Mythos Monday: Choosing an Edition of H. P. Lovecraft

There are a lot of editions of H. P. Lovecraft out there! Don’t let the horrid multitude drive you to madness! I’m here to help!

[@beck769]

Another set of books that do a deep dive into Lovecraft writings are the Annotated Lovecraft. Well worth the read if you are looking to reread Lovecraft`s stories.

[@bunnygirlerika9489]

I have his complete works in the Canterbury leather bound edition, which is basically just a British barns and noble lol. It's nice and holds up just as well.

[@jmvh8736]

I'm one of those who would cry over the disappearance of "The Mound."

[@Shellyish]

I AM interested in Lovecraft because I DO watch Mythos Monday AND I have never read Lovecraft!! 🙈 Don’t judge. I want to see a video of Library of America. I really enjoy your Mythos Monday. Thanks for the recommendations, Mike!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You are so very welcome!

[@Beesmakelifegoo]

Ooh! Thank you for telling us the pit falls of what takes place in E world.. Miss Margo,loyal Fan.

[@AJDunnReadsandWrites]

E-books....You can't trust em. 🤣

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

You know, you really can’t!

[@tomaria100]

Really good and interesting even for someone who isn't a fan of H.P.

[@anotherbibliophilereads]

I have the Arkham House hardcovers from the 90s except for his revisions. I think those are good enough for government work.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha! I would think so!

[@timabner848]

You are a treasure trove. You talk about some of my favorite authors. Keep it up!

[@stevengentry9396]

Thanks for your video; it's helpful and fun. My own introduction to Lovecraft was the Science Fiction Book Club's compilation Black Seas of Infinity, followed by a collection called The Best of H. P. Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre. That started a hunt for the best, original versions of stories and a more complete collection. All of the classic pulp writers had their works tinkered with, tamed, or chopped up (Robert E. Howard leaps to mind), and it's great to hear someone talk about finding the versions of these works closest to the way the writer actually set them down. I may try to get that Library of America edition. I have a lot of their books and, you're right, the workmanship on the books themselves is great. Their editorial work on the volumes I own is outstanding as well, so I look forward to reading the Lovecraft collection.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Black Seas of Infinity had a fantastic cover! I feel it’s deadly shortcoming is that it’s missing The Whisperer in Darkness.

[@stevengentry9396]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 that is a great cover. 😀

[@alittlelonelyplanet8113]

I have just come across your channel and I'm in love with effort put into your videos it's amazing !! Also your bookshelf is immaculate :)

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks so much!

[@Holabirdsupercluster]

A very useful video, thank you

[@trishbovell9042]

I’ve got the Penguin Classics edition. But I can’t get to it today because I’m half way thru a reread of Frankenstein because of your Sunday video!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m glad you are reading Frankenstein! Lovecraft himself would want you to read that book before his own.

[@trishbovell9042]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 and I finished last night. LOVED IT. I don’t know if I was just in the right frame of mind or just because I’m older, but I am blown away.

[@alexnejako777]

i have one called the Necronomicon. it's not the Necronomicon, it's a collection of Lovecraft stories with annotations . nice leather binding paperback. don't read before bed.

[@MattonBooks]

I’ve only read The Call of Cthulhu, decades ago. And I found this video a week too late. 😐 Just bought the green Rock Point/Quatro 2019 Complete Tales edition. It’s actually very pretty, but I’m not 100% sure about the version of the text. Now that I’ve got more or less everything, I’m curious: where would the best-dressed man on Booktube suggest a noob like me start with Lovecraft?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The Rock Point is a good one, from what I hear. I’m not sure it was out yet back when I made this video.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

This was great, especially for the loyal mythos Monday aficionados! I choose the edition that fits snugly against Caracalla’s Blood Books, a wormy copy of De Vermis Mysteriis, and the loose sheaf binding of the Necronomicon, but otherwise . . . I am a fan of the Penguin Classics editions that have the thorough annotation from ST Joshi! Hope you have a great week, Mike! Best, Jack

[@NP-Hunt]

Really great video Michael, thanks for the tips and insights. Would love for you to do more of these for things like Sherlock Holmes, best supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi anthologies and anything else you can think of where there is a massive amount for people to choose from. Keep up the great work, I always really look forward to your videos.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks NP! I really appreciate it!

[@lionhartd138]

I think this occurs within the poem "Nathicana". At least I hope that's what'sgoing on...

[@turtleanton6539]

Very nice and informative.

[@glockensig]

What I got out of this = e- books suck!

[@MrRobby280]

Very late comment to this very interesting discussion of one of my all time favorite writers. You mentioned before that you’re generally not a fan of audiobooks, as I am not as opposed to physical books. However, the Complete H.P. Lovecraft Collection compiled and published by the H.P.L. Historical Society is an outstanding treatment of his work. Wondering if you are familiar with it. My profession and other activities leave me limited time to sit and read anything other than professional material which is primary reason for my foray into audiobooks.

[@carbonc6065]

I have to say: This is very informative ... Thanks for the help!

[@BigPhilly15]

Just ordered the LOA edition. I have other LOA books and they’re excellent. Both high quality and comfortably readable. I’m astounded how they manage to have the thinnest pages that are also sturdy.

[@MrHenrikhn]

Great and informative video!😍 Thanks!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thank you for watching!

[@tropamediocre]

I have that barnes and noble edition and you are right its amazing

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I had not idea there were so many different editions of Lovecraft where the stories vary. I know translations vary drastically, but it's interesting to see a English language writer have very different editions. I own the Barnes and Noble edition as well. The font is a bit small, but I like it. Not sure how it holds up though.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The Barnes and Noble is great. If I had to have only one Lovecraft edition it would be that one.

[@bigphilly7345]

I appreciate this video because I was wondering what the best way to get into Lovecraft is. I kind of backed into weird fiction by reading modern authors like Thomas Ligotti and even Brian Evenson. John Langan, Laird Barron, yet never read actual Lovecraft. D’oh!

[@david124cherrington5]

I have the 4 volume Arkham House S.T. Joshi set. plus the prior Arkham House set. I found it a little hard to get into Lovecraft at first. My first story was "The Dreamquest of Unknown Kadath." Reading my first Mythos story was a bit jarring after reading Dreamquest first

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I can imagine.

[@gustavo9506]

It would be great to include those 3 omnibus editions from Pulp-Lit Productions. They're expensive but look great and it's pretty hard to find a review about them (there's none on KZbin).

[@ajindie9989]

Great video and recommendations! I have got the Barnes & Noble edition and can recommend it as well. What is the big Lovecraft edition on your shelf next to the Sherlock Holmes volumes?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That is the New Annotated H. P. Lovecraft. It’s magnificent! I feel like that giant book is better for someone who already knows Lovecraft and is truly intrigued by his work, because that book is enormous. Awesome…but enormous!

[@RSEFX]

Thanks for the go-thru of these various possible groupings of HPL stories. I find the use of white, extremely durable (aka preservative-papered) printings a bit off-putting for reading writers of long times passed. I always prefer to read classic writings on time-yellowed paper that helps convey the passage of many years, the historical nature of what is being read. I'd love to see a publisher develop a modern kind of "pulp"-ish paper that is SOMEWHAT time-impervious, that is already "aged" for publishing the works of certain older writings. I wonder if it possible to come up with a pulp paper that meets durability and old pulp paper half-way, ie a stronger, less volatile paper that is, nonetheless, a form of pulp paper. I have a few HPL stories from the original Weird Tales, Astounding, and early printings, and, somehow, the paper itself---the old book smell, and the texture of the paper----adds a lot to the mood that these modern editions strip away. I wonder if anyone else feels the same way? Thanks again for the video!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That is an interesting idea about the paper!

[@dannyh7446]

Been eyeing this version for a while, just bought le guins Boxset and the Philip k dick boxset. LOA books are very similar to Everymans library. both are excellent publishers, cloth bound, acid free paper and smyth sewn. Much better than buying paperback for not much more in cost. Would love to see bookshelf tour of your wonderful books. Love your channel btw and your style. Very dapper

[@ABFrank.]

This type of video is awesome 👌

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Thanks!

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed

[@jamesfetcho6315]

I thought we had Corey Hart for a Minute. Then You took off the sunglasses. Some of My stuff has (Hated LoL) S.T.Joshi , and Some of Mine doesn't. Veryuororeoum. LoL. My Kindle has S.T. Joshi. Also he does the forward. Great Video 👍😁👍

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I wear my sunglasses at night So I can, so I can Watch you weave then breathe your story lines And I wear my sunglasses at night So I can, so I can Keep track of the visions in my eyes While, she's deceiving me It cuts my security Has she got control of me? I turn to her and say Don't switch the blade on the guy in shades, oh no Don't masquerade with the guy in shades, oh no I can't believe it 'Cause you've got it made with the guy in shades, oh no I wear my sunglasses at night So I can, so I can Forget my name while you collect your claim And I wear my sunglasses at night So I can, so I can See the light that's right before my eyes While she's deceiving me She cuts my security Has she got control of me? I turn to her and say Don't switch the blade on the guy in shades, oh no Don't masquerade with the guy in shades, oh no I can't believe it Don't be afraid of the guy in shades, oh no It can't escape you 'Cause you got it made with the guy in shades, oh no Oh no I say I wear my sunglasses at night I wear my sunglasses at night I wear my sunglasses at night I say it to you now I wear my sunglasses at night I wear my sunglasses at night I wear my sunglasses at night I cry to you I wear my sunglasses at night I wear my sunglasses at niiiiiighhhhht

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 😆🤣😂LoL. It is Corey Hart.

[@jamesfetcho6315]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 that was 2 funny 😄

[@ellesse3862]

I have the 1980s Grafton paperbacks and several crumbly old anthologies of horror that have odd Lovecraft tales hidden within. What are your thoughts on the Gollancz Lovecraft collections Necronomicon and Eldritch Tales?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

The only gripe I have about the Necronomicon collection is that it uses the uncorrected magazine versions of the stories. Otherwise it’s a great book. Eldritch Tales, I believe, uses S. T. Joshi’s corrected texts and is an excellent volume.

[@xreev0x]

What are your thought’s on the Barnes & Noble exclusive “The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales”?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

It’s a nice book. Also, the cover art is fantastic.

[@davidsigler9690]

I have the Barnes-Noble Version.

[@IkanaMusicBox]

i would cry if the mound disappeared from the face of the earth! that might be my favourite of his stories

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I guess I need to read that one again.

[@lostwanderingprince]

Hello. Are the stories in Canterbury's Classic Edition are the comple stories of them? Is this edition okay? Would love to hear your insight about this. Thank you.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

That edition has the corrected texts just like all the best editions. It is not complete but it does have his best work.

[@Welther47]

You don't have the two Lovecraft Gollancz editions? Gollancz Necronomicon is an excellent edition. But also, I think it looks more... appropriate than the Barns&Nobles flashing version. But the content is split over two books, unfortunately.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I do have those actually. I like them both. The problem is that the first one, Necronomicon, uses the uncorrected magazine texts. The second volume does use the corrected texts. The B&N is the better edition.

[@redwawst3258]

😊

[@JeffMPalermo]

This is a great video. I wanted the complete stories in easy to tote around volumes so the Penguins are perfect for me. Those monster tomes look great but so unwieldy to read....

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Those Penguin volumes are really good. If you get all three you have virtually everything, and the notes on every story in the back are very valuable.

[@JeffMPalermo]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Thanks MIchael. I'm new to your channel but am loving every show! Keep up the good work!

[@jeremyfee]

What a difference an editor can make!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes!

[@horrorreader1869]

Hi, just subscribed heard of you from @Plagued By Visions unboxing of the books you sent him. What did you think of S. T. Joshi's two-volume biography of H. P. Lovecraft's "I Am Providence"? I'm a big fan of H. P. Lovecraft and plan on ordering it from my library. I also plan on buying the newer variorum editions edited by Joshi. Deron

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I thought it was great. You will know more about Lovecraft than you ever wanted to know! So glad you found my ridiculous channel! Plagued by Visions is the best.

[@turtleanton6539]

Subbed

[@BEkov-kd8cf]

I can't find information on whether the race point knickerbocker edition is edited by S.T. Joshi, do you know if the texts are the exact same as the barnes and noble edition? I know it lacks the Joshi notes befote each story but that isn't too big of a deal for me.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Yes, that edition has Joshi’s corrected texts.

[@BEkov-kd8cf]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 thank you so much!

[@CestKevvie]

The best edition for me would be whichever one is cheapest 😂

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Ha!

[@turtleanton6539]

One credit on audible

[@leonoldfield9765]

👍

[@1000000man1]

Does the 6 book collection by Arcturus/Sirius publishing use the corrected versions?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m not sure.

[@DDB168]

You just know I'll have to make my decision based on price 😉😉 I didnt comment on last Monday's absence. See it doesnt happen again, there's a good man 🤣 And yes please do a video about Library of America. I'm taking out a second mortgage now in preparation. 🙄

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I’m afraid to ask how much a Penguin classic goes for in Australia.

[@DDB168]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Actually it's not too bad, I'm finding prices in the $20-30 range.

[@andrewsstuffy]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 This is a rather strange comment. What do you expect? Penguin Australia has been around just as long as the US branch, and the books sell for about exactly the same price. $16 US is about $24 AU, which corresponds exactly to the average Penguin pricing in each country. Of course I have seen them for much less, but I notice this on US websites too, so I suspect we pay about exactly the same generally.

[@Oppenheimer1702]

completely unrelated: Are you a fan of Thomas Pynchon??

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

Not exactly. I probably should be.

[@alugartttt]

What does it mean "correct texts"

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I should have said “corrected texts “. Texts restored to the original manuscripts or type scripts.

[@alugartttt]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 Thank you, i was afraid it ment censored in any way for any reason