Hatrack River Forum: Who is following in Lovecraft's footsteps?

This is topic Who is following in Lovecraft's footsteps? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

I really like reading Lovecraft. Sometimes. If I'm not alone in the dark.

Who else writes disturbing, fantastical stories -- without falling into the cheesy horror trap? Are there any good novels in this vein?

I'm curious.

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

Do you think that Lovecraft's style could support an entire novel? Don't get me wrong, I love his short stories, but I don't think they'd translate well into the longer format.

Wait a tic, didn't HP write a novel or two? Wouldn't that be the place to start?

Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :

Well, everyone's idea of "cheesy" is different. However, you might try reading Ramsey Campbell if you haven't already done so. I haven't read any Lovecraft in a long time, but I've read a couple of Campbell's novels, and I've heard him compared to Lovecraft more than once.

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :

Lovecraft's Dreamland stories, and novellas were the best he wrote. He got too caught up in recreating Poe at times, in his then-modern day horror, but when he was allowed to simply write, man, that stuff is good.

There's a compilation of his Dreamland stories (or story related to the Dreamland, like Pickman's Model) out there, and I recommend it to all. He brilliantly tied together a lot of his stories through it, without being rotely mechanistic about it. It also helps make sense of his entire Mythos... For the most part. and that's what I like about his stories, so much is left unsaid.

As for other stories, I'm a bit of an HPL snob, and think that most of the writers that tried to add to the Mythos, or rationalize it (like a certain August Derleth), missed the point. However there are copious amounts of the writings/writers, you coul probably check out various Cthulhu page.

-Bok

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

This interest sort of stems from my disappointment with The Prince of Nothing; when I first started it I was expecting something with Lovecraftian horror elements, and instead was given a well-written fantasy in a very novel and developed world. Unfortunately, that wasn't what I wanted, so I was disappointed.

I'll look into what's been mentioned so far... and heck, I could always just write it myself. [Wink]

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

I'm generally not a big fan of horror, but I read a couple of Lovecraft stories a few months ago. To my surprise, I *really* liked them. I'll have to read more some day, I suppose...

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

I'm not a horror fan either, which is why I made sure to specify that it's Lovecraftian horror I'm interested in. I suppose it's pretty hard to write in that vein without just aping Lovecraft, though.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

Speaking of Lovecraft, I like how your Lovecraft/Babylon campaign is starting. [Big Grin]

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

Glad to hear it. [Smile]

I'm enjoying unleashing some of my monsters. I had a lot of fun designing them. I'm also very curious to see what the party decides to do once this battle is over.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

*eagerly anticipates*

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :

twinky, I thought you WEREN'T doing a Lovecraft horror campaign! It's why I didn't bother signing up! Dang it.

-Bok

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

Well... there's Lovecraft in the world. How often the players interact with it will be determined by their actions once the opening sequence (which involves some Lovecraftian events and monsters) is finished.

I've been posting archives here. Not too much has happened so far.