What are the characteristics of Lovecraftian horror novels?

They often feature cosmic horror elements. The unknown and the unknowable play big roles. There are often ancient, otherworldly entities that defy human comprehension. Settings are usually in strange, desolate places.

Lovecraftian detective novels often blend elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural. They typically feature a detective or investigator who stumbles upon strange and otherworldly phenomena. The atmosphere is usually dark, gloomy, and filled with a sense of impending doom. These novels may also incorporate Lovecraft's signature themes like the existence of ancient and malevolent deities or entities that are beyond human comprehension.

One great Lovecraftian horror novel is 'At the Mountains of Madness' by H.P. Lovecraft himself. It takes readers on a terrifying journey to Antarctica, where an ancient and unearthly horror is uncovered. The descriptions of the alien landscapes and the eldritch creatures are truly spine - chilling.

Well, 'The Call of Cthulhu' is a must - mention. It's a short story but has been highly influential in the Lovecraftian horror genre. In it, the main character discovers the existence of Cthulhu through various investigations. 'At the Mountains of Madness' is great too. It not only has horror elements but also some science - fictiony aspects as the characters explore an ancient, pre - human civilization in Antarctica. And then there's 'The Dunwich Horror', which is full of strange happenings in a small New England town.

Lovecraftian novels are also known for their use of ancient and arcane knowledge. In many of his works, Lovecraft uses the idea of forbidden books or knowledge that, once discovered, can lead to madness or doom. For example, in 'The Case of Charles Dexter Ward', the main character delves into the study of an ancestor's black magic practices and this exploration of the past and its dark secrets has terrifying consequences for him.

One great modern Lovecraftian horror novel is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It has that sense of creeping dread and a connection to the unknowable that Lovecraft was known for.

One main theme is the insignificance of humanity. In the context of WW2, with all its destruction and chaos, the Lovecraftian elements add another layer where humans are just tiny specks in a vast, unknowable cosmos. For example, in some novels, the great powers at war are still powerless against the cosmic entities from Lovecraft's lore.

One characteristic is the use of a sense of dread. In new Lovecraftian fiction, the unknown is always lurking. It creates an atmosphere where the characters, and by extension the readers, feel that there are things out there that should not be known. The lore is often complex and draws from Lovecraft's original ideas of ancient, sleeping gods and the thin veil between our world and theirs. Another aspect is the psychological impact on the characters. They are often driven to madness by the things they encounter.

Obviously, H.P. Lovecraft is the pioneer of Lovecraftian horror novels. His works are filled with a sense of the ineffable and the terrifyingly unknown. But there are others. Caitlín R. Kiernan has written some great works that can be considered Lovecraftian. Her writing often explores the same themes of the grotesque and the unknowable. Ramsey Campbell is also a significant figure. He has taken the basic elements of Lovecraftian horror, such as the ancient evils and the sense of a world that is far more terrifying than we can imagine, and crafted his own unique stories within this framework.

Lovecraftian horror novels have had a huge influence on modern horror. Their use of cosmic horror, where the threat is vast and incomprehensible, has been adopted by many modern authors. For example, the idea of an unknowable and powerful entity like Cthulhu has inspired new works that play with the concept of human insignificance in the face of the cosmos.