H.P. Lovecraft, the Unknown, and Foreign Countries

May 27th, 2010 by admin Leave a reply »

During my time in Spain, I have finally gotten around to reading the Library of America compilation of H.P. Lovecraft’s writings, titled Tales. I had been meaning to read the volume for some time, but I always seemed to have something more compelling to read. This is often the case with my reading habits, but was particularly acute in this case since Lovecraft wrote what was then (the early 20th century) called “weird fiction”, but is now be called “horror”. Horror is not the most versatile of genres, and the mood to read it never seemed to surface. Now, lack of alternatives have forced my hand, and I am quite happy they did, as I am really enjoying Lovecraft’s writing.

Horror is probably not the right word to capture the experience of reading the stories; suspense is a more fitting word. Lovecraft’s stories are typically structured like simple ghost stories, starting rather mundanely and finishing with a startling revelation.

What I really enjoy about the writing is that, despite being rather predictable, each story delves into our fear of the murky, silent, and unknown aspects of our world. Lovecraft’s horrors are mysterious, unknowable and vast, but they reside in our cellars, attics and dilapidated buildings. This combination of unknown and mundane is the central force of Lovecraft’s writing, inspiring readers to think twice before going down to the basement to get a new light bulb.

Going to a foreign country inspires in some people the same sense of mundane/horror as Lovecraft’s writing elicits. Not understand what people are saying, not knowing what the signs say, and not being able to communicate causes uneasiness, isolation, and panic in many travelers. My wife and I are intermediate Spanish speakers (though by no means fluent), and even we are apprehensive when approaching an important conversation here in Spain. Fortunately, we have found that the locals are relatively forgiving of our clumsy Spanish, and are grateful that we are making the effort and not merely speaking loud, slow English. Barcelona is a little trickier than the rest of Spain, since here the signs are are in Catalan (which bears a passing resemblance to Spanish), though all the locals speak at least Spanish as well. Even so, I do feel a bit lost at times when trying to decipher words with many more X’s than I am comfortable with.

I can’t imagine the moxie necessary to move to a country where you don’t speak the language, and the locals are not as forgiving. It gives me new respect for immigrants, who all had to face down the horror hiding behind every conversation and every street sign.

Advertisement

17,632 comments

  1. jordan retro says:

    I definitely wanted to develop a simple note in order to say thanks to you for some of the nice steps you are posting on this site. My rather long internet look up has at the end of the day been paid with really good know-how to write about with my company. I ‘d claim that many of us site visitors are really endowed to exist in a fantastic site with so many brilliant people with beneficial methods. I feel quite blessed to have seen your site and look forward to really more awesome times reading here. Thank you once again for all the details.

  2. Needed to send you that little bit of word so as to say thanks once again with your nice knowledge you’ve contributed here. It is certainly seriously open-handed with people like you to present publicly exactly what most people could have distributed as an e book to earn some dough for themselves, most notably considering that you could have tried it in case you wanted. These techniques also acted to be the great way to know that some people have the identical passion just like my own to figure out lots more in respect of this problem. I know there are millions of more pleasurable moments in the future for people who find out your website.

  3. moncler says:

    My spouse and i have been really fortunate that Peter could complete his studies because of the precious recommendations he discovered using your web site. It’s not at all simplistic to just happen to be giving out solutions that people today have been selling. And we all realize we have got the blog owner to appreciate for that. The specific illustrations you made, the simple website menu, the friendships your site make it easier to foster – it’s everything excellent, and it’s leading our son in addition to the family imagine that this idea is interesting, and that’s highly mandatory. Many thanks for the whole lot!

  4. I and also my friends were actually following the best advice on your website while all of the sudden developed a horrible feeling I had not expressed respect to the site owner for them. All of the young men appeared to be as a consequence glad to see all of them and already have certainly been taking advantage of them. I appreciate you for actually being very thoughtful as well as for using varieties of outstanding information millions of individuals are really eager to be aware of. My very own sincere apologies for not saying thanks to you sooner.

  5. golden goose says:

    I needed to post you this tiny remark just to give many thanks once again with the spectacular methods you have featured at this time. It was so incredibly generous with people like you to convey without restraint all most of us would have distributed for an e book to make some bucks for themselves, principally now that you could possibly have done it if you wanted. These good tips in addition worked like a fantastic way to fully grasp that someone else have a similar dreams much like my own to know very much more regarding this issue. Certainly there are lots of more fun times up front for folks who see your blog.

  6. curry shoes says:

    Thank you a lot for providing individuals with an extremely marvellous opportunity to check tips from here. It is always so great plus packed with amusement for me and my office friends to search your website not less than thrice every week to read the new stuff you have got. Of course, I’m also certainly fascinated with the fabulous concepts you give. Certain 4 points in this posting are without a doubt the finest we have all had.

  7. I simply wanted to post a small remark so as to say thanks to you for some of the marvelous secrets you are placing here. My extended internet search has finally been rewarded with reliable concept to exchange with my co-workers. I ‘d believe that many of us site visitors are undoubtedly endowed to live in a remarkable community with very many outstanding individuals with useful things. I feel very blessed to have come across the website page and look forward to plenty of more awesome times reading here. Thanks a lot again for a lot of things.

  8. yeezy says:

    My spouse and i were very glad that Louis managed to finish off his analysis because of the precious recommendations he came across in your web pages. It’s not at all simplistic to just be giving away information that many people have been trying to sell. And we all consider we have you to thank for this. The specific explanations you have made, the straightforward site navigation, the relationships your site assist to instill – it’s everything exceptional, and it’s letting our son and us consider that the subject matter is pleasurable, and that is highly vital. Thank you for all!

  9. I enjoy you because of all your valuable hard work on this web page. My mother really loves conducting internet research and it’s really obvious why. Most people notice all concerning the dynamic manner you produce practical information through the web site and as well attract participation from visitors on this concept and our princess is actually understanding so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. Your doing a first class job.

  10. kd shoes says:

    I must express some thanks to this writer for bailing me out of this particular instance. Just after exploring throughout the internet and obtaining recommendations which are not pleasant, I believed my life was over. Being alive minus the approaches to the difficulties you have sorted out as a result of the article content is a critical case, as well as the ones which might have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across the blog. Your actual understanding and kindness in dealing with a lot of things was excellent. I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a step like this. I can also at this time look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for your specialized and effective help. I won’t think twice to recommend your site to anybody who wants and needs assistance about this issue.