LOVECRAFT, H.P Dunwich Horror and Others: The Best of Lovecraft WI, Sauk City: Arkham House. 1963.
8vo. Original black boards with gilt lettering to spine; Illustrated dust jacket in red and black with photographic portrait of the author to rear; pp. xx [431; spine ends a little bumped with a bruising crease to the bottom corner; minimal scuffing to spine of dust jacket and slight sunning to back; otherwise near fine.
H.P Lovecraft (1890-1937) is often looked upon as a master of the gothic, a writer on the same pedestal as Edgar Allen Poe, Edith Wharton, Hawthorne and a few others from whom he drew most inspiration. As an American pulp author in the 1920's and 30's, he helped to establish a genre blend of science fiction, horror and fantasy but only found long-lasting recognition posthumously after a life lived relatively reclusively - rarely emerging in daylight and often in poverty.
This collection is comprised of stories selected by August Derleth, the first book publisher of any of the works of H.P Lovecraft. The collection includes stories as well known as The Call of Cthulhu, published by Weird Tales in 1928 and a narrative that introduced 'Cthulhu'; a fictional cosmic entity, a malevolent creature who could kill when looked at, and a primary reference in his other works that would inspire the writing of his contemporaries and those of his heritage. Lovecraft's literary ouevre finds its etymology in the theme of cosmicism, which was both his personal philosophy and the doninant theme of his fiction. The decline of civilisation is a compelling strain in his work although he harboured racially predjudiced views and anti-semitic bigotry.
Despite a controversial legacy, Lovecraft's philosophies and cosmological obsessions continue to permeate modern culture.
#2121094