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For the first time in one volume, the best stories of one of America’s most popular classic authors of the supernatural.Robert William Chambers’ The King in Yellow (1895) has long been recognised as a landmark work in the field of the macabre, and has been described as the most important work of American supernatural fiction between Poe and the moderns. Despite the book’s success, its author was to return only rarely to the genre during the remainder of a writing career which spanned four decades.When Chambers did return to the supernatural, however, he displayed all the imagination and skill which distinguished The King in Yellow. He created the enigmatic and seemingly omniscient Westrel Keen, the ‘Tracer of Lost Persons’, and chronicled the strange adventures of an eminent naturalist who scours the earth for ‘extinct’ animals – and usually finds them. One of his greatest creations, perhaps, was 1920’s The Slayer of Souls, which features a monstrous conspiracy to take over the world: a conspiracy which can only be stopped by supernatural forces.For the first time in a single volume, Hugh Lamb has selected the best of the author’s supernatural tales, together with an introduction which provides further information about the author who was, in his heyday, called ‘the most popular writer in America’.
A collection of Robert W. Chambers' most chilling supernatural tales is presented, featuring his acclaimed works that delve into the macabre and the mysterious. The stories explore themes of the uncanny, the unknown, and the unsettling, often drawing on elements of cosmic horror and psychological dread. Within these narratives, readers encounter enigmatic characters and strange phenomena that challenge the boundaries of reality, as exemplified by the tales of Westrel Keen, the 'Tracer of Lost Persons,' and the adventures of a naturalist seeking 'extinct' animals. The collection highlights Chambers' skill in crafting atmospheric and suspenseful narratives that have cemented his place as a master of classic supernatural fiction.
This collection is recognized for bringing together the finest supernatural tales from Robert W. Chambers, an author celebrated for his contributions to macabre fiction. The inclusion of 'The King in Yellow' alone marks it as a significant compilation for enthusiasts of classic horror and the supernatural. Readers can expect a curated selection that showcases Chambers' distinctive style and his ability to craft unsettling narratives. The editor's introduction further contextualizes the author's work within the broader landscape of American supernatural literature, offering insights into his popularity and his rare but potent excursions into the genre.
Page Count:
496
Publication Date:
2018-10-16
Publisher:
HarperCollins
ISBN-10:
0008265364
ISBN-13:
9780008265366
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