Well, 'The Call of Cthulhu' is a must - mention. It's a short story but has been highly influential in the Lovecraftian horror genre. In it, the main character discovers the existence of Cthulhu through various investigations. 'At the Mountains of Madness' is great too. It not only has horror elements but also some science - fictiony aspects as the characters explore an ancient, pre - human civilization in Antarctica. And then there's 'The Dunwich Horror', which is full of strange happenings in a small New England town.
One great modern Lovecraftian horror novel is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It has that sense of creeping dread and a connection to the unknowable that Lovecraft was known for.
One main theme is the insignificance of humanity. In the context of WW2, with all its destruction and chaos, the Lovecraftian elements add another layer where humans are just tiny specks in a vast, unknowable cosmos. For example, in some novels, the great powers at war are still powerless against the cosmic entities from Lovecraft's lore.
Lovecraftian horror novels have had a huge influence on modern horror. Their use of cosmic horror, where the threat is vast and incomprehensible, has been adopted by many modern authors. For example, the idea of an unknowable and powerful entity like Cthulhu has inspired new works that play with the concept of human insignificance in the face of the cosmos.
Modern Lovecraftian horror novels often focus more on the cosmic horror aspect compared to traditional horror. Traditional horror might be more about immediate physical threats like a serial killer. For example, in Lovecraftian horror, the threat can be an indescribable, all - powerful entity from another dimension.
A good example could be 'The Innsmouth Legacy in WW2'. It takes the classic Lovecraftian concepts from 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' and transplants them into the chaos of World War 2. The story might involve the Nazis getting involved with the Deep Ones or other Lovecraftian entities, creating a truly horrifying scenario. The characters have to deal with not only the war but also the otherworldly threats that lurk in the shadows.
One of the best is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It introduces the terrifying and otherworldly entity Cthulhu. The story builds a sense of dread as the characters gradually uncover the truth about this ancient and malevolent being that exists beyond human comprehension.
Well, one of the main themes is the existence of eldritch abominations. These are grotesque and powerful entities that defy human comprehension. For example, Cthulhu, a well - known Lovecraftian creation. There's also a theme of forbidden knowledge. Characters who seek out hidden knowledge usually end up in a world of horror. And then there's the theme of a world that's much more sinister and complex than what humans perceive, which leads to a feeling of dread and unease throughout the story.
It has had a great impact. For starters, it popularized the idea of ancient and malevolent forces that have been around for eons. This has seeped into modern horror movies, books, and games. It also influenced the way horror stories are told, with a build - up of an oppressive atmosphere rather than just jump scares. Writers now often create scenarios where the characters are faced with something that makes them question their place in the universe, just like in Lovecraftian fiction.
August Derleth also wrote some notable Lovecraftian - inspired stories. He continued Lovecraft's legacy by expanding on the Mythos. His works often incorporated Lovecraft's ideas and added his own twists, helping to keep the Lovecraftian horror genre alive.