37 pages • 1 hour read
At the Mountains of Madness
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
194
Novella • Fiction
Antarctic Continent • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft, geologist William Dyer recounts a disastrous Antarctic expedition to deter future explorations. The team discovers an ancient, non-human city and revives Old Ones, triggering a series of horrific events. Dyer and a student, Danforth, escape a Shoggoth and see a vision that drives Danforth insane.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Fantastical
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
57,998 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
H. P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness masterfully blends chilling atmosphere with cosmic horror, creating an eerie, unforgettable setting. Critics praise its intricate world-building and suspenseful narrative. However, some find the prose dense and the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s a seminal work for horror aficionados seeking intellectual terror.
Who Should Read At the Mountains of Madness?
Readers who enjoy eerie, atmospheric horror and eldritch mysteries will be captivated by H. P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness. Fans of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will appreciate the blending of scientific exploration with dark, cosmic horror.
57,998 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Danforth
Danforth
A young student who accompanies Dyer on the Antarctic expedition, known for his obedience and the mysterious experience that affects him deeply.
Lake
Lake
An enthusiastic and ambitious leader of part of the Antarctic expedition, whose groundbreaking discovery leads to unforeseen consequences.
The Old Ones
The Old Ones
An ancient alien species discovered by the expedition, known for their advanced art and architecture, and introduced through their mysterious past and partial revival.
The Shoggoths
The Shoggoths
Artificial creatures created by the Old Ones, described as shape-shifting entities that pose a significant threat to both their creators and the human explorers.
194
Novella • Fiction
Antarctic Continent • 1930s
1936
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.