H. P. Lovecraft, need suggestions
By Bionicman
@Bionicman (3958)
Czech Republic
December 4, 2009 12:03am CST
I want to start reading Lovecraft. Where do I start? Your recommendations? Possibly something with Cthulhu...
4 responses
@echomonster (2225)
• Greenwood, Mississippi
4 Dec 09
Why not begin reading where the Cthulhu mythos began: "The Call of Cthulhu"! That was my introduction to Lovecraft and, since you're interested in Cthulhu already, it's a good place to begin.
1 person likes this
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
4 Dec 09
You are right. I guess I'll get The Call of Cthulhu and Necronomicon.
What's your favorite Lovercraft book?
@echomonster (2225)
• Greenwood, Mississippi
4 Dec 09
I would say "The Call" actually is my favorite by a smidge, but I've pretty much enjoyed everything I've ever read by the man. I think he's the type of writer whose style you either like or you don't. If do you like it, you'll probably enjoy most of his writing. I haven't read all of his work yet, though...but that's a goal on my reading "to-do" list!
@Reyachan (589)
• Romania
5 Dec 09
Hello, Bionicman! I'm very happy you started this conversation. H.P.Lovecraft is one of my favorite wirtters! I like the atmoshere he creates. They have a special aura only he knows how to create.
I think that in order to fully understand him, you must first start with his short stories, to get into the "mood" he creates and became familiar with his way of creating the scenery. Because his work is not so much about the characters but their mysterious and mystic background.
One of my favorite stories from him is "Lurker in the Threshold", also known as "The Thing on the Doorstep". I won't give any spoilers but I can say it is very representative for his general work.
I hope you like Lovecraft. Let me know what you think of his work after you read something of his.
Happy myloting!
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
5 Dec 09
So you wouldn't recommend me to start with collected work of The Cthulhu Mythos?
Is there a chance it collects these short stories?
@Reyachan (589)
• Romania
5 Dec 09
First of all, be sure that what you are reading are indeed Lovecrafts' stories. Because, when it comes to Cthulhu, so many authors wrote stories about this fictional universe that Lovecraft created that sometimes they stray very far from the original.
No, I wouldn't recommand you to start with Cthulhu Mythos bacause it represents a very dense, very concentrated form of his works and you might end up a bit confused. Not that you wouldn't understand them but, as I said before, when it comes to him (as well as E.A.Poe)it's better to start with some "light" works so that you get aquainted to his/their style.
Kind of ...like an initiation in his own little universe. In the end, the decision is all yours, but it would be a pitty for you to quit reading him because you start reading the wrong stuf first.
Happy myloting!
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
5 Dec 09
"First of all, be sure that what you are reading are indeed Lovecrafts' stories."
I know I already noticed when I checked "Lurker in the Threshold" that it's mostly written by August Derleth based on short fragments written by Lovecraft.
So I guess I'll read first The Thing on the Doorstep to feel his style and then continue if I'll like it.
@yugasini (12892)
• Secunderabad, India
4 Dec 09
hi bionicman,
what is lovecraft,let me know about it,have a nice day
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
4 Dec 09
Hi Bionicman,
I am a huge fan of lovecraft and have most of his works, both single volumes and collected works.
I would suggest starting with a collected work of The Cthulhu Mythos as it is what he is probably most famous for and has been added to by many authers. All the stories in The Cthulhu Mythos are loosely connected and each one is amazing in its own right.
So as I said my advice is to seek out collected works, which is what I started out on. You will enjoy his work alot. Between him and Edgar Allan Poe , they have influenced nearly every modern horror writer and horror genre
@Bionicman (3958)
• Czech Republic
5 Dec 09
Thanks. I'll definitely get collected work. I just hope I can find it in store but I'll order it online if I have to.
