HP Lovecraft?

[BooBerry]

Been thinking about reading some of his stuff this winter but still iffy about it. I really don't get into the supernatural/demons/monsters stuff but :shrugs:.

Anyone else read anything by him or have any recommendations for someone wanting to start out and get a feel for the tales? The only one I've read at all is the short story Dreams in the Witch House, which I didn't mind.

[Sutter Kane]

Herbert West: Re-animator, The Dunwich Horror, The Colour out of Space, At the Mountains of madness, Pickman's Model, The Horror at Redhook and Dagon are all really good stories. You kind of have to pick through Lovecraft, not all of it is gold but there are a lot of really good stories in his collections.

[strtfghtr]

SK's got a good list there I've got a nice lovecraft collection from borders

[WarBeast]

HP stories can be pretty damn good, but I got a bit tired of his first-person POV tactic of "I shall not describe what I saw, for mankind does not need to know such horrible things..."

Always just seemed like he was using it so he wouldn't have to go through the effort of describing shit... it feels lazy to me.

That being said, the list provided already some of his best.

[NIZ08]

I took a break from reading him now after finishing The Call of Cthulhu, but I love his work. I like the mystery he keeps hidden away from the unimaginable things that are in his stories. That's just me, like it when you don't hear too much about what is going on, like to imagine it myself from the vague descriptions he offers.

[SkullBat308]

The Shadow Over Innsmouth is my personal favourite.

[Darkgod]

He is def. my fave author... and I would start with Call of Cthulhu.... just pick up any of his books and you'll get some good ones

[BooBerry]

Thanks all. Sounds like I'll have to at least try out a whole anthology of his if nothing else. :coolbeer:

[NIZ08]

Hey Boo, if you want his anthology, go on BarnesandNoble.com and there is a book on there that pretty much has all his short stories in one (it's like 700+ pages, I have a copy).

You will recognize by the cover of the back just displaying his last name. Or could just search "HP Lovecraft Anthology" :hey:

[walk]

I've bought a 3 volumes compilation of his works and studies. Brilliant work I have to say.

I'd recommend you to read:
-) the dream quest of unknown Kadath
-) the tomb
-) Herbert West, reanimator
-) Rats in the walls
-) call of Cthulhu
-) the case of Charles Dexter Ward
-) imprisoned with the pharaohs

Many other short stories to read but these are really good imho.

[Dr. Phibes]

Here are some links to volumes that I have. I think these two would make a good, comprehensive start.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345350804/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?ie=UTF8&cloe_id=c323c5f4-370e-4da0-af4d-48827f45c3a0&attrMsgId=LPWidget-A1&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1892389150&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Q781GW9AW7KA7HW6GSQ

http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Track-Complete-Poetical-Lovecraft/dp/1892389150

[BooBerry]

Still need to get on this guy (non-gayly). I have so much to read as it is though, about four paperbook towers that come up to my knees are waiting for me. One day...

[Revenant]

got a big ass book of his, this one below, fantastic stories in there

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=opera&rls=en&oe=utf-8&q=hp+lovecraft,+necronomicon&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13710782744595228533&ei=DjsYTJaqK6SznAfnwazSCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQ8wIwAg#

[walk]

I know you won't buy these books but it's to show you that you can find nice collections of his writings.

http://www.amazon.fr/Oeuvres-H-P-Lovecraft-Howard-Phillips/dp/2221056841/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276669863&sr=8-15
http://www.amazon.fr/Oeuvres-H-P-Lovecraft-Howard-Phillips-Lovecraft/dp/2221064607/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276669863&sr=8-6
http://www.amazon.fr/Oeuvres-H-P-Lovecraft-Howard-Phillips-Lovecraft/dp/2221064615/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276669863&sr=8-11

You have here 3800-3900 pages on 3 volumes including short stories by Derleth and the others contributors to the myth.

[Chief Falling Rock]

His writing can be a little hard to understand sometimes. some things u need to read more than once. But theres some good stuff by lovecraft. I agree with warbeast though. the "I shall not describe what I saw" kinda stuff is to frequent with him and rather annoying.

[Revenant]

HP stories can be pretty damn good, but I got a bit tired of his first-person POV tactic of "I shall not describe what I saw, for mankind does not need to know such horrible things..."

Always just seemed like he was using it so he wouldn't have to go through the effort of describing shit... it feels lazy to me.

That being said, the list provided already some of his best.

agreed, his writing style isn't exactly what most people would consider normal to begin with. I wrote a research paper on him and i remember there was a reason he wrote the way he did. If i recall what it was, it was that lovecraft was physically ill a lot as a child, and quite a bit of a recluse because of it, he spent a lot of time reading old books at his family's house. He didn't really get out much so his writing style was antiquated for that time. Still doesn't change the fact it can be a bit annoying and his writing style can sometimes be quite dry, but there are still some great stories of his regardless of that.

[PrettyHateMachine]

Lovecraft is amazing. Sometimes hard to read but I love the sci fi.

[Pjwulfman]

"At the Mountains of Madness" is in my top 10 all time favorite stories. I've read it multiple times. Really disappointed that Del Toro is not going to make the movie anymore.:dislike:http://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/uhm/images/smilies/dislike.gif

William Hope Hodgson is very similar to Lovecraft, but much more visceral. There is action, and he gets very descriptive when describing his monsters. Started writing before Lovecraft. Lovecraft actually mentioned him as having a strong influence on his own work.