Review: "Azathoth" by H. P. Lovecraft

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This is not so much a short story but a fragment, a beginning of a novel Lovecraft never finished. The title, “Azathoth” refers to one of the “Outer Gods” in the Cthulhu Mythos, and an extremely nasty fellow. The fragment was only published after Lovecraft’s death. The passage portrays a world where, “wonder went out of the minds of men; when grey cities reared to smoky skies tall tower grim and ugly…” Only one man dreams and reads at all. He looks up at the stars. On night, a gulf opened between the seen and unseen worlds, and the “dream-haunted skies swelled down to the lonely watcher’s window.” While it’s never resolved what happened to the lonely watcher, this is a delightful (if short) example of Lovecraft’s ability to create an other-worldly mood. It is wonderful to read. Just wish there was more. Link to text below _____ Title: “Azathoth” was written in June 1922 and published as a fragment in the journal Leaves in 1938. Author: H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) Text: (free download):