How can this be considered a classic by some? Lovecraft's descriptive talent maynbe significant, but the way it is applied to the secondary details of architecture and geology make this an interminably long read. Sorry, but some works are timeless...this one is not. Maybe 80 years ago unexpected geologic formations and an oddly built (and deserted) ancient city were suspenseful, but now they are just boring. Don't waste your time on this unless you feel like you need to be familiar with it to impress your hipster friends that just read it to impress others. Dull.