Monster in the Mirror: Looking for H. P. Lovecraft

by Robert H. Waugh

During the past three decades, Robert H. Waugh has established himself as a leading scholar on H. P. Lovecraft. Bringing to the study of Lovecraft a remarkable breadth of knowledge in literature, aesthetics, history, and philosophy, Waugh has approached his subject with sensitivity and nuance. In this volume of his collected essays on Lovecraft, the reader will learn of the importance of documents in Lovecraft's work; his provocative similarities to the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi; and his fascination with underground horror, as exemplified in At the Mountains of Madness and other tales. In a trilogy of substantial essays, Waugh looks at Lovecraft's seminal story "The Outsider" from a variety of critical perspectives. A concluding article probes the controverted issue of religion in Lovecraft's life, thought, and writings. In all, the essays demonstrate that Lovecraft's multifaceted work is a virtually inexhaustible treasure-trove for the scholar and analyst.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lovecraftian

306 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2006

Reviews

[Henrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm only about halfway into this fascinating book examining aspects of H. P. Lovecraft's stories. It's heavily academic, which is both a good thing and a disadvantage. Waugh also professes that he is essentially a New Critic, which is not exactly my cup of tea. He is not a strict one, however, so it's not really a problem.

More later...;-)

MUCH LATER:-P:

No need to say more, really. What I wrote earlier still applies.

If you're into Lovecraftian studies and scholarship, there's no question that you need this one. Too few of these appear on the scene. It's good to see people doing serious, indepth research into this writer's bizarre stories.

[Kevin Larkin Angioli]

Robert Waugh is an old and interesting man and professor at SUNY New Paltz, where I am a graduate student and teaching assistant. I took a class on Joyce (we only read Ulysses and Finnegans Wake) with him as instructor. When we meet in the hallways, I like to discuss horror fiction with him. He is one of the most erudite and eccentric people I know, and he seems to have read most books ever written. His is a mind that revels in complexity, allusiveness, and elusiveness. He is also the only person I know to wear a belt buckle with Gollum on it. Once I have familiarized myself more deeply with Lovecraft, I wish to read this book.

[SFReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

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