Title: The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories
Author: Robert W. Chambers
First published January 1, 1970
287 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780486437507 (ISBN10: 0486437507)
Rating: 3.69
Overview
“The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories by Robert W. Chambers is a must-read for fans of supernatural fiction.
This collection of spine-tingling tales established the horror of the nameless and the unimaginable, inspiring many of the significant writers in the American pulp tradition. Filled with remarkable power, the stories in this book will chill readers to the bone.
The collection includes all the supernatural stories from The King in Yellow, such as the grisly ‘Yellow Sign,’ the disquieting ‘Repairer of Reputations,’ and the tender ‘Demoiselle d’Ys.’ Chambers’ other finest stories from various sources are also included, such as the thrilling ‘Maker of Moons’ and ‘The Messenger.’ Additionally, readers will be delighted to find three of Chambers’ finest early biological science-fiction fantasies. Don’t miss out on this hauntingly original book in the horror genre.”
About the Author
Robert William Chambers was an American artist and writer who began his education at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute before joining the Art Students’ League at 20 years old. While studying in Paris from 1886 to 1893, Chambers attended the École des Beaux-Arts and Académie Julian, displaying his work at the Salon in 1889.
Upon his return to New York, Chambers sold his illustrations to Life, Truth, and Vogue magazines before shifting his focus to writing. His first novel, In the Quarter, was written in 1887 in Munich.
However, his most famous and acclaimed work is The King in Yellow, a collection of eerie short stories connected by the fictitious play that causes readers to go insane.
Although Chambers returned to the weird genre in later short story collections, neither equaled the success of The King in Yellow. Later in his career, Chambers wrote romantic fiction to earn a living, achieving best-seller status with some of his novels.
Many of his works were also serialized in magazines. After 1924, he concentrated solely on writing historical fiction.
Chambers made Broadalbin his summer home for several years, and some of his novels touched upon colonial life in Broadalbin and Johnstown. On July 12, 1898, Chambers married Elsa Vaughn Moller, with whom he had a son named Robert Edward Stuart Chambers (who later called himself Robert Husted Chambers) and also became an author.
Chambers passed away on December 16, 1933, at his home in the village of Broadalbin, New York.
Editoral Review
Robert W. Chambers’ The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories is an iconic work of horror literature that was first published in 1895.
The book was a departure from Chambers’ earlier romantic and sentimental stories and was characterized by its dark and unsettling themes. The King in Yellow has inspired many horror writers, including H.P. Lovecraft, and has become a classic in the genre of weird fiction.
The book is a collection of short stories, some of which are interconnected by a fictional play called The King in Yellow. The play is said to drive its readers insane, and the stories explore the effects of the play on the characters who encounter it.
The stories are set in a variety of locations, including Paris, New York, and the Midwest, and feature a diverse cast of characters, from artists to aristocrats. Chambers’ writing is vivid and descriptive, and he creates a sense of unease and tension throughout the book.
His characters are well-drawn, and their struggles with the supernatural are all the more compelling for their human flaws and fears. The setting is also an important part of the book, and Chambers skillfully evokes the atmosphere of each location, from the smoky cabarets of Paris to the desolate prairies of the Midwest.
The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories has been hailed as a masterpiece of horror literature, and its influence can be seen in the works of many later writers, including Lovecraft and Stephen King. The book has also been the subject of scholarly analysis, with critics examining its themes of madness, decay, and the corrupting influence of art.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The stories can be repetitive, and Chambers’ use of the supernatural can sometimes feel contrived.
Some of the characters also feel underdeveloped, and their motivations can be unclear. Despite these flaws, The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories remains a must-read for fans of horror and weird fiction.
Its iconic status in the genre and its influence on later writers make it an essential part of any horror fan’s library. The book is a chilling reminder of the power of the human imagination and the darkness that lurks within us all.
Overall, I would rate The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories a 4 out of 5. While it has its flaws, the book’s strengths in character development and atmosphere more than make up for them.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror and weird fiction, as well as to those interested in the history of horror literature.
