The Case of Charles Dexter Ward

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a chilling horror novella by H.P. Lovecraft, first published in 1941. Set in 1928 Providence, Rhode Island, the story follows Charles Dexter Ward, a young antiquarian who becomes obsessed with his ancestor, Joseph Curwen—a notorious necromancer from the 18th century. Ward's fascination leads him to delve into occult practices, ultimately resurrecting Curwen from the dead. As the tale unfolds, Ward's physical and mental state deteriorates, prompting his family doctor, Marinus Bicknell Willett, to investigate the sinister happenings. The novella explores themes of necromancy, identity, and the boundaries between life and death.