Bumpy Oak Books

**I was provided an electronic ARC via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Daria Schmitt presents an adult graphic novel inspired by HP Lovecraft’s “The Strange House High in the Mist” with The Strange Dreams of Mr Providence. Readers follow Providence in his role as caretaker of a park as well as some other individuals that work and visit there.

Schmitt’s art style is absolutely intricate and gorgeous. Her interpretation of where and when to use color, and the choices to use mostly secondary or tertiary colors rather than primary is simply superb. Likewise, the black and white “real life” of the book is so heavily laden with nuance and detail. It was the artwork that absolutely brought this work to life.

I did not mind Schmitt’s interpretation of Lovecraft, and felt that she really did seem to understand the original text, likely far more than I did. I did think the overall pace of the story was slow and wandering despite the concerning things taking place, which limited my overall attachment to the story itself.

In all, I enjoyed my time with this graphic novel and would be happy to recommend it to Lovecraft fans or to fans of beautiful art in graphic novels.