The Trail of Cthulhu: Difference between revisions

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The Trail of Cthulhu is a horror novel by [[August Derleth]], long-time friend and correspondent of [[HP Lovecraft|H.P. Lovecraft]]. Although published in 1962, the book is actually a collection of interconnected short stories that were originally published in the 40s and 50s.
''[[The Trail of Cthulhu]]'' is a horror novel by [[August Derleth]], long-time friend and correspondent of [[H.P. Lovecraft]]. Although published in 1962, the book is actually a collection of interconnected short stories that were originally published in the 40s and 50s.


As the title suggests, the book is set within the [[Cthulhu Mythos]]. It tells the story of Laban Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury, a professor at Miskatonik University, vanished one night, only to return to campus 10 years later. Upon his return, his research has turned to the arcane. Specifically, he began looking for a common link among all ancient folklores and cults, a ''trail'' as one of his colleagues puts it.
As the title suggests, the book is set within the [[Cthulhu Mythos]]. It tells the story of Laban Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury, a professor at Miskatonic University, vanished one night, only to return to campus 10 years later. Upon his return, his research has turned to the arcane. Specifically, he began looking for a common link among all ancient folklores and cults, a ''trail'' as one of his colleagues puts it.


As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that the ultimate goal of this ''trail'' is to {{spoiler|find the Black Island and kill Cthulhu once and for all. Unfortunately, Shrewsbury finds he can't do it alone and enlists the help of brave, if ill-prepared, would-be heroes}}
As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that the ultimate goal of this ''trail'' is to {{spoiler|find the Black Island and kill Cthulhu once and for all. Unfortunately, Shrewsbury finds he can't do it alone and enlists the help of brave, if ill-prepared, would-be heroes}}
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Of course, as this is based on Lovecraft's work, Shrewsbury's meddling doesn't go unnoticed and he and his friends find themselves on the run from some very pissed-off cultists.
Of course, as this is based on Lovecraft's work, Shrewsbury's meddling doesn't go unnoticed and he and his friends find themselves on the run from some very pissed-off cultists.


Like many of Derleth's Lovecraftian stories, this work is [[Broken Base|rather controversial]] due to his [[Alternate Character Interpretation|reimagining of Lovecraft's Ancient Ones as actually being evil as opposed to being beyond good and evil]]. Still, it—much like Derleth himself—is certainly not without fans.
Like many of Derleth's Lovecraftian stories, this work is [[Broken Base|rather controversial]] due to his [[Alternate Character Interpretation|reimagining of Lovecraft's Ancient Ones as actually being evil as opposed to being beyond good and evil]]. Still, it -- much like Derleth himself -- is certainly not without fans.


Not to be confused with the RPG of the same name.
Not to be confused with the RPG of the same name.


{{tropelist}}
=== This Book Contains Examples of: ===
⚫
* [[All Myths Are True]]: All ancient myths are directly inspired by mankind's encouters with the Ancient Ones. Also, [[Shout-Out|all of Lovecraft's stories are true]].

⚫
* {{spoiler|[[Back for the Finale]]: All the supporting protagonists, who were each basically [[Put on a Bus]] to make room for the next one, show up in ''The Black Island''.}}
⚫
* [[All Myths Are True]]: All ancient myths are directly inspired by mankind's encouters with the Ancient Ones. Also, [[Shout Out|all of Lovecraft's stories are true]].
⚫
* {{spoiler|[[Back for The Finale]]: All the supporting protagonists, who were each basically [[Put On a Bus]] to make room for the next one, show up in ''The Black Island''.}}
* [[Badass Bookworm]]: Shrewsbury, Arthur, and Claiborne
* [[Badass Bookworm]]: Shrewsbury, Arthur, and Claiborne
* [[Big Damn Villains]]: {{spoiler|Hastur and his minions.}}
* [[Big Damn Villains]]: {{spoiler|Hastur and his minions.}}
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* [[Supporting Protagonist]]: {{spoiler|Every chapter has one. Dr. Shrewsbury is the actual hero of the whole book}}
* [[Supporting Protagonist]]: {{spoiler|Every chapter has one. Dr. Shrewsbury is the actual hero of the whole book}}
* [[Token Evil Teammate]]: {{spoiler|Hovarth}}
* [[Token Evil Teammate]]: {{spoiler|Hovarth}}
* [[Town With a Dark Secret]]: Innsmouth
* [[Town with a Dark Secret]]: Innsmouth
* [[Up to Eleven]]: The climax of ''The Black Island'', when compared to the climax of ''The Call of Cthulhu''
* [[Up to Eleven]]: The climax of ''The Black Island'', when compared to the climax of ''The Call of Cthulhu''
** Just to specify, {{spoiler|instead of sailors who accidentally land on the island, we now have military men seeking out the island and deliberately laying explosives; Cthulhu comes out and even more specific detail is given about his freakish features and gargantuan size than in Lovecraft's story; our heroes run away from the scene, only to DETONATE CTHULHU AND THE ENTIRE ISLAND WITH A FREAKING ATOMIC BOMB once they are at a safe distance!}}
** Just to specify, {{spoiler|instead of sailors who accidentally land on the island, we now have military men seeking out the island and deliberately laying explosives; Cthulhu comes out and even more specific detail is given about his freakish features and gargantuan size than in Lovecraft's story; our heroes run away from the scene, only to DETONATE CTHULHU AND THE ENTIRE ISLAND WITH A FREAKING ATOMIC BOMB once they are at a safe distance!}}
* [[Where Are They Now? Epilogue]]
* [[Where Are They Now? Epilogue]]
* [[Wide Eyed Idealist]]: Abel Keane
* [[Wide-Eyed Idealist]]: Abel Keane


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Horror Literature]]
[[Category:Horror Literature]]
[[Category:The Trail Of Cthulhu]]
[[Category:The Trail of Cthulhu]]
[[Category:Cthulhu Mythos]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trail of Cthulhu, The}}

Latest revision as of 04:26, 26 April 2019

The Trail of Cthulhu is a horror novel by August Derleth, long-time friend and correspondent of H.P. Lovecraft. Although published in 1962, the book is actually a collection of interconnected short stories that were originally published in the 40s and 50s.

As the title suggests, the book is set within the Cthulhu Mythos. It tells the story of Laban Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury, a professor at Miskatonic University, vanished one night, only to return to campus 10 years later. Upon his return, his research has turned to the arcane. Specifically, he began looking for a common link among all ancient folklores and cults, a trail as one of his colleagues puts it.

As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that the ultimate goal of this trail is to find the Black Island and kill Cthulhu once and for all. Unfortunately, Shrewsbury finds he can't do it alone and enlists the help of brave, if ill-prepared, would-be heroes

Of course, as this is based on Lovecraft's work, Shrewsbury's meddling doesn't go unnoticed and he and his friends find themselves on the run from some very pissed-off cultists.

Like many of Derleth's Lovecraftian stories, this work is rather controversial due to his reimagining of Lovecraft's Ancient Ones as actually being evil as opposed to being beyond good and evil. Still, it -- much like Derleth himself -- is certainly not without fans.

Not to be confused with the RPG of the same name.

Tropes used in The Trail of Cthulhu include:
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