Summary
H. P. Lovecraft is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of modern horror fiction and a pervasive influence on popular culture. His monstrous creations have influenced the look of films such as Alien, Hellboy and even Pirates of the Caribbean, and his most memorable creatures have featured in almost every form of fantasy art. Yet this eccentric and reclusive resident of Providence, Rhode Island, did not have a book published during his lifetime and died at the age of 46 in comparative obscurity, convinced that he had failed to achieve the recognition he deserved.
In this comprehensive new biography, author Paul Roland examines the life and work of the man Stephen King called "the 20th century's greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale," and reveals that Lovecraft's vision was a projection of his inner demons, his recurring nightmares and his inability to live in what he considered a hostile world.
The book is illustrated with rare personal sketches of his creations by Lovecraft himself, images pulp fiction magazines of the period, film stills and posters, comic strip and graphic novel panels, family photographs, as well as facsimiles of private correspondence, original manuscripts and diary extracts in Lovecraft's own hand.
Paul Roland has written extensively on horror films and fiction for many national newspapers, magazines and websites since the early 1980s, including Kerrang! , Total Film , FilmFour , What DVD and The Mail on Sunday . He has also included extensive features on Lovecraft in several of the 30 books that he has had published, including The Complete Guide to Dreams (Hamlyn) and The Dark History of the Occult (Arcturus). Roland's other books include The Crimes of Jack the Ripper , Investigating the Unexplained , The Complete Book of Ghosts and Nazis and the Occult . He lives in London.
