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Dagon (Fantasy and Horror Classics); With a Dedication by George Henry Weiss — Horror Fiction

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Dagon (Fantasy and Horror Classics); With a Dedication by George Henry Weiss

Name: Dagon (Fantasy and Horror Classics); With a Dedication by George Henry Weiss
Price: 10.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781528717168

✍️ H. P. Lovecraft

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$10.99 ~~$16.00~~ Save $5.01 (31%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Lovecraft's 1917 tale of a man who encounters an ancient horror after drifting from a German ship.

The story centers on a tortured, morphine-addicted narrator reflecting on his traumatic experiences. After escaping capture during the First World War, he washes ashore in a place littered with decay. The encounter with the entity beneath the waves serves as the final casualty of his sanity. This work stands as an early example of Lovecraft's style, predating his more famous novels. The narrative structure relies on the narrator's recollection rather than immediate action. Readers interested in the origins of cosmic horror will find this text significant. It offers a concise yet intense look at the author's developing themes of madness and the unknown.

Key Themes

ancient horror supernatural fiction World War I

Literary Context

Lovecraft (1890-1937) wrote this in 1917. His works remained largely unknown during his life. He is now considered among the most significant writers of supernatural horror fiction of the twentieth century. This story precedes notable works like The Call of Cthulhu and The Shadow over Innsmouth.

H. P. Lovecraft

📚 all books by this author (240) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Clark Ashton Smith · Algernon Blackwood · Arthur Machen · The Call of Cthulhu

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Fantasy and Horror Classics 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781528717168

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections 📜 Classic Horror Novels

📝 Description: Dagon (Fantasy and Horror Classics); With a Dedication by George Henry Weiss

This edition presents H. P. Lovecraft's 1917 short story "Dagon" as part of the Fantasy and Horror Classics imprint. The narrative follows a narrator who recounts his ordeal after being captured by a German ship during World War I. He escapes his captors and drifts for many miles before arriving at a desolate, hellish location filled with rotting carcasses. There he encounters an ancient horror that destroys his sanity. The text is twenty pages long and includes a dedication by George Henry Weiss. Lovecraft wrote this story as one of his first adult works. It draws on the traditions of supernatural horror fiction to explore themes of cosmic dread and isolation. The book suits collectors of Lovecraft's seminal work and readers who enjoy chilling tales of the unknown. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted entertainment or conventional happy endings. The publisher Read & Co. released this new edition in 2020, making the text accessible to modern audiences interested in early twentieth-century horror literature.

💎 Our verdict on Dagon (Fantasy and Horror Classics); With a Dedication by George Henry Weiss

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This text stands as an early example of Lovecraft's style, predating his more famous novels. The narrative structure relies on the narrator's recollection rather than immediate action, creating a haunting atmosphere of isolation and dread. It offers a concise yet intense look at the author's developing themes of madness and the unknown. Readers interested in the origins of cosmic horror will find this text significant. It suits collectors of Lovecraft's seminal work and those who enjoy chilling tales of the unknown. The book does well to explore cosmic dread through a tortured, reflective voice rather than conventional action.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the origins of cosmic horror will find this text significant. It offers a concise yet intense look at the author's developing themes of madness and the unknown. This work suits collectors of Lovecraft's seminal work and those who enjoy chilling tales of the unknown. The narrative structure relies on recollection rather than immediate action, providing a unique perspective for students of early twentieth-century horror literature. It is essential for understanding the traditions of supernatural horror fiction that influenced later genres.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Seekers of cosmic dread and classic weird fiction will find this essential. If you prefer fast-paced action or optimistic resolutions, look elsewhere. This tale demands patience for its slow-burn psychological unraveling rather than immediate thrills.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

It is primarily psychological. The terror stems from the protagonist’s mental collapse and the sublime horror of realizing his place in a vast, uncaring universe, rather than visceral violence.

No. While it introduces key mythos elements, Dagon functions perfectly as a standalone experience. It offers a complete narrative arc regarding madness and the sea without requiring prior knowledge of his broader bibliography.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Published in 1919, this novella stands as a foundational pillar of the Cthulhu Mythos. It captures Lovecraft’s early obsession with ancient, indifferent entities lurking in the abyss. The work bridges his transition from gothic atmospheric tales to cosmic horror, influencing generations of writers who explore humanity's insignificance against incomprehensible, subterranean divinities.