Lovecraftian Horror

 

cover art by Lee Brown Coye

Of the many authors who dipped their pens into the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, one of the best is the short story "The Will of Claude Ashur," by C. Hall Thompson, published in the July 1947 issue of Weird Tales.

The narrator of the tale is Claude Ashur, who is confined to an insane asylum while his body is being eaten away by incurable leporsy.

Well, except he's NOT Claude Ashur. He's Claude's brother Richard. The body belongs to Claude, but it's Richard who the unwilling occupant. 

The story flashes back to explain how this happened, starting with Claude's birth. The mother died during the process and the doctor says it was as if the baby were taking all the strength of will from her for himself. 

Claude is a creepy child. His father hires tutors, but all quit very quickly. After Richard's dog bites him, the dog is later found dead as if killed by a wild animal. 

When he gets older, Claude attends Miskatonic University, which firmly sets this story within Lovecraft's universe. He supposed to be studying medicine, but instead delves into the rare literature kept by the college--books like the Necromonicon or "the loathsome Book of Eiban." He's eventually expelled, but apparently not before he learns what he wants to learn.

When Richard and Claude's father dies, Claude takes his portion of the inheritence and begins to travel to places where he can learn voodoo and magic. When he returns home, he has a wife.

Richard begins to suspect that the wife isn't acting of her own free will and that Claude has nefarious designs on her. Richard's correct, of course, but it turns out to be a little too late to do anything about it. Things don't end will for either Richard ot the girl. Claude, on the other hand, seems to have found a way to live forever.

Thompson is an excellent writer who effectively emulates Lovecraft's style. The story is scary and creepy in all the right ways.

Which makes me think: Why do I like Lovecraftian cosmic horror. As a Christian, I believe that we live in a world broken by sin, but is is still a purposeful creation, with divine love and human diginty both being realities. Lovecraft created a universe where there is no purpose and human beings are less than nothing in the cosmic scope.

So why do I like reading stuff with themes antithetical to my own beliefs?

Well, part of it is simply an appreciation that the stories are told so well--Lovecraft, Thompson and others knew how to craft a tale effectively, with style and perfect word choices. 

Another reason is perhaps a glimpse into a universe without a loving God makes me more appreciative that there IS a loving God around.

Or perhaps I'm overthinking it. Perhaps its just fun to have the bejeebers scared out of me from time to time.

You can find "The Will of Claude Ashur"  HERE.