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Cthulhu and How Found Livingstone: Annotated Edition

Jeremy Cook

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The Cthulhu Mythos is a shared fictional universe created by horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. It is a world of cosmic horror, in which humanity is but a small and insignificant part of a vast and incomprehensible universe. The Mythos has been expanded upon by many other writers, and has become one of the most influential horror settings in modern literature.

One of the most famous stories in the Cthulhu Mythos is "The Call of Cthulhu," which was first published in 1928. The story tells of a group of explorers who discover an ancient city beneath the sea, and awaken a slumbering god known as Cthulhu. Cthulhu is a monstrous creature with a human-like form, but with a head like an octopus and wings like a bat. He is said to be able to control the minds of humans, and to drive them to madness.

In 1934, H.P. Lovecraft wrote a short story called "How Found Livingstone," which was published in the magazine Weird Tales. The story is a fictionalized account of the real-life search for David Livingstone, a Scottish explorer who disappeared in Africa in 1873. In Lovecraft's story, Livingstone is found by a group of explorers who are searching for the lost city of Zimbabwe. The explorers discover that Livingstone has been driven mad by the discovery of an ancient artifact, and that he is now possessed by the spirit of Cthulhu.

Cthulhu and How I Found Livingstone (Annotated)

by Michael Whitehead

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1393 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	419 pages

The two stories, "The Call of Cthulhu" and "How Found Livingstone," are often linked together, as they both feature the character of Cthulhu. However, the two stories are actually quite different in tone and style. "The Call of Cthulhu" is a more traditional horror story, while "How Found Livingstone" is more of a mystery story.

In this annotated edition of "How Found Livingstone," I have provided annotations for some of the more obscure references in the story. These annotations include information on the real-life people, places, and events that Lovecraft mentions in the story. I have also provided analysis of the story, and discussed its place within the Cthulhu Mythos.

[The text of the story "How Found Livingstone" is here.]

David Livingstone (1813-1873) was a Scottish explorer who is best known for his journeys in Africa. He was the first European to see the Victoria Falls, and he also played a major role in the campaign to end the slave trade in Africa. Livingstone died in 1873 while searching for the source of the Nile River.

Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904) was a Welsh-American explorer and journalist. He is best known for finding David Livingstone in 1871, after Livingstone had been missing for several years. Stanley also explored the Congo River, and he played a major role in the colonization of Africa.

The Lost City of Zimbabwe is a ruined city in Zimbabwe that was built by the Shona people between the 11th and 15th centuries. The city was abandoned in the 15th century, and it was not rediscovered by Europeans until the 19th century.

Cthulhu is a fictional god who is a central figure in the Cthulhu Mythos. He is a monstrous creature with a human-like form, but with a head like an octopus and wings like a bat. He is said to be able to control the minds of humans, and to drive them to madness.

"How Found Livingstone" is a complex and multi-layered story. It is a fictionalized account of a real-life event, but it also contains elements of horror, mystery, and adventure.

The story is set in Africa, a continent that has long been associated with mystery and danger. The explorers who search for Livingstone are motivated by a desire to find the lost city of Zimbabwe, but they also encounter a number of other dangers, including wild animals, hostile natives, and the supernatural.

The story's protagonist, David Livingstone, is a complex and tragic figure. He is a brave and determined explorer, but he is also flawed. His obsession with finding the lost city of Zimbabwe leads him to madness, and he eventually becomes possessed by the spirit of Cthulhu.

The story's ending is ambiguous. Livingstone is found, but he is no longer the same man he once was. He is now a broken and defeated figure, who is haunted by the horrors he has seen.

"How Found Livingstone" is a powerful and thought-provoking story. It is a story about the dangers of obsession, and about the dark side of human nature. It is also a story about the power of the unknown, and about the horrors that can lurk in the shadows.

"How Found Livingstone" is a classic story of the Cthulhu Mythos. It is a well-written and atmospheric story that will appeal to fans of horror, mystery, and adventure. This annotated edition of the story provides additional information and analysis that will help readers to better understand the story and its place within the Cthulhu Mythos.

Cthulhu and How I Found Livingstone (Annotated)

by Michael Whitehead

5 out of 5