Originally published in August 1927 while its author was bound over in jail awaiting trial, The Dark Chamber has achieved a legendary status among fans of weird fiction. Leonard Cline's third novel, it is remembered today thanks to H. P. Lovecraft, who called it extremely high in artistic stature. The novel has been called a precursor to Paddy Chayefsky's book Altered States, for it tells the tale of a man, Richard Pride, who, in attempting to recall the lost moments of his life, resorts to stimulation by means of music, ...
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Originally published in August 1927 while its author was bound over in jail awaiting trial, The Dark Chamber has achieved a legendary status among fans of weird fiction. Leonard Cline's third novel, it is remembered today thanks to H. P. Lovecraft, who called it extremely high in artistic stature. The novel has been called a precursor to Paddy Chayefsky's book Altered States, for it tells the tale of a man, Richard Pride, who, in attempting to recall the lost moments of his life, resorts to stimulation by means of music, smells, and drugs, until he taps into hereditary memory, into the dark chamber of his mind. This edition also reprints as an Afterword a rare essay by Cline, Logodaedaly, and includes an Introduction by Douglas A. Anderson that discusses the novel's acclaim and influence among H. P. Lovecraft's circle of friends.
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Although slow-paced by today's standards (at least in terms of plotting), The Dark Chamber drips with dark atmosphere from the first paragraph. The plot of the novel actually takes a back seat to the style, but in Cline's capable hands, the technique actually works. It is the mastery of language and shadowy imagery that drives this moody melodrama. I was impressed and if I ever find another book by Leonard Cline, I'm going to buy it.
One final note, though: Those looking for a real connection to "Altered States" are likely to be disappointed. Although cultural regression is an issue in the novel, it takes a back seat to the gothic melodrama of the rich, dysfunctional family.