One of Lovecraft's most significant literary influences was Edgar Allan Poe, whom he described as his "God of Fiction". Poe's fiction was introduced to Lovecraft when the latter was eight years old. His earlier works were significantly influenced by Poe's prose and writing style. He also made extensive use of Poe's unity of effect in his fiction. Furthermore, At the Mountains of Madness directly quotes Poe and was influenced by The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. One of the main themes of the two stories is to discuss the unreliable nature of language as a method of expressing meaning. In 1919, Lovecraft's discovery of the stories of Lord Dunsany moved his writing in a new direction, resulting in a series of fantasies. Throughout his life, Lovecraft referred to Dunsany as the author who had the greatest impact on his literary career. The initial result of this influence was the Dream Cycle, a series of fantasies that originally take place in prehistory, but later shift to a dreamworld setting. By 1930, Lovecraft decided that he would no longer write Dunsanian fantasies, arguing that the style did not come naturally to him. Additionally, he also read and cited Arthur Machen and Algernon Blackwood as influences in the 1920s.
one of lovecraft's most significant literary influences was edgar allan poe whom he described as his "god of fiction" poe's fiction was introduced to lovecraft when the latter was eight years old his earlier works were significantly influenced by poe's prose and writing style he also made extensive use of poe's unity of effect in his fiction furthermore at the mountains of madness directly quotes poe and was influenced by the narrative of arthur gordon pym of nantucket one of the main themes of the two stories is to discuss the unreliable nature of language as a method of expressing meaning in 1919 lovecraft's discovery of the stories of lord dunsany moved his writing in a new direction resulting in a series of fantasies throughout his life lovecraft referred to dunsany as the author who had the greatest impact on his literary career the initial result of this influence was the dream cycle a series of fantasies that originally take place in prehistory but later shift to a dreamworld setting by 1930 lovecraft decided that he would no longer write dunsanian fantasies arguing that the style did not come naturally to him additionally he also read and cited arthur machen and algernon blackwood as influences in the 1920s