One of my great delights in Life is to come across a book I never knew existed. Richard A. Lupoff’s Lovecraft’s Book (1985) published by legendary Arkham House is one of those books. I discovered its existence a few weeks ago as I was researching another horror book. I’ve never seen a review of Lovecraft’s Book or any mention in the numerous articles I read on Lovecraft and his Mythos.
I tracked down a copy of Lovecraft’s Book and quickly read it. Here’s the background:
“Lovecraft’s Book is a historical novel by American author Richard A. Lupoff. It was released in 1985 by Arkham House in an edition of 3,544 copies. It was the author’s first book published by Arkham House.
Originally a 160,000-word manuscript, the published novel was a shorter popular re-write destined originally for mainstream publisher Putnam. When Putnam demanded even more re-writes, the Putnam version was sold to Arkham House and became Lovecraft’s Book. The original 160,000-word manuscript was lost, but a carbon-copy was found in 2000 and the full original novel was published unabridged as Marblehead: A Novel of H. P. Lovecraft (2006).”
Fascist sympathizer, George Sylvester Viereck hires Lovecraft to write a political tract in the vein of an American Mein Kampf. In return, Viereck promises to arrange for the publication of a volume of Lovecraft’s stories. A helter-skelter plot follows.
Hardcover editions of Lovecraft’s Book are pricey, but you can buy the inexpensive e-book version here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lovecrafts-book-richard-a-lupoff/1123153826
I’m a fan of Richard A. Lupoff and you can tell he is a true fan of H. P. Lovecraft after reading this book. Are you a Lovecraft fan? GRADE: B
I read this one years ago and was very impressed, as is the case with all of Lupoff’s varied output. I recently picked up a Kindle copy of MARBLEHEAD and have placed it near the top of Mount TBR.
Jerry, I’m a fan of Richard A. Lupoff’s varied work, too. I have a number of his books stacked up waiting to be read.
Never read it, but if memory serves, it was well-regarded by Lovecraft fans. Lupoff was also a significant figure in the Edgar Rice Burroughs revival of the 1960s. Lovecraft is all over the remaining brick-and-mortar bookstores in budget editions, a far cry from his obscurity when I picked up the Lancer paperback of THE DUNWICH HORROR in 1963.
Fred, I picked up that Lancer paperback of THE DUNWICH HORROR in 1963, too! Blew my mind!
Yes, I like Lovecraft, and no. I never heard of this one before. Nice find.
Jeff, I may have found about a dozen ARKHAM HOUSE books over the years. They tend to be scarce…and pricey!
Never read Lovecraft and not a horror fan in general! I like Lupoff!
Bob, I’ve enjoyed Lupoff’s SF and mysteries.
Big fan of Lupoff, was honored to publish some of his writing in my blog. Mixed reactions to HPL, although his influence on writers I like more is impossible to ignore…most obviously his direct encouragement of Bloch and Leiber, who as a result (particularly after Bloch outgrew his teens) have been among the least slavish of his acolytes. That we have just lost Fred Chappell is another reminder of his breadth of influence.
I’ve not yet read either version of the Lupoff novel under discussion. I hope to.
Christopher Priest is the latest fantastica veteran of note to succumb, in his case to cancer, I’m aware of. It’s been a tough year-end and new year.
Todd, I was surprised by your news of Brian Lumley dying. Good writers are leaving us in droves!
And not only of fiction (or other prose)…Wayne Kramer of the MC5 has just passed, as well.