The Shadow Out Of Time

[Nesacat]

I've been re-reading Eternal Lovecraft: The Persistence of HPL in Popular Culture. Edited by Jim Turner.

Am curious if others feel the same way about what he says in his introduction:

American novelist Ralph Ellison once suggested that most authors write only "one good book," though they may end up, Ellison allowed, "publishing a lot more." If we apply Ellison's observation to the fictional oeuvre of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, then surely Lovecraft's "one good book" -- in the sense of representing his definitive statement as a cosmic fantasist -- is "The Shadow Out Of Time."

 

[Ningauble]

I've been re-reading Eternal Lovecraft: The Persistence of HPL in Popular Culture. Edited by Jim Turner.

Am curious if others feel the same way about what he says in his introduction:

American novelist Ralph Ellison once suggested that most authors write only "one good book," though they may end up, Ellison allowed, "publishing a lot more." If we apply Ellison's observation to the fictional oeuvre of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, then surely Lovecraft's "one good book" -- in the sense of representing his definitive statement as a cosmic fantasist -- is "The Shadow Out Of Time."

"Lovecraft's definitive statement as a cosmic fantasist"? Yup, that's "the Shadow out of Time" in my opinion.

 

[J-WO]

For my money, it's a close call between this and The Call Of Cthulu in terms of 'definitive statement'. However, I've always felt Shadow the more satisfying read. Perhaps because it is a more direct tale, I don't know.

 

[w h pugmire esq]

It's been a while since I've read Jim's introduction to that fine anthology, but I remember being annoy'd at it, as it seemed to be Jim saying that Lovecraft, had he lived, would have abandoned supernatural fiction all together and become a total SF writer, which is nonsense. "The Shadow out of Time" is one of his powerful tales of cosmic horror -- but it certainly does have its horror elements. I remember how spooked I got when I was listening to the radio drama of the story as performed by the cast of the HPLHS audio presentation of the tale -- it was one of the most terrifying works of art I had ever experienced in that form. Brilliant!

To suggest that "The Shadow out of Time" is Lovecraft's grand accomplishment, besides which everything else pales, is nonsense. "The Colour out of Space" is equally fine and effective, in some ways more powerful in its tragic overtones. The idea that an author has only one good tale, or one work that is her definitive representation as an artist, is not something I find true in writers such as Henry James, Oscar Wilde, Franz Kafka, Donald Wandrei, Clark Ashton Smith, Thomas Ligotti and many others.

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

The idea that an author has only one good tale, or one work that is her definitive representation as an artist, is not something I find true in writers such as Henry James, Oscar Wilde, Franz Kafka, Donald Wandrei, Clark Ashton Smith, Thomas Ligotti and many others.

Yes, exactly. I find Ellison's premise here flawed, although I will say his choice of that one definitive tale is less so. The Shadow Out Of Time is often overshadowed by The Call Of Cthulhu, The Dunwich Horror and The Shadow Over Innsmouth to name three stories that often emerge as 'definitive' Lovecraft citations. And yet, Shadow definitely belongs in the first tier of Lovecraft's work. Is it his most cosmic tale? I shall have to re-read it to see, it's been several years since I last read it, and in that sense Ellison's contention is at least benign if it can only lead to such pleasant chores.

 

[J-WO]

Perhaps its not so much the case authors write 'one good book' as much as the general public (fans aside) only has room for a single, defining, work in their consciousness. With HPL that would appear to be Cthulu. Blame the rpg, maybe.

 

[j d worthington]

Without having the context of Ellison's comment to hand, I would say it is a drastic oversimplification of something which has some truth to it, but a very limited truth: i.e., that there is generally one particular work by any writer which is a prime exemplar of those things which are peculiar to that particular writer, presenting them in a purer or more concentrated form than his or her other works. In that light (and I think this is what Turner was saying, as well, with his qualification of the formulation), I think "The Shadow Out of Time" does fit the description. But as far as being HPL's "only good book" (or, for that matter any writer worth their salt turning out only one good book), the whole thing is sheer nonsense. I can't think of a single writer who had more than one book published in his/her lifetime where this really applies.

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

I've been re-reading the story in question. It is, of course, very good. But it could only ever be Lovecraft's best, or most quintessential story from one very specific and narrow view of what Lovecraft's fiction was about.

 

[Ningauble]

Without having the context of Ellison's comment to hand, I would say it is a drastic oversimplification of something which has some truth to it, but a very limited truth: i.e., that there is generally one particular work by any writer which is a prime exemplar of those things which are peculiar to that particular writer, presenting them in a purer or more concentrated form than his or her other works. In that light (and I think this is what Turner was saying, as well, with his qualification of the formulation), I think "The Shadow Out of Time" does fit the description. But as far as being HPL's "only good book" (or, for that matter any writer worth their salt turning out only one good book), the whole thing is sheer nonsense. I can't think of a single writer who had more than one book published in his/her lifetime where this really applies.

I agree. Of course, HPL wrote many fine stories, but this may be his magnum opus (I think it is, but that is of course mainly personal taste). IIRC, Turner makes a good case for HPL's main theme being his hatred of time -- how time was his personal enemy, changing his surroundings into something unrecognisable, etc. Therefore, "The Shadow out of Time", in which time is finally conquered by "the greatest race of all", may be pretty close to what HPL wanted to achieve. At least, at that given time.

 

[j d worthington]

I agree. Of course, HPL wrote many fine stories, but this may be his magnum opus (I think it is, but that is of course mainly personal taste). IIRC, Turner makes a good case for HPL's main theme being his hatred of time -- how time was his personal enemy, changing his surroundings into something unrecognisable, etc. Therefore, "The Shadow out of Time", in which time is finally conquered by "the greatest race of all", may be pretty close to what HPL wanted to achieve. At least, at that given time.

Given his statement (in "Notes on Writing Weird Fiction") that

The reason why time plays a great part in so many of my tales is that this element looms up in my mind as the most profoundly dramatic and grimly terrible thing in the universe. Conflict with time seems to me the most potent and fruitful theme in all human expression.

I'd say that is a good point, and certainly from that point of view, this tale would be extremely high on the list....

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Conflict with time?

This sets gears turning in my head, and I'm sure it's not just clockwork. I've been a bit distracted from my re-read of this thread by personal issues, but the last few posts on this thread will give me a lot to think over and look out for when I resume.

 

[BAYLOR]

I can't help but think that The Shadow Out of Time might have had an influence films like Quatermass and the Pit?