Weird Fiction discussion

"The Other Gods" is a fantasy short story written by Lovecraft, on August 14, 1921. It was first published in the November 1933 issue of The Fantasy Fan, an obscure fanzine. It was then reprinted in the October 1938 issue of Weird Tales where it reached a wider audience.

Though some readers assume that "The Other Gods" is set in Lovecraft's Dream Cycle, S.T. Joshi points out the connections to the story "Polaris", which seems to be set in Earth's distant past, arguing that "the clear implication is that this tale too takes place in a prehistoric civilization."

Oh well. It's the next story in what we have taken to be the Dream Cycle, and it's fairly short. I've already started reading it and find it narratively rich. This high-priest, named Barzai the Wise, wants to find gods who have hid themselves away from humankind on tops of mountains. They don't want to be pestered, which sounds like a source for conflict to me.

So, who's in for this read? Here's one of many possible sources: https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/...

I'm in!

me too!

I just finished this story. For Lovecraft fans of his high prose, or for those wanting an elegantly vague Dream Cycle story, disappointment looms. This is neither. I gave the story five stars for its wonderful plot, completeness, and accessibility. Full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Re: Fantasy Fan, all issues are available here: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/auth...

This story had a zinger of an ending. Maybe it's not such a bad idea to listen to those who say, "Don't go there!"

Per wrote: "Re: Fantasy Fan, all issues are available here:"

Wow! Thanks for letting me know. I am a huge fan of Fantasy periodicals having recently purchased many of the issues in this series: Fantasy Book #1. And these are free to read!