Robert W. Chambers published the science fiction novel named The Repairer of Reputations in 1895 and presented an example of the writer’s horror stories. The reading community also considers it as experimental literature, and David G. Hartwell commented about the story as an extraordinary achievement.
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Author: Robert W. Chambers
Genre: Dystopian Fiction
Page: 84
Good reads rating: 3.47 of 5
My Rating: 7.1 of 10
Published: 2017
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Language: English
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***Warning Spoilers Below This Point***
In this story, the writer invited the readers to doubt every single detail which the narrator relates to. The writer provoked his readers to enter a horrific zone where he will experience the journey of the protagonist.
The author set the story in New York City in the year 1920. The main protagonist of the story, Hildred Castaigne, was a young man of New York. His personality changed drastically as he became injured after falling off a horse. They admitted him to an asylum and treated him for insanity by Dr Archer. Because of this accident, he changed into an unreliable narrator. As narrated by Hildred, the US prospered in the time and improved its infrastructure. A new aristocrat elite society developed far from the foreigner people’s influence. Suicide became legalised and easily available to do under the newly developed government. During the time of his recovery, Hildred came to read a book named The King in Yellow.
The story comprised a false statement and disturbed him a lot. After the accident, he changed into an eccentric recluse who spent his days reading books and maps. He also associated with the more eccentric character, Mr Wilde, the person of the title, “Repairer of Reputations”.
The man claimed to be the architect of a vast conspiracy that used many weapons and devices. He blackmailed influential, commanding, and powerful men. He wanted to be the last heir of the King of the imperial dynasty of America. So, being influenced by him, Hildred told his cousin Louis that he couldn’t marry to get the throne. But as Hildred forced him not to marry his fiancé, Louis understood something was wrong. Hildred told him he murdered Dr Archer and ran towards the house of Mr Wilde. But he saw that Mr Wilde also became murdered. The police arrived and arrested Hildred. The story ended with the death of Hildred.
The dystopian fiction story presents a lot of complexities. The writer of the book makes the readers think and analyse the different approaches. Interpreting the story, the readers will experience and understand the crisis of the protagonist. I rate this novel, 7.1 out of 10. Would I re-read the novel? Yes. Am I glad I read it? Yes.
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