I bought all 3 omnibuses from this printing way back in the late 90s. Over the years I have replaced them each at least once as they have been instrumental in the development of my deep admiration for American horror author H.P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft defined the genre known as cosmic horror. In this genre it is the very nature of the universe that is terrifying, and it is only by the limitation of our own minds and senses that we are able to survive. The otherworldly antagonists in Lovecraft's stories aren't the usual humanity-obsessed devils, vamps and spectres but utterly alien cosmic beings that consider humanity as we would a nest of woodlice. Humanity ...  Read the complete review

HP Lovecraft (1890-1937) is probably the most influential horror writer of the first half of the 20th century, although he wasn't well known during his lifetime. This is the first time I've sat down to read his work in large doses. This anthology contains three novellas and four shorter stories. Lovecraft is best known for creating the Cthulhu Mythos, an elaborate cosmology which has been expanded since his death by other writers, game developers etc. The gist is that the universe is full of profoundly weird, unbelievably ancient, apocalyptically scary entities which need to be avoided at all costs. Lovecraft's work is pretty dark, with man but a tiny, ...  Read the complete review

I am a coward when it comes to anything spooky or suspenseful; even the adverts for horror films leave me quivering in my chair, my heart pounding and my hands clasped firmly over my eyes. I have an overactive imagination unfettered by my normally extremely sensible, cynical and logical brain and my parents and husband have many amusing and embarrassing stories concerning this aspect of my personality (nope, not sharing them today!). So the decision to read and subsequently review a collection of stories by Lovecraft; an author famous for his chilling, supernatural and futuristic stories, seems a strange one. For some strange reason, I often feel the need to regularly ...  Read the complete review