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.
One of the best is 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It introduces the terrifying and otherworldly entity Cthulhu. The story builds a sense of dread as the characters gradually uncover the truth about this ancient and malevolent being that exists beyond human comprehension.
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.
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.
It has had a great impact. For starters, it popularized the idea of ancient and malevolent forces that have been around for eons. This has seeped into modern horror movies, books, and games. It also influenced the way horror stories are told, with a build - up of an oppressive atmosphere rather than just jump scares. Writers now often create scenarios where the characters are faced with something that makes them question their place in the universe, just like in Lovecraftian fiction.
August Derleth also wrote some notable Lovecraftian - inspired stories. He continued Lovecraft's legacy by expanding on the Mythos. His works often incorporated Lovecraft's ideas and added his own twists, helping to keep the Lovecraftian horror genre alive.
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 of the most well - known is 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft himself. It's a classic that introduced the terrifying Cthulhu entity. Another great one is 'At the Mountains of Madness', which takes readers on a chilling journey to Antarctica. And 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' is also a staple, with its disturbing themes and creatures.
Well, H.P. Lovecraft is the main figure. His works have influenced so many others. But you also have to consider Clark Ashton Smith. He was a contemporary of Lovecraft and wrote some stories with similar themes. And then there's Robert E. Howard. He's known for his Conan stories, but he also dabbled in Lovecraftian - type horror.