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Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2 — Cosmic Horror

Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2 — photo 1

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Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2

Name: Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2
Price: 30.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781614980612

✍️ H. P. Lovecraft

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A curated collection of letters between Lovecraft and Derleth from their pulp magazine era.

The correspondence offers a window into the professional lives of two writers who shaped the weird fiction genre. Lovecraft’s entries detail his frustration with rejections and his ongoing battle with confidence in his craft. Derleth’s contributions highlight his dual focus on creating the detective character Solar Pons and engaging with more respectable literary circles. The editors have annotated the surviving texts to clarify context and references. The imbalance in surviving letters, with Lovecraft writing far more than he received, provides a specific perspective on their relationship. This volume documents the practical realities of submitting stories like The Dreams in the Witch House to major magazines during that period.

Key Themes

pulp magazine history creative collaboration literary rejection

Literary Context

These letters document the period when Lovecraft and Derleth were noted luminaries in Weird Tales. The correspondence reflects their activities within the world of pulp magazines and the broader literary landscape of the early twentieth century, capturing a specific moment in the history of American weird fiction.

H. P. Lovecraft

📚 all books by this author (240) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Clark Ashton Smith · Robert W. Chambers · The King in Yellow · August Derleth

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Cosmic Horror

🏛 Hippocampus Press 📅 2013 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781614980612

📚 This Book in Collections

🧙 Witches in Fiction

📝 Description: Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2

This volume gathers letters between H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, highlighting their roles in Weird Tales and pulp magazines. The correspondence exposes Lovecraft's professional struggles, especially following the rejection of 'At the Mountains of Madness' by the magazine. He contends with significant self-doubt amid these career hurdles. Derleth builds his detective fiction reputation via Solar Pons during this era. He also writes mainstream pieces for little magazines. The text details Derleth's covert promotion of Lovecraft, submitting 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' and 'The Dreams in the Witch House' to Weird Tales; one was rejected while the other was accepted. Nearly four hundred letters from Lovecraft to Derleth are included, with only about forty replies surviving. Editors David E. Schultz and S. T. Joshi annotate all texts. This archive appeals to readers interested in early twentieth-century pulp publishing mechanics and author dynamics. It may disappoint those seeking unannotated sources or pure fiction.

💎 Our verdict on Essential Solitude: The Letters of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, Volume 2

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This collection excels in providing an unvarnished view of Lovecraft’s professional struggles and Derleth’s multifaceted career during the pulp era. The extensive annotations by Schultz and Joshi clarify obscure references, making the text accessible to those studying early weird fiction history. While the significant imbalance in surviving correspondence offers a skewed perspective on their relationship, it remains a vital resource for understanding the practical realities of submitting stories like 'The Dreams in the Witch House.' It suits readers interested in author dynamics and publishing mechanics rather than those seeking pure fiction or unannotated primary sources.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the mechanics of early twentieth-century pulp publishing and the professional lives of genre-defining authors will find this archive invaluable. It offers a candid look at the frustrations of rejection, the battle for confidence, and the covert promotion strategies used to navigate literary circles. Those interested in the specific dynamics between Lovecraft and Derleth, including the creation of Solar Pons and the submission process for key stories, will gain deep insight into their dual roles as creators and industry players. It is essential for scholars and enthusiasts seeking context beyond the fiction itself.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Deeply dedicated fans of early weird fiction enthusiasts will cherish this correspondence. However, readers seeking plot-driven narratives or those uninterested in literary criticism and the mechanics of pulp magazine submissions may find this collection overly academic and dry.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

While heavily annotated by scholars Schultz and Joshi, it offers invaluable insights into the creative process behind classic horror, making it engaging for dedicated genre fans as well.

Historical preservation is imperfect; only about forty of Derleth's surviving responses remain, creating an asymmetrical but still rich view of their decades-long correspondence and professional relationship.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This volume captures a pivotal era when Lovecraft and Derleth were navigating the treacherous landscape of pulp magazines. It highlights their professional rivalry and mentorship during the Great Depression, revealing how they influenced each other's careers amidst widespread rejection. Their letters document the transition from obscure fanzines to prestigious little magazines, shaping the genre's future.