HorrorBabble's The King in Yellow: The Complete Collection 

You can now listen to our streamlined and remastered compilation of just the Yellow Mythos stories, here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nKwJMfEkOdk.html

My name is Vladimir, my first language is Russian, I learn English by any possible way and try to understand everything. Thank you for this channel.

Signalis brought me here. Great narration and editing in this reading, thank you

I just can't imagine a better audio-reading of The King In Yellow: Complete than this one by HorrorBabble. It is truly, fully a triumph. Thanks to you all.

I was listening to this last night before drifting off to sleep. Sometime in the early morning I was briefly woken up (likely by my cat lol) and instead of taking my headphones off, like usual, I kept them on and tried to get back to sleep. In that transient half-dreaming state I could still hear the narration (Thankfully of The Demoiselle d'Ys and not some more unsettling chapter) and I could see and felt as if I was there. The hawks, the environment, the lady. It was all very surreal. Waking up hours later, I thought surely the whole thing imagined, because romance didn't seem the usual genre. But, upon revisiting, I found out it was indeed just like my dream, down to even lines and words. My dream must have broke off before the tragic ending though because that was the one part that I didn't remember. I apologize for writing paragraphs, but I've never had such a thing happen, and unfortunately may never again. Very fun. 10/10 rendition. Both voice actor and actress perfect.

The amount of hateful spin Ian puts onto descriptions of cats and babies is pure character-voice gold

Robert W. Chambers (1865-1933) wrote at least 87 books, but only one is still read today. The King in Yellow is a strange and marvelous collection of short stories, first published in 1895, but still capable of stirring up readers in the 21st century. In 2014, sales spiked again when The King in Yellow was touted as the "one literary reference you must know'' to understand the award-winning TV show True Detective. But producer and scriptwriter Nic Pizzolatto came to Robert W. Chambers late in the game. This pioneer of genre fiction had already inspired H.P. Lovecraft, Raymond Chandler, Robert Heinlein, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, and many other authors, not to mention video game developers, rock bands, filmmakers and other creative spirits. But what a strange, indefinable book it is. The King in Yellow is typically classified as a collection of weird tales, but that captures only a small part of this work, which starts out with a science fiction story and ends up with Chambers' attempts at romantic comedy. Clearly the volume stakes out the author's claims as a genre writer, but the reader is left to puzzle over which genre. The horror stories, for which Chambers is best known nowadays, all appear in the first half of the book, and the second half is so radically different that one might be excused for wondering whether a different writer had taken charge of it. Fans delighted by these weird tales have sought for others in Chambers' later publications. But they have little to enjoy in these other works. More than 90% of his output focused on stories outside the horror genre. His greatest successes during his lifetime came with flamboyant romance tales, such as The Fighting Chance (1906) and The Younger Set (1907), both bestsellers in their day, and probably considered very dicey by the standards of their time. Books such as these helped Chambers live in the grand style. He resided in a mansion in upstate New York, where he collected Asian art and devoted his idle hours to hunting and fishing. Readers of The King in Yellow get a taste of this side of Chambers in the last two stories, the novellas The Street of Our Lady of the Fields and Rue Barree. Here we find stylishly-written forerunners to the genre romances of our own day. Charming but sentimental men fall head over heels in love with young ladies from lower social strata. Chambers hints at scandalous and sensual activities, but always stop short at describing anything that might upset a censor or legal authority. These stories are written with grace and occasionally suggest that this author might have been capable of a masterpiece of social realism. His eye for detail is acute, and his characters know how to take charge of a scene. But Chambers makes clear his low ambitions at the conclusion of these romances, when he reaches for the most sentimental and obvious way resolving his tales. But no one reads Robert W. Chambers for his romance stories nowadays. If you abandon The King in Yellow after page 100, you will have acquainted yourself with the main works that inspired Lovecraft and later purveyors of weird tales. The first five stories in the collection are exceptional, and if Chambers had devoted more energy to works of this sort, he might rank today among the masters of non-realist fiction. Instead he is mostly remembered as a footnote in the history of the horror tale, a figure who influenced other, greater talents. I would call your attention to the opening story in this volume. The Repairer of Reputations ranks among the finest nineteenth century works of genre fiction, and I place much of my faith in this author's potential greatness on the evidence of this one magnificent story. The tale is ostensibly a science fiction story, and seems to anticipate the advent of World War I. But Chambers is bursting with ideas and every page threatens to go off in a new, unexpected direction. Elements of other genres start appearing, and threaten to take over the story. Perhaps this is a crime story, or a horror story, or a romance, or a war story. The constant shifts in subject and bizarre juxtapositions even allow us to praise The Repairer of Reputations as a forerunner of 20th century absurdist and postmodern literature. Parts of this crazy work remind me of Borges, Calvino and Nabokov, and at times I wondered whether Chambers wasn't aiming to parody genre literature in this tale. But I eventually concluded that he was dead serious, and no deconstruction is intended. Yet how many 19th century stories of this sort incorporate an unreliable narrator and so many other elements that we associate with fiction of a century later? We even find a forerunner here of the "deadly entertainment" that looms large in David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. And though I can comprehend why this concept - in essence, the notion of a piece of consumer entertainment that destroys the minds of its audience - appealed to a visionary author who wanted to critique pop culture at the close of the 20th century, I am both befuddled and intrigued by a writer in the Victorian era who came up with the identical idea. In the case of Chambers, the fatal diversion is a dramatic work called The King in Yellow, which destroys the lives of anyone unfortunate enough to make its acquaintance. Here too we find hints of the homemade mythology that stands out in Chambers' oeuvre. This is perhaps the most influential aspect of his work, and set the stage of the Cthulhu Mythos of Lovecraft's stories, and the many other alternative universes of later fantasy and science fiction. The reader hears breathless rumors about mythical places (some borrowed from the writings of Ambrose Bierce) such as Carcosa, Hastur, Yhtill, and Aldebaran. Chambers only hints, in the most oblique manner, at what these names represent, but they contribute to the dark and ominous tone that pervades his weird tales. This aspect of Chambers' work obviously fascinated Nic Pizzolatto, who suggests in the following dialogue from True Detective that modern-day crimes might have a connection to these mythic signifiers: "He said that there's this place down south where all these rich men go to, uh, devil worship. He said that, uh, they - they sacrifice kids and whatnot. Women and children all got - all got murdered there and, um, something about someplace called Carcosa and the Yellow King." Chambers includes sly references to Carcosa and "a King in Yellow" in some of the later stories, but by then he had either lost interest in the concept, or (perhaps more likely) lacked the ambition to build his private mythology into something grander. Indeed, the modest goals of this author are his chief weakness. I can't help agreeing with the verdict issued on Chambers by Lovecraft, who stated that this predecessor was "equipped with the right brains and education but wholly out of the habit of using them." In a similar vein, Chambers' contemporary Frederic Taber Cooper offered the following equivocal praise: "So much of Mr Chambers' work exasperates, because we feel that he might so easily have made it better." The remaining stories in The King in Yellow are less iconoclastic than The Repairer of Reputations, but four of them are outstanding works and deserve the attention of anyone interested in the history of the horror tale. The Mask draws on a favorite subject of this author, the romantic exploits of artists in Paris, but here a sculptor invents a new technique for turning living creatures into vividly realistic statues. If Lovecraft had been an American ex-pat living in France, he might have written a story of this sort. Two subsequent tales, In the Court of the Dragon and The Yellow Sign draw on a familiar trope of horror fiction: the protagonist is haunted by a frightening individual in the neighborhood. In the former instance, the villain is an malevolent church organist and, in the latter, a creepy church watchman. The plots here are fairly predictable, but the writing is strong and the mood intense. The Demoiselle of Y's is a more peculiar story, combining gothic horror, romance and time travel in a striking manner. It reminds us of Chambers' skill at mixing a range of genre styles, and leads me to speculate that the core of his greatest successes lay in his knack for combining the distinctive ingredients of each in surprising new hybrids. But at this stage of The King in Yellow, not quite the midway point of the volume, Chambers loses steam. He inserts a few pages of eccentric prose poems that seem to suggest that this book may turn into something avant-garde and otherworldly. But then our author fills the rest of his collection with romance stories about Parisians, polished in their own way, but an unwelcome intrusion into a book that warrants consideration as a masterpiece of strange fiction. So I carp and complain. But don't let my laments dissuade you from reading this book - or at least reading the first half of it. The best parts of The King in Yellow are masterful. Under slightly different circumstances, Chambers might have been the great horror author during that long 70-year interlude between the death of Poe and the rise of Lovecraft. Alas, he wasn't. Instead, we must assign that honor elsewhere, probably to Bierce or Machen. So if I chastise Robert W. Chambers, it is merely because he got so caught up in developing his talent that he neglected his genius.

"But I knew him to be as sane as I am." You don't say?

This isn't simply a narrated telling; these voices acted their roles to palpability. I've never been so gripped by an audiobook before in my life, and I've read each of these stories at least seven times a piece. Phenomenally done.

It chills me that I don't know where I first heard of the "King in Yellow". It's one of those thimgs I already knew the name of years before I found out what it was. I wish I was joking now.

I love the way it goes from one voice to another. so fluently. the readers should get Emmy awards for. best voice actors

I cannot think of another Audio presentation that has kept me more enthralled. So sad to see it's end, but I will enjoy it again, over and over!

The end to the lady of our fields had me saying to myself in an empty car with a tear forming in my eye “this is too sweet where’s my existential dread!?”, fantastic voicing and absolutely enjoyed every second!

“The King in Yellow” was a huge influence on Lovecraft, whose “Necronomicon” was based on the book depicted in this horror series, also, of course, called “The King in Yellow.” The whole concept of reading about people who were cursed by reading a book with the same title of the one you, yourself, are reading, is freaky and brilliant,

I would like to read the actual "The King in Yellow" book. I wish to know about the black stars that hang in the sky and of Carcosa.

Thank you, Ian and Jennifer, for your amazing narration of this collection of stories bound together by the reading of a book, “The King in Yellow.”

Among many reasons this is a uniquely brilliant audio capture of this dark masterpiece: the narration of Jennifer Gill. Hers may be the first voice I’ve fallen in love with by sound alone. Truly compelling.

I wear no mask! No mask? No mask!

great for listening to while playing videogames. when playing videogames, I always listen to audiobooks simultaneously. this way I'm at least only half-pissing away my time

Just found this (2024) while searching for this book. Oh. My. Word. You have a new HUGE fan. About to listen to EVERY video you have on your channel.

For those who don’t know, most of the stories after the yellow sign are fantasy romance. Still great stories, but much different.

Being a fan of Dark Souls, I am 99.9% certain that this book inspired the Xanthous King from the first game. The book's creeping terror is evident in the whole series, and is even more obvious in Bloodborne (next to Lovecraft). It's incredible!

Jesus, the staring poem is haunting beyond believe. That's some real eldritch horror

thanks for time stamps, i listen this at night and keep falling asleep with it on e_e

Long time fan of the HorrorBabble channel! I am almost done listening to your reading of “The King in Yellow” for the second time now, the first being a couple years ago. This channel has been a godsend to me and I just wanted to say thank you, with all sincerity. Thank you for all the time and energy you pour into this channel. You provide a constant stream of top notch content and I honestly can’t imagine a better voice to read these types of stories. Truly magnificent. Time and time again I am blown away by your renditions.

Seven-plus hours. . . . :-O un-holy Hastur. Well, in to a Play-list you go.

the reading of Cassilda's song of Carcosa is gorgeous, my compliments, sweet Lady Jennifer!

Wow some parts of this series are like listening to lovecraft but H.P. Was just a little kid when these were written. I happened to be playing Red Dead Redemption 2 while listening to this today. and I just realized this and a few other stories here are of the same time period that the story in this game takes place. (1890's)

By CROM, that's the last time I choose a highly entertaining yet Seven hour long Horrorbabble production for a sleep aid! It had quite the opposite effect.

Thank you so much. I’ve never gotten around to this and with the lock down I didn’t figure I would but you guys just keep delivering... I will certainly be helping you out when possible. And I just have to add, holy SHIT that excerpt at the beginning is just incredible. You both really nail this one especially.

I just adore you. I wish I could explain how much your wonderful narration and your writing means to me! Thank you so much for these wonderful stories!

Thanks for putting this anthology together! I think i need to listen to some (most) of them again. Several times...

You put so much work into this channel. Thank you for all your hard work. My sanity and wellbeing depend on this work of love. I wish I could support you more than the pittance I can currently afford. Hopefully in the near future.

All of these stories together! Excellent! I just finished listening to all 10 of the individual stories you recorded. You two did an excellent job. Thanks!!

Thank you so much for making this! I decided to play it in the background while I tried to get to sleep and I think it helped me out! Bookmark 5:27:07

Ian Gordon!! wonderful, thank you.

So brilliantly performed. This is one of my favourites that I come back to, time and again. Makes me much less angry, this channel. Cheers!!

Finally dedicating a day to listen to this.

I have lost count how many times Inhave listend to this compilation. As with all of your audiobooks, a great reading of a great story.

Thank You *HorrorBabble* for ALL this ...these audiobooks are a gift👍👍👍👍👍👍especially ones as good as this one

Excellent work! This is great to keep me focused while I follow along in my copy. Much better than some of the free audiobooks out there. Well done!

After listening to this, i had a dream where i saw two people i knew while walking down the street. Both people gave me very uneasy disgusted looks. Literally gives me goosebumps every time i think of the organ player at the church. Love this upload

This will help me with my art today. I was waiting for the compilation. Thanks mate. Love you guys and your reading choices.

I can't get enough of this site. Each time I come back. You got new books an each time. I wake up in terror 😳

I love listening to these readings before bed. Your voice is fantastic!

"The King in Yellow" is "wonderfully beautiful" indeed. Thank you, HorrorBabble! And now, added bonus, I see where Carpenter got his inspiration for Cigarette Burns.

Guys , thank you soo much , I love audiobooks of Lovecraft and Chambers but they are quite difficult to come by, except for Call of Cthulhu

My favorite of all stories has to be The Street of the First shell so much danger lurking in every corner for our would be protagonist, his humanized and many faceted character. From wanting to kill the very man who stole his world from him, his perfect idea of a life in a moment of earth shattering truth, to giving into his ultimate pitfalls...The amazing conclusion and the impending dread of thinking you know how the end plays out, dreading how the detailed epitaph will go and then...hope. The story gave hope. That ending will forever and always be engraved in my mind.

I was recommended this I was told 10 short stories but didn't realize it was 7 hours long .

Well that helps the working day go by.

Repairer of Reputations may be one pf my all time favorite short stories.

In lockdown but well entertained. Thank you very much

I am so glad to have found this channel, it's opened me to a whole new style of writing

I'm starting my first oiginal CoC7e scenario. Thank you for the recording as I do my source material research. The Yellow King is my favorite of the Cthulian baddies. I am getting very excited, thanks again.

You got a like right off the bat from me just for having good audio and volume...

I must have missed something major as this whole video feels like a romance novel, which I don’t usually seek for entertainment. I sought this before continuing Signalis, now I’m more confused than ever. 5/5, splendid narration

Ive been baving trouble reading for a while, i cant pay attention to the pages, and i love video because i can focus on the amazing voices and absorb the story, while i play video games :) im trying to find all the cosmic horror i can.

Ian’s American accent is delightful.

145.05 Thanks for the super stories & excellent narration!! I’m stuck at home except when working (still have a job thankfully) and these stories help me so much!! Be safe as well!

"The scolloped tatters of the King in Yellow must hide Yhtill forever."

i listened to this at work, this was awesome! thank you for this. What an awesome collection of stories!

Wow...this recording is fantastic. As a lovecraft fan (and Arkham Horror ) this is a must. Thank you...

Great job of making this story come to life!!!!!!!!!!

How has such an awesome channel gone unnoticed by me for so long? 🤔

Somehow I feel like already familiar with this King In Yellow dude for years. Plus I had this strange man with expressionless face in almost my nightmares since I was in junior highschool, last I met him was in my nightmare 2 days ago.

Crazy? I was crazy once. I read a book. A book about a King. A King in Yellow. And the King in Yellow made me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once. Bookmark: 1:42:33

Bloody hell, no matter how often you hear Cassilda's Song in this version, it gets you every time and draws you back... If I had a wish, I'd love to hear the poem "The Second Coming" read by Jennifer, with the effects of Cassilda's song. Would that be legal? Is a poem public dominion, if it's been published for decades? There's a lesser known story about Nyarlatotep that goes marvelously with that poem, I'll go look for it and ask again ✴

I'm reminded that John Carpenter's movie "In the Mouth of Madness" takes elements from The King in Yellow. The phrase "Have you read Sutter Cane?" is like "Have you seen the Yellow Sign?" as Cane's books are very popular but may induce insanity & psychotic behaviour.

Wow this is truly incredible. I’m only an hour in and I’m already obsessed. Thank you for this.

Thank you.

I've gone through three different audio book renditions of The King in Yellow this morning and the narrators have been terrible. I'm so pleased to find this one now with wonderful narrators.

A superb story, and a superb reading.

1:18:24 Glass Rabbit facing right? Evil Duck facing up left? You decide.

*HAVE YOU SEEN THE YELLOW SIGN?*

i have been listening to you guys for some time now and this one is really special! Right up there with Frankenstein as one of your bests, in my humble opinion. I get extra excited when you guys do American accents

Many years ago, I brought a puppy home I found abandoned on an El platform in Chicago. My mother told me that we couldn't keep him and that I shouldn't name him. You can imagine what I, a fan of the Mythos even then, called him during the remainder of our brief acquaintance.

This is just a tribuuuuuuuute, OH, to the greatest horror story in the world, aw right.

The American accent is excellent! And your cockney dialect...it's almost like you actually live there! Lol this is top shelf this reading is!

Such gravitas you have Gordon! Pleasant listen this was!

That was amazing, absolutely fantastic. One of the best stories ever. I have never read something so amazing. I loved the first one it was a cool twist as I wasn't sure what to expect. I felt so saddened by the 2nd and 4st the third was confusing. I may need to reread it.

I am loving this reading , well done indeed. But some hours later i feel weve lost the build up and anticipation of "The King in Yellow" left from the repairer and yellow sign.

This book is weird, I read it, found it merely adequate. Then I put it away and visions of Carcosa filled my waking dreams. So I reread the book and compiled every reference that seemed relevant in order to try figure out the puzzle and extrapolate things that could be developed further in my own writing one day.

Listening to this once again, I think this recording is perfect. The superficially orderly world as might be conjured by a Wells or Double, wormed through with self serving lies an avarice. Horrible.

Brilliantly read. I love HorrorBabble. The stories were good at first, but I didnt care for the back half.

So glad I found this channel. Well done! 💜

Cassildas song at the beginning is wat got my into this story i really love how there are different voice actors in each story just so good xo cheers and thankyou so much Ian Gordon your the best xo

Thank you. Truly. Thank you for the effort placed into making this video and reading the book. I wished to read it on my own but... it's banned in my country.

Gotta complain about false advertising. Listened to this over and over and throughout enjoyed myself no mind numbing descent int insanity occurred. Will try again

What fantastic work!

I find many of the stories to be sad, continuously losing your love, or to have it rejected or just a hallucination.

Ian...the Rabbit and goldfish marblizing fluid gives ME an idea for an inspired tale....oh my...😂

My favorite story from this book is "The Damoiselle Dy's". A chillingly romantic gothic horror story.

Simplemente Fantastico 👏

Okay that was a wild ride.

This is perfect. I love you.

Excellent narration of an excellent book

41:31 "Impudent little tugs, puffing and whistling officiously!"

Oh my god, wanted to read king in yellow for a while, found this video and started slowly remembering that I, in fact, already did a while back

Jennifer has a pleasant voice to listen to.

Amazing!! I was chuffed to bits when I saw this posting!!! 💛