THE DREAD AND PORTENT OF LOVECRAFT'S NECRONOMICON: Horror Fiction as Socio-historical Commentary

H. P. Lovecraft's legendary creation, the abominable NECRONOMICON, has inspired countless tales and has found its way into films (such as THE EVIL DEAD) and even Saturday morning cartoons (REAL GHOSTBUSTERS). However, Lovecraft's master vision did not spring to mind full blown - it evolved over time and, as it did, the writer utilized his creation as a lens through which he viewed the society of his era. Through the various stories that incorporate the NECRONOMICON, Lovecraft finds the means to comment on that society and to reveal much about his personal life, his thoughts, and feelings, that are otherwise hidden. Researcher G. Warlock Vance is a professor of literature who has published other works on H. P. Lovecraft, as well as mystery, horror, and suspense fiction. Several other titles by Dr. Vance are available for Kindle as well.