Rating: 
Summary: A must read for horror aficionados
Review: This essay was written by Lovecraft for a friend's magazine. According to the introduction, Lovecraft took three years to research his project, read numerous works, and write the paper. Also according to the introduction, Lovecraft was a very slow reader. If this is true, he must have devoted quite a bit of time to his research. It leads me to believe that all the books mentioned were all the books he read. What did he miss?This essay is part explanation of what horror is and a reading list of the discerning horror reader. He gives a good definition and then shows you how other readers fit this definition. He arranges this piece to show you the progression of horror from its beginnings in folklore to modern times (which would have been the 1920s). He mentions quite a few, but not all get the coverage that the great ones get. For instance, Poe gets and whole chapter and Hawthorne and Bierce receive a good bit of coverage. If you are not a reader of Lovecraft, it may take you a minute to acclimatize yourself with his style of writing. The fan of Cthulu will easily slip into the flow of words. Lovecraft never really covers anyone he truly doesn't like. He does criticize some writers, but there is no in depth writing against someone. This work is primarily positive. I would recommend getting this for the reading list alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Best short-account of Supernatural Literature ever written
Review: Yes, do not doubt it. In this thin booklet reprinted by Dover you will find a fine and most pleasant reading on the history of the most reknown and famed names that built up the literature of Horror, by the hand of the celebrated and controversial master of Cosmic or Materialist Terror, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, to whom some regard as the successor of Edgar A. Poe in North American horror-tales tradition. This short essay of his is one of his most commendable titles, even recommended by many of those who consider him a "second-rate" author. This booklet will make you to think otherwise. If you are interested in learning easily and pleasantly about this kind of literature-genre, do not doubt it, buy this one right now.
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