When I was a tween and teen I read absolutely everything I could find written by H.P. Lovecraft. It's been so long that I think it's time to reread his stories. Much from his writing has made it into popular culture, e.g. "Cthulhu for President - Why Settle for the Lesser Evil " bumper stickers. You can buy Cthulhu backpacks, cuddly plushes, and even Cthulhu slippers.
Cthulhu Plush Pillow - courtesy of Troll and Toad.com
There are comics, music, games and much more. Considering the sense of dread Lovecraft's stories can evoke, I find this amusing and wonderful.
After Lovecraft's death in 1937, other writers continued to write stories in the Lovecraft or Cthulhu Mythos - August Derleth and Brian Lumley immediately spring to mind. There are also anthologies - Cthulhu's Reign , Cthulhu Unbound, Vol. 1 and Vol 2, for example. There is even an H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhu Con.
I really am a huge fan of Lovecraft. His stories are not full of gore but they scared the hell out of me and cemented my love for horror. So I'd like to share some of his stories with one lucky commenter.
The Goodies:
One commenter will win The Tales of H.P. Lovecraft, selected and edited by Joyce Carol Oates:
That's Cthulhu on the cover.
AND
the winner's choice of one of the following necklaces from Cemetery Cat Jewelry's Lovecraftian World series:
Man O War
Knots of copper chain are sewn together to form a draping waterfall effect. drops of Czech glass, apatite, aquamarine and agate sway from the tendrils. The pendant is hanging from more delicate copper s chain and a copper toggle clasp is the final touch. 24"
OR
Whisperer in the Darkness
This multi-metal necklace is an homage to HP Lovecraft. Large gunmetal curb chain connects to brass hoops and a skully victorian pocket watch gear.A silver plate octopus and a huge algae green agate hold on to an Antique Victorian skeleton key form the UK. A true art piece. 20" plus pendant.
Photos and Descriptions courtesy of Synde Korman, Cemetery Cat Jewelry
How to enter:
Leave a comment for a chance to win the book and one of the necklaces (winner's choice) created by Synde Korman of Cemetery Cat Jewelry.
We’ll put all the names of all commenters in the DubbleBubble® receptacle and pull out a name. If you tweet the contest, we’ll put your name in for the tweet as well. You can tweet as much as you like, but it only counts once. If you also mention the contest on Facebook, we’ll add your name again. You can mention it on Facebook a zillion times, but you only get one extra entry. You can also mention the contest on your blog (it must be your blog) to get another entry. So you can get your name placed in the receptacle a maximum of 4 times (comment, tweet, FB mention, blog mention). Provide us a link in the comments so we know that you tweeted or Facebooked or blogged.
The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm Eastern Time on Monday, June 14, 2010.
I have never read a book by this author. It sounds very interesting. The necklaces are unique.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a relaxing summer. Yeah, I get to read a lot more.
JOYE
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
I definitely need to increase my reading of Lovecraft,and this sounds like a great way to start! Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteKim
beax0002 (at) umn (dot) edu
I have to admit that I've heard so many things about HP Lovecraft, but I've never read any of his works. Sounds like something I need to do.
ReplyDeleteheatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I too have yet to read a word of Lovecraft, and I really need to. So I would LOVE to win the contest! I posted to FB, not sure how/if I can put a specific link to the post but here's one to my profile (and I promise not to be talkative today so you can verify without too much hunting about the page LOL)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/nia.mia
--Nia--
ns_tigerlily(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a huge Lovecraft fan. In addition to what you mentioned, Chaosium has many many great collections worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteTerry (@gamecouch)
Huge fan of Lovecraft, did also love Neil Gaiman's interpretation of him in two of his stories..."A study in Emerald" and "I Cthulhu"
ReplyDeleteDon't yell at me, but I have never read Lovecraft! *ducks from flying books*
ReplyDeleteI am in love with whatever Synde's necklace is hanging on it the first pic, the chest?
I also read Lovecraft in my teens. I started re-reading his work a couple of years ago. He was an amazing author and his work has influenced so many other creators of strange fiction.
ReplyDelete@Graynix78
I haven't read Lovecraft for very many years but you have got me thinking that perhaps I should re-read some of his work.
ReplyDeleteTrouble is any of his book I had on my bookshelf are long since gone.
Still maybe I can get lucky and not have to buy !
Thanks for the giveaway.
Carol T (International)
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I love the necklaces!. I've never read anything by this author. I hate to admit I've never heard of him. The stories do sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have never read anything by this author. But I definitely need to. The necklaces are gorgeous! Especially the second one!
ReplyDeleteTabitha
chicababy_63019(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've always been intimidated by Lovecraft because he has the reputation for being so scary! But I have played Call of Cthulu once or twice and a friend read aloud a Lovecraft story when we were at a friend's island house, and I admit to being less afraid and more intrigued these days. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting ... haven't read any books by this author, but keen to now.
ReplyDeletedennypsp@hotmail.com
Lovecraft scares me silly. Count me in.
ReplyDeleteI just love the Whisperer in the Darkness necklace. Count me in please.
ReplyDeleteI added your contest in a post on my blog along other contests around different blogs: http://aminablack.blogspot.com/2010/06/junes-international-giveaways.html
tweeted - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/15897404859
ReplyDeleteI am really interested by the HP Lovecraft universe and the necklaces are incredibly intricate, not to mention, delicate.
ReplyDeleteilovearevolution (at) live (dot) com
I've tweeted the giveaway!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/luvingchu/status/15983242447
ilovearevolution (at) live (dot) com
Cool giveaway!
ReplyDelete+1 I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/15996418536
+1 Link to blog:
http://the-bookaholics.blogspot.com/2010/06/awesome-book-giveaways-3.html
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I cannot remember the titles, but the two that stand out in my mind are not the ones with the big monsters.
ReplyDeleteOne is the story about the thing that leaves its home and spies on a human party. Which they freak out about. It's actually sad.
The other is about the guy who runs into the old country man, who can't read, but got so obsessed with a picture of cannibals in a book (the actual woodcut does exist), that he became one.
Both scare me each time I read them.
The collection of stories sounds interesting. The first necklace is really pretty.
ReplyDeletejuliecookies(at)gmail.com