Hermitix Weird Fiction, Lovecraft, Ligotti, and Magic with Aaron French
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Dec 27, 2023 Post-doctoral researcher Aaron French discusses weird fiction, Lovecraft, Ligotti, and magic. They explore the genre-defying nature of weird fiction and its relationship with other genres. They delve into revolutions in thought and the unconscious, as well as the connection between psychoanalysis, occultism, and weird fiction. They also discuss standout stories, the unique qualities of weird fiction, films in the genre, and Lovecraftian fiction.
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Magic and Science in Weird Fiction
- Weird fiction blends magic, occultism, and modern science to disrupt normal worldviews.
- These elements unsettle assumptions and evoke sublime or void-like experiences for readers.
Weird Fiction’s Genre Challenges
- Weird fiction is often a secondary genre intertwined with horror, difficult to define strictly.
- It is characterized more by atmosphere and unsettling effects than typical horror tropes.
Contrasting Views on Reason and Weirdness
- Lovecraft embraces reason as a defense against irrational horrors, while Machen seeks traces of enchantment behind disenchantment.
- Weird fiction often presupposes normal reality to highlight the intrusion of the weird and uncanny.