Commentary: H. P. Lovecraft, Gotham, and Food.

The article focuses on H. P. Lovecraft’s life and literary work, particularly his two-year residence in New York City and its influence on his writing and social experiences. While Lovecraft is widely known for his New England–based horror fiction and his creation of original supernatural elements rather than traditional folklore, his time in New York exposed him to diverse cultural environments, including immigrant communities and varied foodways in establishments such as automats and ethnic restaurants. Despite frequenting these multicultural “third spaces,” Lovecraft’s deeply ingrained racial and xenophobic beliefs remained unchanged, as reflected in his writings and personal correspondence. The article suggests that examining Lovecraft’s engagement with food and urban social spaces offers a novel perspective for understanding his biography and literary legacy.