad just from gazing on them if you’re not. Yeah, there is no meaning to the pain and misery you encounter and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, but hey! You’re not being punished by some kind of petty, spiteful-but-apparently-loving God! At least all the children dying miserable, cold, hungry and alone aren’t part of some grand PLAN! 

So focus on the parts of existence you CAN understand. Just try and enjoy yourself, be nice to and take care of each other, maybe get in some exercise, eat a vegetable or two and solve a dang murder mystery! But, hurry up before Azathoth wakes up and you blink out of existence.

I’m thinking of becoming a motivational speaker.

Currently Playing: Fordell Research Unit – “Borderland”

Currently Reading: LOVECRAFT’S MONTERS, Edited by Ellen Datlow