H. P. Lovecraft and the universe he created are part of an astonishing cultural phenomenon. Lovecraft s reputation has been revived to the point of reverence, and he now occupies a position of great respect within American literature-as one of the most significant horror fiction writers of the twentieth century. His dark grotesque creations have inspired authors such as Stephen King and Clive Barker, as well as film directors John Carpenter, Sturart Gordon, and Roger Corman. Dark forbidden knowledge is always a central theme in Lovecraft s stories, with protagonists who dare to discover hidden secrets which, in the end, completely destroy them.