Influencing Horror

In H.P. Lovecraft's, "The Dunwich Horror", we are recounted to the narrative of Wilbur Whateley, the child of a disfigured pale skinned person mother and an obscure dad (insinuated in going by the distraught Old Whateley as "Yog-Sothoth"), and the unusual occasions encompassing his introduction to the world and gifted improvement. Wilbur develops at a strange rate, achieving masculinity inside 10 years. At the same time, his magician granddad teaches him into certain dim customs and the investigation of black magic.

Many of the stories I've read this year have been Lovecraftian, to one degree or another. Since so many authors appear to be influenced by this famous author, I thought I would revisit one of his classics, THE DUNWICH HORROR. Laying down the setting, Lovecraft emphasizes the disturbing history of Dunwich, and the mysterious nature of the wrongness of the place.

The story picks up the pace with the birth of Wilbur Whateley, with suggestions of his mother having a tryst with something unnatural. Wilber's growth and appearance are from anything resembling normal, and his behavior becomes more peculiar and frightening as he ages. The turn of events is so shocking, I had to reread the part with the dog more than once.

Dunwich soon finds itself plunged into a hellish nightmare, with something indescribable making its way through the nearby countryside,slaughtering cattle and families alike. Three professors (Armitage, Morgan, and Rice) attempt to battle the creature with some ancient magic. The revelation about the entity's origin is one final smack in the face.

No matter how many Lovecraft stories I read, my opinion remains unchanged: I'm more impressed with stories influenced by the author, rather than the stories he wrote himself. I'm tempted to read some of the stories which influenced Lovecraft.

As always,
AstraDaemon