The Tomb
The Tomb is a horror short story written by H. P. Lovecraft in 1917 and published in 1922. It is one of his first publications.
Jervas Dudley is a young man who spends a lot of time locked up in his house. One day he discovers a mysterious stone tomb nearby.
The tomb belongs to the Hyde family, who suffered a terrible tragedy when their house burned down.
The boy spends hours and hours observing the tomb, fascinated by it, eager to be able to remove the padlock that protects the entrance and explore its interior. His behavior begins to change, even going so far as to sleep in front of the tomb.
What are the reasons that lead young Jervas to feel so attracted to the tomb? Why has his behavior changed so much since the discovery?
"My name is Jervas Dudley, and from earliest childhood I have been a dreamer and a visionary."
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. The Tomb by H. P. Lovecraft is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading The Tomb in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 16
- Reading time
- 21 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1922
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 2,029
104 years later, still timely
Why Read The Tomb in 2026?
An eerie study of inheritance and obsession. Lovecraft turns nostalgia into a trap door that drops from fantasy into decay.
Today's connection
Genealogy apps, retro aesthetics, and heritage marketing can blur into fixation. This story warns how the past seduces, how identity ossifies, and why reverence needs daylight and limits.
Haunted lineage
Roots with teeth.
Gothic mood
Sleepwalking into ruin.
Look twice
Romance or rot?
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About the author
H. P. Lovecraft
Cosmic horror and a shared mythos that reshaped modern weird fiction and pop culture.
