House on the Borderland is a book that I have had for some time and thankfully the challenge of reading books for R.I.P. encouraged me to pick this up and enjoy it.

Written in 1908, House on the Borderland is a story that is hard to define. It is at once horror but also contains some very obvious mythological and science fiction elements. It tells the story of two men who stumble upon the ruins of an old house in Ireland and find an old journal. The bulk of the tale is taken up with the reading of this journal and is told through the voice of the narrator of said journal. In it he reveals the strange and otherworldly occurrences visited upon him while in residence of this mysterious old house that exists in close proximity to a large abyss. The narrator relates instances in which he is spiritually removed from his present surroundings to first observe a plane of existence corresponding with his actual physical home in which the various gods and goddesses of many religions dwell and then later to observe the far future destruction of our universe. In the midst of these out of body experiences the narrator encounters some frighteningly real adventures with a race of swine-like creatures who appear to issue forth from a chasm rent in the abyss. Throughout the story the narrator is also visited by the spectal presence of his deceased wife who warns him of impending dangers. Sound odd? It is in fact a very interesting story but one in which the author attempts to do something both cosmic and horrific. That he succeeds at all is a measure of his true talent.

William Hope Hodgson is an author whose praises are not sung as loudly as perhaps they should be. In his brief time as a writer he produced some very memorable stories and poems. Horror Master H.P. Lovecraft says that House on the Borderland is “a classic of the first water” and “perhaps the greatest of all Mr. Hodgson’s works.” William Hope Hodgson died at the age of 40 on the front lines in World War I. It is unknown what great literary achievements could have been wrought were it not for this. There is a brief but fascinating account of his life here that I encourage you to read.

The House on the Borderland is a good story to curl up with on a dark and dreary night. At its best it is very atmospheric and creepy and being a fairly short novel is well worth reading.