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The Lost Room
Fitz James O'Brien was an Irish-born American writer. Some of his work is often considered one of the forerunners of today's science fiction.
In this short story, the narrator relates a tale where he literally loses his room in a surreal situation that sounds like a rather unpleasant version of Alice in Wonderland.
In this short story, the narrator relates a tale where he literally loses his room in a surreal situation that sounds like a rather unpleasant version of Alice in Wonderland.
19 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1858
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Fitz-James O'Brien
261 books27 followersHe was born Michael O'Brien in County Cork, and was very young when the family moved to Limerick, Ireland. He attended the University of Dublin, and is believed to have been at one time a soldier in the British Army. On leaving college he went to London, and in the course of four years spent his inheritance of £8,000, meanwhile editing a periodical in aid of the World's Fair of 1851. About 1852 he came to the United States, in the process changing his name to Fitz James and thenceforth he devoted his attention to literature.
While he was in college he had shown an aptitude for writing verse, and two of his poems—"Loch Ine" and "Irish Castles"—were published in The Ballads of Ireland (1856).
His earliest writings in the United States were contributed to The Lantern, which was then edited by John Brougham. Subsequently he wrote for The Home Journal, The New York Times, and The American Whig Review. His first important literary connection was with Harper's Magazine, and beginning in February 1853, with The Two Skulls, he contributed more than sixty articles in prose and verse to that periodical. He likewise wrote for the New York Saturday Press, Putnam's Magazine, Vanity Fair, and The Atlantic Monthly. To the latter he sent "The Diamond Lens" (1858) and "The Wondersmith" (1859), which are unsurpassed as creations of the imagination, and are unique among short magazine stories. "The Diamond Lens" is probably his most famous short story, and tells the story of a scientist who invents a powerful microscope discovers a beautiful female in a microscopic world inside a drop of water. "The Wondersmith" is an early predecessor of robot rebellion, where toys possessed by evil spirits are transformed into living automatons who turns against their creators. His 1858 short called "Horrors Unknown" has been referred to as "the single most striking example of surrealistic fiction to pre-date Alice in Wonderland" (Sam Moskowitz, 1971). "What Was It? A Mystery" (1859) is one of the earliest known examples of invisibility in fiction.
His pen was also employed in writing plays. For James W. Wallack he made A Gentleman from Ireland, that held the boards for a generation. He also wrote and adapted other pieces for the theatres, but they had a shorter existence.
In New York he at once associated with the brilliant set of Bohemians of that day, among whom he was ranked as the most able. At the weekly dinners that were given by John Brougham, or at the nightly suppers at Pfaff's on Broadway, he was the soul of the entertainment.
In 1861 he joined the 7th regiment of the New York National Guard, hoping to be sent to the front, and he was in Camp Cameron before Washington for six weeks. When his regiment returned to New York he received an appointment on the staff of General Frederick W. Lander. He was severely wounded in a skirmish on February 26, 1862, and lingered until April, when he died at Cumberland, Maryland.
From Wikipedia.
While he was in college he had shown an aptitude for writing verse, and two of his poems—"Loch Ine" and "Irish Castles"—were published in The Ballads of Ireland (1856).
His earliest writings in the United States were contributed to The Lantern, which was then edited by John Brougham. Subsequently he wrote for The Home Journal, The New York Times, and The American Whig Review. His first important literary connection was with Harper's Magazine, and beginning in February 1853, with The Two Skulls, he contributed more than sixty articles in prose and verse to that periodical. He likewise wrote for the New York Saturday Press, Putnam's Magazine, Vanity Fair, and The Atlantic Monthly. To the latter he sent "The Diamond Lens" (1858) and "The Wondersmith" (1859), which are unsurpassed as creations of the imagination, and are unique among short magazine stories. "The Diamond Lens" is probably his most famous short story, and tells the story of a scientist who invents a powerful microscope discovers a beautiful female in a microscopic world inside a drop of water. "The Wondersmith" is an early predecessor of robot rebellion, where toys possessed by evil spirits are transformed into living automatons who turns against their creators. His 1858 short called "Horrors Unknown" has been referred to as "the single most striking example of surrealistic fiction to pre-date Alice in Wonderland" (Sam Moskowitz, 1971). "What Was It? A Mystery" (1859) is one of the earliest known examples of invisibility in fiction.
His pen was also employed in writing plays. For James W. Wallack he made A Gentleman from Ireland, that held the boards for a generation. He also wrote and adapted other pieces for the theatres, but they had a shorter existence.
In New York he at once associated with the brilliant set of Bohemians of that day, among whom he was ranked as the most able. At the weekly dinners that were given by John Brougham, or at the nightly suppers at Pfaff's on Broadway, he was the soul of the entertainment.
In 1861 he joined the 7th regiment of the New York National Guard, hoping to be sent to the front, and he was in Camp Cameron before Washington for six weeks. When his regiment returned to New York he received an appointment on the staff of General Frederick W. Lander. He was severely wounded in a skirmish on February 26, 1862, and lingered until April, when he died at Cumberland, Maryland.
From Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 4, 2019
The story starts very contemplative. A man makes inventory of his room and let the memories pass he connects with some of the items. When he takes a walk outside he meets a strange, small and wild looking man who asks him for fire. When he gives him his cigarette that guy tells him that his home is haunted by ghouls and enchanters. He knows about that because he belonged to that ghostly group once. Immediately our main character goes back to his house, wants to retreat into his room. But his room is occupied. A bizarre bacchanal is taking place and some mysterious women and men are teasing him. What are they doing in his room? Where did they come from? He shoots the dice and loses... does he get his lost room back? The story is well told with many eerie elements and a sinister situation (coming back to your room which is occupied by strangers) in progress. A gothic classic. Really recommended!
September 7, 2025
Quite effective in its horror and the finality of doomed to an erased identity.
October 13, 2019
31 Classic Horror Stories Every Fan Should Read in October: A Literary Advent Calender for Halloween: Day 11:
https://www.oldstyletales.com/single-...
https://www.oldstyletales.com/single-...
October 11, 2019
Dark atmosphere and well constructed....
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January 29, 2026So I listened to the audio recording of this book by Tony Walker, who is a brilliant narrator, and I'm suprised with how much I have to say on this story.
There is no doubt that Fitz James O'Brien is an astounding writer, however, I cannot look past the fact he is also extremely racist. Whilst it is important to note what society was like at the time- we still have to hold such matters as if they were in today's modern society- racism is wrong. No matter your status or time frame. It's incredibly sickening how common it was in the stories of the time.
Moving on; the description of phantoms, demons and enchantresses was remarkable- and felt quite new, considering the amount of classic literature I've taken under my wing this year. It's difficult to put a rating on such a tale- however the plot twist at the end, would've drove me made if such a thing happened to me too.
So I'm not leaving a rating on this tale. There's much to be said, debated, argued- but I'm not moving on my stance of racism. Absolutely disgusting how often certain phrases were used throughout this book. It made me uncomfortable to hear those words- and it should.
There is no doubt that Fitz James O'Brien is an astounding writer, however, I cannot look past the fact he is also extremely racist. Whilst it is important to note what society was like at the time- we still have to hold such matters as if they were in today's modern society- racism is wrong. No matter your status or time frame. It's incredibly sickening how common it was in the stories of the time.
Moving on; the description of phantoms, demons and enchantresses was remarkable- and felt quite new, considering the amount of classic literature I've taken under my wing this year. It's difficult to put a rating on such a tale- however the plot twist at the end, would've drove me made if such a thing happened to me too.
So I'm not leaving a rating on this tale. There's much to be said, debated, argued- but I'm not moving on my stance of racism. Absolutely disgusting how often certain phrases were used throughout this book. It made me uncomfortable to hear those words- and it should.
December 24, 2021
Excellent story! A surreal horror story of a man in a haunted house plagued by ghosts and demons. He is searching for his room, which he is in at the beginning of the story, but he can’t find it. He thinks he finds it, but it is different and filled with people. The story ultimately creates a great sense of lost time and lost opportunity. A wonderful little story, very creepy!
-Gregory Kerkman
-Gregory Kerkman
September 21, 2021
https://archive.org/details/WeirdTale...
https://www.feedbooks.com/book/2561/t...
Weird Tales reprint of a short story first published in the September 1858 issue of Harper's Magazine.
https://www.feedbooks.com/book/2561/t...
Weird Tales reprint of a short story first published in the September 1858 issue of Harper's Magazine.
April 1, 2024
4.5 stars
July 30, 2024
Don’t smoke that stuff indoors as it just amplifies the effects.
July 26, 2025
great ghost story by a master.
March 6, 2026
A bunch of weird people occupy his room and play some dumb games to throw him out and this idiot falls for it ,just badly written ,dumb plot ,makes zero sense .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews