One characteristic is the use of cosmic horror. Lovecraft often created entities and concepts that were far beyond human understanding, like Cthulhu, which made the horror more profound as it was something that humans could not fully comprehend.
One of the most popular ones is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It introduced the terrifying cosmic entity Cthulhu and has had a huge influence on horror and dark fantasy. Another is 'The Shadow over Innsmouth', which features a creepy town with a dark secret. And 'At the Mountains of Madness' is also well - known for its exploration of the Antarctic and the ancient, unearthly horrors there.
One main character is Richard Upton Pickman. He's an artist who creates some rather disturbing works of art that are connected to the dark and hidden things in Lovecraft's universe. Then there's the narrator in many of the stories. The narrators are often the ones through whom we experience the horror, as they describe the strange events and encounters they have with the Lovecraftian elements.
Some of the best ones include 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It's a classic that introduced the terrifying Cthulhu entity. The story builds a sense of cosmic horror as it reveals the existence of this ancient and malevolent being that lurks beneath the surface of our world. Another great one is 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth'. It has a really creepy atmosphere with its strange fish - like creatures and the secrets of the Innsmouth people.
One of his best short stories is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It's a classic that introduced the terrifying Cthulhu entity, with a plot that unfolds through the discovery of strange cults and otherworldly knowledge. Another great one is 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth', which features a creepy town with a dark secret and a disturbing population. 'At the Mountains of Madness' is also highly regarded. It tells a story of an Antarctic expedition that uncovers ancient and horrifying secrets buried in the ice.
You could start with 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It's one of his most famous works. It introduces the terrifying and otherworldly Cthulhu entity and gives a great taste of Lovecraft's unique style of horror, with its blend of the unknown and the unknowable.
No. Although H.P. Lovecraft is famous for his short stories which are filled with his signature brand of horror, he also penned some works that were longer than typical short stories. His works, regardless of length, are all characterized by a sense of dread and a unique exploration of the cosmos and the entities that might exist within it. His influence extends not only to horror literature but also to other forms of media such as movies and video games that seek to recreate the feeling of his terrifying and otherworldly stories.
One of the main themes is cosmic horror. Lovecraft often portrays humans as insignificant in the face of vast and incomprehensible cosmic entities. For example, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the existence of Cthulhu is so far beyond human understanding that it drives those who learn of it to madness. Another theme is the fragility of the human mind. His stories show how easily the human psyche can be shattered when faced with the unknown and the uncanny. There's also a sense of isolation, as his characters are often alone in their encounters with the otherworldly, with no one to truly understand what they're going through.
Not exactly. While Lovecraft is renowned for his short stories, he did pen a few longer works and dabbled in poetry as well. His works often explored themes of cosmic horror and the unknown.