The Legacy of Reanimator – Chaoisum Review

Chronicles of Herbert West

As a fan of H.P Lovecraft, and a frequent Keeper of Call of Cthulhu, I purchased this book to help add depth to my games and find opportunities for story hooks. Chaosium has published many fiction anthologies, by emerging and established authors. This collection was edited by Peter Rawlik and Brian M. Sammons. These books delve to and build on a universe from which Call of Cthulhu Keepers can draw for their games. The Legacy of Reanimator tells multiple stories based on and around Herbert West: Reanimator by H.P Lovecraft.

History of Reanimator

The original story, which is included in this anthology, follows the journey of Herbert West through the eyes of his long-suffering assistant. The pair meet in medical school at Miskatonic University in Arkham, and subsequently spend the next few decades attempting to and succeeding in reanimating the dead.

This Anthology pushes that narrative further, and deeper into a space beyond the absurd and grotesque. This is not a bad thing, but if you have a weak stomach or are faint of heart this might not be the book for you. There are some things that cannot be unread, but I suppose that’s just how Call of Cthulhu works.

The Stories

The first two stories establish much of Herbert West's character, they touch on his childhood, and his early university days before he met his unnamed assistant in the original text.

The very first story follows West through is childhood. It's told from the point of view of a little girl infatuated with 'Herbie' and his fascination with death, and his odd behaviour. It gives us a view of him but not what piqued his interest in death.

The third story is the source material itself, Herbert West: Reanimator. A 6 part story with a very dry, imperceptible humour to it. It is one of my all-time favourites, it's dark violent, and entertaining.

Each of the subsequent stories leads you down a path that you cannot return from. As each story progresses it feels like a series of stories by authors trying to outdo each other in how much gore and grotesqueness they can do, only for the next author to push the boundary further.

The anthology includes a couple of round robin stories where each section is written by a different author.

While it sounds like I did not like the book, that could be no farther from the truth. As each story out did the last, I was determined to find out how far they could push the grotesqueness. I do not wish to give away spoilers, I must give fair warning as to the content, as it is not a light summer read.

Overall

I will flat out say that this book is not for everyone. Even Call of Cthulhu fans may balk at the content of this book. However, if you want to know more about Herbert West, and his depravity then by all means, sink your teeth into it. You will learn about the Legacy of Reanimator, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.