Studies in Supernatural Literature

Recognized as a major innovator in the weird story, H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) was an author whose influence was felt by nearly every writer of horror, fantasy, and science fiction in the second half of the twentieth century. Many of his stories have been adapted into plays, films, and even games, including Dagon, From Beyond, and The Dunwich Horror. Considered one of the leading writers of gothic horror, Lovecraft's work continues to inspire writers today. In H. P. Lovecraft and Influence: His Predecessors and Successors, Robert H. Waugh has assembled a collection of essays that not only examine the effect Lovecraft's work has had-and continues to have-on writers, but how Lovecraft's writing was shaped by those who preceded him. The essays compiled in this anthology are vast in scope, ranging from the Bible through the Edwardian period and well into the present. Chapters in this collection are devoted to authors whose work had an impact on Lovecraft-Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, and Lord Dunsany-and those who drew inspiration from him, including William S. Burroughs, Ramsey Campbell, Thomas Ligotti, and Stephen King. A fascinating collection of essays, H. P. Lovecraft and Influence will appeal to aficionados of classic horror, fantasy, and science fiction, but also to those with an interest in modern authors whose works reflect and honor the enduring legacy of Lovecraft.