By Robert W. Chambers

American writer Robert W. Chambers is best remembered for his collection of short stories, considered groundbreaking works of supernatural fiction. The title story, “The King in Yellow,” tells of a forbidden play—and how any who read or perform it are driven mad. Paranoia is at the heart of nearly every Lovecraft story. Are the monsters real, or are they the invention of a disquieted mind? Lovecraft was obviously influenced by Chambers, but like his other heroes he wasn’t afraid to judge them harshly. He wrote to a friend, “Chambers is like Rupert Hughes and a few other fallen Titans—equipped with the right brains and education but wholly out of the habit of using them.”