How can I find the best Clark Ashton Smith short story for me?

You can start by looking for collections in your local library. Often, they will have anthologies that feature his best works.

One of his great short stories is 'The City of the Singing Flame'. It has a very vivid and otherworldly setting that really draws the reader in. The descriptions are so detailed that you can almost see the strange city and the flaming entity within it.

Another notable one is 'The Nameless Offspring'. It showcases Smith's ability to blend horror and the fantastical. The story takes the reader on a journey through a dark and macabre landscape, filled with grotesque and terrifying elements that are a hallmark of Smith's work. His descriptions are so detailed that it's easy to get completely immersed in the nightmarish world he creates.

I think 'The End of the Story' by Clark Ashton Smith might be about the conclusion of a series of events or a character's journey. It could have a sense of finality, perhaps with a twist at the end that makes the reader reevaluate the whole story.

In many of Smith's stories, there are often solitary heroes or anti - heroes. For instance, in 'The Colossus of Ylourgne', there is a figure who tries to combat the colossus. He may not be a typical hero in the sense of having all the noble qualities, but he is the central figure in the struggle against this great and terrifying entity. His actions and decisions drive the plot forward as he battles against the odds.

One of the great stories could be 'The City of the Singing Flame'. It has a really unique and otherworldly setting that draws readers in. The vivid descriptions of the strange city and the mysterious flame are quite captivating.

Another important work is 'The Abominations of Yondo'. Clark Ashton Smith was known for his rich language and his ability to create vivid and grotesque images. In this work, he presents a world full of strange and often repulsive creatures and situations. His science - fiction often defied the norms of his time, exploring themes that were not commonly addressed in the genre at that point.

He influenced it through his unique style. His use of vivid and often macabre descriptions added a new dimension to science fiction.

Smith might use the device of flashback to give context to the end. By showing past events, it can make the end more understandable or poignant. Personification could also be used. If he's writing about the end of a world or a place, he could personify it to make the end seem more alive and real. For example, the land could be described as 'dying' as if it were a living being. And repetition could be employed. He may repeat certain phrases or ideas related to the end to emphasize its significance, like repeating 'the end is near' in different forms throughout the story to build tension towards the actual end.

There are various main characters. Some are brave adventurers like Eibon. Eibon often embarks on dangerous quests in strange lands.