Phi Fic #25 “At the Mountains of Madness” by H. P. Lovecraft

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The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. –H.P. Lovecraft

In this episode, we discuss At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft. Considered one of the greatest writers of horror and creator the science fiction horror genre, Lovecraft was primarily a short story writer during the early twentieth century. Most of his stories were published in Amazing Stories, a pulp, horror magazine and At the Mountains of Madness is his only novella.

The story is narrated by William Dyer, a geologist who, along with his associates from Miskatonic University, has embarked upon an expedition to the Antarctic. Dyer’s goal in writing this account is to prevent others who would wish to undertake a similar journey to the Antarctic, in light of what he and his colleagues discovered there.

It is absolutely necessary, for the peace and safety of mankind, that some of earth’s dark, dead corners and unplumbed depths be let alone; lest sleeping abnormalities wake to resurgent life, and blasphemously surviving nightmares squirm and splash out of their black lairs to newer and wider conquests. –At the Mountains of Madness

What is this discovery? Join Nathan and Laura, along with Jennifer Tejada, Dan Johnson, and PEL's Mark Linsenmayer, in this animated discussion, as we dig into the dark, nameless world discovered by these Miskatonic scientists—and the fear within all of us that animates this world.

Check out H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast’s incredible discussion of At the Mountain of Madness (and everything Lovecraft):

Here are some sketches by Academy Award–winning director Guillermo de Toro of his interpretation of At the Mountain of Madness. Del Toro is hoping to make a movie of Lovecraft’s masterpiece.

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