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Strange Versus Lovecraft
What happens when a group of the rowdiest authors of cult horror fiction take on one of the most iconic figures in the entire genre?
Strange Versus Lovecraft features eleven of the absolute weirdest short stories set in the Cthulhu mythos you’re ever likely to read. From fish-mouthed prostitutes to undersea fast food restaurants and the house raping spawn of Yog-Sothoth, you’ve never read Lovecraft done quite like this.
Next generation authors Kevin Strange, D.F. Noble, Jason Wayne Allen, and Jesse wheeler lead this shambling pack of pervert writers toward untold lows as they defile the sacred name of H.P. Lovecraft in this loving send up to the man who brought tentacles into the main stream.
Strange Versus Lovecraft features eleven of the absolute weirdest short stories set in the Cthulhu mythos you’re ever likely to read. From fish-mouthed prostitutes to undersea fast food restaurants and the house raping spawn of Yog-Sothoth, you’ve never read Lovecraft done quite like this.
Next generation authors Kevin Strange, D.F. Noble, Jason Wayne Allen, and Jesse wheeler lead this shambling pack of pervert writers toward untold lows as they defile the sacred name of H.P. Lovecraft in this loving send up to the man who brought tentacles into the main stream.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2013
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Strange
41 books188 followersKevin Strange is a two time nominee of the Wonderland Book Award for excellence in bizarro fiction, recipient of the 2014 editor's choice award in the Lewis and Clark college literary magazine The Peppermint Rooster Review and his short story THE TWINS was listed on TangentOnline.com's 2015 year end recommended reading list.
He is the author of 18 books, and the writer/director of 7 films. He loves schlocky B-movies, cult fiction and Iron Maiden records.
He is the author of 18 books, and the writer/director of 7 films. He loves schlocky B-movies, cult fiction and Iron Maiden records.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 28, 2013
Is Lovecraftian fiction too intense, archaic or literary for your tastes? Well then step right up and take a look at STRANGE VERSUS LOVECRAFT. Throw cannon and tried and true Lovecraft tradition out the window. StrangeHouse Books gaggle of miscreant writers turn the sub-genre on its head.
If you look close enough you'll find just enough alien monsters, inter-dimensional portals and a boat load of ruinous tentacles to make you think you can catch a faint whiff of H.P. between the pages. After that though all the rules go out the window as SHB injects the bizarre into every nook and cranny of this 11 story anthology.
The ones to look out for are Kevin Strange's McHUMANS, Craig Mullins VICIOUS JELLY and Kyle Noble's THE CURSE OF THE BLACK GOAT. That's not to discredit the other stories, there are no duds, but those three are the shining stars in this reviewer's opinion.
So, if you've always wanted to look into Lovecraft but were afraid of the pretension then open this up. This is HP Lovecraft for all the cool kids smoking cigarettes and drinking beer out behind the 7-11.
If you look close enough you'll find just enough alien monsters, inter-dimensional portals and a boat load of ruinous tentacles to make you think you can catch a faint whiff of H.P. between the pages. After that though all the rules go out the window as SHB injects the bizarre into every nook and cranny of this 11 story anthology.
The ones to look out for are Kevin Strange's McHUMANS, Craig Mullins VICIOUS JELLY and Kyle Noble's THE CURSE OF THE BLACK GOAT. That's not to discredit the other stories, there are no duds, but those three are the shining stars in this reviewer's opinion.
So, if you've always wanted to look into Lovecraft but were afraid of the pretension then open this up. This is HP Lovecraft for all the cool kids smoking cigarettes and drinking beer out behind the 7-11.
August 26, 2013
To be fair, in my old age I've gotten kind of tired of reading Lovecraftian fiction. I love the man's work itself, but when others imitate or pay homage to it, I feel myself becoming less interested. (Unless they're original Lovecraft Circle guys, and even then, I'm kind of iffy when it comes to Derleth.) However, this book takes HPL's influence to a whole new level. Cthulhu AND bizarro? Wow. This is a collection of intensely sickening stories. It's hard to pick a favorite from them all, since they all kick ass. It's a toss up between D.F. Noble's "Ghost Load" and Jesse Wheeler's "Chumlord of Westmouth Harbor." As awesome as those two tales are--the former being a giant monster dick-waving contest, and the latter being the tale of a guy who cuts up Deep Ones, who moonlight as whores, for chum--the funniest is probably "Olaus Wormius" by Rich Bottles, Jr. It's the most Lovecraftian of the bunch (except for W.H. Pugmire's "The Quickening of Ursula Sphinx," which is more or less straight laced), even though it has quite a sense of humor about itself. This is a book for people who are big fans of Lovecraft but at the same time are getting kind of tired of the imitations.
July 14, 2016
This is sick, perverse, disgusting and ridiculous. And I fucking loved it. It's my first full-blown bizarro fiction book and the fact that it was laced with lovecraftian weirdness made it easier to swallow (no pun intended, Ghost Load). The stories were great in their own unique way, the writing is so good I can hardly believe it. I mean, seriously, you don't expect dick-heavy stories to be this well written but they are! Not for people with cowardly stomachs, but so much fun to read it's even worth throwing up for. Amazing!
September 5, 2013
Little did I realize at the time, just one short week ago, that an incident whereby I arrived home after dark one evening, and tripped over a dull brown cardboard box placed haphazardly in front of my front door, would lead me to the place where I now reside against my will.
I cussed the delivery man under my breath that fateful evening when I had to pick both myself and the package off the top step leading to my home. Briefly juggling a briefcase, a ring of keys and the aforementioned box, I was eventually able to stumble into my foyer before my unfaithful dog got betwixt my legs in its effort to remind me to take it directly outside for its nightly toilet.
I best maintain my balance, I thought, before my less than discreet neighbors begin to believe me to be a drunkard! After both dog and I had successfully returned to the inner sanctity of my house, I finally had the opportunity to investigate the mysterious box.
In the dim energy-saving light above my kitchen table, I was pleased to see the familiar Amazon logo Amblazoned upon the box – a sight which has brought universal joy to both book lovers and bookaphiles alike (though the distinguishment between the terms I cannot fathom), ever since the Internet giant put so many traditional book sellers out of business.
Having slashed prized covers in the past, I carefully cut open the top of this box at the seam with an awkwardly protracted pair of scissors, dug deeply through layers of space-filling brown paper with my now cut and bleeding fingers, and finally pulled out my prize: a shiny new copy of the StrangeHouse Books anthology named “Strange Versus Lovecraft.”
Living alone, except for my nuisance of a pet, and without the complexities of human interaction or the time-consuming responsibilities of a meaningful human relationship, I knew that I had plenty of time that evening to delve into my new literary acquisition.
Sitting in my favorite recliner (after chasing the dog from it), I lifted open the front cover and was shocked to see that the title page differed significantly from the front cover text. Instead of reiterating the title of “Strange Versus Lovecraft,” the first page now declared that the book’s entitlement was none other than “The Necronomicon”! I decided to read on, regardless of the titular ambiguity!
First, the “Quickening of Ursula Sphinx” by W.H. Pugmire set the tone for the Lovecraftian mythos to follow, demonstrating that some forms of entertainment are unexpectedly interactive, whether the participants want them to be or not. I wondered whether the theme of this story was in fact a warning to the reader (e.g., me); plus, I questioned myself, even at this early stage of the book, whether I truly wanted to read on.
Kyle Noble followed with “The Curse of the Black Goat,” where one man’s obsession over a losing sports team leads him to turn a sacrifice fly into a hit and run against an evil competitor who outmatches the man in every aspect of a supernatural game. The fan surely should have quit while he was ahead, even if his favorite team was always losing. Likewise, maybe I should quit reading this anthology, before forces beyond my control take control of me from beyond?
In the story named “Never Name He Who is not to be Named” by a fellow named Tim J. Finn, a Literature professor attempts to get a much needed respite from the classroom only to provide some schooling to a pretty hotel clerk. The main character, who is named Bill Tivton in the story named “Never Name He Who is not to be Named,” realizes that secret relationships often end tragically, specifically when he learns about the untoward connection between the clerk and the entity who is not to be named. In the name of all that is holy, is this author warning me that being well read can actually attract evil?
The theme of the anthology then took an unusual culinary twist, specifically in a story called “McHumans” by Kevin Strange. I understand that this work was written in the bizarro genre, but I still had trouble believing that a fast food cook could save the world, especially since it has been my experience that these workers can rarely get my hamburger order correct. The part of the story about the cook’s attempt to poison his customers was much more believable for me – and more troubling to be honest. Even though I was getting hungry after reading this particularly lengthy short story, I found myself afraid to eat any of the leftovers available in my refrigerator, because said foodstuffs might have spoiled, and I was also suddenly paranoid about ordering any type of suspicious food delivery.
Though my guts were rumbling with hunger pangs, I decided to move on and read “Eat Shit and Die” by Frank J. Edler. Surprisingly, this story was not another tale set within the fast food industry, but was about a strange meeting place where unsuspecting visitors enter to present perishable tithes to an obese entity in order to receive eternal life. Unfortunately, the charitable visitors ended up being dissatisfied with the end result of their giving. Was this story telling me that no matter what I did for the God I believe in, I may still be damned to a torturous and painful demise?
With the anthology now shaking in my trembling hands, I courageously forged ahead to read “The Horror at the Garrsmouth Orgy” by Jason Wayne Allen. Even though the opening line of the story encouraged me to “disregard this hastily scrawled narrative,” the prospect of reading about an orgy kept my interest. It was about a married couple having marital difficulties, which are the types of difficulties married couples sometimes experience, who seek out some swingers to spice up their marriage by answering a personal ad on the Internet. Being a single man, experiencing singular difficulties, this story made me worrisome about my own online presence and how an anonymous encounter might end as poorly for me as it did for the characters in this torrid tale. Should I put down the book now and disable my profile from numerous dating websites or should I risk a social-networking catastrophe by continuing my offline reading project?
“Ghost Load” by D.F. Noble confirmed to me that I should’ve taken a break from my reading! The story started out promising as a young Marine’s spirits are lifted at his father’s funeral when he meets an attractive co-worker of his father. Unfortunately, he later discovers that the woman holds the same ultra-liberal agenda as his father, who was a big lib professor at a big lib college. The Marine then realizes that the woman and his recently-deceased father had already set an immoral plan in motion to destroy the United States. This story really hit home for me, because I communicate with many liberal friends online and often pretend to agree with their progressive views on national issues. Was my acquiescence going to contribute to the downfall of this country? Feelings of guilt and fear began to envelop me.
I seriously considered fleeing from my home before some type of well-hung demon creature destroyed my humble abode, perhaps running back to the very subway that had just whisked me from work mere hours earlier. But I didn’t flee. I stayed put. I stayed put and began reading “Nyogtha of the Northern Line” by Adam Millard. As I got deep into the twisted tail, I realized that running from the evil deities, which I was now sure were coming to get me, was futile. The story foretold of the unfortunate termination of a couple of innocuous travelers at a subway terminal! Now I was certain that I could no longer leave my house or order food deliveries from outside, because the anthology was clearly indicating that such actions would be foolish on my part and directly lead to my ruin!
“Vicious Jelly” by Craig Mullens affirmed my conclusion that there would be no escape for me once the impending supernatural creatures arrived for my soul. Like Jonah being caught in the belly of the beast, an aura of darkness and dread seemed to be surrounding me like jelly as I sat helpless in the recliner. My good-for-nothing dog was, of course, nowhere to be found.
By the time I finished reading “Chumlord of Westmouth Harbor” by Jesse Wheeler, I realized that I alone possessed this wealth of forbidden knowledge of the Necronomicon and that weird fish-headed creatures awaited me if I attempted to step foot outside my house. Without giving the matter a second thought, I immediately rushed to my kitchen to retrieve a fillet knife and then ventured out to confront the enemy with a surprise attack! Hopefully, I prayed, none of my nosey neighbors will attempt to interfere…
I cussed the delivery man under my breath that fateful evening when I had to pick both myself and the package off the top step leading to my home. Briefly juggling a briefcase, a ring of keys and the aforementioned box, I was eventually able to stumble into my foyer before my unfaithful dog got betwixt my legs in its effort to remind me to take it directly outside for its nightly toilet.
I best maintain my balance, I thought, before my less than discreet neighbors begin to believe me to be a drunkard! After both dog and I had successfully returned to the inner sanctity of my house, I finally had the opportunity to investigate the mysterious box.
In the dim energy-saving light above my kitchen table, I was pleased to see the familiar Amazon logo Amblazoned upon the box – a sight which has brought universal joy to both book lovers and bookaphiles alike (though the distinguishment between the terms I cannot fathom), ever since the Internet giant put so many traditional book sellers out of business.
Having slashed prized covers in the past, I carefully cut open the top of this box at the seam with an awkwardly protracted pair of scissors, dug deeply through layers of space-filling brown paper with my now cut and bleeding fingers, and finally pulled out my prize: a shiny new copy of the StrangeHouse Books anthology named “Strange Versus Lovecraft.”
Living alone, except for my nuisance of a pet, and without the complexities of human interaction or the time-consuming responsibilities of a meaningful human relationship, I knew that I had plenty of time that evening to delve into my new literary acquisition.
Sitting in my favorite recliner (after chasing the dog from it), I lifted open the front cover and was shocked to see that the title page differed significantly from the front cover text. Instead of reiterating the title of “Strange Versus Lovecraft,” the first page now declared that the book’s entitlement was none other than “The Necronomicon”! I decided to read on, regardless of the titular ambiguity!
First, the “Quickening of Ursula Sphinx” by W.H. Pugmire set the tone for the Lovecraftian mythos to follow, demonstrating that some forms of entertainment are unexpectedly interactive, whether the participants want them to be or not. I wondered whether the theme of this story was in fact a warning to the reader (e.g., me); plus, I questioned myself, even at this early stage of the book, whether I truly wanted to read on.
Kyle Noble followed with “The Curse of the Black Goat,” where one man’s obsession over a losing sports team leads him to turn a sacrifice fly into a hit and run against an evil competitor who outmatches the man in every aspect of a supernatural game. The fan surely should have quit while he was ahead, even if his favorite team was always losing. Likewise, maybe I should quit reading this anthology, before forces beyond my control take control of me from beyond?
In the story named “Never Name He Who is not to be Named” by a fellow named Tim J. Finn, a Literature professor attempts to get a much needed respite from the classroom only to provide some schooling to a pretty hotel clerk. The main character, who is named Bill Tivton in the story named “Never Name He Who is not to be Named,” realizes that secret relationships often end tragically, specifically when he learns about the untoward connection between the clerk and the entity who is not to be named. In the name of all that is holy, is this author warning me that being well read can actually attract evil?
The theme of the anthology then took an unusual culinary twist, specifically in a story called “McHumans” by Kevin Strange. I understand that this work was written in the bizarro genre, but I still had trouble believing that a fast food cook could save the world, especially since it has been my experience that these workers can rarely get my hamburger order correct. The part of the story about the cook’s attempt to poison his customers was much more believable for me – and more troubling to be honest. Even though I was getting hungry after reading this particularly lengthy short story, I found myself afraid to eat any of the leftovers available in my refrigerator, because said foodstuffs might have spoiled, and I was also suddenly paranoid about ordering any type of suspicious food delivery.
Though my guts were rumbling with hunger pangs, I decided to move on and read “Eat Shit and Die” by Frank J. Edler. Surprisingly, this story was not another tale set within the fast food industry, but was about a strange meeting place where unsuspecting visitors enter to present perishable tithes to an obese entity in order to receive eternal life. Unfortunately, the charitable visitors ended up being dissatisfied with the end result of their giving. Was this story telling me that no matter what I did for the God I believe in, I may still be damned to a torturous and painful demise?
With the anthology now shaking in my trembling hands, I courageously forged ahead to read “The Horror at the Garrsmouth Orgy” by Jason Wayne Allen. Even though the opening line of the story encouraged me to “disregard this hastily scrawled narrative,” the prospect of reading about an orgy kept my interest. It was about a married couple having marital difficulties, which are the types of difficulties married couples sometimes experience, who seek out some swingers to spice up their marriage by answering a personal ad on the Internet. Being a single man, experiencing singular difficulties, this story made me worrisome about my own online presence and how an anonymous encounter might end as poorly for me as it did for the characters in this torrid tale. Should I put down the book now and disable my profile from numerous dating websites or should I risk a social-networking catastrophe by continuing my offline reading project?
“Ghost Load” by D.F. Noble confirmed to me that I should’ve taken a break from my reading! The story started out promising as a young Marine’s spirits are lifted at his father’s funeral when he meets an attractive co-worker of his father. Unfortunately, he later discovers that the woman holds the same ultra-liberal agenda as his father, who was a big lib professor at a big lib college. The Marine then realizes that the woman and his recently-deceased father had already set an immoral plan in motion to destroy the United States. This story really hit home for me, because I communicate with many liberal friends online and often pretend to agree with their progressive views on national issues. Was my acquiescence going to contribute to the downfall of this country? Feelings of guilt and fear began to envelop me.
I seriously considered fleeing from my home before some type of well-hung demon creature destroyed my humble abode, perhaps running back to the very subway that had just whisked me from work mere hours earlier. But I didn’t flee. I stayed put. I stayed put and began reading “Nyogtha of the Northern Line” by Adam Millard. As I got deep into the twisted tail, I realized that running from the evil deities, which I was now sure were coming to get me, was futile. The story foretold of the unfortunate termination of a couple of innocuous travelers at a subway terminal! Now I was certain that I could no longer leave my house or order food deliveries from outside, because the anthology was clearly indicating that such actions would be foolish on my part and directly lead to my ruin!
“Vicious Jelly” by Craig Mullens affirmed my conclusion that there would be no escape for me once the impending supernatural creatures arrived for my soul. Like Jonah being caught in the belly of the beast, an aura of darkness and dread seemed to be surrounding me like jelly as I sat helpless in the recliner. My good-for-nothing dog was, of course, nowhere to be found.
By the time I finished reading “Chumlord of Westmouth Harbor” by Jesse Wheeler, I realized that I alone possessed this wealth of forbidden knowledge of the Necronomicon and that weird fish-headed creatures awaited me if I attempted to step foot outside my house. Without giving the matter a second thought, I immediately rushed to my kitchen to retrieve a fillet knife and then ventured out to confront the enemy with a surprise attack! Hopefully, I prayed, none of my nosey neighbors will attempt to interfere…
September 28, 2013
Over the top -- outrageous, disgusting, & just plain unforgivable! However, skyrockets in flight on the imagination and creativity. Further on, I laughed until tears ran. Its been years since I have done that. Not a style for everyone, but personally, I had an absolute ball reading this. Thanks.
October 20, 2025
What a great Anthology this one proved to be! I think that from the Books of Blood of Clive Barker I didn`t read anything so visceral, so gruesome, so insulting to my dignity and to my moral compass, but so well glued together, addictive and impressive, like the stories in this Anthology!
Highly recommended for the fans of the horror genre and a must read for those people that love great Lovecraftian tributes!
Highly recommended for the fans of the horror genre and a must read for those people that love great Lovecraftian tributes!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews