Other editions of book In Search of the Unknown by Robert W. Chambers, Fiction, Body, Mind & Spirit, Unexplained Phenomena, Supernatural, Mysticism

Because it all seems so improbable—so horribly impossible to me now, sitting here safe and sane in my own library—I hesit- ate to record an episode which already appears to me less hor- rible than grotesque. Yet, unless this story is written now, I know I shall never have the courage to tell the truth about the matter—not from fear of ridicule, but because I myself shall soon cease to credit what I now know to be true. Yet scarcely a month has elapsed since I heard the stealthy purring of what I believed to be the shoaling undertow—scarcely a month ago, with my own eyes, I saw that which, even now, I am beginning to believe never existed.

It appears to the writer that there is urgent need of more "nature books"—books that are scraped clear of fiction and which display only the carefully articulated skeleton of fact. Hence this little volume, presented with some hesitation and more modesty. Various chapters have, at intervals, appeared in the pages of various publications. The continued narrative is now published for the first time; and the writer trusts that it may inspire enthusiasm for natural and scientific research, and inculcate a passion for accurate observation among the young. THE AUTHOR. April 1, 1904.

"When you have seen the two living specimens of the great auk, and have satisfied yourself that I tell the truth, you may be wise enough to listen without prejudice to a statement I shall make concerning the existence of the strangest creature ever fashioned. I will merely say, at this time, that the creature referred to is an amphibious biped and inhabits the ocean near this coast. More I cannot say, for I personally have not seen the animal, but I have a witness who has, and there are many who affirm that they have seen the creature. You will naturally say that my statement amounts to nothing; but when your representative arrives, if he be free from prejudice, I expect his reports to you concerning this sea-biped will confirm the solemn statements of a witness I know to be unimpeachable." (Jacketless library hardcover.)

Chambers' early novel explores the mysteries of the unknown. "Very genuine, though not without the typical mannered extravagance of the eighteen-nineties, is the strain of horror in the early work of Robert W. Chambers . . . One cannot help regretting that he did not further develop a vein in which he could so easily have become a recognised master." -- H.P. Lovecraft. (Includes a brief introduction by Lovecraft.)

Though his later novels took a turn toward political and romantic matters, Robert W. Chambers' early works mined a unique vein of the horror genre that has come to be known as "weird" fiction. Though he soon abandoned his literary ambitions in this direction, his early works gained a large following, including admirers such as H.P. Lovecraft, who regarded the horror novel In Search of the Unknown as one of the best works in the genre.

In Search of the Unknown is a module for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, designed for use with the Basic Set of rules. It was written by game designer Mike Carr and was first published in 1979 by TSR, Inc. The module details a hidden complex known as the Caverns of Quasqueton. Reviewers considered it a good quality introduction to the game that was written in the so-called dungeon crawl style, where the primary goal of the players is the exploration of a dangerous labyrinth to battle monsters and obtain treasure.

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