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The Call of Cthulhu and At the Mountains of Madness: Two Tales of the Mythos
This single-volume edition features a pair of H. P. Lovecraft's best and most popular tales of horror and fantasy: "The Call of Cthulhu," praised by Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard as "a masterpiece, which I am sure will live as one of the highest achievements of literature," and "At the Mountains of Madness," hailed as "first-water, true-blue science fiction" by author Theodore Sturgeon.
Originally published by Weird Tales magazine in 1928, "The Call of Cthulhu" recounts the discovery of a mysterious box among the personal effects of a recently deceased archaeologist. The box's contents—a disturbing bas-relief sculpture and manuscripts hinting at forbidden knowledge—offer sinister clues about a secret cult and its attempts to resurrect an ancient monster that will envelop the planet in chaos. "At the Mountains of Madness," serialized in 1936 in Astounding Stories magazine, traces a disastrous expedition to the Antarctic that uncovers an abandoned city haunted by an unnamed evil. Both stories contributed to the formation of the Cthulhu Mythos, the framework for a shared universe that has inspired countless writers, musicians, readers, and visual artists. These enormously influential tales are must-reads for all fans of speculative fiction.
Originally published by Weird Tales magazine in 1928, "The Call of Cthulhu" recounts the discovery of a mysterious box among the personal effects of a recently deceased archaeologist. The box's contents—a disturbing bas-relief sculpture and manuscripts hinting at forbidden knowledge—offer sinister clues about a secret cult and its attempts to resurrect an ancient monster that will envelop the planet in chaos. "At the Mountains of Madness," serialized in 1936 in Astounding Stories magazine, traces a disastrous expedition to the Antarctic that uncovers an abandoned city haunted by an unnamed evil. Both stories contributed to the formation of the Cthulhu Mythos, the framework for a shared universe that has inspired countless writers, musicians, readers, and visual artists. These enormously influential tales are must-reads for all fans of speculative fiction.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2011
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About the author
H.P. Lovecraft
6,111 books19.3k followersHoward Phillips Lovecraft, of Providence, Rhode Island, was an American author of horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a series of loosely interconnected fictions featuring a pantheon of human-nullifying entities, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical rites and forbidden lore. His works were deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.
Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades. He is now commonly regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th Century, exerting widespread and indirect influence, and frequently compared to Edgar Allan Poe.
See also Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
— Wikipedia
Lovecraft's major inspiration and invention was cosmic horror: life is incomprehensible to human minds and the universe is fundamentally alien. Those who genuinely reason, like his protagonists, gamble with sanity. Lovecraft has developed a cult following for his Cthulhu Mythos, a series of loosely interconnected fictions featuring a pantheon of human-nullifying entities, as well as the Necronomicon, a fictional grimoire of magical rites and forbidden lore. His works were deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.
Although Lovecraft's readership was limited during his life, his reputation has grown over the decades. He is now commonly regarded as one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th Century, exerting widespread and indirect influence, and frequently compared to Edgar Allan Poe.
See also Howard Phillips Lovecraft.
— Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 15, 2018
Two short stories or novellas are packaged together to give readers a look to the godfather of horror fiction with his ultimate In The Mouth of Madness and The Call of Cthulhu. Two very important pieces of fiction that would change the face of horror and fantasy that still holds a common thread today.
Although the writing is dated to a modern audience, the stories have a dreamlike quality with over descriptive passages and a sense of uneasiness starting from the first sentences of each story. The stories do have a similar thread that connects them via first person narrative set on an otherworldly adventure. Both stories take place in the 30’s but Lovecraft writing feels more like turn of the century or an ode to Stoker. This is not a good or bad observation but more of a note as sometimes when reading older writing styles, it can deter the reader.
Both stories ramp up the imagery and where Lovecraft tends to win over admirers is that the fantastic sits side by side with reality. He has a way of making the unbelievable plausible and you can find his influences felt through the works of King, Barker and Masterton. Both stories infiltrate your subconscious and haunt long past reading the final words of each. Even the history lessons found within each story have a documentary feel which adds to the proceedings.
In recent years, there have been queries about racial slurs found within the work of Lovecraft. I am not sure where he stood on these but from the many different novels and short stories I have read during this time period, it felt like the norm. Although today it feels a bit racist and does tend to unnerve through the usage of words but it has to be understood that unfortunately this was the society of the time. Does it mean that we should not read the material, of course not, but it does give you an understanding that what was acceptable at one time is no longer but doesn’t necessarily mean that the body of work should be ignored. Stephen King view of gay characters in his earliest work such as It to name one, if highly offensive and fits a stereotype that many would find offensive today. Should his work be ostracised because of this, no but luckily King is alive to give testament to his true beliefs and has acknowledge that times have moved on and society has thankfully changed.
Both of these stories are a must read for all fans of fantasy and horror fiction and it is important to read these as both stories are very relevant today. Lovecraft will always stand the test of times and will always stand side by side with Poe, Stoker or Shelley and it is great to see that a publication house is still marketing his work for a new audience. Two subliminal pieces of horror art for modern consumption. A class act all the way.
Although the writing is dated to a modern audience, the stories have a dreamlike quality with over descriptive passages and a sense of uneasiness starting from the first sentences of each story. The stories do have a similar thread that connects them via first person narrative set on an otherworldly adventure. Both stories take place in the 30’s but Lovecraft writing feels more like turn of the century or an ode to Stoker. This is not a good or bad observation but more of a note as sometimes when reading older writing styles, it can deter the reader.
Both stories ramp up the imagery and where Lovecraft tends to win over admirers is that the fantastic sits side by side with reality. He has a way of making the unbelievable plausible and you can find his influences felt through the works of King, Barker and Masterton. Both stories infiltrate your subconscious and haunt long past reading the final words of each. Even the history lessons found within each story have a documentary feel which adds to the proceedings.
In recent years, there have been queries about racial slurs found within the work of Lovecraft. I am not sure where he stood on these but from the many different novels and short stories I have read during this time period, it felt like the norm. Although today it feels a bit racist and does tend to unnerve through the usage of words but it has to be understood that unfortunately this was the society of the time. Does it mean that we should not read the material, of course not, but it does give you an understanding that what was acceptable at one time is no longer but doesn’t necessarily mean that the body of work should be ignored. Stephen King view of gay characters in his earliest work such as It to name one, if highly offensive and fits a stereotype that many would find offensive today. Should his work be ostracised because of this, no but luckily King is alive to give testament to his true beliefs and has acknowledge that times have moved on and society has thankfully changed.
Both of these stories are a must read for all fans of fantasy and horror fiction and it is important to read these as both stories are very relevant today. Lovecraft will always stand the test of times and will always stand side by side with Poe, Stoker or Shelley and it is great to see that a publication house is still marketing his work for a new audience. Two subliminal pieces of horror art for modern consumption. A class act all the way.
January 5, 2020
I put this in horror hesitantly. I didn’t find it scary, spooky, or eerie at most points. I did find it darkly or creatively interesting at times.
The Call of Cthulhu was better to my mind mostly because there was a lot less of it, which is good for reasons I’ll explain. I think I would have given four stars for that one. I enjoyed its investigative style and the unfolding revelations of a dark cultish mystery. But the ease with which this supposedly apocalyptic monster was dispatched threw off the entire story for me; the scene was kind of grossly comedic.
At the Mountains of Madness was where my opinion of Lovecraft as a writer took a dive. I would often find my mind wandering and wonder why this was happening. The concept of the story is a ton of fun: a scientific expedition into Antarctica unearths civilizations and terrifying monsters come to Earth a half million years ago via cosmic travel. And the plot itself is also solid. It was around page 127 that I finally pinpointed my issue.
It’s the WRITING. It feels like the writing style of classic literature at first, but Lovecraft’s writing is that of an educated man who has average to little talent. I realized that I was reading the same words over and over, that descriptions all ran together because they were mainly composed of impressions rather than concrete details, and these “impressions” seem heavy with strain. It feels like Lovecraft desperately wanted to write of DARK EVIL TERRIFYING HORRIFIC COSMIC AEONS-OLD things, and I really think the broad strokes of his ideas and plot deliver, but the writing itself does not.
On page 127 until the end about 50 pages later, I began tracking words I felt were cropping up a lot. I may have missed some, but the word great occurs 28 times; terrible/terror and horrible/horror each 16; monstrous 15; curious and vast each 10. There are also 6+ instances of strange, frightful, evil, nightmare, hideous, disturbing, grotesque, queer, infinite, and nameless.
There are many other adjectives repeated continually; these are just the ones I happened to track as I read. It’s not only the words that are repeated so much. The descriptions, like of cubes, five points, and huge (vast!) spaces in general are done to death. Lovecraft kept writing and writing, but the events that are sparsely thrown between and the concept of the ancient beings’ history are the only things that seem to be alive. If I tell you, “His face was horrible,” you don’t really know what I mean. The majority of the story is composed of such descriptions.
I like DARK HORROR ANCIENT WOW too, but you should consistently describe what it is that’s so dark and horrible, and not throw a repetitive adjective parade on and off for 100 pages. It’s too bad Lovecraft’s imagination wasn’t paired with a more precise and artistic writing ability.
The Call of Cthulhu was better to my mind mostly because there was a lot less of it, which is good for reasons I’ll explain. I think I would have given four stars for that one. I enjoyed its investigative style and the unfolding revelations of a dark cultish mystery. But the ease with which this supposedly apocalyptic monster was dispatched threw off the entire story for me; the scene was kind of grossly comedic.
At the Mountains of Madness was where my opinion of Lovecraft as a writer took a dive. I would often find my mind wandering and wonder why this was happening. The concept of the story is a ton of fun: a scientific expedition into Antarctica unearths civilizations and terrifying monsters come to Earth a half million years ago via cosmic travel. And the plot itself is also solid. It was around page 127 that I finally pinpointed my issue.
It’s the WRITING. It feels like the writing style of classic literature at first, but Lovecraft’s writing is that of an educated man who has average to little talent. I realized that I was reading the same words over and over, that descriptions all ran together because they were mainly composed of impressions rather than concrete details, and these “impressions” seem heavy with strain. It feels like Lovecraft desperately wanted to write of DARK EVIL TERRIFYING HORRIFIC COSMIC AEONS-OLD things, and I really think the broad strokes of his ideas and plot deliver, but the writing itself does not.
On page 127 until the end about 50 pages later, I began tracking words I felt were cropping up a lot. I may have missed some, but the word great occurs 28 times; terrible/terror and horrible/horror each 16; monstrous 15; curious and vast each 10. There are also 6+ instances of strange, frightful, evil, nightmare, hideous, disturbing, grotesque, queer, infinite, and nameless.
There are many other adjectives repeated continually; these are just the ones I happened to track as I read. It’s not only the words that are repeated so much. The descriptions, like of cubes, five points, and huge (vast!) spaces in general are done to death. Lovecraft kept writing and writing, but the events that are sparsely thrown between and the concept of the ancient beings’ history are the only things that seem to be alive. If I tell you, “His face was horrible,” you don’t really know what I mean. The majority of the story is composed of such descriptions.
I like DARK HORROR ANCIENT WOW too, but you should consistently describe what it is that’s so dark and horrible, and not throw a repetitive adjective parade on and off for 100 pages. It’s too bad Lovecraft’s imagination wasn’t paired with a more precise and artistic writing ability.
October 8, 2020
The Call of Cthulhu and At the Mountains of Madness: Two Tales of the Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft are two of the author's most popular stories. Lovecraft was one of the first true American horror writers, and although he was not extremely popular during his lifetime, his work has gained acceptance and a large following. His biography describes his writing as: deeply pessimistic and cynical, challenging the values of the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Christianity. Lovecraft's protagonists usually achieve the mirror-opposite of traditional gnosis and mysticism by momentarily glimpsing the horror of ultimate reality.
This Dover publication brings together two of Lovecraft's more famous works. The Call of Cthulhu was written in 1926 and creates the Cthulu Mythos which will eventually define the writer. Cthulhu, a terrible creature, is described as:
A monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind.
Its description in ordinary words creep into the reader's mind and form a vision of horror. The horror exists in the descriptions and settings rather than in a special effects type beast. The reader is invited to experience his or her own form of terror. Lovecraft uses the reader's own imagination as a tool in his writing.
At the Mountains of Madness, the reader is introduced to a different type of terror. Working in Antartica a deep feeling of isolation develops into a fear. Missing equipment and bodies of unknown creatures make the original fear of separation seem almost pleasant. Need more terror? The Necronomicon is mentioned which is a story in itself. It is a fictional tome which had its own history written in another story.
Lovecraft art was creating a terror in the reader's mind. He plays on fears and forbidden knowledge. He establishes creatures that haunt the mind and threaten humankind in much the same way a human would intimidate an ant. There is a sense of panic and helplessness. It is not shock and gore of modern horror but a psychological awe that invades consciousness. Although the stories were both written over eighty years ago, they still have the same effect. The times may change but what triggers fear in the mind has remained the same. The potency of these stories defies time.
September 4, 2018
The Call of Cthulhu and At The Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft- Dover Publications here has published two of Lovecraft's most famous stories. The Call of Cthulhu first published in Weird Tales(1928) and At The Mountains of Madness, first published in Astounding Stories(1936). These stories and several others went on to become major works in horror and touchstones for much of what horror has become today. If you have not been introduced to this bedrock of horror, this would be a great and important place to start. One caution: Lovecraft was a man of his time and it would seem very racist, so this may turn you away. I know that fifty years since I first read them, the racial passages still made me cringe. If you can look past it, there is reward in these stories.
April 5, 2025
The call of Cthulhu was a fun, short read. I enjoyed it. At the Mountains of Madness was good? It was equally hard to get through and entertaining to read. I read it while listening to a specially curated playlist of songs written to accompany the book. The experience as a whole left me with psychological damage just like the characters. Overall enjoyable time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2023
Not very scary (especially not The Call of Cthulhu) but incredibly well written. The old english language is a bit hard at times for a non-native reader, but the intricacy and accuracy of the descriptions is truly marvelous.
January 14, 2024
2.75 stars. I liked these stories.
The Call of Cthulu was intriguing in the beginning and I'm glad I read it because Cthulu is often referenced in broader media so now I have a better understanding of the story. My favorite aspect was the artifact because of the contrast between its seemingly benignness and the unexplainable heaviness and horror it carries. Like many other readers, I don't love the narrative style because I felt that learning about the related events surrounding the cult of Cthulu from a casual investigator disrupted my immersion. I would probably give this story a 2.25 on its own.
I enjoyed At the Mountains of Madness much more. I think that the initial switches in perspective did well at building tension and the foreboding atmosphere was excellent. The exploration of the city was interesting but didn't give me the same dread, in part because I had a hard time following the significance of certain events. When the narrator says things like "the horror of what we had just discovered," I wasn't always able to tie back their findings to anything alarming. Towards the end, my interest was waning, but I would still give it 3.75 stars.
The Call of Cthulu was intriguing in the beginning and I'm glad I read it because Cthulu is often referenced in broader media so now I have a better understanding of the story. My favorite aspect was the artifact because of the contrast between its seemingly benignness and the unexplainable heaviness and horror it carries. Like many other readers, I don't love the narrative style because I felt that learning about the related events surrounding the cult of Cthulu from a casual investigator disrupted my immersion. I would probably give this story a 2.25 on its own.
I enjoyed At the Mountains of Madness much more. I think that the initial switches in perspective did well at building tension and the foreboding atmosphere was excellent. The exploration of the city was interesting but didn't give me the same dread, in part because I had a hard time following the significance of certain events. When the narrator says things like "the horror of what we had just discovered," I wasn't always able to tie back their findings to anything alarming. Towards the end, my interest was waning, but I would still give it 3.75 stars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews