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No one interested in the work of H. P. Lovecraft can
avoid running across the name of August Derleth. Now this implies both that one
might want to avoid it, and that the two authors are integrally linked.
The latter is certainly true: if not for Derleth, Lovecraft's stories would
probably be languishing forgotten in the splintering pages of someone's pile of
pulp magazines. As most readers know, the hard covers of Derleth's Arkham House
editions carried HPL into his present literary stardom.
Yet a new generation has arisen which knew not Arkham. When Lovecraft's sibilant piping issues from the pages of Lancer or
Ballantine paperbacks, the debt to Derleth is lost sight of. And readers can
more clearly see his own literary legacy for what it is. His collection of
pastiches, which are scarcely typical of his real talents, tend to be dismissed
as ill-advised attempts to improve on perfection, which only succeed in muddying
the once-clear waters of Lovecraft's horrific vision.
In short, the last few years have seen a rather
vehement reaction against Derleth. In this issue, we will examine that reaction
and ask if it is perhaps over-reaction. Plus, we'll give critical (yet
appreciative) attention to some of Derleth's best-known Mythos fiction. S. T.
Joshi examines the detective element in Derleth's horror stories, while Lin
Carter vividly recalls his first, and last, meeting with Derleth shortly before
the latter's death.
Any of our readers who haven't had the time to read
Derleth's Lovecraftian tales, can take a look at "The Derleth Horror"
in this issue. It's all there.
Robert M. Price
Hierophant of the Horde
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