City of Dreadful Night and Other Poems is a collection of dark and brooding poetry by James Thomson. The poems explore themes of despair, loneliness, and the harsh realities of life. Thomson's use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a haunting atmosphere that stays with the reader long after the final page.

The title poem, "City of Dreadful Night," paints a bleak picture of a city shrouded in darkness and despair. The sense of hopelessness is palpable, as Thomson delves into the depths of human suffering and existential angst. This poem, along with others in the collection, showcases Thomson's talent for capturing the darker aspects of the human experience.

While the poems in City of Dreadful Night and Other Poems may not be uplifting or optimistic, they are undeniably powerful and thought-provoking. Thomson's exploration of the darker side of life is both unsettling and mesmerizing, making this collection a compelling read for fans of dark, introspective poetry.

Book Description:
While primarily known for being pessimistic, the poetry of James Thomson is also beautiful and psychologically complex. This 1903 edition, varying as it does in selection from the edition of the same name published during his lifetime, provides a representative look at what has come to be known as his best works. The title poem is a horror-laced journey through depths that are surface level supernatural and at their heart an exploration of depression and atheist existential crisis. Subsequent works turn personal struggles into pure art and praise poets that have gone before. - Summary by MoonLylith