A fascinating video by GirlNextGondor: a profound exploration of the unexpected similarities between the works of H.P. Lovecraft and J.R.R. Tolkien.
GirlNextGondor argues that despite the obvious if not enormous differences in the worlds created by the two authors, and particularly the sense of hope manifest in the works of the latter, the atmosphere of cosmic horror that is the explicit foundation of Lovecraft’s universe is even present in Tolkien’s world, albeit in a much more muted, subtle, and quiet fashion.
Myself having long been vastly more partial to science fiction, than fantasy and horror (though I did read The King in Yellow last year…!; my first exposure to H.P. Lovecraft was The Dunwich Horror, which I read at the age of 12…!…gadzooks, that Wilbur Whateley, y’ never know what he’ll be up to next!!), I might now be persuaded to read The Lord of the Rings…
(Hmmm.)
In the meantime, enjoy the video!
“Beyond the ‘Nameless Things’: Cosmic Horror in Middle-earth”