Strange is the night where black stars rise…
“The King in Yellow” by Robert W. Chambers is probably my favourite mythos related read, a book praised by Lovecraft himself can’t be anything other than brilliant!
Songs that Hyades shall sing…
“The King in Yellow” is a short story collection written in 1895, and it consists of ten semi-related stories. The first four stories “The Repairer of Reputations”, “The Mask”, “In The Court Of The Dragon” and “The Yellow Sign” are linked by “The King in Yellow”, a cursed theatrical play that whoever happens to gaze upon its horrific pages can’t put it out of their mind ever again, when one finally reaches the second act their sanity is tested and madness is the only way out.
…”a book praised by Lovecraft himself can’t be anything other than brilliant!”
Caiaphas Marsh
Where flap the tatters of the king…
The rest of the book may be different in style but no less brilliant. “The Demoiselle d’Ys” is another supernatural tale in the collection, whereas “The Prophet’s Paradise” is a series of short scenes, really hallucinatory in nature. “The Street of The Four Winds” is reminiscent of Poe and “The Street of The First Shell”, “The Street of our Lady of the Fields” and “Rue Baree” are all great examples of Chambers’ romantic tales. Unfortunately, Chambers decided to dedicate himself to writing romance novels which brought him more money than weird fiction.
Must die unheard in…
Overall a great example of early weird fiction which greatly influenced Lovecraft and his cycle, as well as contemporary horror authors. The order approves!
Dim Carcosa!
“Unfortunately, Chambers decided to dedicate himself to writing romance novels which brought him more money than weird fiction.”
Caiaphas Marsh
