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Gothic Dreams
gothic dreams cthulhu
Gothic Dreams series - Looking at H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu in literature, film, games, music and art.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Gordon Kerr
124 books25 followersGordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and—when he can—South West France.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 4, 2026
A brief summary of Lovecraft’s life and authorship and the Cthulhu Mythos accompanied by a variety of artworks of Cthulhu (and Lovecraft) by many different artists. And some pictures of other humans in Lovecraft related stuff.
It’s a great starting point for anyone who would like to get an introduction to Lovecraft and an overview of the Cthulhu Mythos - just to get a feel and a sense of it all, even though the Elder Ones are beyond human comprehension.
The title is a bit misleading, as you not only get examples of Lovecraftian movies, but a wide range of things, like TV shows, books (both fiction and non-fiction), video games, board games and even music. I picked up some recommendations of my own that I will be checking out eventually!
I do agree with other reviewers, though, that the tone of the writing was a bit too conversational and casual. The author was trying a little bit too hard to be funny as well, but it’s a minor issue overall.
I also agree with fellow reviewer Forrest that “some of the images cheapen Lovecraft’s creation” by, in my opinion, making Cthulhu a bit more silly, less imposing, less intimidating, less confounding than a cosmic entity should appear and comes across in the stories. And in my imagination. But most of the artwork was sweet and cool and will be worthwhile a gander every now and then.
Because the artworks are what truly makes this book a keeper. Especially the absolutely stunning front cover art, with that sickeningly bright and immense green color on Cthulhu coveting Earth as Gollum covets the One Ring, makes my heads spin with awe. And happiness😊 This book will be on display wherever I may live for the rest of my days.
It’s a great starting point for anyone who would like to get an introduction to Lovecraft and an overview of the Cthulhu Mythos - just to get a feel and a sense of it all, even though the Elder Ones are beyond human comprehension.
The title is a bit misleading, as you not only get examples of Lovecraftian movies, but a wide range of things, like TV shows, books (both fiction and non-fiction), video games, board games and even music. I picked up some recommendations of my own that I will be checking out eventually!
I do agree with other reviewers, though, that the tone of the writing was a bit too conversational and casual. The author was trying a little bit too hard to be funny as well, but it’s a minor issue overall.
I also agree with fellow reviewer Forrest that “some of the images cheapen Lovecraft’s creation” by, in my opinion, making Cthulhu a bit more silly, less imposing, less intimidating, less confounding than a cosmic entity should appear and comes across in the stories. And in my imagination. But most of the artwork was sweet and cool and will be worthwhile a gander every now and then.
Because the artworks are what truly makes this book a keeper. Especially the absolutely stunning front cover art, with that sickeningly bright and immense green color on Cthulhu coveting Earth as Gollum covets the One Ring, makes my heads spin with awe. And happiness😊 This book will be on display wherever I may live for the rest of my days.
June 10, 2018
My introduction to Cthulhu and H.P. Lovecraft's work came in 1982 when a friend in junior high school handed me a copy of Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos, vol. 1. I drank it up, digested it, and developed a taste that has lasted for a long time. With age, though, I'm wondering if it hasn't lost a little of its savor. Maybe it's just that when I discovered Lovecraft, it was rare . . . extremely rare . . . to find anyone else who had even heard of Cthulhu. Now, he's everywhere. I don't want to sound like the curmudgeonly old guy who complains about how things used to be, but the ubiquity of Lovecraftiana has probably made me a little lazy in the imagination. With the possibility of bombarding all the senses with all things Mythos-related, maybe my senses have had enough.
That's not to say that I didn't find this book enjoyable. I enjoyed the art a great deal. And the fact that a friend gifted me the book makes it all the more sweet (thanks, Tom - love ya, dude). Some of the pieces in this book are outstanding. Peter Siedl's Dark Young is an iconic piece - one that every Mythos lover should have on hand. And Cloud Quinot's image of a Prometheus-scale statue of Cthulhu will throw the hardened Lovecraft-phile into brooding meditation. Rick Sardinha's greyscale of a squatting Cthulhu enveloped in stars is dark and suitably mysterious.
But some of the images cheapen Lovecraft's creation. There's really just no other way to characterize it. Bringing Cthulhu entirely into the light makes the Old One just not that scary. And it's the initial frisson I had while first reading "The Call of Cthulhu" that I enjoy.
Perhaps I'm jaded. The (too) many narrative sections were much too conversational and casual for my tastes and left me feeling like I had just been read a wikipedia article by someone who was trying too hard to be my friend. Don't get me wrong: it's a valuable introduction to Cthulhu, but for one who's been exploring this creature/milieu for decades now, it's just a bit too twee. I'd say if you're a hardened veteran of the psychic wars*, this book isn't for you. If you're new to Cthulhu and Lovecraft, this is a good stepping stone. Welcome to R'lyeh.
*No, the song I've linked has nothing to do with Cthulhu, but I'll take any excuse to point you toward one of my favorite guitar solos of all time.
That's not to say that I didn't find this book enjoyable. I enjoyed the art a great deal. And the fact that a friend gifted me the book makes it all the more sweet (thanks, Tom - love ya, dude). Some of the pieces in this book are outstanding. Peter Siedl's Dark Young is an iconic piece - one that every Mythos lover should have on hand. And Cloud Quinot's image of a Prometheus-scale statue of Cthulhu will throw the hardened Lovecraft-phile into brooding meditation. Rick Sardinha's greyscale of a squatting Cthulhu enveloped in stars is dark and suitably mysterious.
But some of the images cheapen Lovecraft's creation. There's really just no other way to characterize it. Bringing Cthulhu entirely into the light makes the Old One just not that scary. And it's the initial frisson I had while first reading "The Call of Cthulhu" that I enjoy.
Perhaps I'm jaded. The (too) many narrative sections were much too conversational and casual for my tastes and left me feeling like I had just been read a wikipedia article by someone who was trying too hard to be my friend. Don't get me wrong: it's a valuable introduction to Cthulhu, but for one who's been exploring this creature/milieu for decades now, it's just a bit too twee. I'd say if you're a hardened veteran of the psychic wars*, this book isn't for you. If you're new to Cthulhu and Lovecraft, this is a good stepping stone. Welcome to R'lyeh.
*No, the song I've linked has nothing to do with Cthulhu, but I'll take any excuse to point you toward one of my favorite guitar solos of all time.
June 19, 2017
A quick overview of the origins & afterlife of H.P. Lovecrafts's signature creation, the big appeal here is the illustrations. Page after page of full page or page and a half spreads of paintings, digital art, etc. by a wide range of artists, this offers astonishingly bountiful interpretations of Cthulhu. Some really wonderful stuff. The text, while brief, is useful and amusing, offering a summary of Lovecraft's career and an overview of the writers, artists, musicians, movie makers, etc. who have used and contributed to the Cthulhu mythos.
September 15, 2018
I always feel like I'm cheating a bit when I include an illustrated book on my reading challenge list. Still, this book does have some text, and I read it. And one thing I learned in doing so is that some H. P. Lovecraft fans go overboard. I guess that's the definition of fans!
I discovered H. P. Lovecraft through Dagon. Originally inclined to write my doctoral dissertation on Dagon, I ended up writing on Asherah instead. Still, the interest in Dagon remained, and it took the invention of the world-wide web for me to encounter Lovecraft. I came for Dagon but stayed for Cthulhu. Over the past several years I've read most of what Lovecraft wrote. I can't agree with his most rabid fans that he was a great writer, as this book asserts. He was a very good writer, no doubt. His literary artistry doesn't quite attain the mood that, for example Edgar Allan Poe achieved. I mentioned this in my blog post about this book (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World). That doesn't mean I don't appreciate Lovecraft. It might mean that I'm not a rabid fan, but just a fan.
Nevertheless, Cthulhu has been a source of fascination for me for several years now. Younger people who've never read Lovecraft know who Cthulhu is, thanks to the internet. He has a large following. Books like this represent various images of Cthulhu and I have always enjoyed gazing at pictures. For those who like trips of the macabre imagination, this will be a treat. You don't have to be a rabid fan to enjoy it.
I discovered H. P. Lovecraft through Dagon. Originally inclined to write my doctoral dissertation on Dagon, I ended up writing on Asherah instead. Still, the interest in Dagon remained, and it took the invention of the world-wide web for me to encounter Lovecraft. I came for Dagon but stayed for Cthulhu. Over the past several years I've read most of what Lovecraft wrote. I can't agree with his most rabid fans that he was a great writer, as this book asserts. He was a very good writer, no doubt. His literary artistry doesn't quite attain the mood that, for example Edgar Allan Poe achieved. I mentioned this in my blog post about this book (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World). That doesn't mean I don't appreciate Lovecraft. It might mean that I'm not a rabid fan, but just a fan.
Nevertheless, Cthulhu has been a source of fascination for me for several years now. Younger people who've never read Lovecraft know who Cthulhu is, thanks to the internet. He has a large following. Books like this represent various images of Cthulhu and I have always enjoyed gazing at pictures. For those who like trips of the macabre imagination, this will be a treat. You don't have to be a rabid fan to enjoy it.
August 5, 2023
Excellent collection of artwork and facts about the Cthulhu Mythos and their representations over the decades.
February 18, 2020
Great book for any fan of Lovecraft (or Cthulhu). However, I need to point out two mistakes that quickly noticed while reading the book:
1) The movie section is surprisingly extensive, with the addition of less known movies, but they unfortunately forgot the popular Re-Animator cult movies trilogy...!
2) They mentioned an 'episode' of The Simpsons featuring Cthulhu, but it is in fact in a comic book that you'll find the "Cthulhu? Gesundheit" story, in The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror #19.
Anyway, I loved that coffee table book, even after being a Lovecraft fan for more than 25 years!
1) The movie section is surprisingly extensive, with the addition of less known movies, but they unfortunately forgot the popular Re-Animator cult movies trilogy...!
2) They mentioned an 'episode' of The Simpsons featuring Cthulhu, but it is in fact in a comic book that you'll find the "Cthulhu? Gesundheit" story, in The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror #19.
Anyway, I loved that coffee table book, even after being a Lovecraft fan for more than 25 years!
November 25, 2016
An interesting read for someone who is new to the Cthulhu mythos or is just after a brief history of Lovecraft. Some interesting reference points and invaluable to anyone who has a fleeting interest in horror and/or Lovecraftian fiction but sadly none of the information was new to myself.
August 8, 2023
This is a tricky book to categorise in that it tries to give an general overview of the fictional monster Cthulhu from book to film to game and beyond.
Now I am sure that the true Lovecraft scholar would pull this book apart in no time at all - however for someone like me who has read a fair share of the Lovecraft's work and the subsequent Cthulhu Mythos material this gives a light (and at times light hearted) introduction.
So yes a great place to start but I feel that it can be quickly exhausted - however accompanying the text are a large number of images some I recognise from other sources and all depicting various interpretations of what is essentially an impossible topic (after all those who set eyes on Cthulhu are said to be instantly driven insane).
so a great starting point and yes I did learn a thing or two but eventually you realise if you want to learn more this is not the definitive guide (is there such a thing) but it does give a great starting point
Now I am sure that the true Lovecraft scholar would pull this book apart in no time at all - however for someone like me who has read a fair share of the Lovecraft's work and the subsequent Cthulhu Mythos material this gives a light (and at times light hearted) introduction.
So yes a great place to start but I feel that it can be quickly exhausted - however accompanying the text are a large number of images some I recognise from other sources and all depicting various interpretations of what is essentially an impossible topic (after all those who set eyes on Cthulhu are said to be instantly driven insane).
so a great starting point and yes I did learn a thing or two but eventually you realise if you want to learn more this is not the definitive guide (is there such a thing) but it does give a great starting point
July 9, 2023
As someone that knew the bare bones of Cthulhu, this was a good jumping off style book. A minimized background on Lovecraft, with a glossed over history of Cthulhu followed up by sections of Lovecraft's creation's appearances in books, movies and even music.
There was beautiful artwork throughout the book. The kind that you wanna frame and dedicate an entire wall to.
They recommend books and media to check out to get into the mythos, without trying to overwhelm you.
Honestly, if you are a super fan, this books is most likely too simple for you, not offering anything new but for a beginner, this seems like a nice place to start a new obsession.
There was beautiful artwork throughout the book. The kind that you wanna frame and dedicate an entire wall to.
They recommend books and media to check out to get into the mythos, without trying to overwhelm you.
Honestly, if you are a super fan, this books is most likely too simple for you, not offering anything new but for a beginner, this seems like a nice place to start a new obsession.
April 27, 2024
Some of the best illustrations on the Cthulhu myth I've ever seen. This is the ultimate Call of Cthulhu: weird dreams, weird tales, how the stories all started, what it is, the Cult of Cthulhu, the Nameless City (from the Mountains of Madness), further readings, B-movies hell, the myth from the past to the future, R'lyeh, the monster universe. Delve deeper if you dare and you shall never sleep again. Must read for every Lovecraft fan. Here you are in the heart of Lovecraft country. Terrifying and highly recommended!
September 28, 2020
Excelente libro de arte bizarro sobre la temática de Chulthu, acompañado de textos de Lovecraft, así como de otros escritores y artistas sobre el tema. Contiene información en general sobre Lovecraft y Cthulhu, que seguramente los conocedores ya sabrán de sobra, pero que es bienvenida. Recordemos que fundamentalmente es un libro de arte, y en ese aspecto, este libro es un imprescindible para los interesados en el tema
July 2, 2020
Full of great art this book covers all things Cthulhu from comics to movies to games and more. It tells of Lovecraft himself and of his other writings. It does dry out when reading through all of its references and recommendations but this book a great authority to consult for anyone who’s inspired or intrigued by this creature and wants to delve deeper into the world that’s build up around it.
September 20, 2019
Beautiful artwork!
February 16, 2023
Decent little primer of Cthulhu. Very cool pictures.
April 27, 2024
Decent reference book and *lots* of very cool color artwork.
June 19, 2014
Ok where to start with this book - I will admit that I know nothing of the publishers or the author but I do know the subject and that led to a rather different reading experience.
H P Lovecraft, his work and his creations are credited with inspiring many an author, film maker and artist and in turn his work has been acknowledged in as many ways as well. So when a new book came along called here in the the UK as Gothic Dreams Cthulhu I was very keen to read what it had to say.
And this is where I became a little confused - the book is lavishly illustrated with varying renditions of Cthulhu (and a limited number of his lesser known minions and gods) along side a series what I can only call as entries, precursors to longer discussions (which never materialise) on many subjects from tentacles to heavy metal.
The book is very much aimed at the modern reader - quoting everything from the TV series Supernatural to China Mieville yet omitting some the authors Lovecraft corresponded with and help nurture. Its as if the book is written to entice new readers in to appreciating the story Call of Cthulhu (and appreciating the works of H P Lovecraft) at the expense of all the creativity and material already established and available. Therfore I felt a little let down and disappointed with the book only recovered by as previously stated, the artwork.
On a side note I think its rather strange that the books is called Gothic Dreams especially since other titles in the series are Zombies and Steampunk and Cult Horror?
H P Lovecraft, his work and his creations are credited with inspiring many an author, film maker and artist and in turn his work has been acknowledged in as many ways as well. So when a new book came along called here in the the UK as Gothic Dreams Cthulhu I was very keen to read what it had to say.
And this is where I became a little confused - the book is lavishly illustrated with varying renditions of Cthulhu (and a limited number of his lesser known minions and gods) along side a series what I can only call as entries, precursors to longer discussions (which never materialise) on many subjects from tentacles to heavy metal.
The book is very much aimed at the modern reader - quoting everything from the TV series Supernatural to China Mieville yet omitting some the authors Lovecraft corresponded with and help nurture. Its as if the book is written to entice new readers in to appreciating the story Call of Cthulhu (and appreciating the works of H P Lovecraft) at the expense of all the creativity and material already established and available. Therfore I felt a little let down and disappointed with the book only recovered by as previously stated, the artwork.
On a side note I think its rather strange that the books is called Gothic Dreams especially since other titles in the series are Zombies and Steampunk and Cult Horror?
September 2, 2014
Cthulhu: Dark Fantasy, Horror & Supernatural Movies (Gothic Dreams) is a graphic-rich but info-thin overview of the world of Cthulhu.
The book skirts away from HP Lovecraft himself, minimizing his life and other works to focus primarily on the core Cthulhu mythos.
The first 48 pages include a handful of early influences and definition of the 'mythos' including a list of the established Cthulhu canon.
The remainder of the 128-page book dwells on what the mythos influenced: stories, movies, music, artwork, video games and graphic novels.
The listing of resources at the end of the book is laughably thin: only 9 fiction works, (less than half of which are actual Lovecraft) 5 non-fiction, and 8 websites. Readers can compile a better list themselves from the text, but it's too bad they skimped here. It could have been a nice resource. Instead, it's a good starting place.
The book is gorgeous, with quality pictures on each page. I can't say I've ever seen such a prolific collection of Cthulhu pix in one place, so the artwork is worth at least as much as the text.
This is probably more geared towards the unknowing "What's all this Cuh-THOO-loo stuff I keep hearing tell about?" But those familiar with Lovecraft's work will still enjoy the artwork.
The book skirts away from HP Lovecraft himself, minimizing his life and other works to focus primarily on the core Cthulhu mythos.
The first 48 pages include a handful of early influences and definition of the 'mythos' including a list of the established Cthulhu canon.
The remainder of the 128-page book dwells on what the mythos influenced: stories, movies, music, artwork, video games and graphic novels.
The listing of resources at the end of the book is laughably thin: only 9 fiction works, (less than half of which are actual Lovecraft) 5 non-fiction, and 8 websites. Readers can compile a better list themselves from the text, but it's too bad they skimped here. It could have been a nice resource. Instead, it's a good starting place.
The book is gorgeous, with quality pictures on each page. I can't say I've ever seen such a prolific collection of Cthulhu pix in one place, so the artwork is worth at least as much as the text.
This is probably more geared towards the unknowing "What's all this Cuh-THOO-loo stuff I keep hearing tell about?" But those familiar with Lovecraft's work will still enjoy the artwork.
September 28, 2014
This is probably the best of the Gothic Dreams series to date. The subject is H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu and its influence on literature, film, art, games and music.
Its an incredibly useful overview that lists all the major Lovecraft stories featuring the Cthulhu mythos as well as looking at other authors who have played with universe.
The film section is brief but fairly good.
I was particularly impressed with the music section which has caused me to discover a couple of new metal bands I'd never heard of.
Artwork is mainly all fantasy art and very samey. It would have been nice to have some more film stills and cover art from the bands, but hey-ho you can't have everything.
This gives you a good list for further reading and is a really good introduction to the cult of cthulhu.
Its an incredibly useful overview that lists all the major Lovecraft stories featuring the Cthulhu mythos as well as looking at other authors who have played with universe.
The film section is brief but fairly good.
I was particularly impressed with the music section which has caused me to discover a couple of new metal bands I'd never heard of.
Artwork is mainly all fantasy art and very samey. It would have been nice to have some more film stills and cover art from the bands, but hey-ho you can't have everything.
This gives you a good list for further reading and is a really good introduction to the cult of cthulhu.
July 20, 2014
This was an interesting, albeit very short read on all things Lovecraft and Cthulhu, from Literature, to Movies, to Art, to Games, and finally music. However, the title of the book makes one think it's all about movies...not true. Most of the content in the book I have read before via the reference books in the back. It was really a book to showcase a lot of art inspired by the Mythos. In that one respect, the book makes up for it's lack of detail in each section, and short page count. Just don't stare at the images too long, or you will lose some of your sanity. :)
October 30, 2016
Great information and lots of good examples of future books to pick up also great artwork. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to know more about the Cthulhu Mythos and does not know where to start.
August 4, 2015
great back story and artwork. plus a great resource to find more cthulhu media and books.
August 7, 2018
Fun, very short, overview of the Cthulhu Mythos. Includes chapters briefly describing Cthulhu's origin and of his widespread popularity in pop culture. Heavily illustrated.
April 26, 2019
Imaginative illustration of Cthulhu with informative text. A must for H.P. Lovecraft fan who like to see his legacy's influence in art and culture.
July 31, 2019
Everything Cthulhu, a must for H.P. Lovecraft/Cthulhu fans
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews