Your Favorite Cthulhu Mythos Story

[Spotbowserfido2]

"'There is an abyss of being which man has never fathomed.'"
-- Frank Belknap Long, "The Hounds of Tindalos"

Paws down, my favorite Cthulhu Mythos story is "The Hounds of Tindalos" by Frank Belknap Long. Long was the first writer to contribute a tale to H. P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos" group of stories. "The Space-Eaters" appeared in the July 1928 issue of Weird Tales. Eight months later, Weird Tales published Long's "The Hounds of Tindalos," a chilling and unforgettable story of drugs, time travel, and paranoia. Long added a new dimension (pun intended) to the odd and twisted geometry of Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu." Forget the mundane threats of Dobermans, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers. However, don't be deceived by the charm of poodles (with or without ribbons in their hair), Chihuahuas, and terriers. The Hounds of Tindalos is a pack I'd like to run with. Kind of a Hell's Angels for dogs.

[The Silent One]

There was a story I read a while ago entitled "The Shadow On The Doorstep" (clever pun). Very subtle, near-minimal use of Mythos tropes. Mundane horror in the best terms.

Furthermore, T.E.D. Klein's "Black Man with a Horn" was utterly chilling. I love it.

And for the obvious, "Vastarien" and "Sect of the Idiot" are also up there.

[Spotbowserfido2]

Quote Originally Posted by The Silent One

There was a story I read a while ago entitled "The Shadow On The Doorstep" (clever pun). Very subtle, near-minimal use of Mythos tropes. Mundane horror in the best terms.

TSO, are you referring to the story by James P. Blaylock? If so, I am one lucky dog as I have easy access to the story in the May 1986 issue of Asimov's. I think "The Oozer on the Stoop" would make an ideal title for my own (yet unwritten) Lovecraft pastiche...

[The Silent One]

Quote Originally Posted by Spotbowserfido2

Quote Originally Posted by The Silent One There was a story I read a while ago entitled "The Shadow On The Doorstep" (clever pun). Very subtle, near-minimal use of Mythos tropes. Mundane horror in the best terms. TSO, are you referring to the story by James P. Blaylock? If so, I am one lucky dog as I have easy access to the story in the May 1986 issue of Asimov's. I think "The Oozer on the Stoop" would make an ideal title for my own (yet unwritten) Lovecraft pastiche...

Yes! Thank you for the name!

[Odalisque]

Of course, there is the question of what is and what is not a Cthulhu Mythos story. Amongst those I've seen cited is Clark Ashton Smith's The Seven Geases -- a story I love, but not one I believe to belong in the Cthulhu Mythos.

[Aetherwing]

Quote Originally Posted by Odalisque

Of course, there is the question of what is and what is not a Cthulhu Mythos story. Amongst those I've seen cited is Clark Ashton Smith's The Seven Geases -- a story I love, but not one I believe to belong in the Cthulhu Mythos.

You are arguably correct, Pet. I think that Klarkash-Ton's tales that use critters also used by Bob Howard, Lovecraft, and others can be taken as "Cthulhu Mythos" (and oh, how I do not like that term!) stories in the respect that they seem to be part of that shared universe of tales. That said, CAS's stories work just fine without the need to be attached to the "Mythos" as such. Me, I generally disapprove of over-categorizing these things, as Augie, Lin, and L. Sprague seemed to do.

As for my favorite non-HPL written Mythos story? Bob Bloch's chilling "Notebook Found in a Deserted House."

Best,
-J

[Aetherwing]

Quote Originally Posted by Spotbowserfido2

"'There is an abyss of being which man has never fathomed.'" -- Frank Belknap Long, "The Hounds of Tindalos" Paws down, my favorite Cthulhu Mythos story is "The Hounds of Tindalos" by Frank Belknap Long. Long was the first writer to contribute a tale to H. P. Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos" group of stories. "The Space-Eaters" appeared in the July 1928 issue of Weird Tales. Eight months later, Weird Tales published Long's "The Hounds of Tindalos," a chilling and unforgettable story of drugs, time travel, and paranoia. Long added a new dimension (pun intended) to the odd and twisted geometry of Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu." Forget the mundane threats of Dobermans, Pit Bulls, and Rottweilers. However, don't be deceived by the charm of poodles (with or without ribbons in their hair), Chihuahuas, and terriers. The Hounds of Tindalos is a pack I'd like to run with. Kind of a Hell's Angels for dogs.

And, Spot, I have no doubt that you would fit right in--that is, providing you fit the "Lean & Athirst" prerequisite! BowWow!

On a seperate note, my wife and I have taught all three of our POmeranians to HOWL. It is a fearsome cacophony, to be sure. I just wish I knew what they were saying. If I make a recording, will you translate?

Woof,
J

[starrysothoth]

Karl Edward Wagner's story "Sticks" always gave me a chill. I believe it's one of the finest Mythos tales out there which almost escapes the orbit of old Lovecraftiana altogether.

[Odalisque]

Quote Originally Posted by Aetherwing

You are arguably correct, Pet. I think that Klarkash-Ton's tales that use critters also used by Bob Howard, Lovecraft, and others can be taken as "Cthulhu Mythos" (and oh, how I do not like that term!) stories in the respect that they seem to be part of that shared universe of tales. That said, CAS's stories work just fine without the need to be attached to the "Mythos" as such. Me, I generally disapprove of over-categorizing these things, as Augie, Lin, and L. Sprague seemed to do.

Like you, I don't like the term "Cthulhu Mythos", although I don't hate it as much as I once did. I agree 100% that CAS's stories work just fine without needing to be attached to a "Mythos" of any kind. It might actually be worse to categorise them as part of a "Lovecraft Mythos" than a "Cthulhu Mythos" -- they are so non-Lovecraftian! And I agree in your disapproval of over-categorising things. Categories can be useful analytic tools, but they can also serve as strait jackets for our thinking. Even thinking in terms of fictional genres (horror, science fiction, etc.) can be more of an impediment to the enjoyment of stories than an aid.

[waffles]

Quote Originally Posted by starrysothoth

Karl Edward Wagner's story "Sticks" always gave me a chill. I believe it's one of the finest Mythos tales out there which almost escapes the orbit of old Lovecraftiana altogether.

I'll second that and further add that I think it's one of the finest horror stories (Cthulhu Mythos or otherwise) ever written.