I Am Providence: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Description

An author's murder during an H. P. Lovecraft fan convention reveals dark secrets beneath the printed page in this biting murder-mystery satire. At the Summer Tentacular, murder is non-fiction. For fans of legendary pulp author H. P. Lovecraft, there is nothing bigger than the annual Providence-based convention the Summer Tentacular. Horror writer

Reviews

While the novel places one foot in Lovecrafts oeuvre, Mamatas revels in the unfurling tentacles of his narrative, which is a many-toothed, many-eyed beast all its own.
B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog, The Best Horror Books of 2016

Mamatas is sharp but fair, never mocking Lovecraft fans, but pulling the veil reveals the complexities of fandom for the late writer.
The Verge, The 11 best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016

A great choice for readers who enjoyed Matt Ruffs Lovecraft Country; those who liked the dark humor, mystery, and speculative elements in Ben H. Winters The Last Policeman trilogy; and anyone who has ever been part of a fandom. The story takes an honest look at Lovecrafts troubling legacy of racism and sexism and how it comes into play during this current revival in his popularity, but you can also feel Mamatas true affection for the author and the larger community of misfit horror authors.
Booklist, starred review

Just what I'd expect from Nick Mamatas: sharp wit, biting but humane social commentary, and, for the romantics among us, a faceless narrator decomposing at the morgue.
Matt Ruff, author of Bad Monkeys and Lovecraft Country

Dark and hilarious. . .I am Providence is that murder-mystery-in-a-writers-convention you didn't even know you wanted, but (like the human skin-bound book which propels the plot) you really must buy.
Lavie Tidhar, author of Osama and The Violent Century

"The central murder mystery is enjoyable enough, but secondary to the laugh-out-loud skewering of convention culture, complete with mansplaining panelists, petty writer feuds in the dealers room, and the distinct odor of unwashed socially awkward nerds living in close proximity for a weekend celebrating their favorite (admittedly racist, overwrought) author. Mamatas doesnt treat Lovecraft like a sacred cow and the ugly aspects of his worldview dont get glossed over."
Tor.com

Mamatas provides a heartfelt homage to Lovecraft lore, perfectly captures the antics of conventioneers, and comments on the cutthroat politics of online publishing and the recent discussions of Lovecrafts bigoted views.
Publishers Weekly

Anyone who has ever skirted the world of obsessive devotees will find a lot to enjoy in this funny homage to horror and its leading practitioner.
Library Journal

Mamatas knows his subject inside and out, and that makes I Am Providence all the more cutting. He's a fan himself, as well as a skeptic, and he turns his considerable authority and satirical skill toward skewering the subculture that's grown up around Lovecraft over the past century. . . . I Am Providence is pointed social commentary wrapped in a bilious in-jokebut one that's more than worth getting in on.
Jason Heller, NPR

An astonishingly timely book . . . The murder-mystery-at-a-convention is a venerable subgenre. The best of them combine solid mystery stories anyone can enjoy with a dash of in-jokes, cameos, and thinly veiled versions of figures in the field to assume those in the know. I Am Providence is among those best.
Locus

Its title taken from the epitaph on Lovecraft's gravestone, I Am Providence is vintage Mamatas: funny, compassionate, creepy, and satirical as it dramatizes the absurdities of fandom, publishing, and literary criticism.
East Bay Express

This meta novel comes at the perfect time: Lovecraft is an author whose reputation has been under intense scrutiny lately, and it looks like a read that will be a perfect take on his legacy.
The Verge

If youre looking for a wacky summer beach read with a dose of horror and you love Lovecraft, I Am Providence will satisfy your abyss of cravingswith some hilarious and pointed jabs at Lovecraftian fandom.
Fangoria

I Am Providence ended up being a smart, entertaining and truly one-of-a-kind experience, darkly funny and unexpected. Not to mention, very tentacle-y. I look forward to more from Nick Mamatas.
The Bibliosanctum

"Mamatas's latest book is dark and funny, a fantastic mix of horror and mystery. It pokes fun at tropesboth meta or otherwiseand successfully skewers some of the more ridiculous aspects of the publishing industry."
LitReactor

Such a smart and fun book . . . it is very chilling, but the mystery is solid . . . This is a book that you need to add to your collections."
RA for All

"This is a book that you need to add to your collections and hand-sell A TON!!! It will be a crowd pleaser."RA for All, Top 10 Horror Novels of 2016
While the novel places one foot in Lovecrafts oeuvre, Mamatas revels in the unfurling tentacles of his narrative, which is a many-toothed, many-eyed beast all its own.
B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog, The Best Horror Books of 2016

Mamatas is sharp but fair, never mocking Lovecraft fans, but pulling the veil reveals the complexities of fandom for the late writer.
The Verge, The 11 best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016

A great choice for readers who enjoyed Matt Ruffs Lovecraft Country; those who liked the dark humor, mystery, and speculative elements in Ben H. Winters The Last Policeman trilogy; and anyone who has ever been part of a fandom. The story takes an honest look at Lovecrafts troubling legacy of racism and sexism and how it comes into play during this current revival in his popularity, but you can also feel Mamatas true affection for the author and the larger community of misfit horror authors.
Booklist, starred review

Just what I'd expect from Nick Mamatas: sharp wit, biting but humane social commentary, and, for the romantics among us, a faceless narrator decomposing at the morgue.
Matt Ruff, author of Bad Monkeys and Lovecraft Country

Dark and hilarious. . .I am Providence is that murder-mystery-in-a-writers-convention you didn't even know you wanted, but (like the human skin-bound book which propels the plot) you really must buy.
Lavie Tidhar, author of Osama and The Violent Century

"The central murder mystery is enjoyable enough, but secondary to the laugh-out-loud skewering of convention culture, complete with mansplaining panelists, petty writer feuds in the dealers room, and the distinct odor of unwashed socially awkward nerds living in close proximity for a weekend celebrating their favorite (admittedly racist, overwrought) author. Mamatas doesnt treat Lovecraft like a sacred cow and the ugly aspects of his worldview dont get glossed over."
Tor.com

Mamatas provides a heartfelt homage to Lovecraft lore, perfectly captures the antics of conventioneers, and comments on the cutthroat politics of online publishing and the recent discussions of Lovecrafts bigoted views.
Publishers Weekly

Anyone who has ever skirted the world of obsessive devotees will find a lot to enjoy in this funny homage to horror and its leading practitioner.
Library Journal

Mamatas knows his subject inside and out, and that makes I Am Providence all the more cutting. He's a fan himself, as well as a skeptic, and he turns his considerable authority and satirical skill toward skewering the subculture that's grown up around Lovecraft over the past century. . . . I Am Providence is pointed social commentary wrapped in a bilious in-jokebut one that's more than worth getting in on.
Jason Heller, NPR

An astonishingly timely book . . . The murder-mystery-at-a-convention is a venerable subgenre. The best of them combine solid mystery stories anyone can enjoy with a dash of in-jokes, cameos, and thinly veiled versions of figures in the field to assume those in the know. I Am Providence is among those best.
Locus

Its title taken from the epitaph on Lovecraft's gravestone, I Am Providence is vintage Mamatas: funny, compassionate, creepy, and satirical as it dramatizes the absurdities of fandom, publishing, and literary criticism.
East Bay Express

This meta novel comes at the perfect time: Lovecraft is an author whose reputation has been under intense scrutiny lately, and it looks like a read that will be a perfect take on his legacy.
The Verge

If youre looking for a wacky summer beach read with a dose of horror and you love Lovecraft, I Am Providence will satisfy your abyss of cravingswith some hilarious and pointed jabs at Lovecraftian fandom.
Fangoria

I Am Providence ended up being a smart, entertaining and truly one-of-a-kind experience, darkly funny and unexpected. Not to mention, very tentacle-y. I look forward to more from Nick Mamatas.
The Bibliosanctum

"Mamatas's latest book is dark and funny, a fantastic mix of horror and mystery. It pokes fun at tropesboth meta or otherwiseand successfully skewers some of the more ridiculous aspects of the publishing industry."
LitReactor

Such a smart and fun book . . . it is very chilling, but the mystery is solid . . . This is a book that you need to add to your collections."
RA for All

"This is a book that you need to add to your collections and hand-sell A TON!!! It will be a crowd pleaser."RA for All, Top 10 Horror Novels of 2016

Author Bio

Nick Mamatas is an author, editor, and anthologist. His novels have been translated into German, Italian, and Greek. His work has been nominated for Bram Stoker, Hugo, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, International Horror Guild, and Locus awards. Mamatas lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.