H.P. Lovecraft Recommendations

[RebelRising]

Another of my quick questions.

I like to read, but find myself bored, disinterested or struck with a feeling of deja-vu with the majority of books. I am the type who just wants a whole day at the bookstore or library just so I'd have the time to read, as I tend to want to read halfway through a book before I've decided if it's worth taking out. I guess you could say I'm picky. I don't want to read a shit-load of books just so I can say I'm well-read.

Just before our Thanksgiving break, our English class had finished reading Dante's Inferno. Simply put, I loved it. Even if you ignore the religious implications of the work, it's fantastic in its descriptive style and dramatic pretenses. Then, I realized what I'm looking for more in books.

Imagery. Disturbing imagery. I'm not content with boring conversations or romances or humanitarian (we've had to read To Kill a Mockingbird and Cry, The Beloved Country as well) situations. I like the supernatural, grandiose stuff, stuffed with symbolism and untouchable horror.

What I'm getting at is, is Lovecraft's stuff up my alley? I've heard of the man, and I know of Cthulhu (apparently his most infamous creation) and have seen countless pictures of him. I also know he's done some other stuff; something to do with aliens or the sea? What are your recommendations? What are your opinions? Where should I start?

Answers, if you would please.

 

[Gxas]

Ooh. I love Lovecraft... (weird saying that out loud... love, love...) anyway, I have a book of his short stories and they are all good. Very chilling with the way he writes. I loved Dagon and I really don't know why. I'd definitely recommend his work even if you didn't like horror novels.

 

[Alex_P]

The famous stuff: At the Mountains of Madness, The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, The Dunwich Horror, The Shadow over Innsmouth. I can't say which of these are especially good since I haven't read most of them -- Lovecraft's not really my taste -- but these are the stories that fans and critics seem to mention most.

You might also like Clark Ashton Smith and Robert E. Howard, who were both friends and contemporaries of Lovecraft's. (Howard's got some Cthulhu mythos stories; most of his most famous Conan stories also have similar horror elements -- e.g. The Tower of the Elephant).

Most of these guys have works that have lapsed into the public domain, so you can find them on Wikisource [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Main_Page].

-- Alex

 

[Mnemophage]

I've got nothing but love for Lovecraft, but his writing is very pulpy and the style is dated. Dated in a very endearing, entertaining way. I'd suggest picking up a collection of his stories, with The Shadow over Innsmouth probably being one of his best, though I like his more dreamy, exploratory works like The White Ship.

Lovecraft was inspired heavily by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, who's a classic in his own right, so if you're into the horrible and the macabre, do yourself a favor and get his collected works. He's famous for his poetry, but I love his stories.

 

[meatloaf231]

Shadow out of Time, Shadow over Innsmouth, and The Beast in the Cave are probably my favorites. I like The Beast in the Cave because it's easy to read and it's a great introduction to his works. It's short, it's to the point, and it's unsettling to a high degree.

 

[Good morning blues]

The only Lovecraft that I've read is At the Mountains of Madness, and from your post, I'd say that you should probably give him a try, but I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if you found it too dry and slow for you. I really enjoyed it, but most of the other people who read it (I read it for a class) didn't - they found it boring and dense. If you can get past the prose, it's a great read.

 

[Jaythulhu]

All ya need to do is pick up one of the 3 (maybe 4) omnibuses. They've got all of his stuff collected. Ya may still be able to find a copy of the complete works that was released last year (has every story, novella, etc collected into 1 nice big leatherbound book).

 

[SkinnySlim]

These are all good Lovecraft suggestions. You may also try Ursula K Le Guin, but it is very thick stuff. I primarily enjoy sci-fi/fantasy, and have been getting bored with the "rinse/wash/repeat" nature of most of what is out there, but Brandon Sanderson has several very refreshing books out that may float your boat if you are looking for something different, but again, it is more in the vein of fantasy.

 

[Timewave Zero]

I adore Lovecraft to the point of being creepy, and I would start with a shorter one, like 'The Hound', 'The Call of Cthulhu', 'Dagon' or 'Pickman's Model', before getting into the heavier stuff like 'At The Mountains of Madness' or the epic and totally weird 'The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath'. Also, another brilliant and really short one is 'The Statement of Randolph Carter'.

 

[oliveira8]

Well..quite a necro...would be interesting to know if RebelRising started to read Lovecraft in the end.


So did you? If so did you like it?

 

[Timewave Zero]

Well..quite a necro...would be interesting to know if RebelRising started to read Lovecraft in the end.


So did you? If so did you like it?

I would like to think he did. If he didn't...FOOL!!! I shall eat him.

 

[Tossth Esalad]

I'd suggest buying "H. P. Lovecraft: Tales (Library of America)". It features 20-ish of his short stories, ranging from his early Dikens-style, through his "dream world" works and of course the Cthulhu mythos. You can get it quite cheep at Amazon.com; that's where i got my copy