The Truth Lovecraft Didn’t Tell | The Ballad of Black Tom and the Horrors of Humanity

[@reddskair9523]

Algorithm comment for the algorithm gods

[@AdmiralSym]

Response comment

[@alexandravladmets]

Algo balgo cadabra!

[@coughsyrup7865]

Strange words of language. Write!

[@harriehausenman8623]

🙏 Hail the Algorithm!

[@harriehausenman8623]

@@alexandravladmets "Translate to English": Algae pod cadabra! 😆 Seems like The Algo finally got a sense of humor!

[@Brownmamba1997]

You know how much i trust Quinn? He said he liked Ballad of Black Tom and i just paused the video to order it. I didn't even let him finish his sentence. That's just how good his picks have always been for me.

[@Brownmamba1997]

@orcanimal chill buddy it's not that deep. He said a book is good, so I bought it. In the past when he's said books are good, I've liked them. Don't over think things.

[@TheMimiSard]

@@Brownmamba1997 Yes. One can get to know how reliable the opinions of a given KZbinr are over time well enough that one can trust their opinion even before hearing what it is. I saw your origin comment and immediately presumed that is what happened - you have followed Quinn for a while so you _know_ he has opinions you work well with.

[@micahsmith7286]

Just read ballad of black tom it's a quick read and I really enjoyed it!

[@LuisSierra42]

What if the whole sentence was "I like Ballad of Black Tom .... BUT..."?

[@annasimmers9549]

Same

[@RemnTheteth]

At the Mountains of Madness changed my perspective on both fiction and horror. I haven't liked every story he's written, but that book is profoundly cool, and way ahead of its time. Great video, once again.

[@meesalikeu]

its unbelievable where your mind goes with that book. its really cool. 🎉

[@Getwright-]

The most horrific part of the novella wasn’t even lovecraftian. It was tom going home to his dad’s apartment

[@reysolo3672]

connotation being? (I don't get it)

[@OfficialROZWBRAZEL]

NO ONE SPOIL IT. *WILL RETURN AFTER READING.*

[@Shugg-Goff-HHoffical]

Yep no spoilers. Just that it is a very human horror that explains why he is.

[@thefisherking78]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@captdrastic]

The Supreme Alphabet is a direct reference to the esoteric teachings of the Five-Percent Nation, an Afro-American Nationalist movement that was centered in Harlem. As I understand it, it was a system for interpreting texts by assigning meanings to the individual letters of Roman script. So Lavalle wasn't just referring to the Necronomicon with it. He was drawing connections between the forbidden literature of the Cthulhu mythos and real world esoteric practices through a black liberation framework. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

[@philyeary8809]

What does nationalism lead to? Asking for Cherokee.

[@ShinobioofGilead]

Thank you for the added context!

[@philyeary8809]

@@ShinobioofGilead Shinobi, is that you man?

[@philyeary8809]

@@ShinobioofGilead from Gone with Jon?

[@ShinobioofGilead]

@@philyeary8809 I'm afraid not.

[@seanobrien798]

I am grateful the Mi-Go, The Fungi from Yuggoth, allowed my brain-cylinder to access Quinn's Ideas. My journey to Yuggoth will easier to endure.

[@DarthCuddlefluff]

Did you know that Earth scientists don't even consider Yuggoth to be a planet anymore? Crazy.

[@Ranmauzo]

@@DarthCuddlefluff The Blanks were too successful in this case... instead of diminishing the importance of our world, they eliminated it as a world entirely; those apes are truly insidious.

[@griffinhunter3206]

im scared enough about horror that my quivering brain somehow read what you wrote as "I am greatfull Yu-Gi-Oh allowed my brain-cylinder to access Quinn's Ideas" tbh

[@jackcarterful]

I had a dream about the Mi-Go years ago.

[@vincentcabezas7147]

fellas, I'm starting to suspect Halloween is Quinn's favorite holiday...

[@JezzebellaLu]

“Stories are not static. They grow and evolve over time.” Boom. New favorite chanel. Liked. Subsribed.

[@Getwright-]

I love this novella! The best remix of lovecraft from a black lens. Better than lovecraft country to me. I hope someone adapts it

[@ChasingBooks]

This was my introduction to Victor LaValle's work. Not only is it one of the best horror novelas I have ever read, but I consider it one of the best novelas I've read of any genre. I read it over a year ago and was blown away. Tom makes a fantastic protagonist, and the ending is masterful and haunting.

[@tobyakers2936]

The Algorithm really hates you Quinn. I've been subscribed to your channel for around 2 years I think.. Your videos never show up in my recommendations and I have to seek out your channel and catch up every few weeks. Truly some great content and eye opening perspectives. I really enjoy your channel and hope I'm the only one experiencing this kind of issue.

[@wesbeuning1733]

Hail!

[@Raziel078]

He shows up for me about once every two months. If I'm not in the mood for one of his videos at that moment. Sorry. See you in a couple months.

[@Kroban_d4c]

For me some of his videos show up but others dont, idk if the algorithm is that sensitive about some topics or what but its weird. I mean its not like Quinn talks about "Grape" cases or shit like that, its mostly just horror and scifi

[@Wanhope2]

Have to change notifications to All

[@archerpence]

For real. I didn't know this was up until now.

[@SevenGC89]

Quinn your channel is very dangerous lol. Before I found it I just read every once and a while, now after watching your videos for maybe a year I have a queue of literally 25 books on my shelf that I've ordered and haven't read yet, so far I've picked up, mind you these are just from your videos: Revelation Space trilogy - just started Children of Time trilogy - Read 1 book Cage of Souls - Not started 2 of the Culture series - Read Both The Sparrow - Not Started Complete works of H.P Lovecraft - Read a few Xenogenesis trilogy - One of my fav trilogies of all time now Snow Crash - Not Started Hyperion Cantos - Amazing Blindsight - Not Started Annihilation trilogy - Not Started Reembrace of Earths Past trilogy (I haven't read Redemption of Time yet) - Took me a bit but finished it before the show Not to mention a ton of un listened to Audiobooks lol. But in all seriousness I didn't discovery my deep love of reading until you lead me down the path of Science Fiction, I always read pure horror or maybe some fantasy, thank you man, I honestly really appreciate finding a new love in my mid 30s.

[@DanielSolis]

Opting for "indifference over malice" is such a fascinating motivation. Makes total sense for a mythos antagonist.

[@Getwright-]

You would do an AMAZING audiobook reading of this story Quinn! You could really capture all the characters voices and personalities well I bet!

[@eric2500]

RED HOOK TODAY ... The cult members still gather at the shore, giving their adoration to the foreign aesthetic of meatballs and blond wood, through the long night, assembling and assembling the stark and functional objects, crying out the word of invocation... *"Eye kee ah! eye kee ah, eye kee ah"*

[@ManDuderGuy]

There oughta be a law against it!

[@Vecchio_Rhosod85]

I just got the joke! 😂 Ikea! Ikea! Ikea!

[@tuumef1799]

I enjoy how the selected passages helped to emphasize the subtle horror of existence itself for the ones without a voice. I've had my eye on this one, but your video gave that final push. Happy Halloween.

[@cunning01]

Glad to see you cover Lavalle's work. I hope, if you haven't already, you get a chance to check out Laird Barron and John Langan's works as well.

[@Theomite]

Nice library. I'm more impressed than I am with many other book channels. I can't figure out your cataloging system for the life of me, but I'm still impressed by the emphasis on hardcovers. But those _Absolute Sandmans_ need to by lying flat to protect the spines. That's how I store all my Absolutes.

[@ikenosis8160]

I missed this video last week. Excellent work, Quinn. I love your art. Thanks for all you do. Liked and shared. Godspeed.

[@alexandraw6264]

I’m so excited to read this now! Thanks for the enthralling analysis.

[@nickdecourcey6535]

I wouldnt judge or put any hate towards Lovecraft. He was only like that because of the time, it was normal and common to be scared or judgemental towards others. We know more now and i'm sure Lovecraft would love Quinn and all of us today no matter where we come from.

[@rafaelgustavo7786]

What is most horrifying about Lovecraft's stories is the thought that human beings arose through a laboratory error by the Great Old Ones. We are creations of degenerate alien entities. Just that. A cosmic accident.

[@TomJones-op9nj]

And yet we have da Vinci … Dostoyevski… Jung ….Plato …bozo the clown…..I just realized they are all dead ?! Happy Halloween 🎃 MF’s

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@TomJones-op9njWe also have Jeffery Dahmer , Adolph Hitler and GG Allin

[@eric2500]

That could be either very depressing or quite hopeful...I'm a go with hope.

[@Shoutatclouds]

Oopsie

[@AbdiYohan]

I've watched many of your videos and have enjoyed each one, but this one may be the best of the lot. Thank you for sharing these stories with us!

[@mikeinmelbourne9491]

One of my favorite horror books of the last few years, well worth reading - this and Lovecraft Country. Books that deconstruct and pay homage.

[@beautifulmind0711]

The ending is fantastic

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Lovecraft Country was a great book (better than the TV series, which was decent-good)

[@mwellnow5016]

Lovecraft Country is blackface but for Lovecraft, puppeting his name to insult him and others

[@claudeyaz]

Thank you for the video man! I've been checking daily because I never get notifications.. Even though I'm signed up for all of them.. Was getting worried!

[@kindred84]

I found you awhile ago looking up info on The 3 Body Problem. You're great, and you should do audiobooks.

[@0bskureference]

Exactly as you’re doing here with the side by side comparisons of these 2 stories, we did in my favorite class, occult literature, 2 semesters ago. Excellent story. Excellent video.

[@brianback3865]

My favorite Lovecraft story is "The Dunwich Horror," precisely because of how much detail he goes into about the Whateley family and their motivations for summoning yog-shogoth.

[@ManDuderGuy]

Uhhmm ACKshually it was Yog Sothoth. Shuggoths/shoggoths are those gnarly slave-class creatures that eventually turned against the Elder Thingymajigs

[@brianback3865]

@ManDuderGuy thanks , it's been many years since I've read it.

[@DiegoB0525]

Will check out your Halloween Playlist! I'm starting with the first one, but will binge them today since its very fitting!

[@finalascent]

The real estate market in Red Hook, Brooklyn is the REAL horror these days...

[@philyeary8809]

@@finalascent it's a real money pit, and insurance won't cover the hellacious cost of removing water and eldritch ooze from carpets.

[@davidmedlin8562]

Love your videos! This is in my top 10 favorite channel's of all time!

[@Zaydok_Allen]

I haven’t read Horror at Redhook for quite awhile. That’s for this video Quinn. Love the channel.

[@roneon4]

I don't find HP problematic only if some groups try to find it problematic for the sake of calling for attention. But i dont live in the US and in latin america many racial slurs dont stick the same way; in fact people can get shock the way we handle those in a banal way. At the end of the day the work of a writer can bring much more flavor as being part of its own era.

[@eric2500]

Interesting. But here it the US racism is our biggest mostly unaddressed sin from our history, and if we are going overboard in the opposite direction at the moment that is just what we do in the US, go overboard. On just about everything. The thoughtful among us wish we could quit. Do you think having all the different terms for differing amounts of "blood" in one's parentage make it less of a big deal in your culture? Because it seems as if you are just insulting each other all the time, with the result that you just don't feel it anymore. Does that make it any less of an avoidance or denial of the problem? It seems as if you still have plenty of discrimination and, like us, a frightful history.

[@roneon4]

@@eric2500 I dont think is about discrimination as i notice the same with other latin speaking countries and people use those terms in a day day base or any normal conversation. I did notice in the last couple of years in media trying to create a buff out of this but people here just make fun of news overblowing stuff.

[@nyarlat2609]

​@@eric2500racism is not an American sin. America does quite well to recognize its own history, and people forget that slavery exists in the world right now. But it's easy for people to cry about America, instead of going somewhere else and getting stoned to death for questioning authority. Morgan Freeman said it best: if you want racism to stop being a problem, stop bringing it up all the time. But no, the modern racists make easy money by accusing others of racism and fomenting hate and division. I know plenty of people who are sick of double standards pushed in the name of equality, sick of being called racist for the "sin of being born white", and the more people get abused like that, the more you actually will push people to be racist.

[@aidanhammer6968]

​​​@@eric2500 I think racism and discrimination are pretty dang far from being an "unaddressed" sin in the US.

[@juansotelo3996]

I was about to make a comment about the same thing, the "problematic" stuff reach only some particular countries. In south America we have not the same view and makes me wonder why would you get involved with something you find problematic? Money? Idk man, all those filters are lame and dumb imo, but it makes me mad when they "fix" things, or write something "the author never did but here we are to do it for him". This bs made me ubsub from this channel, spoiled by that narrow point of view, promoting revisionist bs and woke agenda (yes, is that bs with extra steps and gaslight on top).

[@AlephNull01]

thanks for all the great content you make Quinn, I’ve read so many new books because of your videos, happy Halloween!

[@Lady_Yenivere]

They way I been checking every single day for a new Quinnnsss Videooooo!!!!! Oooooowweeeee Thank you Quinn ❤

[@kjchopin]

I just want to say your channel is amazing and you’re one of the most well spoken and knowledgeable people on this site. I hope more people are able to find you. I see more and more sci fi channels mention you so here hoping! Thank you for the videos

[@mzklucas]

This book is awesome, so cool that you're talking about this new wave of lovecraftian authors!

[@therevenancy]

I dont think anyone else has provided me with as many leads on great books. Great video!

[@petespencer8813]

I had this recommended to me by a friend, some years ago. I enjoyed it. A LOT!!

Yes! Always great to see your channel show up in my feed.

[@jacobv3396]

Quinn, your channel is indispensable as a source for book recommendations for me. Keep up the excellent work!

[@Isaac-hm6ih]

The hilarious thing about Lovecraft's xenophobia is that it frequently leads to his preferred race being the ONLY people who don't understand what's going on.

[@Isaac-hm6ih]

Similarly, Cthulu is one of the "gods friendly to mankind"

[@EksaStelmere]

"His preferred race" implies Lovecraft actually liked anyone.

[@Isaac-hm6ih]

@@EksaStelmere I don't know much about him outside his writing, but you make a fine point 😁

[@palchristianandersen9086]

There's a funny part in one of his stories where a squad of cops do a raid on a ritual and all of them are unaffected by the tom tom drumming except the one officer who's like Spanish or Italian or something.

[@cesarsalas8506]

Probably it's a bit of a trope. The main character is often a WASP from New England or some similar type and sort of embodies the modern society and civilization, based upon science and reason. Of course, the protagonist dismisses anything outside that as (in a mix of hubris and somewhat racist disdain) just some superstition from uncivilized, inferior folks. Until it explodes in his face, with devastating results.

[@johnrechtoris9796]

Not listening to the rest of this video (yet) because I just went and got The Ballad of Black Tom from Audible just after the intro. Thanks, Quinn!

[@johnrechtoris9796]

And I'm back. The Ballad of Black Tom was an excellent story, in a similar vein to Matt Ruff's Lovecraft Country. It will appeal to any fans of the Mythos who dismay at the bigotry in Lovecraft and some of his contemporaries' work and also to players of the Call of Cthulhu Role-Playing Game looking for inspiration about how to handle interacting with the mythos in their games.

[@fabiankrokaa1114]

Love your content so much! Happy Halloween Quinn!

[@AnMuiren]

Thanks! After your description I had to buy the book and stayed up all night with it. 😅

[@fletcherthenerd]

Yessss I loved this book!! One of if not my favorite eldritch horror of the last decade!

[@MarcVL1234]

I love Quinn's videos. This one too. This guy deserves all the views & all the subscribers. I also learn a lot about stuff I haven't read yet, because I didn't hear about it before.

[@samgardner9112]

I always get such great book recomendations from your channel quinn. im really looking forward to checking out this one

[@Ericocan]

You have the best sci-fi channel on youtube without a doubt.

[@tomcaldwell8576]

I reallly love your videos. I haven't finished this one yet and I already love it. Your analysis is insightful and well-thought. Also, your Halloween specials are absolutely wonderful!

[@benjamindebo9283]

I'm subscribed but the algorithm actually brought me here!

[@brenda5469]

This is by far one of my favorite stories. I loved the take he had and it really resonated with me as a WOC

[@GetGrimmer]

Best channel. P much my entire reading list is stuff I pick up from here.

[@ljones5297]

Happy Halloween, Quinn, and thanks for this treat!

[@teslapilot5755]

Thanks for showing that playlist at 1:00. Had no idea there was a book for lovecraft country.

[@LocomotiveThought]

I just realized that I needed to press the bell for Notifications. Thank you for the stories.

[@graelent9]

Quinn your voice is phenomenal!! You reading is flawless...

[@TheAlkhemiaStudio]

Pausing the video at 10:28 because now i wanna read it before watching the rest of the video. Thanks a lot for this fantastic recommendation! It peaked my interest! :3

[@rhodesian24]

I know this video is not about this, but I just want to thank you for doing a video on the comic low. I never would have read it or know about it, without the video you put out. So thank you.

[@BaldAndCurious]

If I'm gonna be honest with myself. EACh and EVERY video on this channel is a Halloween special. 🙂 Great job Quinn! I wanna be like you when I grow up.

[@scafleet]

Commenting to boost the best literary review channel on KZbin!

[@bettycherrypie]

Finally found your videos again! The algorithm was working hard to hide them

[@VTPPGLVR]

Masterful work of engaging intriguing time well-spent. (Maybe one of those words will help to power up this amazing channel)

[@MagnumInnominandum]

This is likely my favorite since I first heard it. The atmosphere and descriptions make you feel slimy and cold. It does not kill Malone but he is shattered. It is one of the most problematic and possibly greatest story. I love the idea of another angle on this blasted place. Redhook.

[@ProudGirlDadX2]

Awesome video and awesome stories to cover and make more people aware of them. 'Red Hook' isn't one of Lovecrafts best written stories but there are some great ideas in it. The Ballad of Black Tom is great tho!! Along with Alan Moore's Providence, it's my favorite story inspired by Howie

[@dieantler]

As someone that isn't white, isn't black.. And of Arabic-South Asian heritage.. I understand Lovecraft xenophobia.. I left my faith, my culture and shun it's more.. Problematic aspects.. To be fair, not agreeing with Lovecraft but the fear of the unknown things, cultures, religions does make sense when you deal with things like sacrifices, people who worships death and wanting to die for god.. You know what faith I'm taking about.. I know not all of the adherents are like that but enough so that it drove me out, scared me. When I read Lovecraft works especially this one, especially Red Hook.. I understand. I rather be at comfort where I can understand people, and where the unknown, especially the grotesque doesn't remind me of the fear I run away from. The god I left, the religion I stopped worshipping has lovecraftian elements, cosmic nihilism that drove people insane. Not agreeing with Lovecraft or the period xenophobia.. But it is understandable if one exposed to the horrors of the extreme of the "other" cultures, faiths, gods.. And I say that as someone from the "outside".

[@guineapigsith699]

based

[@guubrick]

This combined with Lovecraft's struggle with mental illness exposes a framing more sophisticated than "oh, he was such a racist". Edit addendum: And that he was "just a product of his time." Racism sucks but it's important to analyze why it occurs other than people just being "evil".

[@teslapilot5755]

Congratulations! Welcome to apostasy! Every new member is one more enlightened being.

[@T.efpunkt]

It's called "autism" when you're unable to understand the feelings and motives of other humans.

[@nyarlat2609]

This exactly. When you learn more about the trauma and abuse of his youth, it's hard to not pity him. You are left with the image of someone socially and emotionally stunted, who held long conversations by letter while struggling to have a short one in person. What I find most terrible, is all the people who feel that they have to dump on him at every opportunity, for being a product of his time, while liberally borrowing from and coopting the literary world he created. They make money off of something that he wanted to make free to everyone; he wanted others to add to his works, didn't care much about profit, and modern creators do so while crapping on him. These same people are no different from the Gilded Age robber barons who wanted to live fat off their workers while disparaging the plebs. The more you learn about him, you realize that the people who attack him are the real monsters. Like watching hoodlums beat up on some kid with down syndrome. ​@@guubrick

[@Theorphan81]

Long live Quinn! Bringer of sacred knowledge! Gifter of visions beyond the veil of reality!

[@carlwilliams3904]

Excellent as always, Quinn. Keep up the great work.

[@sj-kp1ks]

First time here. What a great channel. Keep up the good work!

[@kea7119]

But... Organism 9186!? Great video has usual Quinn. I did not know about the ballad of black Tom. Now i need to read it. o,.o

[@toffeefeathers]

Just binged your 4h Three Body Problem video, this is the perfect follow up!

[@Niko-bb4bg]

I have had a terrible couple months, i love Halloween but am unable to celebrate it this year. Anyway quinn, your video made my day. Thank you. Also algorithm gods get on promoting this. 😅 happy spooky season

[@23uncbball]

Happy Halloween Quinn, love the lovecraft horror, my favorite horror to listen to.

[@donovan5656]

I love this book! Thought everyone else just missed it. Glad it’s getting shine

[@cptjackcanoe]

Your videos are so freaking good! Thank you!

[@hektor7517]

Yoo that's my witch in the thumbnail ! Thanks for mentioning, i love your videos

[@GreyWasteTim]

First horror theme thing to show up in my subs today. Great job Quinn! Happy Halloween 🎃🖤🧡

[@PythiaHiereia]

You always come through for us, Quinn.

[@wminion3890]

Some might argue that those demons that we don’t like in our modern light contributed to the creativity that we enjoy today… All said and done thank you for this video, I have always enjoyed your content and look forward to your videos and opinions/insight.

[@Reoh0z]

We have reached the peaks of our society by standing on the foundations laid by those who came before.

[@sevensins3584]

Cosmic horror is just my cup of tea! I struggled to read Lovecraft in the beginning but now i have many many hours in his books

[@NotMyGumDropButtons.444]

Thank you for reviewing this book. I’m totally picking it up.

[@vincentfox4929]

Its weird, you didnt show up in my recommendations but I had this weird hunch that you hadn't put a video in a while and boom, there it is.

[@MentalschlankAt]

Additional to all the other reasons for liking your videos, I really like the fonts you are using :)

[@Tamisday]

We have the same tastes so I’ll be right back, I’m going to read it first and then I will finish this up. Thank you for another recommendation, I’m excited!

[@benhajvan]

Oh! Never heard of Ballad of Black Tom. Sounds like an awesome read. I'll have to give it a read ASAP.

[@villaine513]

Loved this, thanks for the treat this Halloween! I love when the reinterpretation of some bigoted but solid story exceeds the original :D

[@Mustarrd705]

Your reading passages are so good! I get sucked in immediately.

[@aubreyknight7563]

I'm glad you cover this brother

[@an_impatientGM]

Thank you for changing the way you ask for interactions to have more positive framing.

[@sorceringingArt]

boost for the algorithm, i will be listening to this multiple times Happy halloween!

[@Luciferian.Latino]

Crackin open a fresh can of Quinn's Ideas

[@rabindranabraham2681]

Thanks!

[@GabrielGarcia-pi3hn]

I knew Victor LaValle's name sounded familiar, and then i realized i had read his book The Changeling a few years ago! While i have some criticism of it (the ending felt way more action focused than the rest of it), i did really enjoy it, and this video has made me (aware of and) excited to read the Ballad of Black Tom

[@TheFoxkid4444]

Been a while, good to be back.

[@eaglesclaws8]

love craft had many problematic views. so did micheal jackson. yet people still play his music... you can be a monster and still give good lessons on life. like what not to do.

[@Eyrie007]

Exactly. I really do think you can separate the art from the artist.

[@bigevildad]

Ballad of Black Tom is a great read. Been out for a while, its a favorite of many HPL fans. Would make a great movie, if done correctly.

[@geoffok]

Everyone always going on and on about Lovecraft being xenophobic and/or racists, and then giving text from a work of fiction he wrote. Despite the fact that every story he writes is from the characters' perspective. I'm not saying he wasn't racist, but the evidence is not in the literature. It's like saying Philip K. Dick is an anti-Semite for writing The Man in the High Castle.

[@LongfusedbombasticBarbarian]

Thanks for the Halloween entertainment it's deeply appreciated I was hearing Whispering is about this book but this gave me some details which is extra cool

[@joshgladfelter9597]

Great video. I look forward to checking out the ballad of Black Tom.