The Necronomicon: The Book of Dead Names (Skoob Esoterica) [Paperback]

George Hay (Editor), Colin Wilson (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993 | Series: Skoob Esoterica

The creation of Necronomicon is usually ascribed to Lovecraft.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Hay

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Skoob Books Pub Ltd (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1871438160
• ISBN-13: 978-1871438161
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If a hoax then a well thought out one., November 5, 2002

By 

"danzigmathias" (Jacksonville, Fl.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Necronomicon: The Book of Dead Names (Skoob Esoterica) (Paperback)

I have to say, as a long time fan and reader of Lovecraft's work, I loved this book. I am well aware of the fact that Mr. Lovecraft stated several times in correspondence that he invented the Necronomicon (which means nothing close to the pathways of the dead as one reviewer stated), and have read the Simon version of the book which claims to be the "true and terrible book of the mad Arab". I have to say that I always wanted the Al Azif to be real, and this text actually gives me a doubt as to the Necronomicon's fiction. It's detailed description of Dee's enochian coding of the Liber Logaeth (the manuscript this book claims to be encoded with the contents of the necronomicon, is a real document in the library of London), it's description of H.P. 's father as an egyptian freemason (I know for a fact a masonic lodge in Rhode Island has a portrait of Lovecraft in it), it's content, it's backstory, and it's detail all leave me wondering if Lovecraft took credit for something he thought noone else would find out about. Even if you think the Necronomicon is pure bunk, it still makes a great addition to any Mythos collection and is a good read. The only reason I gave it four out of five stars is because I thought the cover could have looked better. Enjoy.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Long winded breath from hell..., January 5, 2005

By 

Yu Guo "yu_guo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Necronomicon: The Book of Dead Names (Skoob Esoterica) (Paperback)

Ok, I admit it. I am a Necronomicon junkie. I have them all. The Simon, Tyson, Hay, De Camp, even a couple 'Pulp" fanzine style versions. I love it. The legnths people will go to to line my shelves with as many copies of a book that never existed. Well, until now. Sweet.

Anyhoot, The Hay version of the Nec is not one of the better ones. Although it is famous, there is precious little Necronomicon in this Necronomicon. The loin's share of this book is devoted to Colin Wilson's rambling indignation of Lovecraft and his oh-so-interesting-if-you-are-a-dry-british-critic story about how he came upon this vile volume. The basic premis of Wilson is this;

Lovecraft was such a hack writer with so little imagination or talent that he could not possibly have made it up. Therefore, it is real.

Yep, that's it folks. That's the big secret!

Damn you, Colin Wilson, for insulting H.P.! Maybe i'll go send one of the demons from the Simon version to harrass him.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a great hoax. 5 stars for that!, March 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Necronomicon: The Book of Dead Names (Skoob Esoterica) (Paperback)

I have been a Lovecraft fan for long and I am absolutely convinced the Necronomicon never existed outside Lovecraft's mind. Still, you can only be 99% sure, and that's what's fun about it. However, this hoax is so well done it ends up being quite an interesting item for anyone interested in Lovecraft or even occultism. David Langford once published an interesting article about his participation in this project (which is actually one of the best things in the book)in the magazine Fortean Times.

The Simon Necronomicon is much cruder than this one.