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Lord of a Visible World: An Autobiography in Letters
H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) has achieved renown as the leading author of supernatural fiction in the twentieth century. His novels have been translated into a dozen languages, and his work has inspired many contemporary authors in the fields of horror and science fiction, including Stephen King, Peter Straub, Ramsey Campbell, and Philip K. Dick. In Lord of a Visible World,
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Paperback
,
404 pages
Published
August 31st 2000
by Ohio University Press
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Although not a lavish production like Willis Conover's LOVECRAFT AT LAST, this is another essential work in understanding Lovecraft as a person; but it is also essential in capturing him as a writer and a thinker. Joshi's monumental biography will probably never be surpassed, but this book is more approachable, and entertaining.
A very interesting look into his personal life, compiled in a chronological form to give the reader an overall view and timeline of the man's existence. There's so many letters from Lovecraft that I've forgotten a great many, but some have really stuck with me. His travels and details of architecture were a little less interesting to me, but I know that scenery and atmosphere was something he held a deep bond with. What's intriguing is to see how a seemingly rigid and distant man formed tight bo
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H.P. Lovecraft is one of my favorite authors and it was great to get a glimpse into his head, to understand what motivated him and how he saw the world.
Sometimes it was a bit difficult to understand him though because of the words he uses and the length of the sentences.
Sometimes it was a bit difficult to understand him though because of the words he uses and the length of the sentences.
Dec 23, 2010
Mark Singer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
H P Lovecraft fans
Recommended to Mark by:
no one
Although the exact number will probably never be known, it has been estimated that weird fantasy author H P Lovecraft (1890-1937) may have written at lest 75,000 letters and postcards during his lifetime. Editors S T Joshi and David Schultz arranged a number of these into the story of his life, and it is a fascinating read. In brief, HPL was widely-read and could discuss many subjects, travelled up and down the East Coast investigating antiquarian sites, and held some reprehensible beliefs. It's
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Finally, after 7 YEARS+ I have completed reading this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Lovecraft's fiction, but the thousands of letters he wrote (portions of same which were compiled into this "autobiography") were very dry and slow. But that is early 20th century writing for you. And, to be fair, it would have flowed a little better if I didn't average less than 50 pages per year. But I will stick with his fiction and won't be running anytime soon to Lovecraft's archived letters for reading.
I have to admit I did not read this start to finish, but skipped around and read portions that interested me. That's because it's a collection of letters and not really a narrative. But I really loved going through the them and will probably continue to pick it up from time to time, even if it means rereading some sections.
An excellent biography of one of my favorite authors of all time, created by careful sampling of his voluminous correspondence. Required reading for Lovecraft fans, in my humble opinion.
Someone needs to turn this into a movie if they haven't done so already. It would probably be an art-house flick, but whatever.
I felt that an impression of Lovecraft through his correspondence was all I needed and did not finish reading the book.
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Howard Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a ...more
More about H.P. Lovecraft...
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a ...more
“And even in the open air the stench of whiskey was appalling. To this fiendish poison, I am certain, the greater part of the squalor I saw is due. Many of these vermin were obviously not foreigners—I counted at least five American countenances in which a certain vanished decency half showed through the red whiskey bloating. Then I reflected upon the power of wine, and marveled how self-respecting persons can imbibe such stuff, or permit it to be served upon their tables. It is the deadliest enemy with which humanity is faced. Not all the European wars could produce a tenth of the havock occasioned among men by the wretched fluid which responsible governments allow to be sold openly. Looking upon that mob of sodden brutes, my mind’s eye pictured a scene of different kind; a table bedecked with spotless linen and glistening silver, surrounded by gentlemen immaculate in evening attire—and in the reddening faces of those gentlemen I could trace the same lines which appeared in full development of the beasts of the crowd. Truly, the effects of liquor are universal, and the shamelessness of man unbounded. How can reform be wrought in the crowd, when supposedly respectable boards groan beneath the goblets of rare old vintages? Is mankind asleep, that its enemy is thus entertained as a bosom friend? But a week or two ago, at a parade held in honour of the returning Rhode Island National Guard, the Chief Executive of this State, Mr. Robert Livingston Beeckman, prominent in New York, Newport, and Providence society, appeared in such an intoxicated condition that he could scarce guide his mount, or retain his seat in the saddle, and he the guardian of the liberties and interests of that Colony carved by the faith, hope, and labour of Roger Williams from the wilderness of savage New-England! I am perhaps an extremist on the subject of prohibition, but I can see no justification whatsoever for the tolerance of such a degrading demon as drink.”
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