If You Were to Meet Lovecraft, Howard and Ashton Smith Would You Get Along with Them ?

[Edward Druitt]

Personally I only know about Lovecraft. I think I know I would get along extremely well with him. I say this because the whole reason I got into Lovecraft because when I first started to actually read about his life the more and more I saw things in common: our worldview (cosmicism) is essentially the same, both atheist, both had severe depression issues resulting in reclusive behaviour, both devoured books when younger, strongly overbearing mothers, both with a love for fantasy and horror, both a strong love of science and astronomy especially for me. There's more but frankly I've never related with a human that much.

Honestly if I met him I would probably lose whatever wit and thought I had due to being in the presence of someone I idolized. But, barring that, I would love to discuss the source of his thoughts and creations. I imagine it comes from a somewhat dark and angry place. But there is a definitely a philosophy that brings it out. I would want to know that. I'd also love to discuss astronomy and science with him.

I recently read a passage regarding his death. He was in hospital, dying, and he knew that he was dying. He loved his work so much and put it before everything yet, while he said he would have written regardless of fame, I imagine he would have wished that he garnered a little more respect and admiration for his great contributions. I don't think he would believe me if I told him what a... ahem, cult following he has now.

I would like to think that Lovecraft would see similarities in me that I saw in him and that he would basically take me as an apprentice. Teach me the trade of writing. I know he helped fellow writers develop themselves. What more could a Lovecraftian want, right?

 

[BAYLOR]

Personally I only know about Lovecraft. I think I know I would get along extremely well with him. I say this because the whole reason I got into Lovecraft because when I first started to actually read about his life the more and more I saw things in common: our worldview (cosmicism) is essentially the same, both atheist, both had severe depression issues resulting in reclusive behaviour, both devoured books when younger, strongly overbearing mothers, both with a love for fantasy and horror, both a strong love of science and astronomy especially for me. There's more but frankly I've never related with a human that much.

Honestly if I met him I would probably lose whatever wit and thought I had due to being in the presence of someone I idolized. But, barring that, I would love to discuss the source of his thoughts and creations. I imagine it comes from a somewhat dark and angry place. But there is a definitely a philosophy that brings it out. I would want to know that. I'd also love to discuss astronomy and science with him.

I recently read a passage regarding his death. He was in hospital, dying, and he knew that he was dying. He loved his work so much and put it before everything yet, while he said he would have written regardless of fame, I imagine he would have wished that he garnered a little more respect and admiration for his great contributions. I don't think he would believe me if I told him what a... ahem, cult following he has now.

I would like to think that Lovecraft would see similarities in me that I saw in him and that he would basically take me as an apprentice. Teach me the trade of writing. I know he helped fellow writers develop themselves. What more could a Lovecraftian want, right?

I think Lovecraft, Howard and Ashton Smith would have been amazed at the fact that so many today still read and love their stories.

 

[Ningauble]

By the way... how much of Howard's poetry have you read? I would also suggest checking out some of his collections, if you can find them, such as Always Comes Evening, Echoes from an Iron Harp, or Singers in the Shadows. The first was originally published by Arkham House, but has had at least two editions since then, while the other two were put out by Donald M. Grant back in the 1970s (if memory serves). I don't know if there were ever any reprints of these, but if not, it's a pity, as there are some fine pieces in each. (The latter two also contain some of his comic poetry, which is also sometimes quite good, and not infrequently rather bawdy.)

There is quite a big selection of Howard's poetry available from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/shop/frank-coff...elected-poems/paperback/product-15910011.html (paperback) or http://www.lulu.com/shop/frank-coff...elected-poems/hardcover/product-20586829.html (hardcover). The big Collected Poetry of Robert E. Howard from the Roert E. Howard Foundation is currently out of print, but will most likely be reprinted eventually, with "new" poems added.

 

[Ruina]

Even as early as 1921, he has a passage in one of his letters where he remarks on a visit to an amateur colleague and her family where they got him to dress up in drag, parasol over his shoulder and all, which he carried off to everyone's great amusement, including his own.

Are you talking about Lovecraft? Wow, I know he was quite a goofball, but that was unexpected.

 

[j d worthington]

Are you talking about Lovecraft? Wow, I know he was quite a goofball, but that was unexpected.

Eeee-yup; Grandpa Theobald himself. It is, if memory serves, in the volume Letters to Alfred Galpin....

 

[Ningauble]

There is quite a big selection of Howard's poetry available from Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/shop/frank-coff...elected-poems/paperback/product-15910011.html (paperback) or http://www.lulu.com/shop/frank-coff...elected-poems/hardcover/product-20586829.html (hardcover). The big Collected Poetry of Robert E. Howard from the Roert E. Howard Foundation is currently out of print, but will most likely be reprinted eventually, with "new" poems added.

I spoke to Rusty Burke at NecronomiCon, and he mentioned that The Collcted Poetry will most likely be reprinted as a two-volume trade paperback set. They just need to go through the poetry that was found in Glenn lord's collection, but it may take a while.

 

[w h pugmire esq]

It is not my nature to be social, and so the idea of "getting along" with writers I admire is alien to me. Moft of ye writers I have known I know only through correspondence, with the delightful exception of my soul-bro S. T. Joshi. I enjoy meeting writers at conventions, but it's always so wonderful to get back home and be alone.

My favourite way of getting to know writers is through their books. Happily, we have no end of Lovecraft books recently publish'd and forthcoming; & Night Shade Books has announc'd that they will soon begin to publish their Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith in trade pb editions.

 

[logan_run]

As much as i like their work i would not wanna know any of them .

 

[w h pugmire esq]

I think I'd much rather hang out with Oscar Wilde.....

 

[BAYLOR]

I think I'd much rather hang out with Oscar Wilde.....

He would be interesting man to talk to

 

[lynnfredricks]

I think it would be as strange for a real, extended face-to-face between REH and HPL as meeting with any of us "Visitors Out of Time". Drinks wouldn't really work so well to break the ice, so I guess it would all come down to the flavor of ice cream.

 

[BAYLOR]

Books I would show to Robert E Howard. The Kane novels By Karl Edward Wagner, The Games of Thrones books by George R Martin , The Black Company novels by Glen Cook, Terry Pratchett's Disco World novel Michel Moorcock's Eternal Champion books, Tolkien, LOTR, Stephen R Donaldson , Harlan Ellison The essential Ellison , Jack Vance Tales from The Dying Earth , Dan Simmons Hyperion novel stories Holdstock Mythago Woods novels.

I can think of many others.

 

[Extollager]

Did any of these guys drive? I have the impression that Howard did....

What Are Your Favorite Weird Tales or Stories that Fit That Category?

 

[BAYLOR]

Did any of these guys drive? I have the impression that Howard did....

What Are Your Favorite Weird Tales or Stories that Fit That Category?

They didn't have much in the way of money.

 

[Ningauble]

Did any of these guys drive? I have the impression that Howard did....

What Are Your Favorite Weird Tales or Stories that Fit That Category?

Howard had a car (although I'm not sure when he got it; he certainly didn't have one when Lovecraft visited New Orleans in 1932). I'm sure that Lovecraft didn't drive, and according to W. Paul Cook that was just as well since HPL loved high speeds. Not sure about CAS, but I don't think he drove (he didn't own a car anyway).

 

[John Thiel III]

What kinds of conversations would you like to have with theses writers ? What subjects? What would you tell them about how they are remembered in the present? What would they think of their legacy and impact on the fantasy, science fiction and horror genres ? What would they likely think of our present world ? What would they think you as a person ?

I don't think I'd feel ill at ease in the company of all three of these writers at once. I would want to discuss their works, and in what ways these works relate to earthly realities. (Here Lovecraft explodes, as I visualize it: "NOT AT ALL! They heed alien geometries, are not enslaved to Earth's dream-transient sphere!" But this leads to discussion: "You do not seem to recommend that your readers depart from this Earthly sphere, any further than to read your poems." And the answer to that I cannot anticipate, so it would be a discussion, and one I'd like to have.) I think I would ask Howard if he could fight in a way that could be considered a match to what his characters can do. Klar Kashton I would ask what he had in mind when he decided to devote his abilities so much to the writing of fantasy--what was the call that brought him to this pursuit? I would be most vociferous in discussing what I have seen in present-day discussions of them. They would think of me as a most engaging conversationalist, and would all three of them want to know whether I had ever tried my hand at writing. (I visualize them making such comments as "That is, the flayed hand", and "...or claw, if you write in our mode".) Lovecraft would probably be surprised that our present world was still here, but I'd tell him "according to news reports, that's not very secure". He'd just look at me with a tight half-smile. Howard would object to our present world, I think, as being "over-civilized". I doubt if he would like the technological revolution, but that would probably make Smith stand up. "The latest wonder to occur amidst mankind, a dream!" And I would point out to him that Arthur Clarke had said that a sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Lovecraft, of course, would see this as overshadowing our grounded culture, would regard the computer as a being, a presence. They'd like their impact upon the genres, I suspect. These have all been very interesting conversational possibilities to me, and I think the three men would not wish me to cut it off so early, but without their urge to continue with what I'm saying, and the interchange of their reactions, I think I have given a complete answer to this question, and I regret the opportunity not being an actuality.

 

[BAYLOR]

I don't think I'd feel ill at ease in the company of all three of these writers at once. I would want to discuss their works, and in what ways these works relate to earthly realities. (Here Lovecraft explodes, as I visualize it: "NOT AT ALL! They heed alien geometries, are not enslaved to Earth's dream-transient sphere!" But this leads to discussion: "You do not seem to recommend that your readers depart from this Earthly sphere, any further than to read your poems." And the answer to that I cannot anticipate, so it would be a discussion, and one I'd like to have.) I think I would ask Howard if he could fight in a way that could be considered a match to what his characters can do. Klar Kashton I would ask what he had in mind when he decided to devote his abilities so much to the writing of fantasy--what was the call that brought him to this pursuit? I would be most vociferous in discussing what I have seen in present-day discussions of them. They would think of me as a most engaging conversationalist, and would all three of them want to know whether I had ever tried my hand at writing. (I visualize them making such comments as "That is, the flayed hand", and "...or claw, if you write in our mode".) Lovecraft would probably be surprised that our present world was still here, but I'd tell him "according to news reports, that's not very secure". He'd just look at me with a tight half-smile. Howard would object to our present world, I think, as being "over-civilized". I doubt if he would like the technological revolution, but that would probably make Smith stand up. "The latest wonder to occur amidst mankind, a dream!" And I would point out to him that Arthur Clarke had said that a sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Lovecraft, of course, would see this as overshadowing our grounded culture, would regard the computer as a being, a presence. They'd like their impact upon the genres, I suspect. These have all been very interesting conversational possibilities to me, and I think the three men would not wish me to cut it off so early, but without their urge to continue with what I'm saying, and the interchange of their reactions, I think I have given a complete answer to this question, and I regret the opportunity not being an actuality.

Well said.

I think that all three of them would be astonished and gratified at their present day popularity.

 

[picklematrix]

I would have preferred to meet HPL during the later years. Supposedly he mellowed and became less misanthropic during tbat period.

 

[Nate Percival Holvin]

What kinds of conversations would you like to have with these writers? What subjects? What would you tell them about how they are remembered in the present? What would they think of their legacy and impact on the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres? What would they likely think of our present world? What would they think you as a person?

I would ask HP what happened from the time when he was in NY city and his return to Providence...his writing skills improved so much...it was during this period that he wrote "Call of Cthulhu" circa 1926, which by the way was not well received by Farnsworth Wright editor of Weird Tales (big mistake!) . I would also let him know that no one has been able to capture the grandiosity and mind-bending style of his cosmic horror imaginations quite like him (and probably why also no movie of measure has ever been filmed true to his vision).

 

[Timebender]

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I believe I'd get along like a house on fire with this trio. Essentially, what we would have here is a total nerdfest of epic proportions! Although I've been told I'm no mean conversationalist in an age of decline for the conversational arts, I suspect my fascination (and intimidation!) would prompt me to do far more listening than chin wagging. Although a good brandy is always a welcome conversational lubricant after sunset (and it goes without saying that our meeting must be at night), I'd happily forego such to guzzle coffee by the tureen to have the honour of being in Lovecraft's tee-totaling presence!

What would they think of our modern world? No doubt all three would express wonder at the technological progress since their demise, and here I think Lovecraft's curiosity about scientific advances (and advances in the quality and varieties of coffee and ice cream too!) would drive him to heights of ecstasy. However . . . . socially speaking - and especially regarding the areas where racial and sexual mores are concerned - I think all three would be horrified at what goes on nowadays. They are sophisticated enough to know that there's really nothing new under the sun, but the resulting culture shock would probably gall them, resulting in Lovecraft launching into one of his more impassioned jeremiads about the decadence of America, drawing parallels to Rome's decline.

On the subject of our consumer culture, Lovecraft would unquestionably charge to the fore of the battle lines, squarely denouncing it for what it is: a metastasizing cancer on the body politic. He had a hard enough time dealing with consumerism in its nascent form during the early 20th century, but now, it's extreme sordidness, aggressive nature and permeation into the deepest fabric of our society would make him fume. Scratch that: his fulminations would be apocalyptic, giving Mt. Aetna a run for its money.

Robert E. Howard would be fascinated and perplexed by the controversy over firearms in America, no doubt strongly coming down on the side of pro ownership. I suspect his attitude would be almost libertarian in its modern sense of the word. I would duly remind him that, had he not had such easy access to guns, he would not have committed suicide and American culture would have been greatly enriched by his continued presence on the literary scene. Perhaps this would be my one glaring breech of diplomacy in an otherwise charming and animated evening.

Clark Aston Smith, with his rich, fecund vocabulary and deeply romantic sensibilities, would be extremely disappointed with the sterility of much of what literature has produced since his leave-taking. Here Lovecraft would concur, with Howard taking certain exceptions to this comment. He loved Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead. And Lovecraft retorts that he "wouldn't give a plug nickel for the lot"! Which leads us to the topic of cinema . . . .

All three are in complete awe of the technological advances in film - and the possibilities that it opens up for any creator - but find the emphasis on the superficial and the sensational trying on their nerves. Lovecraft especially dislikes the lack of atmosphere in modern fantasy films. There's agreement: this aspect hasn't changed much since the 1930s. As a remedy, I treat the boys to a screening of Pan's Labyrinth and then, later in the week, a multi-night showing of Lord of the Rings. Lovecraft and Smith wax rhapsodic over Pan's Labyrinth, while Howard finds the L.O.T.R. a glorious narcotic. Like a teenager who just drank an 82 oz. vat of high-fructose corn syrup from Seven-Eleven, he proceeds to act out epic battle scenes in the parking lot, complete with visceral sound effects and a verbatim regurgitation of whole pages of script performed in a phonetically perfect mimesis of each character. Perhaps Howard's response perfectly encapsulates why our bond has been forged so quickly and so strongly: we are all a bunch of overgrown teenagers at heart. A group of resistance fighters who held out and refused a materialistic world's forced attempt to make us conform.

Dawn is approaching quickly now and the boys say they must depart. A mingled sense of deep gratitude and sadness overwhelms me. We promise to meet again soon, but I know that it's not in the cards. But it is enough, and probably more than I deserve to have shared this time together. I now have memories enough for a lifetime, an embarrassment of riches that will sustain me to the end of my days, high tide or low ebb, thin or flush, no matter what Fate has in store for me.

This comment is amazing.