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A review by readthesparrow
The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the narrator. He's got a lovely, deep voice, perfect for the horror stories. He also did decent character voices.
Originally I just wanted to re-read the horror stories, but since the audiobook had the whole kitten caboodle, I figured hey, why not just listen to all of them. I now understand why no one remembers Chambers for his romance. His horror has such a lovely sense of unreality and slow, creeping terror, while his romance is excrutiatingly boring, only made palatable if the protagonist is likable.
THE REPAIRER OF REPUTATIONS (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): My fav of the collection, though it's hard to choose. A masterclass in having an unreliable narrator.
THE MASK (⭐⭐⭐⭐): A good tragedy but not the best of the collection regarding the horror of it.
IN THE COURT OF THE DRAGON (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): So creepy. Love a church setpiece, especially a French church with a big organ.
THE YELLOW SIGN (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): My second fav! The weird guy is so creepy, and the hearse dream is so bizarre.
THE DEMOISELLE D'YS (⭐⭐⭐): Wasn't expecting the twist at the end; pretty decent romance story.
THE PROPHETS' PARADISE (N/A): I have a hard time listening to poetry for the first time out loud so honestly most of this went in one ear and out the other. I need to go back and read it in print.
THE STREET OF THE FOUR WINDS (⭐⭐): Plus half a star for the very sweet protag who, relateably, has the "custom to converse with animals, probably because he lived so much alone."
THE STREET OF THE FIRST SHELL (⭐): I hope the protagonist chokes and dies on that stupid roast chicken. Fuck that guy.
THE STREET OF OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS (⭐⭐⭐): Reaches three stars because of the sweet darling himbo protagonist, as well as due to this line that made me laugh out loud: "'There is a nouveau here who is so tender and green and appetizing that Heaven help him if he should fall into a salad bowl.'"
RUE BARRÉE (⭐⭐): Honestly thought it was part of the last story and was very confused but I get it now. Anyway, it was boring but at least I didn't despise the protagonist.
Originally I just wanted to re-read the horror stories, but since the audiobook had the whole kitten caboodle, I figured hey, why not just listen to all of them. I now understand why no one remembers Chambers for his romance. His horror has such a lovely sense of unreality and slow, creeping terror, while his romance is excrutiatingly boring, only made palatable if the protagonist is likable.
THE REPAIRER OF REPUTATIONS (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): My fav of the collection, though it's hard to choose. A masterclass in having an unreliable narrator.
THE MASK (⭐⭐⭐⭐): A good tragedy but not the best of the collection regarding the horror of it.
IN THE COURT OF THE DRAGON (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): So creepy. Love a church setpiece, especially a French church with a big organ.
THE YELLOW SIGN (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): My second fav! The weird guy is so creepy, and the hearse dream is so bizarre.
THE DEMOISELLE D'YS (⭐⭐⭐): Wasn't expecting the twist at the end; pretty decent romance story.
THE PROPHETS' PARADISE (N/A): I have a hard time listening to poetry for the first time out loud so honestly most of this went in one ear and out the other. I need to go back and read it in print.
THE STREET OF THE FOUR WINDS (⭐⭐): Plus half a star for the very sweet protag who, relateably, has the "custom to converse with animals, probably because he lived so much alone."
THE STREET OF THE FIRST SHELL (⭐): I hope the protagonist chokes and dies on that stupid roast chicken. Fuck that guy.
THE STREET OF OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS (⭐⭐⭐): Reaches three stars because of the sweet darling himbo protagonist, as well as due to this line that made me laugh out loud: "'There is a nouveau here who is so tender and green and appetizing that Heaven help him if he should fall into a salad bowl.'"
RUE BARRÉE (⭐⭐): Honestly thought it was part of the last story and was very confused but I get it now. Anyway, it was boring but at least I didn't despise the protagonist.