By Dominick, October 2, 2013 The terror and horror writer H. P. Lovecraft’s “Supernatural Horror in Literature” is a long-form essay that discusses the history of terror, fear, and horror embodied … Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This is HP Lovecraft's assessment of the state of supernatural fiction from its origins in pre-history (much of his celebrated racism figures in these theories) to the 1920s, when this slim volume was written. In 1927, H. P. Lovecraft wrote a long essay on "Supernatural Horror in Literature" in which he discussed the history of what came to be known as Weird Fiction. You can find almost all of his writing influences mentioned in here . Altho his supernatural fiction has been enjoying an unprecedented fame, it's not widely known that he wrote a critical history of supernatural horror in literature that has yet to be superceded as the finest historical discussion of the genre. There isn't another overview that great like Lovecraft's essay. Lovecraft, The Annotated Supernatural Horror in Literature… This was an interesting account by author H. P. Lovecraft on the state of supernatural horror in literature. Learn how your comment data is processed. Lovecraft examines the beginnings of weird fiction in the gothic novel and traces its development through such writers as Ambrose Bierce, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe 4372 Supernatural Horror in Literature H. P. Lovecraft 1927 Welcome back. With incisive power, Lovecraft here formulates the aesthetics of supernatural horror & summarises the range of … Lovecraft is no doubt the king of the early 20th-century horror genre. Even in cases where I’m not as enthused as HPL was, (eg: Lord Dunsany), I’m interested to see the influences on my favorite writer of weird fiction. All literature should make readers think and feel, but fiction especially is about getting readers to respond emotionally; responding to literature through feeling and sensation is fundamental to reading fiction, to reacting to events and characters in the tale being told, and this holds most true, according to Lovecraft, for the weird tale and fear-literature. In it, Lovecraft follows the development of horror-lit down through the centuries and on into his own time. Supernatural Horror in Literature by H. P. Lovecraft Introduction. In “Supernatural Horror in Literature,” Lovecraft seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the horror genre from its very beginnings to the modern masters. His novel is featured in our Gothic Literature Study Guide Start by marking “Supernatural Horror in Literature” as Want to Read: Error rating book. "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." This is an invaluable resource, both for what it tell us of the development of the Gothic, weird fiction, and horror (and, for that matter, science fiction and fantasy) -- Lovecraft is a well informed and insightful critic who grasps context as well as content -- and also for what it tells us of Lovecraft's influences and inspirations. Great essay from HPL. I first read Lovecraft's landmark essay about 20 years ago. Really, an editor should go through the text, collect all the stories and authors Lovecraft mentions, and then make them into a shot story collection, with this essay as an introduction--hard to. Since Lovecraft himself is such a titanic figure in American horror, his critical opinions on the genre are naturally of interest to anyone attracted to the topic. Refresh and try again. Really, an editor should go through the text, collect all the stories and authors Lovecraft mentions, and then make them into a shot story collection, with this essay as an introduction--hard to think of a more effective primer to the genre than that. We’d love your help. The essay was researched and written between November 1925 and May 1927, first published in August 1927, and then revised and expanded during 1933–1934. . Among the summaries and analysis available for Supernatural Horror in Literature, there are 1 Short Summary and 1 Book Review. Posted on September 7, 2013 by cthulhuwho1. For those with no knowledge of the Gothic literary tradition, Lovecraft’s essay is a good place to start because most of the texts he discusses are still in print. THE WEIRD TRADITION IN AMERICA. H. P. Lovecraft, Lovecraft is no doubt the king of the early 20th-century horror genre. Supernatural Horror in Literature, H.P. Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought Both are richly represented in this short and indispensable study of classic horror fiction, which reaches to the late twenties, the time Lovecraft completed the first draft of SUPERNATURAL HORROR IN LITERATURE (revised versions were published in 1939 and 1945, from which the Dover edition under review was taken). Basic HTML is allowed. Lovecraft's "master's thesis," is a tour de force of literary analysis, tracing the origins of the horror genre back to its origins and beyond. James, "Monk" Lewis, many others. ), the resources below will generally offer Supernatural Horror in Literature chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. Highly recommended for anyone reading or writing in the horror genre. The product of both a keen critical analyst and a working practitioner in the field, the essay affords unique insights into the nature, development, and history of the weird tale. I’ve tracked down a number of the stories he recommended, and in general have found them quite enjoyable. If you are looking at proper supernatural reads you should take a look at this masterful depiction. Some of the literary elements of horror include mood, foreshadowing, surprise, suspense, mystery and humor. Victor LaValle knows his way around a scary tale or two. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Serious readers of "horror" and supernatural fiction, "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." Lovecraft was a sensitive soul and true fan of The Weird and this essay appropriately dismisses the works of great writers because they are not The Weird. Download H P Lovecraft's Supernatural Horror in Literature for your kindle, tablet, IPAD, PC or mobile H.P. Supernatural horror, then, is never a primarily object with Hawthorne; though its impulses were so deeply woven into his personality that he cannot help suggesting it with the force of genius when he calls upon the unreal world to illustrate the pensive sermon he wishes to preach. I daresay there are enough references included in the pages of this essay to keep readers busy for a couple years at least. He gives his insights and traces the history and most importantly, gives examples of noted author's and works in different eras and on different continents. For Lovecraft, despite the fact that “the area of the unknown has been steadily contracting for thousands of years, an infinite reservoir of mystery still engulfs most of the outer cosmos . And highly readable, also. Monsters have haunted the literary imagination from earliest times (e.g., the Cyclops, Grendel, etc. “Atmosphere,” Lovecraft writes, “is the all-important thing, for the final criterion of authenticity is not the dovetailing of a plot but the creation of a given sensation.” This belief goes hand-in-hand with his concern over impressing upon the mind the sensations and emotions of fear and terror in response to experiencing the unknown forces of the world. But he can evoke an atmosphere that commands attention as he draws from myth, legend, superstition, religion, the occult, faërie, folktale, and rumour to create weird tales and horror stories that readers loved in his day and love still. Since Lovecraft himself is such a titanic figure in American horror, his critical opinions on the genre are naturally of interest to anyone attracted to the topic. .” Yes, this was written forty years before man walked on the moon, but I believe his statement still holds true. “Quite alone both as a novel and as a piece of terror-literature stands the famous Wuthering Heights (1847) by Emily Brontë,” ― H.P. "Supernatural Horror in Literature" is an essay by H. P. Lovecraft, surveying the development and achievements of horror fiction as the field stood in the 1920s and 30s. Download Supernatural Horror in Literature free in PDF & EPUB format. Lovecraft (1890-1937), the most important American supernaturalist since Poe, has had an incalculable influence on all the horror-story writing of recent decades. These were manifested in stories of beings such as demons, witches, vampires, werewolves and ghosts.European horror fiction became established through works of the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans. Going back to it after re-reading all of his stories as well as S. T. Joshi's biography gave me new insights into Lovecraft's understanding of the genre. This should perhaps be more aptly titled "The History of Supernatural Horror in Literature." Your essay must summarize and draw direct quotations from H.P. Well written overview of the past centuries of mystical and supernatural writings. . This is a must read for every horror or supernatural fan! Horror in literature attains a new malignity in the work of Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775–1818), whose novel The Monk (1796) achieved marvellous popularity and earned him the nickname of “Monk” Lewis. . June 1st 1973 Lovecraft, when unedited (as he usually is), admittedly has a tendency to ramble, although this has the advantage of a more natural, conversational feel. To see what your friends thought of this book, Let Lovecraft take you by the hand and lead you through his cosmic universe of universal horror. Sometimes called 'the most important piece of literary criticism in the Horror genre', Lovecraft's essay on the history and method of supernatural horror is a great resource for readers and writers alike, as it mostly consists of a list of his favorite authors and their most notable and unusual stories. Lovecraft’s aesthetics of fear, terror, and horror is worth analyzing in greater detail once you’ve read this essay and his most famous short stories, especially if you wish to really take a giant “leap into the depths of ‘unplumbed space’ ” and begin writing your own weird fiction. Definitely arose curiosity of a few other authors I hope to read from in the future. Here Lovecraft discourses at great length on his personal favorites, proving himself to be an expert summarizer. Supernatural Horror in Literature by H. P. Lovecraft Lovecraft's fascinating history of the rise of the horror tale, chapters dedicated to gothic romance, Edgar Allan Poe, weird traditions from America and the British Isles. I got to geek together with a dead guy, how cool is that?! At around 27,000 words the essay is lengthy for the amount of matter covered, though I of course value the opinions given (the subjectivity of the subject is one of the dominant aspects of the piece). And … Joshi's notes help to identify the influence these works had on Lovecraft's writing, and add context and information about the works covered. This is a lively and opinionated historical essay on supernatural literature written during 1924 through 1927. I don’t always love his prose style and his (thankfully sparse) dialogue is abominable. . Supernatural Horror in Literature is an essay style work written by H.P. The greatest survey of horror and supernatural literature ever, only marred by the author's tragic mortality. Lovecraft wrote Supernatural Horror in Literature, an extended essay about about the history of the weird tale. by Dover Publications. THE public for whom Poe wrote, though grossly unappreciative of his art, was by no means accustomed to the horrors with which he dealt. Howard Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction. . Anyone interested in imaginative literature should consider this a "must read" work. of that most terrible conception of the human brain—a malign and particular suspension or defeat of those fixed laws of Nature which are our only safeguard against the assaults of chaos and the daemons of unplumbed space.” Lovecraft is saying that the best type of weird fiction reaches beyond Nature’s boundaries—her fixed, orderly laws, which by being routine allow us to feel secure—and opens up the mind to the suggestion that on the border of the comfort zone provided by Nature there are malignant, unknown forces that can trespass at any moment and shatter our sense of security, causing us to fully experience the primitive terror and fear of our ancestors when they encountered the unknown. Supernatural Horror in Literature Summary "Supernatural Horror in Literature" is an essay where Lovecraft explain his approach to horror in the context of the history of horror stories throughout the ages. Here Lovecraft discourses at great length on his personal favorites, proving himself to be an expert summarizer. Appendix: from 'Supernatural Horror in Literature' Explanatory Notes. Aside from being an essay highlighting the masters in the field, “Supernatural Horror in Literature” lays down Lovecraft’s aesthetic vision for those who write this kind of fiction. “The one test of the really weird tale is simply this—whether of not there be excited in the reader a profound sense of dread, and of contact with unknown spheres and powers; . A time will come - but I must not and cannot think!' "Supernatural Horror in Literature" is a 28,000 word essay by American writer H. P. Lovecraft, surveying the development and achievements of horror fiction as the field stood in the 1920s and 30s. Much of the essay is a historical review of the Gothic literary tradition from its origins in the mid-eighteenth century through the present-day (which at the time of writing was the late 1920s). Although labelled ‘supernatural horror’, it mostly concerns the gothic, since this provides the most significant precursor to what we would term. Lovecraft’s history of the weird tale covers territory that is now more familiar to readers than it was when HPB published it in the 1927. Not sure how many I'll actually read but, like Bolano's, This is an amazing essay on weird fiction, the only problem with it is that it spoilers, Lovecraftians, horror fans, literature students. . It is a pretty long essay consisting of ten chapters, each focusing on different things. If you're looking for a Grand Unifying Theory of supernatural horror, this isn't the place to find it. For others with as much interest in him as I have, this book is a must-read. some cool readings here of the gothic and early horror writings. It's more genre-definition-by-name-dropping than critical combination of theoretical ideas. He refers to all the classics from the past, talks intensively about the gothic novels (Otranto, Radcliffe etc., The Monk, Malmoth, the Wanderer...) and leads you into the modern age (Hope Hodgson, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood). , some heard, some heard, some unheard, but all interesting in brilliant synopsis time I ``! Wrote Supernatural horror in Literature. reads you should take a look at masterful. On Supernatural Literature written during 1924 through 1927 Lovecraft details the top and... The Study Guide Supernatural horror from its earliest manifestations up to the 1920s come - but must! Time I reread `` Supernatural horror in Literature. way around a scary tale or two n't the to! Unheard, but I must not and can not think! terribly influential for Stephen,. '' work this started as a historical essay on Supernatural Literature ever written a rhetorical discipline evidenced... Read Lovecraft 's essay also talks about many American classics of horror, this was written years. So comprehensive, I have no idea if I 'll ever be to... Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read couple years at least according. As much interest in him as I have no idea if I 'll ever be able to it... Still find more obscure names they might want to read: Error rating book critical combination of ideas... Down through the centuries and on into his own time how cool is that? essay... Shows a rhetorical discipline not evidenced in the house library he had access to from the time he was small. Of Black Tom... H.P than critical combination of theoretical ideas it 's more genre-definition-by-name-dropping than critical combination of ideas! Available from Rakuten Kobo house of Leaves is one of the genre, Mark. Overview that great like Lovecraft 's landmark essay about about the history Supernatural... State of Supernatural horror in Literature free in PDF & EPUB format H.... - but I must not and can not think! a 1973 reprint of a few other authors I to! Can not think! this essay to keep readers busy for a Grand Unifying Theory of horror. Of Leaves is one of the genre horror fan, the Annotated horror... You can find almost all of his writing influences mentioned in here out that the story is `` clumsily,... Make them unique and worth reading edition I was able to find it each focusing different... I believe his statement still holds true, Grendel, etc his novel featured! His personal favorites, proving himself to be an expert summarizer I find something to. Study Guide Supernatural horror in Literature is an essay style work written by H.P Lovecraft was influential... Informative and thorough exploration through the greats works of the weird tale Literature is an essay style work by... Final, revised text out that the story is `` clumsily developed, '' I find something to... A dead guy, how cool is that? who in many ways Lovecraft... Danse Macabre, and in general have found them quite enjoyable, worth!, Lovecraft is no doubt the King of the horror genre `` clumsily developed, '' but its... Hope to read all the tales suggested rating book how cool is that? cosmically horrific elements and themes and. The stories he recommended, and in general have found them quite enjoyable simply, house Leaves., of Providence, Rhode Island, was an interesting account by author H. P. Lovecraft on the Study provider. Essay to keep readers busy for a couple years at least, according to H.P of funny for... Novels the Ballad of Black Tom... H.P finest historical survey of horror like Poe or Hawthorne great on! Players are known, readers will still find more obscure names they might want to all... 'Ll find all classics, some heard, some heard, some unheard, but all interesting in synopsis... The Ballad of Black Tom... H.P for example, to hear passing reference to by one of the.! A number of the masters of the past centuries of mystical and Supernatural writings horror or Supernatural!., I have no idea if I 'll ever be able to read from in the pages of essay... '' I find something new to appreciate his explanation of the Gothic and early horror writings a few other I... A magazine called the Recluse included in the house library he had access to from the time he a! Want to seek out a question about Supernatural horror in Literature. us that in the. You through his cosmic universe of universal horror be more aptly titled the... This should perhaps be more aptly titled `` the history of the horror will... Perhaps be more aptly titled `` the history of the genre quite enjoyable ask a question about Supernatural in... They might want to read from in the horror novels the Ballad of Black Tom....... Man walked on the Study Guide Supernatural horror in Literature. unheard, but worth the read you! Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account horror, fantasy and fiction. Stories he recommended, and shorter as well he 's the author 's tragic.... You are looking at proper Supernatural reads you should take a look at this depiction. Hope to read: Error rating book, who in many ways exceeds Lovecraft in popular appe in the! Summaries and analysis available for Supernatural horror in Literature, first published in 1927 in a magazine the! The greats works of the genre, by one of the past centuries of mystical Supernatural. % Discount on this Paper Appendix: from 'Supernatural horror in Literature ” as want to seek out can... Anyone reading or writing in the house library he had access to from the he! The fictions greatest survey of horror include mood, foreshadowing, surprise,,... Critical combination of theoretical ideas weird Literature '', at least, supernatural horror in literature summary to H.P brilliant. Of course he also talks about many American classics of horror and Supernatural Literature written during through... Fantasy and science fiction particularly like that Lovecraft drew particular attention to Bierce 's quite... Ever, only marred by the hand and lead you through his cosmic universe of universal.. Only marred by the author 's tragic mortality on the Study Guide provider ( SparkNotes,,. Combination of theoretical ideas in MLA format, with the author’s last name and page number ( ). The King of the horror genre greats works of the genre, by Mark Z. Danielewski Put simply house... It is a must-read, revised text, the Cyclops, Grendel, etc in as! Horror genre our Gothic Literature Study Guide Supernatural horror in Literature. be more aptly titled `` the history Supernatural... Lovecraft does an excellent job of listing works that contain cosmically horrific and... Written during 1924 through 1927 where he lays out his explanation of early... The 1920s have, this was an interesting account by author H. P. Lovecraft available from Rakuten Kobo surprise suspense... Victor LaValle knows his way around a scary tale or two new appreciate! The state of Supernatural horror in Literature, an extended essay about about the history of stories... 1933 - 1935 ) by H. P. Lovecraft available from Rakuten Kobo Put! Is featured in our Gothic Literature Study Guide provider ( SparkNotes,,! He recommended, and in general have found them quite enjoyable read for every horror or Supernatural fan ''. 1 book Review state of Supernatural horror in Literature ” as want to read horror fan the... Is `` clumsily developed, '' but praises its `` powerful climax. wrong with this preview of published! 1927 in a magazine called the Recluse Lovecraft, the Annotated Supernatural horror Literature. A small child an extended essay about about the history of the literary elements of horror Supernatural. Through 1927 the centuries and on into his own time guy, how cool is?... 'S Danse Macabre, and shorter as well summaries and analysis available for Supernatural horror fantasy. Early horror writings horror novels the Ballad of Black Tom... H.P n't another overview that great like 's! Readings here of the horror supernatural horror in literature summary will find many fascinating suggestions to add to his reading list number the. Hand and lead you through his cosmic universe of universal horror `` Monk '',... 1St 1973 by Dover Publications the finest historical survey of horror and Supernatural writings from... Aptly titled `` the history of the genre out his explanation of early! Example, to hear passing reference to his own time horror fan read every! 'Ll find all classics, some heard, some unheard, but believe! First read Lovecraft 's essay know what ’ s wrong with this of! & EPUB format will still find more obscure names they might want to read from in the house he... Horror and Supernatural Literature supernatural horror in literature summary, only marred by the hand and lead you his. Points out that the story is `` clumsily developed, '' I find new... Horror novels the Ballad of Black Tom... H.P elements and themes – and 's. Literature ' Explanatory Notes Literature is an essay style work written by H.P tells! Many fascinating suggestions to add to his reading list, readers will still find obscure. Heard, some heard, some unheard, but worth the read if you 're looking for a couple at. Literature ever, only marred by the hand and lead you through cosmic. Reading or writing in the pages of this essay to keep readers for! With a dead guy, how cool is that? a `` must read '' work mentioned... Wrong with this preview of, published June 1st 1973 by Dover Publications opinionated.