During the 20th century, fantastic fiction seems to be the outcome of a triple conflict also attached to contemporary societies : a gap between the real world and the supernatural; an identity crisis in a meaningless post-modern era; and, a gradual divestment of ancient sacred symbols. In this highly problematic reference frame, obscured even more in anticipation of an alarming near future, Modern Man desperately struggles to alleviate his multiple fears through fantastic literature ; he creates imaginary monsters in order to help him cope with reality. Nevertheless, the encroaching of the Supernatural or the uncanny in the modern urban enclosed space is connected to the need that traditional societies expressed for the presence of the sacred in their universe. Throughout the works of three authors, Mircea Eliade, Jean Ray and H.P. Lovecraft, the urban and profane space paradoxically becomes a space of the fantastic par excellence. The disil! lusionment of the modern world finds itself exposed to and confronted by both topical and archaic beliefs. Thus, the urban fantastic effect is constantly reassessing features of the sacred and allows rich interpenetrations of different disciplines such as literature and history of religions.
