Cthulu and You! or Why should I read Cthulu?

[Ivellios25]

In all honesty I don't know much about Cthulu, beyond being an unimaginably horrifying octopus headed creature, who lives in and unimaginably horrible city devoid of euclidean geometry. I want to know a few things though, from those more knowledgeable than me. What made Cthulu so big, metaphorically speaking? And for those Cthulu fans out there, why do you love the big old guy?
I haven't read any of the books, but I feel as though I have an obligation to. Lately, I've been into a lot of horror novels. I've read a lot of Stephen King, a bit of Koontz(but I didn't really like Koontz too much) and I'm always hearing from my fellow readers that I should read Lovecraft's work and that it's some sort of gift from god. I've asked them why, but they don't actually think too much, so now I turn to you. I implore you! Give me a good reason to read Lovecraft! To spend my valuable time! (cough cough)

 

[nicholaxxx]

because he went insane. Everyone knows the best writers are the insane ones (Edgar Allen Poe for example)

ALSO welcome to the escapist.

 

[Canadian Fodder]

Its a decent read and Cthulu is fabled that it will destroy the world as far as I know.

 

[Knight Templar]

Its a decent read and Cthulu is fabled that it will destroy the world as far as I know.

What is a decent read, say I wanted to start reading, where would I start?

 

[I am Jack's smirking revenge]

In all honesty I don't know much about Cthulu, beyond being an unimaginably horrifying octopus headed creature, who lives in and unimaginably horrible city devoid of euclidean geometry. I want to know a few things though, from those more knowledgeable than me. What made Cthulu so big, metaphorically speaking? And for those Cthulu fans out there, why do you love the big old guy?
I haven't read any of the books, but I feel as though I have an obligation to. Lately, I've been into a lot of horror novels. I've read a lot of Stephen King, a bit of Koontz(but I didn't really like Koontz too much) and I'm always hearing from my fellow readers that I should read Lovecraft's work and that it's some sort of gift from god. I've asked them why, but they don't actually think too much, so now I turn to you. I implore you! Give me a good reason to read Lovecraft! To spend my valuable time! (cough cough)

1: because Cthulhu is in it.
(If this doesn't make you want to read H.P. Lovecraft I don't know what will.)

 

[Ivellios25]

I second the question posted by that Templar guy!

I've read a lot of Stephen King

Since you like Stephen King you should read the short story inspired by Lovecraft that he wrote called Crouch End, great story.

I want to say I have...Is that in Nightmares & Dreamscapes? (Not the TV series!)

 

[EnglishMuffin]

Pick up a copy of The Necronomicon.

 

[IxionIndustries]

Because, unbeknownst to many, it is not meteors or zombies that will end the Earth.. It is C'thulu. Your reasoning for reading it is to obtain the knowledge needed to service our future master..
"ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"

 

[R Man]

So, basically, you want a reason to read Lovecraft? Or are you asking why people read him? The reasons are the same.

Alright. Lovecraft, while sometimes overblown does an excellent job of creating horrors that are both vivid yet mysterious. There is enough physical presence to be threatening but the true horror is psychological, and that makes his work quite unique. He basically started the blend of horror and sci-fi which exists today.

 

[Ivellios25]

I want to say I have...Is that in Nightmares & Dreamscapes? (Not the TV series!)

Yeah that's the one, I liked it so much I bought it on cd to listen to on a trip. Crouch End is oh even better read by Tim Curry. XD

No way, Tim Curry? As in Pennywise the Clown?

So, basically, you want a reason to read Lovecraft? Or are you asking why people read him? The reasons are the same.

Alright. Lovecraft, while sometimes overblown does an excellent job of creating horrors that are both vivid yet mysterious. There is enough physical presence to be threatening but the true horror is psychological, and that makes his work quite unique. He basically started the blend of horror and sci-fi which exists today.

Okay, that's good enough reason for me, I'll borrow my friend's copy of The Shadow Over Innsmouth next time I see him.

 

[God Worm]

Lovecraft is about the only horror author I've ever read (mostly because of Call of Cthulhu), but if the numerous other horror writers complimenting him are any sort of sign, he was the inspiration for a lot of writers.

He deals a lot in the whole 'scariest-thing-is-the-unknown-' bit, and it generally works pretty well. Some of his stories are just downright creepy (The Colour Out of Space jumps to mind). I notice that some of his stories can be really slow and downright boring sometimes (the whole 'Dream Cycle' seems extremely slowly). I'd have to say start with some of his more popular stories first before devoting a lot of time to his stuff. He was a bit of a racist and that comes through in some stories, so if you're sensitive to that stuff shy away.

 

[Radu889]

Because, unbeknownst to many, it is not meteors or zombies that will end the Earth.. It is C'thulu. Your reasoning for reading it is to obtain the knowledge needed to service our future master..
"ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"

He doesn't want us to help. He'll just eat all of our souls and screw around with what's left...
If you want to help him, he'll eat your soul first Ironically

 

[Ivellios25]

because he went insane. Everyone knows the best writers are the insane ones (Edgar Allen Poe for example)

ALSO welcome to the escapist.

Oh, I didn't see that, Thanks! I'm blind as bat these days...

 

[murlo360]

Lovecraft is about the only horror author I've ever read (mostly because of Call of Cthulhu), but if the numerous other horror writers complimenting him are any sort of sign, he was the inspiration for a lot of writers.

He deals a lot in the whole 'scariest-thing-is-the-unknown-' bit, and it generally works pretty well. Some of his stories are just downright creepy (The Colour Out of Space jumps to mind). I notice that some of his stories can be really slow and downright boring sometimes (the whole 'Dream Cycle' seems extremely slowly). I'd have to say start with some of his more popular stories first before devoting a lot of time to his stuff. He was a bit of a racist and that comes through in some stories, so if you're sensitive to that stuff shy away.

i think cool air is the best story

 

[Christemo]

i havent read any of his books, but there is a game based on his books called Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth.

 

[Christemo]

i havent read any of his books, but there is a game when you have read 1 or 2 of them called Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth.

That's not a book it's a game.

dude, i said it was a game!