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Unnatural Selections #62: HPL's The Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers, cosmic horror in anapestic tetrameter

Posted by Michael O'Brien on 18th Apr 2022

The 'Unnatural Selections' series is our regular round up of notable Chaosium reviews worth a look. 

Here's what reviewers and readers alike have had to say about R.J Ivankovic's amazing 102-page adaption of H.P. Lovecraft's classic story, retold in anapestic tetrameter*:

"If you are a Lovecraft fan, The Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers is a must-have volume because it is may be the best adaptation of a Lovecraft story into another medium." - Geek and Sundry.

"Absolutely charming – I bought this book as a gift, then I had to buy one for myself as well." - Customer Review.

"(Ivankovic) does a splendid job of distilling Lovecraft's complex language of into succinct and swift verse... Lovecraft fans will find this a fun take on a favorite story." - H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society.

"Absolutely delightful... almost too good." - Tsath (Customer Review)

"If you’re the kind of parent I am, you’ll wish for this book to stealthily introduce your children (and your nieces and nephews) to the wonders of Lovecraftian horror." - Cannonball Read

"It made me laugh, it made everyone I've shown it to laugh. The artwork is beautiful, and the poetry of the text is spot-on. If I could give it 6 stars, I would." - TF Druid (Customer Review).

"This book is marvelous in every single way! ...a unique transposition of a classic horror story into another genre altogether; you can buy it unashamedly for yourself, claiming that you'll gift it to the neighbour's kids."—Antonios S. Review, RPGNet.

"5 Stars - so much fun!" - Richard B (Customer Review).

"If you like weird fiction and have read The Call of Cthulhu, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. And if you know a child into the weird, scary, and peculiar, you will be the world's greatest uncle/aunt/friend if you buy them this book."—Dreams & Nightmares magazine.

Get your H.P. Lovecraft's Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers ($19.95) and its companion volume H.P. Lovecraft's Dagon for Beginning Readers ($17.99) from Chaosium today (and you buy direct from us you get the PDF version included in the price). A great way to introduce your kids to the Mythos - or your nieces and nephews: be that beloved, exceedingly strange relative!

Call of Cthulhu for Beginning Readers

*BTW, What is anapestic tetrameter?

Anapestic tetrameter is a poetic rhythm often used in children's stories. Each line consists of four units of rhythm, known as 'feet'. Each foot has two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. A well-known example is the beginning line of Clement Clarke Moore's poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (aka "A Visit from St. Nicholas"): "Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house / not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."