The Mystery of Choice is a collection of short stories by American writer Robert W. Chambers, published by D. Appleton in 1897. Distinguished by an atmospheric use of natural scenery, the stories are mostly set in Brittany in France. The macabre and eerie feature throughout. The last story was later incorporated into the episodic novel In Search of the Unknown. The first edition omitted the title of "The Key to Grief" in its contents list.

The Mystery of Choice is a collection of short stories by American writer Robert W. Chambers, published by D. Appleton in 1897. Distinguished by an atmospheric use of natural scenery, the stories are mostly set in Brittany in France. The macabre and eerie feature throughout. The last story was later incorporated into the episodic novel In Search of the Unknown. The first edition omitted the title of "The Key to Grief" in its contents list. Contents "The Purple Emperor" "Pompe Funebre" "The Messenger" "The White Shadow" "Passeur" "The Key to Grief" "A Matter of Interest" "Envoy (a poem)"

The Mystery of Choice is a collection of short stories by Amwrican writer Robert W. Chambers, published by D. Appleton in 1897. Distinguished by an atmospheric use of natural scenery, the stories are mostly set in Breton in France. The macabre and eerie feature throughout. The last story was later incorporated into the episodic novel In Search of the Unknown. The first edition omitted the title of "The Key to Grief" in its contents list. Contents: "The Purple Emperor" "Pompe Funebre" "The Messenger" "The White Shadow" "Passeur" "The Key to Grief" "A Matter of Interest" "Envoy (a poem)" Robert William Chambers (May 26, 1865 - December 16, 1933) was an American artist and fiction writer, best known for his book of short stories entitled The King in Yellow, published in 1895.He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to William P. Chambers (1827-1911), a corporate and bankruptcy lawyer, and Caroline Smith Boughton (1842-1913). His parents met when Caroline was twelve years old and William P. was interning with her father, Joseph Boughton, a prominent corporate lawyer. Eventually the two formed the law firm of Chambers and Boughton which continued to prosper even after Joseph's death in 1861. Robert's great-grandfather, William Chambers (birth unknown), a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy, was married to Amelia Saunders, (1765-1822), the great grand daughter of Tobias Saunders, of Westerly, Rhode Island. The couple moved from Westerly, to Greenfield, Massachusetts and then to Galway, New York, where their son, also William Chambers, (1798-1874) was born. The second William graduated from Union College at the age of 18, and then went to a college in Boston, where he studied to be a doctor. Upon graduating, he and his wife, Eliza P. Allen (1793-1880), a direct descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, Rhode Island were among the first settlers of Broadalbin, New York. His brother was architect Walter Boughton Chambers. Robert was first educated at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, and then entered the Art Students' League at around the age of twenty, where the artist Charles Dana Gibson was his fellow student. Chambers studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and at Academie Julian, in Paris from 1886 to 1893, and his work was displayed at the Salon as early as 1889. On his return to New York, he succeeded in selling his illustrations to Life, Truth, and Vogue magazines. Then, for reasons unclear, he devoted his time to writing, producing his first novel, In the Quarter (written in 1887 in Munich). His most famous, and perhaps most meritorious, effort is The King in Yellow, a collection of Art Nouveau short stories published in 1895. This included several famous weird short stories which are connected by the theme of a fictitious drama of the same title, which drives those who read it insane.E. F. Bleiler described The King in Yellow as one of the most important works of American supernatural fiction.It was also strongly admired by H. P. Lovecraft and his circle..........

"The Mystery of Choice" from Robert William Chambers. American artist and fiction writer (1865-1933).

Considered by many to be the father of supernatural fiction, Robert W. Chambers' work continues to influence writers today. Originally published in 1897, The Mystery of Choice brings together seven chilling tales, most of them set in Brittany. Distinguished by its atmospheric use of natural scenery, this important collection presents an author at the peak of his craft. Included here are "The Purple Emperor", "Pompe Funèbre", "The Messenger", "The White Shadow", "Passeur", "The Key to Grief", and "A Matter of Interest."

The Mystery of Choice is a collection of short stories written by Robert W. Chambers. The stories are primarily focused on the theme of choice, with characters facing difficult decisions that often lead to unexpected consequences. The book is a masterful exploration of the human condition, and it provides readers with a thought-provoking and insightful read. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.