"The King in Yellow" is a collection of short stories written by Robert W. Chambers and first published in 1895. The book is divided into ten stories, each of which is interconnected by a fictional play titled "The King in Yellow" that drives those who read it to madness.
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| The King in Yellow |
The first story, "The Repairer of Reputations," is set in an alternate future where the United States has become a dystopian society ruled by a mysterious figure known as the King in Yellow. The protagonist, Hildred Castaigne, becomes obsessed with the play and believes himself to be the heir to the throne of the King in Yellow.
In "The Mask," a sculptor creates a mask that brings out the darkest desires of those who wear it, leading to tragic consequences. "The Court of the Dragon" follows a man who becomes convinced that he is being followed by a supernatural entity known as the Dragon.
"The Yellow Sign" tells the story of an artist who becomes haunted by a mysterious symbol that appears in his dreams and in the world around him. In "The Demoiselle o'Ys," a man falls in love with a ghostly woman from the lost city of Ys.
"The Prophets' Paradise" explores the theme of artistic inspiration and the sacrifices that artists must make to create their work. "The Street of the Four Winds" follows a man who becomes lost in a dreamlike city where reality and illusion blur together.
In "The Street of the First Shell," a soldier returns home from war only to find that he can never truly escape the horrors he witnessed on the battlefield. "The Street of Our Lady of the Fields" follows a young woman who becomes entangled in a love triangle with tragic consequences.
Finally, "Rue Barree" tells the story of a man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman and is drawn into a world of deceit and betrayal.
"The King in Yellow" is a haunting and atmospheric collection of stories that explore themes of madness, obsession, and the thin line between reality and fantasy. Chambers' writing is evocative and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world of dark and mysterious forces that lurk just beneath the surface of everyday life.