Howard Lovecraft is a well-known American writer who made a huge contribution to world mass culture; his work had a great influence on the formation of modern literature. Howard worked in several genres (horror, fantasy, mysticism and science fiction), while he managed to combine them, getting a unique style. His works are often singled out as a separate subgenre - Lovecraftian horrors.
Unfortunately, as often happens, Howard did not receive recognition during his lifetime. His novels were published in cheap tabloid magazines; during his lifetime only one book was published. But after death, interest in the writer's work intensified. He had many followers, the so-called “Lovecraft Circle”: Robert Bloch, Stephen King, Frank Long and others.
If you like horrors, be sure to pay attention to the works of this writer. Each of his books is worthy of attention. It’s not easy to single out the “most-most”, but we tried. This article presents a ranking of the best books by Howard Lovecraft.
10. The Story of Charles Dexter Ward
The most voluminous novel by Howard Lovecraft, was first published in 1941. Its action takes place in 1928, in a psychiatric hospital.
By the title of the book "The Story of Charles Dexter Ward"You can understand who is the main character of the book. This is a young man whom his parents placed in a clinic for the mentally ill. The fact is that Charles began to behave strangely. He forgets about what happened a couple of minutes ago, but he remembers the past well. His body also began to change.
Dexter Ward became interested in studying his family tree, in particular, he was interested in the fate of Joseph Carven, his descendant, who was engaged in the occult ...
9. Dreams in a witch's house
The story "Dreams in a witch's house"Came out in 1933. The fictional city of Arkham, the 1920s. Walter Gilman enters the University of Mathematics and Geometry, for this purpose he came to Arkham. Walter soon learns a legend that amazes him so much that he cannot think of anything else.
Once upon a time, the witch Kezia Mason lived here. She was able to move in the fourth dimension, visit other worlds and even travel in time. To do this, she needed to find the correct ratio of geometric shapes. On the day of the upcoming execution, Kezia took advantage of this skill and disappeared. Since then, locals are afraid of her. Fear fuels the mysterious glow that is found in the witch's room.
Gilman is not afraid, he rents a damn room, hoping to learn more about this story ...
8. Whispering in the dark
The story, the year of publication - 1931. The story is conducted on behalf of the teacher Albert N. Wilmart.
Everyone in the city is discussing the consequences of the flood; a large number of bodies were discovered in the river that belonged to unidentified creatures. Perhaps it’s Winged, which has been rumored for a long time. They live in the mountains of New England and kidnap people who are trying to get into this territory. Albert does not believe in these tales, but soon he will have to change his mind ...
Interesting fact: the story "Whispering in the dark"Was estimated by Weird Tales magazine at $ 350. This is exactly the amount paid to Howard for publication, it was the biggest money that he managed to earn at that time.
7. The horror in the museum
Teamwork Lovecraft and Hazel Held. The story "saw the light" in 1933 and entered the top five works written in collaboration with Hazel.
The protagonist of the story "Horror at the Museum»Artist Stephen Jones. He had long wanted to visit the Rogers Museum. Banal curiosity, in the city everyone just said that about this cultural object. The figures that are displayed there inspire animal fear.
Stephen is not limited to watching, he begins to communicate with Rogers and even agrees to spend the night in this strange museum ...
6. The Horror of Dunwich
The story was published in 1929. Dunwich is Massachusetts; after 1928 no one lives here. There are no signs so as not to attract tourists. There is nothing but the ruined old houses, but once upon a time life was raging in Danwich.
This story is very sad. Once a young woman named Lavinia gave birth to a boy who was not like an ordinary child. He grew rapidly, significantly ahead of peers in development. Only his grandfather Waitley knew the secret of the boy; he taught Wilbur everything that he knew. After the death of his grandfather, the boy must continue his work. This family was the reason horror dunwich…
5. A hassle over Innsmouth
Fantastic novel "Morocco over Innsmouth"- the only book that was published during the life of Howard (1936). The narration is on behalf of a young man who has recently become an adult. He went on a trip to the notorious city of Arkham.
In the city of Newburyport, he heard a legend about the existence of the mysterious Innsmouth. Many years ago it was a seaport, but an epidemic began, most of the inhabitants died. Those that remain do not really like visitors, the city is considered isolated. Innsmouth has a bad reputation, they say strange things happen there. The guy decides to go there. He still does not know what awaits him in Innsmouth ...
4. Lurking horror
The story was published in 1923, it consists of four parts, each of which has its own name. Monster Hunter, along with his companions, goes to the Catskill Mountains.
Residents of a small settlement complain of attacks by unknown creatures. They are terrified, the neighboring village suffered a sad fate. Its inhabitants in the amount of 75 people were killed. People hope that the hunter can save them from lurking horror…
3. Dagon
A story published in 1919. Included in a cycle called "Dagon and Other Creepy Tales." The story has an interesting structure - in the form of a suicide note by a man. The story takes place during the First World War.
A man is captured by the Germans, but he manages to escape. He organizes an escape on a boat. Just ahead of him is something more terrible than the Germans. it Dagon - sea deity, patron of the Deep ...
2. Call of Cthulhu
This story was published in 1928, but they became interested only after the death of the writer. In 2005, he was filmed, and the character Cthulhu became one of the most popular on the network. The story consists of three parts.
The main character "Call of Cthulhu”- Francis Thurston. This man found a bas-relief of Cthulhu in the things of his relative. He was surprised at the find, because the figurine was supposed to be with the police. She was involved in a high-profile case on a religious sect.
Participants in the sect committed many murders - sacrifices, this is not the only case, so there is nothing good to expect from Cthulhu ...
1. Ranges of Madness
Year of publication - 1936. The story "Ridges of madness"Is one of the leading works in the series" Myths of Cthulhu. "
The expedition of scientists sent to the Antarctic. They manage to make an important discovery. Find the ancient city, which is buried under a layer of ice. In the distant past, there was an ancient race, which had many enemies. True, for this discovery had to pay too high a price. The first detachment of the group disappears without a trace, the rest goes in search of it ...