H.P. Lovecraft, an evaluationBrennan, Joseph Payne
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H.P. Lovecraft, an evaluation
Brennan, Joseph Payne
Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips), 1890-1937 -- Criticism and interpretation
Any criticism of Lovecraft’s work, no matter how brief, would be
incomplete if it omitted mention of his famous essay, “Supernatural
Horror in Literature.” Even Edmund Wilson concedes that the essay
is “a really able piece of work.” In my pamphlet, “H. P. Lovecraft:
A Bibliography”, I commented: “The background and evolution of the
horror tale—a “must” for anyone seriously interested in the genre.” The
comment still holds. Apart from the letters, I think it is probably the
finest piece of non-fiction which Lovecraft ever wrote.
Judging from the few letters and extracts from letters which are in
print, Lovecraft’s “Selected Letters” (or “Collected”) will definitely
enhance his reputation. It is probable that their publication will
revive and intensify interest in both the man and his work. Lovecraft’s
erudition, humor and style is such that it is even possible they will
eventually tend to eclipse his other work! At this point we can only
wait and see.
Lovecraft’s final place in American literature has not yet been
determined. It is too early for that. But it seems certain that the
very best of his work will endure, that it will remain important in
the particular field which he chose. If he did not reach the summits
attained by Poe, or Bierce, at his best he scaled some dizzy heights.
This is an edition of 75 copies.
This is copy number:
30
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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