Book summary for “The Call of Cthulhu” By: H. P. Lovecraft.

Rafael Sallum Barbosa
4 min readJan 16, 2024

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Introduction:

H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulhu” is a literary masterwork that explores the occult and the unknown. This haunting story, birthed from the inkwell of a master of cosmic horror, invites readers into a world where the lines between sanity and lunacy blur and the tendrils of the unknown creep insidiously into the human brain.

The Horror in Clay:

As we begin on this esoteric trip, we will go through the maze-like tunnels of forbidden knowledge. The story begins with a whisper, when Professor Angell’s legacy is passed down to his inheritor, Francis Wayland Thurston. Thurston is drawn into a web of mystery by a molded nightmare made of clay and wrapped in mysterious appeal. As he unravels the first strands of this cosmic tapestry, the fragrance of old dread pervades, evoking an unnamed discomfort.

The Tale of Inspector Legrasse:

Traverse Louisiana’s gloomy bayous, shrouded in ancient mists. Professor Angell’s notes unfold, showing an investigator’s journey through the core of an ancient cult. In the midst of obscure symbols and nighttime ceremonies, Inspector Legrasse discovers echoes of malevolence interwoven with strange worship. As Thurston weaves through the tales, searching for the forbidden facts hidden in the swampy depths, the scent of swamp flora mingles with the fear.

The Madness from the Sea:

Set sail on the icy waters, where the ocean whispers secrets and buried horrors simmer in the ebon depths. The Alert sails beyond charted seas to an island covered in eldritch structures. Cthulhu, a slumbering creature, is hidden behind a monolith engraved with mysterious markings. The marine air, laced with saline and the flavor of cosmic melancholy, bears witness to a terrifying discovery, alerting the senses to a cosmic malevolence lurking beneath the waves.

The Call of Cthulhu:

Plunge into the maze of revelation as Thurston pushes deeper, guided by an unstoppable call. Cthulhu, an ancient creature, stirs in the submerged city of R’lyeh, and the cultists, zealous in their devotion, await his waking. Thurston mulls over the possibilities, a sense of dread pervading each discovery. The reader, like Thurston, is ensnared in the web of existential fear, unable to escape the eerie repetition of the cosmic siren.

The Dreams in the Witch House:

Wander the eerie halls of academia, where forbidden knowledge meets eldritch nightmares. The story takes place behind the gates of Miskatonic University, where a student called Wilbur Whateley dives into esoteric practices. Whispers of esoteric activities and interdimensional horrors reverberate throughout the passageways. The reader, engrossed in the strange atmosphere, observes the convergence of evil forces and intellectual arrogance, as forbidden dreams form in the witch-haunted chambers.

The Madness from the Stars:

Face the final discovery as Thurston’s journey reaches its pinnacle. The narrator transforms into a seeker and a seer, unraveling the cosmic connections that link mankind to the verge of disaster. In the third act, the reader, intoxicated by the fragrance of cosmic dread, witnesses the inevitable plunge into lunacy and the approaching menace that overwhelms the weak light of human awareness. The narrative ends with a lingering cold, an implicit premonition of coming cosmic catastrophe.

Conclusion:

The adventure into Lovecraftian regions finishes with a symphony of the odd, where the invisible whispers and beckons. “The Call of Cthulhu” is more than just a story; it’s an evocative incantation, building a tapestry of fear and wonder that transcends time and reason.

The indefatigable H.P. Lovecraft, with his eldritch quill, invites the reader to dance on the edge of cosmic dread, where the senses are heightened and the unknown becomes a constant shadow. This narrative masterwork hangs in the penumbra of forbidden knowledge, where shadows mix with the mystery, as a tribute to the persistent fascination of the esoteric and the perpetual terror of the unknown. The beckoning cry resonates through the mind, leaving an indelible scar on the psyche, tormented by the cosmic riddles it reveals.

Remember, this is only a taste of the adventure that awaits.

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