Hi everyone,
I just recently finished reading a fantastically creepy short story called The Snout http://www.donaldcorrell.com/road/white/lukundo.html#c4
I learned about this tale from the guys at HPPodcraft.com, the worlds foremost podcast about H.P. Lovecraft.
While it is not explicitly supernatural, it definitely has some lead-ins to the cosmic horrors beyond nature. In fact, the very last scene at the end harkens back to the terror of the Great Old Ones, their terrible elemental shapes, and the horrible things they bequeath upon mankind.
Has anyone else read it?
The Snout: amazing short story
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The Snout: amazing short story
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
I'm not sure if I have, but then I haven't finished reading all the books of H. P. Lovecraft's works in my personal library. Also as a note, the idea of the Great Old Ones being tied to the elements isn't Lovecraft's idea. That was introduced by later author August Derleth and are considered non-canon by purists.ScS of the Fraternity wrote:Hi everyone,
I just recently finished reading a fantastically creepy short story called The Snout http://www.donaldcorrell.com/road/white/lukundo.html#c4
I learned about this tale from the guys at HPPodcraft.com, the worlds foremost podcast about H.P. Lovecraft.
While it is not explicitly supernatural, it definitely has some lead-ins to the cosmic horrors beyond nature. In fact, the very last scene at the end harkens back to the terror of the Great Old Ones, their terrible elemental shapes, and the horrible things they bequeath upon mankind.
Has anyone else read it?
One short story I do remember is one about a mortician who forces the body of a spiteful old man into a coffin a few inches too short by cutting off his feet. When the mortician is trapped in the mausoleum after an accident, his own ankle is bitten into by the corpse of the old man when it falls out of its coffin in a stack. Nearly bitten clean off, the doctor says at the end.
"Money is the root of all evil...I think I need more money."
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
I dunno... it didn't work for me. I got bored and started skimming, and then by the time it got somewhat interesting, it was over, and I was left with a "huh?" Sorry, not for me, I guess.
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
You are correct Mikhal, the old Ones are not "elemental" in the terms of the four classical elements, which is as you said a less than popular concoction of Derleth. I meant it more as a force of nature.
Also, the story does have a long build up, and a short pay off, but it does have a fairly sweet middle section:
Also, the story does have a long build up, and a short pay off, but it does have a fairly sweet middle section:
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
Ah, that makes more sense. Humans as less significant than specks of dust. I used to find that idea disturbing but now I take a cold, detached comfort in it. Is it a bad sign that I find humans, myself included, little better than germs in the greater scheme of existence?ScS of the Fraternity wrote:You are correct Mikhal, the old Ones are not "elemental" in the terms of the four classical elements, which is as you said a less than popular concoction of Derleth. I meant it more as a force of nature.
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
Hardly bad at all.
But don't discount humanity! We are critical vectors of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. Our civilization is responsible for the spread and diversity of these most noble forms of life.
In fact, at the heart of nearly every human cell is a mitochondia bacteria which depends upon its human host to survive and spread.
So in the end, we really do matter.
Ia Cthulhu!
But don't discount humanity! We are critical vectors of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. Our civilization is responsible for the spread and diversity of these most noble forms of life.
In fact, at the heart of nearly every human cell is a mitochondia bacteria which depends upon its human host to survive and spread.
So in the end, we really do matter.
Ia Cthulhu!
Evil Reigns!!!!
- High Priest Mikhal
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Re: The Snout: amazing short story
Phew! I was afraid all this time away from other people had me going strange(r).ScS of the Fraternity wrote:Hardly bad at all.
But don't discount humanity! We are critical vectors of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. Our civilization is responsible for the spread and diversity of these most noble forms of life.
In fact, at the heart of nearly every human cell is a mitochondia bacteria which depends upon its human host to survive and spread.
So in the end, we really do matter.
Ia Cthulhu!
"Money is the root of all evil...I think I need more money."