Introduction
“Double Cosmos” is a little-known short story by Clark Ashton Smith, published posthumously in the 1980s though written around 1933. It falls within the realm of philosophical science fiction, infused with elements typical of so-called “weird fiction,” which Smith helped establish alongside H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard.
This tale masterfully explores recurring themes in Smith’s work: the fragility of human perception, the multiplicity of realities, and the terror wrought by revelations of hidden layers of existence.
Plot
The narrative unfolds as a posthumous manuscript left by Bernard Meecham, a brilliant yet reclusive chemist who vanished under mysterious circumstances. Obsessed with unravelling the limits of human perception, he spent years researching drugs that could expand or alter consciousness.
Meecham developed a theory suggesting that narcotic-induced hallucinations weren’t mere sensory distortions, but rather windows into other dimensions of reality. His central hypothesis posited that humans possess a “dormant sense”, possibly linked to the pineal gland, which—when properly stimulated—could grant access to parallel worlds.
What Is Lying Beyond Our Perceptions
Meecham challenges the validity of the five traditional senses, proposing that what we call “reality” may simply be a collective hallucination. This ontological scepticism forms one of the tale’s core philosophical pillars.
Interestingly, his speculation about the pineal gland as an undeveloped “third eye” echoes esoteric and spiritualist traditions, which long attributed mystical functions to it. Moreover, the notion of coexisting multiple cosmos—accessible through artificial mind-expansion—anticipates concepts that wouldn’t gain traction for decades.
Later developments like string theory and the multiverse in contemporary sci-fi would eventually explore similar ideas.
Clark Ashton Smith Style
Clark Ashton Smith remains celebrated for his poetic, dense prose, often adorned with archaic terms and an almost baroque cadence. However, in “Double Cosmos”, his writing appears more restrained, suiting the tone of a scientific-philosophical account.
Yet he never abandons his trademark style: imagination-rich visual descriptions and that distinctive blend of cosmic wonder with existential dread. The text mimics a scientific manuscript while remaining steeped in sombre lyricism.
Conclusion
“Double Cosmos” stands as a hidden gem of speculative fiction, worthy of wider readership and study. Through his exploration of duality and parallel realities, Clark Ashton Smith invites readers to question the boundaries of what we deem “real”.
Moreover, he highlights the inherent dangers in humanity’s thirst to transcend limits. The tale’s elegant, philosophical prose—paired with unsettling narrative—makes for thoroughly engaging reading.
Fans of classic sci-fi, weird fiction, and literature blending horror with the sublime will find this story particularly rewarding.
