The Lovecraft Lexicon, by Anthony B. Pearsall
Book Review by Phillip A. Ellis
Have you read this book?
H. P. Lovecraft is a writer of riches: his fiction
abounds with names, and with references to places,
people and things. Such is this richness that there is
already an encyclopedia devoted to him, his works and
his life. And, now, a similar book is devoted to his
marvellous fiction alone.
What you will not find in The Lovecraft Lexicon are entries on the stories themselves. That is not this book's purpose. Its purpose is to list the people, places, and, in many instances, things that populate Lovecraft's fiction, and to explain the many allusions that Lovecraft makes.
As such, then, it does its work admirably. The Lovecraft Lexicon is rewarding to those who want to learn more, and its entries amply reward by presenting more than just bald facts. Read the entry on Pliny, and you will see what I mean.
In addition, the appendix of caves, caverns, wells and abysses brings together a common element, a common motif in Lovecraft's writings. It is added value to an otherwise comprehensive book, and it boosts its usefulness even more. The appendix could easily have been written up as an essay, and have made an important contribution to Lovecraft studies, but here it caps an excellent performance.
The Lovecraft Lexicon, though, is not perfect. It sorely needs an index, especially for such elements that lack headwords. There are also minimal cross-references, which lack helps hinder the book's usefulness further. But, overall, this is a valuable book, an excellent companion volume to Joshi's "H. P. Lovecraft Encyclopedia."
The Lovecraft Lexicon belongs in every Lovecraftian's library: it does its job, and does it well.
What you will not find in The Lovecraft Lexicon are entries on the stories themselves. That is not this book's purpose. Its purpose is to list the people, places, and, in many instances, things that populate Lovecraft's fiction, and to explain the many allusions that Lovecraft makes.
As such, then, it does its work admirably. The Lovecraft Lexicon is rewarding to those who want to learn more, and its entries amply reward by presenting more than just bald facts. Read the entry on Pliny, and you will see what I mean.
In addition, the appendix of caves, caverns, wells and abysses brings together a common element, a common motif in Lovecraft's writings. It is added value to an otherwise comprehensive book, and it boosts its usefulness even more. The appendix could easily have been written up as an essay, and have made an important contribution to Lovecraft studies, but here it caps an excellent performance.
The Lovecraft Lexicon, though, is not perfect. It sorely needs an index, especially for such elements that lack headwords. There are also minimal cross-references, which lack helps hinder the book's usefulness further. But, overall, this is a valuable book, an excellent companion volume to Joshi's "H. P. Lovecraft Encyclopedia."
The Lovecraft Lexicon belongs in every Lovecraftian's library: it does its job, and does it well.
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