Some of the must-read Lovecraft stories include 'The Call of Cthulhu' and 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth'. They are considered classics and showcase his unique style and themes.
You can start by finding collections of his works at your local library. They usually have anthologies of Lovecraft stories. You can also check online e - book platforms. Some of them offer his works for free or at a low cost.
A good first Lovecraft story could be 'The Colour Out of Space'. It has a relatively straightforward plot compared to some of his more complex works and showcases his unique brand of horror. It involves a strange color that comes from a meteorite and the terrifying effects it has on a rural area. It's a great example of how Lovecraft can create a sense of unease and dread with seemingly ordinary things. Also, it doesn't require too much prior knowledge of his other works to enjoy.
People who are interested in horror literature should read it. Lovecraft has a unique way of creating horror that is not just about jump scares but rather a deep - seated sense of unease about the unknown and the vastness of the cosmos.
In the best collection of Lovecraft stories, you should not miss 'The Colour Out of Space'. It tells of a strange color that comes from a meteorite and causes all kinds of chaos and mutations. 'The Whisperer in Darkness' is also a great read. It combines elements of mystery and horror as the narrator tries to figure out what's really going on with the strange things he's hearing. And 'The Rats in the Walls' is a creepy one, with the idea of something lurking in the walls of an old mansion.
In 'Best of H.P. Lovecraft Stories', 'The Call of Cthulhu' stands out for its creation of an entire Lovecraftian universe that has influenced so many other works. It gives us a sense of the vastness and the incomprehensible nature of the cosmic horror. 'The Colour Out of Space' is also notable for its vivid descriptions of an otherworldly color that brings doom to a rural area. And 'The Whisperer in Darkness' is great because it plays with the idea of things that lurk in the darkness and the limits of human understanding.
You could start with 'The Call of Cthulhu'. It's one of his most famous works. It introduces the terrifying and otherworldly Cthulhu entity and gives a great taste of Lovecraft's unique style of horror, with its blend of the unknown and the unknowable.
The key elements often include the sense of cosmic horror that Lovecraft is known for. There are eldritch monsters, strange and otherworldly locations. The protagonists often find themselves in situations that defy normal human understanding, facing ancient and malevolent forces that are far beyond our comprehension.