The Malignant, Consuming Horror of Thomas Ligotti

Lately, I have had the pleasure of delving into the contemporary weird fictional works of Thomas Ligotti. Like the great ones before him (particularly H.P. Lovecraft), he first gained critical attention in small press publications during the 1980’s, and also prefers the creative characteristics of short tales, as opposed to longer works. A recluse who grants few interviews, makes even fewer public appearances, and seemingly lives in Florida working for the Gale Publishing group, Ligotti functions like a minor blow to the stomach sufficient to topple one to the ground. Once there, one is awakened to the inherent nightmare of all existence—the essence of the Ligottian vision—and comes away with the expected shock and existential unease.

I first encountered Ligotti a couple years ago while reading the “New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos,” which included his most Lovecraftian tale to date (also dedicated to the memory of HPL): “The Last Feast of Harlequin.” It is also a masterful expansion inspired by Poe’s brief poem, “The Conqueror Worm.” My renewed interest, and sudden feverish NEED to burrow into the man’s broader literary output, was inspired by his tale “Vastarian” in “The New Lovecraft Circle” put out in the middle 1990’s by Robert M. Price. The piece haunted me for many sleepless nights, and thus began my search for all things Ligottian.

I am currently worked through a collection of his most renowned tales, accompanied by a guidebook put out by longtime Weird Tales Editor Darrell Schweitzer entitled, “The Thomas Ligotti Reader.” It includes interpretative insights into Ligotti’s tales and collects the scant interviews to date, save one (conducted last summer). Such aides are almost necessary since Ligotti weaves his horrific vision in a framework of high quality philosophical precepts unusual in horror. The present short story collection has impressed me most with “The Cocoons” and “The Shadow at the Bottom of the World.” Both take degeneracy and madness from unexpected sources, accompanying terror from equally unplumbed depths to new heights. Ligotti’s prose is rich, intelligent, and beautiful; like the shimmer as one raises hemlock to their lips. And indeed, his philosophy in its baldest appearances poisons the spirit. Where Lovecraft’s universe was merely indifferent to mankind, Ligotti’s is actively malevolent and entrapping. Worst of all, there is no escape. One is left with little choice but to embrace horror on some dimensional plane, since the nightmare permeates all of existence: a malignancy that may not even be blotted out by death’s oblivion.

Presently, I have only been able to come across (and afford) the 2005 edition of “The Shadow at the Bottom of the World.” It the only reasonably priced collection of Ligotti’s work currently in print ($12.00 on Amazon.com) and constitutes a “best of” anthology. If my enthusiasm and income holds, I may breakdown and purchase his magnum opus (out of print and expensive), “The Nightmare Factory” in the near future. Unfortunately, good editions seldom cost less than $100 these days and are increasingly rare. Hopefully, some new publisher will pick up his good name soon and again reprint his stories in more substantive collections. For anyone with an inclination toward intelligent horror, the dark implications of ontology, or certainly weird fiction; Ligotti is not to be missed, if only to see the very possible development of a titanic literary talent in the horror and weird field over the next few decades.

Thomas Ligotti Online (his website): http://www.ligotti.net

Recent interview with Ligotti, July 2006: http://theteemingbrain.wordpress.com/interview-with-thomas-ligotti/

-Namtlieu