The Diamond Lens

"Fitz-James O'Brien is the most important figure after Poe and before Lovecraft in modern horror literature." - Jessica Amanda Salmonson

The Diamond Lens and Others (1855-1858) collects O'Brien's earliest speculative fiction written in America. This volume marks his initial exploration into what would become his signature genre-tales of the outré and macabre. Within its pages, readers will encounter tales and poems of fantastical spirits, monomania, nightmarish hallucinations, and dark fantasy. The collection culminates with "The Diamond Lens", the story that catapulted O'Brien to national recognition. This volume captures the further development of his unique style and thematic preoccupations.

This is volume two of a three-volume set of Fitz-James O'Brien's fiction and poetry, the most comprehensive collection of his horror and supernatural writings to date. When taken together, the full set offers valuable introductions for readers of fantastical literature, featuring works never previously collected and some appearing for the first time outside their original publications.