What Was It?

"[When O'Brien] turned to science fiction and fantasy, he began to display the full force of his truly outstanding talents." - Sam Moskowitz

What Was It? and Others (1858-1864) showcases O'Brien's finest speculative fiction, reflecting his growth as a writer. This collection includes "What Was It?", featuring an encounter with a strange invisible creature, "The Lost Room", regarded as one of the greatest weird stories ever written, and "The Wondersmith", where animated puppets are used for diabolical revenge. These stories cemented O'Brien's legacy, demonstrating his mastery of the genre and his ability to craft unsettling, imaginative narratives that have endured through time.

This is volume three 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.