Occult scholar Donald Tyson plumbs the depths of H. P. Lovecraft's cosmic visions and horrific dream world to examine, warts and all, the strange life of the man who created the Necronomicon and the Cthulhu Mythos. Lovecraft expressed disdain for magic and religion, and most of his biographers have dismissed the mystical side of his nature. Tyson concludes that Lovecraft was a man in fundamental conflict with himself, and reveals Lovecraft for what he truly was - a dreamer, an astral traveller, and the prophet of a new age.
The Dream World of H. P. Lovecraft
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About the Author
Donald Tyson is an occult scholar and the author of the popular, critically acclaimed Necronomicon series based on Lovecraft's work. Tyson has also written more than a dozen books on Western esoteric traditions, such as the Kabbalah, the Tarot, and ceremonial magic, and he is the editor of the contemporary version of Agrippa's seminal work, Three Books of Occult Philosophy.
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Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
38 of 46 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good biography, but a little too speculative.
24 Oct 2010
By P. Lyman
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I should start this review with an honest disclosure: I, like the real Lovecraft, am a committed materialist. Donald Tyson is anything but a materialist. Despite my materialism, I am generally a curious and open-minded person, and I spend a good deal of time considering alternative views on the universe. This book is not my first exposure to Tyson. In fact, I have read many of Tyson's books with more than a little interest, however I have never found any reason to believe that Donald is correct in his endorsement of a "magical" universe.
Most of Tyson's recent works have been on Lovecraft and trying to turn his mythos into a workable system of ritual magic. I applaud Donald's creativity, and admit that he can even tell a pretty engrossing yarn at times, (See his book "Alhazred" for a good, if at times disturbing, read.) but I am certain that Lovecraft himself would be horrified to find his works of fiction being used to support anything founded in the occult.
From a strictly biographical point of view, this book is pretty well put together. Donald takes an interest in his subject that inclines him toward a good amount of detail, which is excellent. Often times Lovecraft has been painted in brush strokes that are so bold as to completely obscure his regular, everyday humanity. On the downside, Donald cannot help but impose his own magical point of view on Lovecraft, and although he repeatedly points out how Lovecraft would never approve of seeing himself as having anything to do with the occult, the undertone of the book is that Lovecraft was just somehow struggling with the deeper, darker truth of his dream-born occult powers. I take issue with interpreting Lovecraft in this way for various reasons, most importantly because Lovecraft did not see himself this way. Although deep internal struggles and denial make for great fiction, most of us, Lovecraft included, don't live in total ignorance of our own natures. Lovecraft, being a deeply intelligent and insightful man, was no stranger to analyzing himself, and I fully believe that he had a pretty good handle on his own nature.
All in all, I would suggest this biography to others, but I would include a warning to carefully considered every time Tyson inserts his own opinion. Take commentary with a grain of salt, and you'll learn quite a lot you probably never knew about Lovecraft.
Most of Tyson's recent works have been on Lovecraft and trying to turn his mythos into a workable system of ritual magic. I applaud Donald's creativity, and admit that he can even tell a pretty engrossing yarn at times, (See his book "Alhazred" for a good, if at times disturbing, read.) but I am certain that Lovecraft himself would be horrified to find his works of fiction being used to support anything founded in the occult.
From a strictly biographical point of view, this book is pretty well put together. Donald takes an interest in his subject that inclines him toward a good amount of detail, which is excellent. Often times Lovecraft has been painted in brush strokes that are so bold as to completely obscure his regular, everyday humanity. On the downside, Donald cannot help but impose his own magical point of view on Lovecraft, and although he repeatedly points out how Lovecraft would never approve of seeing himself as having anything to do with the occult, the undertone of the book is that Lovecraft was just somehow struggling with the deeper, darker truth of his dream-born occult powers. I take issue with interpreting Lovecraft in this way for various reasons, most importantly because Lovecraft did not see himself this way. Although deep internal struggles and denial make for great fiction, most of us, Lovecraft included, don't live in total ignorance of our own natures. Lovecraft, being a deeply intelligent and insightful man, was no stranger to analyzing himself, and I fully believe that he had a pretty good handle on his own nature.
All in all, I would suggest this biography to others, but I would include a warning to carefully considered every time Tyson inserts his own opinion. Take commentary with a grain of salt, and you'll learn quite a lot you probably never knew about Lovecraft.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
In the dreamy dreams of cosmic horror
26 April 2012
By Michelle Souliere
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Tyson has taken a unique angle in this biography of H.P. Lovecraft, famous weird tales writer of the early 20th century. In fact, on reading it, I was surprised at the realization that no one else has written extensively focusing on this aspect of Lovecraft's life.
It makes so much sense -- Lovecraft was haunted and ruled by his dreams. Many of his stories were drawn directly from vivid dreams he encountered during hours of nighttime slumber, tweaking his tales to great effect.
I would definitely recommend this to any Lovecraft fan and scholar who is looking for something new in an HPL bio. While Tyson has culled much material from sources those of us who follow the author's life are already familiar with, he consistently returns our gaze from that chronological biography to the current of the dreamworld that drove Lovecraft's writing into vivid contemplation of the cosmic planes.
More conservative Lovecraft scholars may scoff at Tyson's occasional forays into wild speculation, but I feel that there is room for such pondering. He declares no real convictions when it comes to these elements, and instead turns them in his hand for us to see and ponder as well, knowing that none of us will ever know completely what drove Lovecraft and what still draws us to him today. It is well to remember that there may yet be unexamined facets of Lovecraft -- HPL scholars have trod too-similar paths over many decades. This fresh night wind on the cheek of the interested reader is a fine gift from Tyson.
It makes so much sense -- Lovecraft was haunted and ruled by his dreams. Many of his stories were drawn directly from vivid dreams he encountered during hours of nighttime slumber, tweaking his tales to great effect.
I would definitely recommend this to any Lovecraft fan and scholar who is looking for something new in an HPL bio. While Tyson has culled much material from sources those of us who follow the author's life are already familiar with, he consistently returns our gaze from that chronological biography to the current of the dreamworld that drove Lovecraft's writing into vivid contemplation of the cosmic planes.
More conservative Lovecraft scholars may scoff at Tyson's occasional forays into wild speculation, but I feel that there is room for such pondering. He declares no real convictions when it comes to these elements, and instead turns them in his hand for us to see and ponder as well, knowing that none of us will ever know completely what drove Lovecraft and what still draws us to him today. It is well to remember that there may yet be unexamined facets of Lovecraft -- HPL scholars have trod too-similar paths over many decades. This fresh night wind on the cheek of the interested reader is a fine gift from Tyson.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good Overview of Lovecraft's LIfe
8 May 2012
By The Dungeon Master
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is a very detailed description of Lovecraft's life and also delves into the more metaphysical aspects of his writing. It's definitely a good read for anyone who wants to know more about the man behind some of the greatest horror stories ever written.
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