Weird Fiction discussion

This is the story of how a law forbidding the killing of cats in a town called Ulthar came to pass. It is the shortest of the three we read so far this year. Nevertheless, it is an important one to understanding Lovecraft. He wrote it in imitation of Lord Dunsany's style, which he greatly admired. To the end of his life this story was a favorite of Lovecraft's. He sure loved cats. Many critics regard it the best of Lovecraft's Dunsanian tales, the ones that most feature dreams and gods.

Lovecraft published it in a completely obscure literary journal, titled Tryout, in their November 1920 issue. Remember, the first issue of Weird Tales wasn't published until 1923. Since the story is in the public domain it is easy to find. Here's one on-line source: https://hplovecraft.com/writings/text...

It's a good thing we are reading Lovecraft's most important stories in chronological order. Though an early story, we will see this story again when it's referenced later in "The Other Gods" (which we don't read in this cycle) and "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" (Lovecraft's second longest published work, which we will read next year).

As a cat lover, I approve of this tale.

Of the three we have read so far I like this one best and give it four stars. The earlier two garnered three.

I like that the characters are so well described. We are limited to the perceptions of our narrator, but it is easy to figure out what has taken place. It's a great story obliquely told. It would rise to five stars were there something more extraordinary about the language, or if the theme were more substantial.

I think my favorite part of the story is the first paragraph. It is word for word really a 13-line poem, the last line standing alone for emphasis:

Ode to Cats
by H. P. Lovecraft

The cat is cryptic,
and close to strange things
which men cannot see.

He is the soul of antique Aegyptus,
and bearer of tales
from forgotten cities in Meroë and Ophir.

He is the kin of the jungle’s lords,
and heir to the secrets
of hoary and sinister Africa.

The Sphinx is his cousin,
and he speaks her language;
but he is more ancient than the Sphinx,

And remembers that which she hath forgotten.

This is my favourite Lovecraft short story. I especially like the ending!
I have an ebook of his collected works, and he actually did write poetry as well as short stories.

I just reread this and appreciate the story even more-I didn't pay attention to the references to Ancient Egypt this first time I read it.
That old couple didn't stand a chance.

MMh this one reminds me that I really must read some Lord Dunsany - so I have ordered The Charwoman's Shadow from the Library.

Meanwhile, this tale is a good warning to all of us Dog people to keep an eye out for the cats :)

Dan wrote: "It's a good thing we are reading Lovecraft's most important stories in chronological order. Though an early story, we will see this story again when it's referenced later in "The Other Gods" (which we don't read in this cycle) and "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" (Lovecraft's second longest published work, which we will read next year).
.."

This is why I love reading an authors collection in chronological order when I can. To see how their world's developed over time.

I just love this story!