Ridiculous History: HP Lovecraft Was A Super Weird Dude, Part Two: The Horror Stories That Changed The World

Release Date: May 22, 2025

In the second installment of their deep dive into the enigmatic life of H.P. Lovecraft, hosts Ben Bolan and Noel Brown, alongside special guest Jonathan Strickland, unravel the complexities and peculiarities that made Lovecraft a seminal figure in horror literature. This episode of Ridiculous History by iHeartPodcasts offers a comprehensive look into Lovecraft's personal struggles, his collaborative spirit with fellow writers, and the enduring legacy of his work.

Introducing the Panel

• [00:00] Ben Bolan opens the episode by introducing himself, Noel Brown, and their special guest, Jonathan Strickland. The trio sets the stage for an exploration of why H.P. Lovecraft is often regarded as extraordinarily peculiar.

  Ben Bolan: "Why is HP Lovecraft so very weird?"

• [01:35] Noel Brown and Jonathan Strickland engage in a light-hearted exchange, discussing Lovecraftian nicknames and pop culture references, such as the "Sandwich Horror," blending humor with their scholarly discussion.

Lovecraft’s Collaborative Network

• [05:26] The conversation delves into Lovecraft’s role as the president of the National Amateur Press Association (NAPA), highlighting his efforts to foster a collaborative environment among writers.

  Ben Bolan: "This is what gets him back into writing fiction. If you like Call of Cthulhu Mount's Madness, this is why you like it."

• [07:24] Jonathan Strickland draws parallels between Lovecraft’s collaborative universe and modern interconnected storytelling, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, emphasizing the organic nature of Lovecraft’s mythos.

  Jonathan Strickland: "A Lovecraft story is not solely a Lovecraft story. It is the product of this collaborative universe."

Personal Struggles and Relationships

• [13:57] The hosts shift focus to Lovecraft's personal life, particularly the tragic death of his mother in 1921. This event thrust him into emotional turmoil, yet he persevered by maintaining a “stiff upper lip.”

  Ben Bolan: "He is shattered, and he spends a few weeks in a very dark, emotional place, but eventually he says, stiff upper lip, we must soldier on."

• [16:16] Lovecraft’s marriage to Sonya Haft Green in 1924 is explored, revealing the tension between his personal desires and family expectations.

  Ben Bolan: "He married Sonya Haft Green. There's a bit of acrimony in the Lovecraft household because he does not tell his two aunts who raised him."

• [17:21] The discussion touches on the possible psychological impacts of Lovecraft's fraught relationship with his mother on his choice of partner.

  Ben Bolan: "His fraught relationship with his mother informed his decision to marry, literally, the first other lady who was nice to him."

Literary Contributions and Mythos Development

• [21:44] Lovecraft’s relocation to a bachelor apartment in Red Hook is examined, highlighting how his environment influenced his writing, particularly his xenophobic and racist themes.

  Ben Bolan: "He has a negative point of view about that. The foreign hordes, the masses of foreigners in the city..."

• [22:27] Jonathan Strickland discusses Lovecraft’s portrayal of non-white characters as antagonists, reflecting his own prejudices and the societal attitudes of his time.

  Jonathan Strickland: "He depicted a lot of black characters as being primitive, barbaric, uncivilized..."

• [25:21] The panel acknowledges Lovecraft's productive period during the 1920s, despite personal hardships, noting his influential works like "The Call of Cthulhu" and "At the Mountains of Madness."

  Ben Bolan: "He's writing these stories that will go on to cement his legacy..."

Mental Health and Personal Habits

• [38:50] Bolan speculates on Lovecraft's possible obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), linking it to his rigid prejudices and peculiar habits, such as his documented disdain for seafood.

  Ben Bolan: "One of his mental issues may have been obsessive compulsive disorder... He hated seafood."

• [43:09] The hosts recount an anecdote revealing Lovecraft’s rare use of profanity, juxtaposed with his casual use of racial slurs, highlighting the complexity of his character.

  Ben Bolan: "Got this... Lovecraft said, 'while you are eating that God damn stuff, I'll go across the street for a sandwich.'"

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

• [36:00] The conversation shifts to Lovecraft’s enduring impact on modern fiction, particularly through authors like Matt Ruff, who navigate and critique Lovecraft's problematic viewpoints while expanding the mythos.

  Ben Bolan: "We have to recognize this paradox... your professional life goes well, but your personal life tanks."

• [37:31] The panel debates the notion that the interconnected nature of Lovecraft’s mythos creates barriers for new readers, akin to the complexities found in contemporary media franchises.

  Jonathan Strickland: "The longer you go with this interconnected mythos, the more is required of the consumer..."

Interactive Quiz Segment: Quizzter

• [53:17] In a playful segment, Jonathan Strickland introduces a "Quizzter" game, presenting three scenarios related to Lovecraft and his contemporaries. The hosts are tasked with identifying the fabricated scenario.

  Jonathan Strickland: "Here are your three scenarios... determine which of the three is the one that I made up."

• [58:03] The hosts debate and ultimately identify the fictional scenario, awarding themselves the correct answers and adding a humorous close to the segment.

  Ben Bolan: "We’re going with number two as the fake story."

  Jonathan Strickland: "Scenario two is a fiction. There was no story called the Tomb of the Witch."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with reflections on Lovecraft's tumultuous final years, his struggle with health issues, and his eventual death due to cancer. Ben, Noel, and Jonathan acknowledge the duality of Lovecraft’s legacy—his profound influence on horror literature juxtaposed with his deeply problematic personal beliefs.

Ben Bolan: "I think we could add a little bit of armchair psychology here... Lovecraft was trying to find that balance and often without success."

By intertwining humor, scholarly analysis, and personal anecdotes, Ridiculous History delivers an engaging and multifaceted portrait of one of horror's most intriguing figures, offering listeners both insight and entertainment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [07:24] Ben Bolan: "If you are someone who just likes reading scary stories and you have an idea for a scary story that you want to set in the universe Stephen King has created...you have to be careful."

• [17:38] Jonathan Strickland: "He could be that the characterization of CJ, at least some elements of his personality are drawn from H.P. Lovecraft."

• [22:27] Jonathan Strickland: "Lovecraft depicted a lot of black characters as being primitive, barbaric, uncivilized..."

• [38:50] Ben Bolan: "Death of the Author is something we can’t easily apply here because those views inform much of his work."

• [43:09] Ben Bolan: "Lovecraft said, 'while you are eating that God damn stuff, I'll go across the street for a sandwich.'"

This episode offers a nuanced examination of H.P. Lovecraft, balancing his literary genius with the darker aspects of his personality and beliefs. Whether you're a seasoned Lovecraft enthusiast or new to his work, Ridiculous History provides valuable perspectives on the man behind the myth.