The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe

Representation matters. That the protagonist of this novella is a middle-aged woman delighted me. I saw my friends in her. I saw myself in her, and was immediately at home in her narrative. If that was the only thing to recommend this book, however, my response would be an acknowledgement certainly, but not the overwhelming enthusiasm I felt as I read, still feel now that I have finished reading, but not finished thinking about this story.The subject of the quest is a classic in literature. In Vellitt Boe, we have a reluctant traveler, a professor from the dreaming world who sets out to retrieve one of her students, the daughter of one of the trustees of the university where Boe teaches. The young woman, Claire, has eloped with a man from the waking world, and the faculty of the university are afraid that her father will shut down the school as a result. So Boe, who was a world traveler in her youth, sets out to bring Claire back, to save her from an ill-conceived alliance. To save her from herself. It doesn't take her long to realize that the stakes are far higher than anyone has imagined.Boe's adventures draw inspiration from Lovecraft, among others, and the world she lives in is slippery as a dream. Time and distance are mutable things, and the world is filled with strange and potentially dangerous creatures. It's also a world where women are not equal participants, which makes Boe an oddity, someone who is not entirely trusted by the men she's forced to deal with. Over the years she's spent as part of the university, she's lost her travel legs, so her journey feels slow and arduous until she begins to recall her traveler's ways.This is an unsentimental story, so if you're looking for romance and happy endings, don't. Don't look for tragedy here either, or even an easy resolution to the situations that arise within the narrative. What you will get is a pragmatic narrator who may have found a way back to an authentic life, and a wonderfully clear-eyed younger version of herself who is willing (and I think more than able) to take on the capricious gods of the dream world. If I have a complaint about this novella at all, it's that it ended too quickly. I want more of Vellitt Boe's new life. I want to know what happens to Claire next.I want more. I can't think of higher praise than that.

I've had this book for about 2 years but it only recently worked its way to the top of my TBR stack. I very much enjoyed the first 85% of this book, and that's why I give it 3 rather than 2 stars. It describes a long journey across and under the Dreamlands, using a well developed woman character. In fact the author wrote that part of the reason she wanted to write this book was to answer the absence of women in HPL's Dreamlands stories. She makes Randolph Carter out as a self involved egotist, but that is pretty much spot on.My problem is the ending, from the moment Vellit Boe left the Dreamlands is pretty, sloppy and unengaging. The device of her automatically acquiring the knowledge to function in the waking world robs of us her finding her way in an entirely alien world. OK, I can accept that part. But when Vellit finally tracks down the student she has been pursuing, the denouement happens in about 2 pages and is completely unconvincing. Yes I just dumped the guy who brought me here for no good reason! No I won't ever go back! OK, I guess I will! Death to all the gods! It does not organically grow out of the who preceding prose. It really seems to me as if either the author just wanted to be done and did not want to flesh out what could have been a satisfying conclusion.Oh well, I really liked the description of the Dreamlands that came before.

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I literally teach a class about H. P. Lovecraft, and, looking into feminist angles on the old horror master, I found this. And it is so good.Johnson's Dream World is recognizably Lovecraft's, but she explains a lot (to herself and us) about that enigmatic land: for instance, that its human residents are mostly male, that its gods are essentially insane (to Lovecraft the "mild gods" of Dream World are just feckless), that its sky is weirdly full of things, but lacks our millions of stars. And she is distinctly feminist---there are a lot of male chauvinists in Dreamland. But one thing she is not is didactic. She is telling a story and she tells it very, very, very well. And more than that---after "Vellitt Boe," I feel like I understand Lovecraft's Dream Quest better, after reading Johnson.The one and only proviso I would add is that you probably ought to read Lovecraft's Dream Quest before you read this book. But you should read Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath anyway---if only because it's a truly seminal, if flawed, work of modern fantasy.But "The Dream Quest of Vellitt Boe" is a wonderful, quick, thought-provoking read, and having finished it today, I miss it and want to go back.

If you seek traditional fantasy or particular and consistent fantasy tropes, just move along. This is a book you keep reading...there is no problem turning pages...but it is entirely it's own thing. The writing a lovely and transparent, the characters engaging, and you when you finish it--at 176 pages it is a quick read--the reader mat find herself a bit transported, a bit different, and for a moment, half in this world and half in another. Please do not be put off by the variation in reviews...it is a gem. Strongly recommended.

"The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe" by Kij Johnson took me on a fascinating journey through hell of many different kinds, though it's not a scary book, it is a page turner. The world the main character inhabits is so strange and unwelcoming, especially to it's woman protagonist, that it's unhinging much of the time. It is a quest, a long journey through dark forests, underworlds, weird religions, and a strangely friendly king, full of nasty gods and a sense of absolute doom and destruction that could hit at any time. This was fun to read. I'd like to visit this place again.Check out my collection of stories:  Good Feeling: seven short stories

A lovely book. Vellit Boe is a likeable, strong and sturdy character and if her world is dreamlike, it is also built beautifully of convincing detail and lyrical prose and there is a delightful cat which is a delicious touch (though it does very little in a very catlike way).I was reminded of Robert Silverberg's Majipoor and also of MJ Engh's Wheel of the World but I understand from reviews that the story is inspired by Lovecraft's The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, which I've never read as I don't enjoy Lovecraft. It seems that there is a parallel with the common theme of re-writing fairy tales with princesses who aren't quite the helpless creatures we were originally given as heroines - though Vellit Boe is no princess but an elderly, practical adventurer and I gather that the purpose of the story is to turn Lovecraft's misogyny and racism on its head while travelling through a world of his imagining. Beautifully, believably and cleverly done. If this is a re-imagining, it is still a splendid, stand alone, short novel and a great pleasure to read.

Although structured as a quest, the story's strength (for me) lies in the descriptive writing and the contrast between a world ruled by mad gods and the "waking world" - this one. Our heroine is an elderly female academic, tough, resourceful and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. No spoilers but the ending is perhaps not what you might expect. It is not absolutely essential to have read H.P. Lovecraft's "Dream Quest for Unknown Kadath" first, but it will greatly enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this story. Oh, and there's a cat.

This is a very well balanced story. The writing is excellent but the story still has the guts and heart of a fantasy story. The world is original but not overbearing and Vellitt herself is an inspirational character.

Worth a read. Story starts off normally enough but further you read the more is exposed. This ain't Kansas anymore Toto! Enjoyed this a great deal. Ending was . . . not what I would have wished or wanted. But spoilers are not in that statement. Just my opinion. :) READ AND ENJOY!

An excellent take on H. P. Lovecraft classic Dreamquest of Unknown Kadath.Someone from the Dreamlands must enter THIS world to transmit a vital message.I wish it had been twice as long and would love to have a follow-up, if at all possible.