The Colour out of Space
A family moves to a remote farm in Massachusetts, where they discover a mysterious meteorite that has fallen from the sky. The meteorite emits a strange, otherworldly glow and seems to be exerting a malevolent influence on the surrounding environment. As time passes, the family's crops begin to wither and die, and their livestock becomes increasingly erratic and violent. The family members themselves start to experience strange and terrifying visions, which seem to be connected to the meteorite. The story builds towards a catastrophic conclusion as the family's sanity begins to unravel and they are consumed by an eldritch horror that has been awakened by the meteorite.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1927 · Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Weird Fiction · 13,677 words
First lines
West of Arkham the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut. There are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight. On the gentler slopes there are farms, ancient and rocky, with squat, moss-coated cottages brooding eternally over old New England secrets in the lee of great ledges; but these are all vacant now, the wide chimneys crumbling and the shingled sides bulging perilously beneath low gambrel roofs.
What this Textopian page supports
The Colour out of Space is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1927 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.P. Lovecraft
- Date: 1927 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Weird Fiction, Gothic
- Length: 13,677 words
- Structure: 1 section, 99 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Colour out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Colour out of Space?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Strange High House In The Mist by H. P. Lovecraft
- Polaris by H. P. Lovecraft
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- The Music Of Erich Zann by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Horror — The story is centered around a terrifying and inexplicable phenomenon that causes dread and fear.
- Science Fiction — The narrative involves an extraterrestrial entity and explores themes of cosmic horror and the unknown.
- Weird Fiction — The plot features bizarre and otherworldly elements that defy conventional understanding.
- Gothic — The story includes elements of decay, isolation, and a haunting atmosphere.
Tags
Science Fiction · Horror · Cosmic Horror · Alien Invasion · Supernatural · Mystery · Thriller · Atmospheric Setting · Isolation · Despair · Madness · Existential Crisis