Want to read some Lovecraft, where should I start?

[Nesacat]

Thank you for posting the link JD. I did most of my checking online. My part of the world is not a good place to be going out and about looking for the works of obscure artists; especially if they are going to be doing this sort of thing.

Likely to be banned or have the pages ripped out to save society's sensibilities if such books exist at all.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Nesacat

Thank you for posting the link JD. I did most of my checking online. My part of the world is not a good place to be going out and about looking for the works of obscure artists; especially if they are going to be doing this sort of thing.

Likely to be banned or have the pages ripped out to save society's sensibilities if such books exist at all.

That last happens even here now and again, Cat... even with things like fairy-tale books or encyclopaedias, at times....

[Nesacat]

Always good to know there's someone out there watching out for my sensibilities. Goodness knows what might happen if I blunder into a book of faery tales.

[UnderTheOath]

...Or even the fabled Necronomicon...?

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by UnderTheOath

...Or even the fabled Necronomicon...?

Actually, one can only hope they attempt defacing that book....

[pyan]

Heh...be interesting. For a very short time, mind you.....

[UnderTheOath]

Back on topic for a sec, I just finished The Colour Out Of Space, and I'd suggest that the thread-starter should do that too. AWESOME.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by UnderTheOath

Back on topic for a sec, I just finished The Colour Out Of Space, and I'd suggest that the thread-starter should do that too. AWESOME.

Certainly one of his best tales -- a beautiful atmospheric and regional study that is intensely controlled and very powerful....

[Fried Egg]

For a specific story on which to start on, depending on the person's tastes, I would recommend something like "Rats in the Walls" or "Shadows over Innsmouth". Perhaps "Wisperer in the Darkness".

[Nesacat]

Am personally very fond of Innsmouth and all the stories by other writers that it spawned. Have always been drawn to idea of something in the blood that is somehow irresistible. It's one of his stories that I read over and over again.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Fried Egg

For a specific story on which to start on, depending on the person's tastes, I would recommend something like "Rats in the Walls" or "Shadows over Innsmouth". Perhaps "Wisperer in the Darkness".

My main hesitation on "Innsmouth" and "Whisperer" is length. Esioul mentioned time constraints, and both those tales really are best read in one sitting; yet their length, plus their textual denseness, would make that difficult for someone having to do a lot of the academic work at the same time. However, I strongly recommend reading them when she has the time....

[Connavar]

Any of these stories you mention longer than 7 pages ?

When i tried to read my omnibus with his stories. I found on the first story i read which i think was Dagon way too short to get anything out of it.

Im gonna read The Call of Cthulhu,The Colour Out of Space to see if they are a good sample of HPL.

[Nesacat]

Call of Cthulhu, Shadow Over Innsmouth and The Colour Out Of Space are definitely much longer. So are Mountains of Madness and The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. Dagon might do with a re-read after you have read The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

Shadow Over Innsmouth is a novella and so is Dexter Ward so they are much, much longer.

[UnderTheOath]

Cthulhu, Colour and Innsmouth for sure. I enjoyed Dagon, but yeah definitely start with CThulhu

[Connavar]

I read Rats in The Walls late last night. Didnt finish it yet cause it was very late i didnt have the energy to read when i was sleepy.

Unlike Dagon the writing was impressing.

I also read the introduction with backround info about HP Lovecraft. Is it only me who thought if he wasnt so keen of writing letters he would have now many more stories to be famous for ?


The name de la Poer made me smile if it is as its said that its stands for Poe.