The Mystery of Choice

"The Mystery of Choice" by Robert W. Chambers is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The stories delve into themes of love, choice, and the supernatural, weaving narratives that explore the intersections of human emotion and the inexplicable forces of fate. The collection features characters who grapple with their decisions and the consequences they entail, often finding themselves in situations where the boundaries between reality and mystery blur. The opening of the work introduces the story "The Purple Emperor," where the main character, an entomologist named Monsieur Darrel, interacts with the infamous Purple Emperor, a local expert on butterflies. As Darrel engages in a spirited discussion about fishing and insects, we learn about the Purple Emperor's oppressive behavior toward his niece, Lys, who captivates Darrel's affections. This complex relationship, set against the backdrop of localized rivalries among entomologists, foreshadows darker themes as both jealousy and familial strife intertwine. The early exchanges highlight not only Darrel’s growing concern for Lys but also set the stage for a tense conflict involving the characters’ interconnected fates and the mysterious elements surrounding their lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert William Chambers was an American artist and fiction writer, best known for his book of short stories titled The King in Yellow, published in 1895.