Weird Fiction, Lovecraft, Ligotti, and Magic with Aaron French
Dec 27, 2023
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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.
Weird fiction aims to unsettle readers by incorporating elements of the occult and the unknown.
The genre of weird fiction challenges traditional notions of narrative structure and character development.
Weird fiction blurs the boundaries between conscious and unconscious, author and reader, to create a more immersive reading experience.
Deep dives
Exploring the Genre of Weird Fiction
In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the genre of weird fiction, discussing its connection to occultism, magic, and cosmic horror. They explore the distinctive characteristics of weird fiction, such as its focus on the uncanny and its portrayal of reality. Weird fiction is not just about traditional horror, but instead aims to destabilize readers through atmospheric and experiential storytelling. The hosts also highlight influential authors in the genre, such as Lovecraft, Machen, and Williams, who use elements of the occult, supernatural, and esotericism to create a sense of unease and open up new imaginative spaces.
The Power of the Unknown in Weird Fiction
Weird fiction authors strive to reveal the unknown and disrupt readers' assumptions about reality. By delving into the unconscious and incorporating elements of magic and the occult, these authors aim to unsettle readers and challenge their perceptions of the world. Unlike traditional horror that centers around violence or fear, weird fiction often focuses on creating a sense of unease, intriguing readers with strange and enigmatic phenomena. This genre defies easy categorization, drawing inspiration from various literary movements such as modernism and surrealism. It explores the tensions between rationality, mysticism, and the supernatural, often leaving readers with lingering feelings of fascination and uncertainty.
The Role of Phenomenology and Atmosphere in Weird Fiction
Weird fiction aims to create a distinct atmosphere where readers can experience the destabilization of their reality. By infusing phenomenological elements into their stories, authors seek to generate a unique reading experience that challenges traditional notions of narrative structure and character development. The sensations of the unknown, the uncanny, and the sublime are central to weird fiction. These narratives often blur the lines between reader and protagonist, allowing readers to partake in the characters' journeys of unraveling and encountering the inexplicable. The genre emphasizes opening up spaces where the familiar becomes unfamiliar, and where readers are left with a residue of strange and enlightening encounters.
Weird Fiction and its Connection to Psychology and Horror
Weird fiction shares a connection with psychological exploration, as both delve into the recesses of the human mind and reveal unsettling truths. However, unlike traditional horror, weird fiction does not aim to provide simple answers or moral judgments. Instead, it seeks to disrupt readers' perception of reality, often leaving them with more questions than answers. The genre emphasizes the importance of the reader's phenomenological approach and engagement with the story's atmosphere. Weird fiction explores the subjective experience of the unknown and the numinous, evoking a fascination with the inexplicable and the mysteries of existence.
Defining the Weird
The podcast explores the definition of the weird, emphasizing that it brings something unfamiliar into the familiar. This definition highlights the interesting and captivating nature of the weird, rather than labeling it as inherently negative. The speaker discusses how the weird can be perceived as a rupture or an escape from the ordinary, and how it is not necessarily positive or negative, but rather provides a breath of fresh air in relation to modernity.
Blurring Boundaries and the Post-Modern Weird
The podcast delves into the blurring of boundaries within weird fiction, especially in post-modern weird fiction. It discusses how these stories blur the lines between conscious and unconscious, author and reader, and fiction and reality. This blurring effect aims to shift and destabilize the reader, creating a more immersive and experiential reading experience. The speaker also highlights the influence of esotericism, the occult, and magic in their own interpretation of weird fiction, challenging the atheistic and materialistic tendencies often associated with Lovecraftian approach.
Aaron J. French is a post-doctoral researcher in Religious Studies at the University of Erfurt in Germany. His main research focuses on the History of Esotericism, the History and Philosophy of Science, Sacred Space and Architecture, modern German Philosophy, and Science and Technology Studies. In this episode we discuss weird fiction.
