Lovecraft, where to start?

[demiurge1138]

No, Joshua, you're not the only one who thinks that the Dream-Quest is Lovecraft's best work. It is, however, not exactly indicative of his work. And I think that article you linked to was a bit harsh on Lovecraft.

Demiurge out.

 

[Desdichado]

Indeed it was a bit harsh. But not undeservedly. It articulated much of my own feelings on his writings, to be honest with you, and better than I had done before reading it. Something about Lovecraft as a horror writer just didn't sit right with me, and I think I finally discovered that "non-Euclidean" wasn't a descriptor that was scary. Lovecraft as a writer has some good ideas, but then botches his execution. Rather than making his tales actually scary, he continually tells the reader that they're scary in the vain hope that the readers will be scared. That, and the strange idea that merely making things very alien will make them scary, lead to the ironic position of a classic horror writer who's work isn't really very scary.

Granted, some are much better than others, but overall, the article's description of Lovecraft as an "eccentric hack" with momentary flashes of brilliance is on the money, in my opinion.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

No, it's not. That's actually a particularly common complaint about much of Lovecraft's writing. Good ideas, very hit and miss execution.

No, no, it is just you - everyone else is just quoting you.

Some people like Lovecraft others don't - it is all a matter of taste, so adding 'in my opinion' would not have been a bad idea. So it is neither just you, nor is it bald fact.

Seriously I would start with The Dunwich Horror - of all the Lovecraftian locales Dunwich is my favorite, followed by Kingsport in The Terrible Old Man.

The Auld Grump

 

[Desdichado]

Some people like Lovecraft others don't - it is all a matter of taste, so adding 'in my opinion' would not have been a bad idea. So it is neither just you, nor is it bald fact.

As a matter of fact, if you reread my post, I did add "in my opinion." And given the nature of the question, I think that was a given anyway.

 

[Awakened]

Mr. Dyal, whenever anyone asks what Lovecraft books they should start out with, you feel the need to immediately critique his works and endlessly pontificate about how he's a failure in many efforts. These poor guys just want a book list, believe me, they're smart enough to figure out if Lovecraft is good or not for themselves, they don't need you to arrogantly assert your opinions for them.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Well, he didn't write books, he wrote mostly short stories, and at most novellas. I haven't read all of them, by any means, and many of them highlight some pretty serious failings as a writer.

That said, the first story I ever heard of, read and still my favorite by far, is "The DreamQuest of Unknown Kadath." After that, "Call of Cthulhu" is good for a general overview of the way the rest of the stories run. "The Dunwich Horror" isn't bad as well, as a similar kind of story. "Rats in the Walls" is another. "At the Mountains of Madness" is kinda the classic, longer, later Lovecraftian story.

As a matter of fact, if you reread my post, I did add "in my opinion." And given the nature of the question, I think that was a given anyway.

Hmmm, funny - the word 'opinion' does not appear here at all on rereading. Perhaps you need to rewrite it? It is a critique pure and simple. And given that the question was 'what to read first?' No it was not a given. Rather like 'What is the best way to cook Brussel Sprouts?' 'Brussel sprouts are flawed as vegetables.'

*EDIT* Made point a bit clearer.

The Auld Grump

 

[Desdichado]

Mr. Dyal, whenever anyone asks what Lovecraft books they should start out with, you feel the need to immediately critique his works and endlessly pontificate about how he's a failure in many efforts. These poor guys just want a book list, believe me, they're smart enough to figure out if Lovecraft is good or not for themselves, they don't need you to arrogantly assert your opinions for them.

As a matter of fact, in my first post, I immediately recommended what I thought his best work was, stating that it's also the first I read. Later in the thread, I also pointed out that I was hardly alone in my opinion. Just because you like Lovecraft does not make my opinion arrogant, or my post unhelpful. There's no reason to take it personally. Even if you are Lovecraft reincarnated.

 

[Desdichado]

Hmmm, funny - the word 'opinion' does not appear here at all on rereading. Perhaps you need to rewrite it? It is a critique pure and simple. And given that the question was 'what to read first?' No it was not a given. Rather like 'What is the best way to cook Brussel Sprouts?' 'Brussel sprouts are flawed as vegetables.'

Granted, some are much better than others, but overall, the article's description of Lovecraft as an "eccentric hack" with momentary flashes of brilliance is on the money, in my opinion.

We'll have to agree to disagree. He's asking for opinions on what to read first, and I gave mine, pointing out that many of the other stories (beyond what I recommended he start with) have serious flaws. As far as I'm concerned, it is definitely a given that what I wrote was my opinion. Every statement of literary criticism is someone's opinion by default, as there can -- by definition -- be no such thing as an objective analsysis of literary quality.

Also, see my reply to Awakened above.

 

[Awakened]

As a matter of fact, in my first post, I immediately recommended what I thought his best work was, stating that it's also the first I read. Later in the thread, I also pointed out that I was hardly alone in my opinion. Just because you like Lovecraft does not make my opinion arrogant, or my post unhelpful. There's no reason to take it personally. Even if you are Lovecraft reincarnated.

Yes, yes you did give the guy a list of recommendations, but why couldn't you have left it at that? I wouldn't be so volatile towards you normally, but back when I used to check enworld regularly I caught you doing the exact same thing: critiquing a writer in a book list thread.
I am not Lovecraft reincarnated, although I am a teenage aspiring author.
Lovecraft has flaws, as does any author, including even you Dyal.
Your opinions are quite valid, although I find them harsh and misleading in some ways, you're certainly entitled to them. I'd like to see your views on Lovecraft and provide a counterpoint to them, but please leave critiquing to an appropriate thread. Thanks

 

[Desdichado]

Lovecraft has flaws, as does any author, including even you Dyal.

While I certainly don't disagree with you, when have you ever read any of my fiction?

Your opinions are quite valid, although I find them harsh and misleading in some ways, you're certainly entitled to them.

They're only misleading if you disagree with me. I find your opinions misleading, personally.

I'd like to see your views on Lovecraft and provide a counterpoint to them, but please leave critiquing to an appropriate thread. Thanks

Uh, since when is a thread asking about opinions on where to start with Lovecraft an inappropriate thread to share my opinions on where to start with Lovecraft? What I think of Lovecraft's writing is certainly in important part of why I recommended that he start with the works that I recommended.