The Philosophy of H. P. Lovecraft: The Route to Horror

by Timo Airaksinen

H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) was a great horror writer, correspondent, and philosopher. This book focuses on his stories, texts, and ideas. It attempts to make sense of their underlying unity. The main themes are value nihilism, cosmicism, the language of the unsayable, and the tension between science and magic. Special attention is paid to Lovecraft's style, which is shown to be an essential aspect of his creativity. Lovecraft was also an interesting person whose life is documented in his many letters. This book unifies the biographical, fictional, and philosophical dimensions of Lovecraft's writings.

Genres: Philosophy, Literary Criticism, Horror

251 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Minäpäminä · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting points (e.g. the interpretation of The Music of Erich Zann), but mostly the analysis seems forced, arbitrary, even comical at times (e.g. The Colour Out of Space). Airaksinen keeps making unfounded claims like they were obvious to all. For example, he claims Cthulhu is "nothing to worry about", that Armitage "has never seen Yog-Sothoth" (which, according to Airaksinen, would somehow ruin the ending of "The Dunwich Horror"), and that the Elder Things "look like Cthulhu".

Peter von Bagh used to call academic cinema studies "swirling around piss in a bottle", and at times I was reminded of that while reading this work. There is no empathy or human connection to the man struggling to be heard behind the words. Airaksinen's attitude seems arrogant and disdainful of Lovecraft, which is perhaps an even more irritating pose to strike towards the subject of a book length study than uncritical worship. There is a constant air of smug condescension, as if Airaksinen thinks he can infallibly dissect this human specimen called Lovecraft. He keeps using adjectives like "childish", "immature", and "stupid", which to me does not seem like a sign of a serious scientific study.

The inner structure of the book is also quite confusing, and at times seems even random.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting introduction to a serious approach to Lovecraft and speaking of seriousness I mean actually taking him as an author of literature but without turning him into a kind of untouchabel deus absconditus, still godlike nonetheless. Airaksinen has some interesting insights to offer, although he stretches them from time to time a little bit to far while shrouding them in the mist of rather complex writing which hadn't always been necessary. Anyway, recommended for the reader who actually wants to explore the meaning in Lovecrafts meaningless writings.