>>24662950
Had to get out for a bit.
Like I said, it's getting broken up for RR.

I don't see how I can significantly revise the opening chapters without divorcing it completely from its Weird Fiction influence.
Here's the thing. Ch 1 is a flashback and Ch 2 is in medias res, and I mean for them to be tone setters for Ch 3-4, where the goal for the first act is definitely established.

It's totally fine if it's not your cup of tea, but I don't think it's fair to say this
>You need to ensure your reader understands what is the current goal and how the actions taken help the MC towards that goal, and consider cutting stuff that means nothing.
When you clearly haven't read beyond Ch 1 or 6.

But I will seriously consider the structural issues.
Would discarding Ch 1 and moving Ch 2 and 3 around be better?
Cheers.