In the Mountains of Madness: The Life and Extraordinary Afterlife of H.P. Lovecraft

Although horror writer H.P. Lovecraft's (1890–1937) oeuvre is widely read, his life and times have been infrequently profiled. Because of its brevity (relative to S.T. Joshi's definitive biography, H.P. Lovecraft: A Life) and engaging style, this work by Poole (history, Coll. of Charleston; Vampira: Dark Goddess of Horror) makes Lovecraft's story accessible to casual readers without forsaking the level of detail expected of a more scholarly work. Poole examines the known events from birth to death, while carefully detailing the people and literature that influenced Lovecraft; his significant stories are also discussed. In other ways, though, this book entertains and surprises, as with Poole's decision to write in the first person—he's a wry and jovial narrator. He also takes pains to explore Lovecraft's influence upon art and popular culture. Likewise, Poole does not shrink from explaining his subject's sexuality, nor does he shirk his duty to discuss Lovecraft's undeniable racism and xenophobia. This interesting biography also provides new perspectives on the author's character that will incense the keepers of Lovecraft's mythos.