Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read?

Sgt. Sacrament · October 28 2011, 01:57 PM

Last year at this time, inspired by the long-lived "Horror Fiction" thread, I read "Dark Harvest" and H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness". This year I again checked out from the library Lovecraft's "Tales" collection published by the Library of America, planning to read "The Call of Cthulhu". Since I'll have the book for a few weeks, what are a few other of Lovecraft's works in this volume that I should read? Please make some picks in the poll (the first time I've done this), comments welcome, and I'll likely read at least a couple of them. Thanks!

Shurik · October 28 2011, 02:50 PM

I have the "Tales" collection by Library Of America. From the shorter stories I especially liked are The music of Erich Zann and The rats in the walls. From the longer ones - The colour out of space, The whisperer in darkness, The shadow over Innsmouth, The shadow out of time.

Lonemagpie · October 28 2011, 06:08 PM

I voted for about eight of those - but I'd put The Whisperer In Darkness and Case Of Charles Dexter Ward top of the list.

LitmusDragon · October 28 2011, 06:09 PM

I quite liked most of the tales in that anthology, but I voted for what I consider the best of the best: The Music of Eric Zann, The Rats in the Walls, The Horror at Red Hook, The Color out of Space and The Whisperer in Darkness. I haven't finished the last 1/3rd or so of the anthology yet so can't comment.

The Color out of Space may be his best work that I've read other than the Call of Cthulu.

The Music of Eric Zann is a simple little tale but it's filled with some really evocative imagery. I can still "see" the entire final scene and practically hear the music.

Silent_Bob · October 28 2011, 08:53 PM

My personal favourite on the list is 'The Shadow over Innsmouth'. The BBC recently did an audio of it with Richard Coyle that was a very good reading.

Greg Cox · October 28 2011, 09:33 PM

"The Colour out of Space" is one of his best stories.

The only problem with "The Shadow over the Innsmouth" is all that phonectically-spelled New England dialect, which gets a bit wearing after a while . . ..

Silvercrest · October 28 2011, 11:00 PM

Don't drink the water!

View Poll Results: Which of H.P. Lovecraft's following stories should I read?
The statement of Randolph Carter	1	14.29%
The outsider	1	14.29%
The music of Erich Zann	2	28.57%
Herbert West, reanimator	2	28.57%
The lurking fear	0	0%
The rats in the walls	3	42.86%
The shunned house	0	0%
The horror at Red Hook	2	28.57%
He	0	0%
Cool air	1	14.29%
Pickman's model	2	28.57%
The case of Charles Dexter Ward	2	28.57%
The colour out of space	5	71.43%
The Dunwich horror	2	28.57%
The whisperer in darkness	3	42.86%
The shadow over Innsmouth	3	42.86%
The dreams in the Witch House	0	0%
The thing on the doorstep	2	28.57%
The shadow out of time	4	57.14%
The haunter of the dark	2	28.57%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

October 28 2011, 01:57 PM	#1
Sgt. Sacrament Lieutenant Commander	Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? Last year at this time, inspired by the long-lived "Horror Fiction" thread, I read "Dark Harvest" and H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness". This year I again checked out from the library Lovecraft's "Tales" collection published by the Library of America, planning to read "The Call of Cthulhu". Since I'll have the book for a few weeks, what are a few other of Lovecraft's works in this volume that I should read? Please make some picks in the poll (the first time I've done this), comments welcome, and I'll likely read at least a couple of them. Thanks!

October 28 2011, 02:50 PM	#2
Shurik Fleet Captain Location: Haifa, Israel	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? I have the "Tales" collection by Library Of America. From the shorter stories I especially liked are The music of Erich Zann and The rats in the walls. From the longer ones - The colour out of space, The whisperer in darkness, The shadow over Innsmouth, The shadow out of time. __________________ Chemistry is physics without a thought Mathematics is physics without a purpose

October 28 2011, 06:08 PM	#3
Lonemagpie Writer Location: Yorkshire	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? I voted for about eight of those - but I'd put The Whisperer In Darkness and Case Of Charles Dexter Ward top of the list. __________________ "I got two modes with people- Bite, and Avoid" Reading: Mystery Man (Colin Bateman) Blog- http://lonemagpie.livejournal.com

October 28 2011, 06:09 PM	#4
LitmusDragon Commodore Location: The Barmuda Triangle	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? I quite liked most of the tales in that anthology, but I voted for what I consider the best of the best: The Music of Eric Zann, The Rats in the Walls, The Horror at Red Hook, The Color out of Space and The Whisperer in Darkness. I haven't finished the last 1/3rd or so of the anthology yet so can't comment. The Color out of Space may be his best work that I've read other than the Call of Cthulu. The Music of Eric Zann is a simple little tale but it's filled with some really evocative imagery. I can still "see" the entire final scene and practically hear the music. __________________ Check out my photos of Oregon on Facebook Linguiphiles, unite!

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October 28 2011, 08:53 PM	#5
Silent_Bob Fleet Captain	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? My personal favourite on the list is 'The Shadow over Innsmouth'. The BBC recently did an audio of it with Richard Coyle that was a very good reading. __________________ "Does the cold of deep space make your nipples go pointy Bowie? Do you use your pointy nipples as telescopic antennae to transmit data back to Earth? I bet you do, you freaky old bastard you"

October 28 2011, 09:33 PM	#6
Greg Cox Vice Admiral Location: Oxford, PA	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? "The Colour out of Space" is one of his best stories. The only problem with "The Shadow over the Innsmouth" is all that phonectically-spelled New England dialect, which gets a bit wearing after a while . . .. __________________ www.gregcox-author.com

October 28 2011, 11:00 PM	#7
Silvercrest Rear Admiral Location: Lost in Moria (Arlington, WA, USA)	Re: Which of Lovecrafts "Tales" to read? Don't drink the water!