I have recently been reading a lot of old horror literature, which of course includes the great Lovecraft, and I have noticed something I never thought of before my interest in written macabre…
When I am reading these stories and the house is dark, it’s near midnight and I am virtually alone, I get a feeling that has never come from any horror film I have seen. I find the difference between horror literature and film is the personal perspective. Everyone knows that reading let’s you explore your mind and imagination much further than when you are being shown what the director wants you to see.
Whilst reading a spine chilling story, you are able to go to deep and dark places in your mind, memories of your darkest moments in life. With that kind of freedom, you can feel the fear of the victim in the story, you can picture the horrible monsters more frighteningly, you can create your own world of horror – the words you are reading become guidelines to your own personal movie in your head.
I sit and watch the most terrifying, gruesome movies I can get my hands on and throughout most of the movie I find myself giggling at the ridiculous gore, smiling at the amazing affects and wondering, “How the fuck did they make that scene so believable?” While reminiscing and telling people about movies I’ve seen I often refer to the special effects, the camera angles and the acting. A conversation about a book will turn out much differently because I will have connected with the story on a personal level.
The moments when I am sitting on my bed in the dark, reading a creepy, messed up story – I am tense the whole time. The creak of a floor board in the hall will make me jump; going downstairs into the darkness becomes horrifying. It really digs up old childish fears from inside of me and leaves me with a feeling that cannot be retained from any other material.
Long live Lovecraft and horror literature abroad!
